Context: The rapid growth of global space activities is increasing the number of rocket launches and spacecraft re-entries, resulting in increasing quantities of gases, particles and ablation products being introduced into the atmosphere. Understanding the atmospheric consequences of these emissions is important for assessing and mitigating their potential environmental impacts. Significant uncertainties remain regarding their composition, transformation, transport and subsequent effects on atmospheric processes.
Aims: Building on the first two Workshops and the work of the AIRL Working Group with the ESSC, research undertaken through the SLICE network, and the significant progress made across the wider scientific community, the 3rd Atmospheric Impacts of Spacecraft Launch and Re-entry Workshop will build on the key knowledge gaps already identified and place greater emphasis on generating the measurements and experimental evidence needed to reduce uncertainties, quantify environmental impacts and inform effective mitigation.
The workshop will bring together atmospheric scientists, including experimentalists and modellers, representatives from space agencies and industry, and policymakers. Its purpose is to strengthen collaboration across disciplines and refine priorities for future research, with particular emphasis on obtaining real world measurements, improving laboratory and modelling capabilities, understanding potential impacts on ozone, cloud formation, climate and ecosystems, and translating emerging evidence into practical approaches towards more sustainable space activities.
Topics: We will explore the key scientific, engineering and environmental issues related to spacecraft launch and re-entry, including:
- Measurements and observations:
Sampling platforms, field campaigns and remote sensing of launch and re-entry emissions. - Launch and re-entry emission processes:
Ablation, combustion and gas phase chemistry, particle formation, composition and evolution in launch and re-entry plumes. - Atmospheric chemistry and microphysics:
Ageing and heterogeneous chemistry of particles, nucleation and cloud formation, atmospheric dynamics and transport of emissions, ozone interactions and radiative forcing. - Linking laboratory studies, observations and modelling:
Connecting laboratory studies and atmospheric measurements with chemistry, transport and climate models to improve model parameterisation, validation and environmental impact assessments. - Mitigation and policy:
Translating scientific advances into reliable life cycle assessments (LCA), scientifically grounded mitigation measures and alternative approaches, including controlled recovery, while considering future regulation, standards and environmental requirements for sustainable space activities.