Space Race Increasing Pollution ConcernsA SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket begins its demonstration flight with liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, 2018. Source: Kennedy Space Center/NASAThe 21st century space race continues to send rockets through the outer limits of Earth’s atmosphere, leaving toxic metals in the stratosphere, punching holes in the ozone layer, and potentially creating a disastrous pollution problem for space and Earth. Should the government regulate pollution from space launches? If space exploration increases pollution on Earth, should the exploration continue? SourceShannon Hall, “The New Space Race Is Causing New Pollution Problems,” nytimes.com, Jan. 22, 2024

Source: New York Times February 06, 2024 12:47 UTC