Studies examine climate effects of rockets and dust (opens in new tab)

Two climate-related atmospheric studies published or reported in June 2026 examined particles that can have large effects in climate models: pollution from rocket and satellite activity in the upper atmosphere, and iron-rich mineral dust mapped from the International Space Station. A University College London-led study in Earth’s Future modeled pollution from rocket launches, discarded rocket bodies and dead satellites burning up during reentry, finding that satellite megaconstellations could...