We already know climate change is making a mess of things down here on Earth, but now it’s causing problems in space too.
A new MIT study reveals that greenhouse gas emissions are shrinking the thermosphere—the layer where most satellites orbit—making space junk an even bigger issue.
Wait, what? Aren’t greenhouse gases supposed to trap heat?
Yes, but only in the lower atmosphere.
What Happens?
In the upper layers, they actually cool things down, causing the thermosphere to contract.
This means less atmospheric drag, which usually helps clean up space by pulling debris down to burn up.
Without this natural clean-up system, we’re left with a cosmic landfill floating above our heads.
Lead researcher Will Parker warns that “space is becoming too crowded,” especially with the boom in satellite launches.
Right now, nearly 12,000 satellites orbit Earth, and that number is growing fast.
Add millions of bullet-speed debris pieces into the mix, and suddenly, the idea of a peaceful night sky seems a bit… cluttered.
Scientists say we need to act now—both to cut emissions and to rethink how we manage space traffic.
Because if we don’t, we might not just be polluting the planet—we’ll be turning Earth’s orbit into an intergalactic junkyard.
