About the project
This project investigates the environmental impact of spacecraft re-entry, focusing on material ablation and its effects on ozone chemistry and Earth’s radiative balance. Using high-fidelity computational models, molecular dynamics, and atmospheric simulations, this research will enhance sustainability in space activities by assessing the long-term consequences of satellite disposal practices.
The rapid expansion of space activities, particularly the growing number of satellite deployments, raises concerns about environmental sustainability. Thousands of satellites re-enter Earth’s atmosphere annually as part of post-mission disposal, leading to the ablation of spacecraft materials such as aluminium, which can release potentially harmful substances. These materials, when incinerated during re-entry, may impact ozone chemistry and Earth's radiative balance, posing long-term environmental risks.
This project, therefore, aims to bridge the critical knowledge gap in understanding the atmospheric effects of spacecraft re-entry. It will develop a high-fidelity computational model to simulate spacecraft surface ablation and examine how released materials interact with atmospheric chemistry, particularly their influence on ozone depletion and climate change.
The research will employ advanced thermo-chemical nonequilibrium flow models and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to enhance our understanding of ablation processes. The Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) will be used to assess the broader environmental and climate impacts, focusing on ozone interactions and Earth’s radiative balance.
By providing crucial insights into the environmental consequences of space activities, this project will play a key role in supporting the sustainability of future space operations.
