Research on Environmental Impact of Spacecraft Launch Activities

The Department for Transport (DfT) is commissioning research to examine the environmental impact of spacecraft launches. The project addresses a significant knowledge gap regarding how rocket launches affect atmospheric composition and climate change. Key research objectives include: understanding the chemistry and volume of exhaust emissions entering the atmosphere from rocket launches; analyzing the stratospheric distribution and dispersion patterns of these emissions; evaluating the climate impact of both current and emerging rocket fuel types; and assessing whether spacecraft launch activities present a measurable atmospheric problem. This research will provide evidence to support DfT's understanding of the scale and significance of environmental impacts from the growing space launch industry, informing future policy and regulatory decisions.