Burning Spacecraft Impact On Ozone Layer Remains Unknown, Expert Says | Aviation Week

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Thierry Dubois
September 28, 2026

view of earth’s curved horizon

Credit: NOAA

The spiraling amount of metal particles that spacecraft generate in the stratosphere during atmospheric reentry might impact the ozone layer, a researcher at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says. The study, based on 2023 measurements and published this year, comes as…

Thierry Dubois

Thierry Dubois has specialized in aerospace journalism since 1997. An engineer in fluid dynamics from Toulouse-based Enseeiht, he covers the French commercial aviation, defense and space industries. His expertise extends to all things technology in Europe.  

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