The fast explosion of the upper step of the SpaceX Starship missile Ilona Mask, the fragments of which fell into the Caribbean Sea, could lead to a huge number of dangerous pollutants into the upper layers of the Earth. There is a potential threat to the ozone layer, writes Live Science.

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The seventh test flight of the Starship missiles on January 17 did not end exactly as SpaceX planned. If the lower step of the rocket successfully completed its mission and returned back to the starting site, then the upper step exploded just a few minutes after the launch, as Focus already wrote. As a result, a large number of fragments were formed that fell into the Caribbean, as well as to some islands.

According to the astronomer and expert on cosmic garbage, Jonathan McDauella, the upper step of the Starship rocket weighing about 85 tons, exploded at an altitude of about 146 km. According to the researcher of the atmosphere of Connor Barker, the explosion of the upper step of the Starship missile could lead to the creation of 45 tons of metals oxides and 40 tons of nitrogen oxide. The latter is known for being able to destroy the ozone layer of the earth.

At the same time, Barker says that the above numbers are only a preliminary assessment, and not an accurate calculation of the effect of the accident on the environment. Although the scientist believes that in any case, a lot of pollutants got into the atmosphere.

Scientists cannot say exactly how many pollutants fell into the upper layers of the atmosphere of the Earth, because it is unclear how the mass of the rocket burned down completely, and what mass in the form of fragments fell to the ground.

Fortunately, the upper step of the Starship missile is made of stainless steel, and not from aluminum, like satellites and upper steps of many other missiles. When the satellites fall into the atmosphere of the Earth, where they burn out, aluminum oxide is formed, which, like nitric oxide, destroys the ozone layer and changes the reflective ability of the Earth's atmosphere.

In recent years, the number of satellites who fall into the atmosphere is growing rapidly, and thus the amount of aluminum oxide, as well as nitrogen oxide, in the upper atmosphere oxide is growing. These pollutants remain there for a long time.

Nitrogen oxide occurs when fragments of cosmic garbage moving at hypersonic velocity compress the surrounding air when falling to the ground. Nitrogen atoms heat up and respond with oxygen, creating a dangerous oxide.

According to scientists, the number of launches of missiles and satellites will only grow, which means that more cosmic garbage will be in the atmosphere, which will lead to its greater pollution. Pollutants can prevent the restoration of the ozone layer of earth.

They can also lead to the fact that the atmosphere will retain a larger amount of heat, which means global warming will only intensify.

As Focus already wrote, the " Researchers claim that they have found a way to create asphalt on which pits will never appear.

Focus also wrote that astronomers discovered an explosion in deep space, which could not explain. It is assumed that a strange explosion can be a completely new phenomenon, the cause of which scientists do not understand.