Environmental effects of space systems

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979 · AIAA: Space Systems and Their Interactions with Earth's Space Env; (United States)

OSTI ID:6366287

Rote, D M

The potential impacts of the U.S. Space Shuttle program and the proposed Satellite Power System on the earth's upper atmosphere and magnetosphere are discussed. Major impacts of these systems would occur from power transmission through space, the injection of rocket effluents and ablated materials into various regions of the upper atmosphere, and the actual presence of large structures in orbit. Possible effects include compositional changes in the atmosphere, an alteration of magnetospheric and plasmaspheric structure and dynamics, and a perturbation of Van Allen radiation belt stability. However, in light of current knowledge, the potential atmospheric effects of large space systems and their significance for the terrestrial environment should be regarded as uncertain.

• OSTI ID: 6366287
• Journal Information: AIAA: Space Systems and Their Interactions with Earth's Space Env; (United States), Journal Name: AIAA: Space Systems and Their Interactions with Earth's Space Env; (United States) Vol. 71
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
AIRCRAFT
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
MAGNETOSPHERE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
RADIATIONS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SPACE SHUTTLES
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
WASTES