Rocket industries threats to Ozone layer
The ozone layer is a crucial protective shield for life on Earth, shielding it from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. In 1985, the discovery of the "Ozone Hole" over Antarctica highlighted the destruction of the ozone layer, which led to the Montreal Protocol coming into effect in 1987.
The protocol resulted in the ban of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a class of chemicals used in aerosols and refrigeration, preventing a global crisis. However, the rocket industry's rapid growth has created a new threat to the ozone layer, with the gases and particulates emitted by rockets hindering the recovery of the ozone layer.
The rocket industry relies on four main fuel types for propulsion, including liquid kerosene, cryogenic, hypergolic, and solid fuels, which all emit exhaust products that destroy ozone. Methane is a new fuel being used in rocket engines that are under development, but the emissions products of methane are poorly understood.
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