Stijn Lemmens from the European Space Agency highlighted that the last three years have seen more satellite launches than in the previous sixty years combined, with over 2,400 new satellites launched in 2023 alone.

This surge in satellite launches has resulted in a crowded space environment, raising concerns about the increasing number of objects in orbit, with projections suggesting tens of thousands more could be launched in the next decade.

A significant driver of this growth is Elon Musk's advancements in reusable rocket technology and the deployment of the Starlink satellite constellation, which aims to provide global internet coverage.

In fact, 2023 set a record with 211 successful satellite launches, and projections for 2024 indicate that this number will be surpassed.

However, the rapid increase in satellite deployments has led to heightened concerns about space debris and pollution in the upper atmosphere.

In 2023, approximately 700 satellites and 200 rocket upper stages were deorbited, contributing to atmospheric pollution as they vaporized upon re-entry.

To mitigate space debris, regulations require that satellites be deorbited at the end of their operational life, allowing them to burn up in the atmosphere, although this process can release pollutants.

While collision risks have been a primary concern regarding the proliferation of satellites, recent studies since 2020 have revealed a new threat: potential disruption to the upper atmosphere, particularly affecting the stratospheric ozone layer.

These studies indicate that the atmospheric disturbances caused by re-entering satellites could further harm the already vulnerable ozone layer, which is still recovering from past damage caused by chlorofluorocarbons.

As the satellite industry continues to expand, predictions suggest that tens of thousands of additional satellites could be launched into low-Earth orbit within the next decade.

This trend is not limited to private companies like SpaceX; other actors, including Amazon and China, are also planning their own satellite constellations, further contributing to the crowded space environment.

The ozone layer is crucial for protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, making its preservation increasingly important amidst the growing challenges posed by satellite launches and space debris.