Ep. 765: Rockets vs The Environment

Astronomy Cast Ep. 765: Rockets vs The Environment

By Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Streamed live on Sep 22, 2025.

We don't launch a lot of rockets every year, so their impact on the environment is minimal compared to other forms of transportation. But that number is steadily increasing with rates that we'll have to take seriously. What's the current and future impact of rockets on the environment Rocket facilities are often surrounded by wildlife preserves and they always fly through our atmosphere. Let's take a look at how launches do and don't impact the environment around them from the surface of Earth, to the farthest orbits (and landings).