Russian scientists have discovered that the SpaceX Starship rocket explosion in 2023 caused a temporary disruption to the ionosphere, a crucial part of Earth's atmosphere.
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| The explosion of SpaceX's Starship rocket in 2023 had a significant impact on the ionosphere, a layer of Earth's atmosphere. A new study reveals the details of this unprecedented event. Symbolic image |
Moscow, Russia – August 31, 2024:
A new study by Russian scientists has revealed that the high-altitude explosion of one of SpaceX's Starship rockets last year temporarily created a hole in the upper atmosphere. This is the first known instance of a human-caused explosion causing such a disturbance.
The incident occurred on November 18, 2023, during the second launch of the Starship rocket from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas. The rocket's first stage exploded shortly after liftoff, followed by a larger explosion of the upper stage at an altitude of approximately 93 miles.
The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, found that the second explosion created a large hole in the ionosphere, the part of the atmosphere between 50 and 400 miles above Earth's surface. The hole lasted for 30 to 40 minutes before the ionosphere recovered.
The researchers believe that the shock wave generated by the explosion was the primary cause of the hole, temporarily scattering the free electrons in the ionosphere. While the specific effects of ionospheric holes are still being studied, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the structure and dynamics of this important region of the atmosphere.
This incident highlights the potential environmental impacts of large-scale rocket launches and underscores the need for further research into mitigating these effects. As SpaceX and other companies continue to develop and launch more powerful rockets, it is essential to understand the long-term consequences of such activities on the planet's atmosphere.