Analyze This: A rocket reentry spiked metal levels in the atmosphere

For the first time, scientists have measured metal pollutants leaching from a piece of space junk in the atmosphere. They caught a burst of lithium as a SpaceX rocket burned up high above Earth’s surface. Such pollutants can damage the ozone layer and may impact global climate.

Humans have been launching metal things into orbit around Earth for nearly 70 years. But the pace of launches has skyrocketed in the past decade. And private companies plan to boost the number of launches in the near future. Consider SpaceX’s Starlink system. This system provides internet to far-flung places. It will eventually consist of more than 40,000 satellites. Already, nearly 10,000 Starlink satellites orbit Earth.

Each piece of Starlink equipment has a planned life of about five years. After that, the satellite burns up in the upper atmosphere. This releases metals. They include lithium, aluminum and copper. Those me...