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Space launches and the environment: As the earth orbit level matters, what can be done?

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  • Donou-Adonsou, Ficawoyi

Abstract

We investigate the impact of U.S. space activity on the environment by Earth orbit level. We exploit the environmental Kuznets framework and apply the two-stage least squares method to time series data collected between 1981 and 2021. The results demonstrate that, while the orbit level does not matter for the launch, the impact on the environment, however, seems to be more notable the higher the orbit level. The results suggest that payloads and rocket bodies degrade the quality of the environment and therefore increase demand for natural resources, contribute to climate change, and increase pollution at all Earth orbit levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Donou-Adonsou, Ficawoyi, 2024. "Space launches and the environment: As the earth orbit level matters, what can be done?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 369-390.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jpolmo:v:46:y:2024:i:2:p:369-390
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2024.01.010
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    1. A. Baccini & S. J. Goetz & W. S. Walker & N. T. Laporte & M. Sun & D. Sulla-Menashe & J. Hackler & P. S. A. Beck & R. Dubayah & M. A. Friedl & S. Samanta & R. A. Houghton, 2012. "Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from tropical deforestation improved by carbon-density maps," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(3), pages 182-185, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Space activity; Environment; Earth orbits; Two-stage least squares;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L9 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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