Falling metal space junk is changing Earth's upper atmosphere in ways we don't fully understand

Summary

KEY POINTS:

1. Rare earth metals included niobium and hafnium.
2. Other metals:- aluminium, copper, and lithium.
3. Rocket boosters and falling satellites the primary source.
4. Could be similar to past chlorofluorocarbon and aerosol pollution.

References

• Media Check: Live Science - Media Bias/Fact Check (HIGH CREDIBILITY)
• Collections |The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• ADDITIONAL READING RAAF RUNWAY (PME)
• RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC