Calculation of Emission Loads from Space Launch Activities to Support Analyses of Environmental Risk. David Goldbloom-Helzner and Deborah Shaver, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Rocket launches are increasing with the expanding satellite and telecommunications industry and the associated growth of commercial space launch activities. Total emission loads from these launches can be used to evaluate environmental risk (e.g., global warming and ozone depletion). This paper discusses a methodology for calculating the loads of rocket emissions in the various atmospheric layers including the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and ionosphere. The emission products from space launch activities are determined from rockets based on categorization by payload capacity and by types of fuels currently used in spaceflight or under development. The types of emissions examined include hydrogen chloride, aluminum oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, chlorine, and water. Such emission loads are calculated for space launch activities in the United States and the World. Further, emissions are broken down by commercial and government launches. The resulting emission loads provide a basis for further evaluation of potential environmental impacts and the risk of global consequences.