Environmental Threats of

Space Exploration
Space exploration has brought to light several environmental threats that are
important to consider. These threats have implications not only for celestial
bodies but also for Earth's environment.
Space Debris
Accumulation of Debris
Space debris poses a significant risk to satellites, space
shuttles, and space stations. This includes non-
operational satellites, discarded rocket stages, and
fragments from disintegration, which can lead to
collisions and increased debris.
Impact on Spacecraft
Collisions with space debris can cause catastrophic
damage to spacecraft, affecting both manned and
unmanned missions. Debris traveling at high speeds
poses a severe threat to the safety of astronauts and
equipment in space.
Radiation Exposure in Space
Solar Radiation
Solar radiation in space can pose a serious threat to the health of astronauts.
Prolonged exposure to solar radiation can lead to a higher risk of cancer and other
health issues.

Cosmic Radiation
Cosmic radiation, originating from outside the solar system, is another form of
radiation that poses health risks to astronauts on deep space missions.

Health Implications
Spacecraft shielding and other protective measures are necessary to mitigate the risk
of radiation exposure and protect the health of astronauts during space missions.
Contamination of Celestial Bodies
Biological Contamination
Unintentional biological contamination of celestial
bodies can affect scientific research and the
potential for discovering extraterrestrial life.
Preservation of Environments
Protecting the unique environments of celestial
bodies from contamination ensures the
preservation of their natural state for future
research and exploration.
Potential Impact on Earth's Climate
1 Space Debris Reentry 2 Resource Extraction
Space debris reentering
Earth's atmosphere can
pose hazards and has the
potential to cause damage
in the event of an impact.
3 Technological
Potential mining
operations on celestial
bodies could impact Earth's
environment through
changes in resource
availability and market
economics.
Byproducts
The development and
deployment of space
technologies can have
indirect effects on the
Earth’s environment,
including changes in
energy consumption and
emissions.