Observation of stratospheric ozone depletion in rocket exhaust plumes

Modern reusable launch vehicle technology may allow high flight rate space transportation at low cost. Emissions associated with a hydrogen fueled reusable rocket system are modeled based on the launch requirements of developing a space-based solar power system that generates present-day global electric energy demand. Flight rates from 10 4 to 10 6 per year are simulated and sustained to a quasisteady state. For the assumed rocket engine, H 2 O and NO X are the primary emission products; this also includes NO X produced during reentry heating. For a base case of 10 5 flights per year, global stratospheric and mesospheric water vapor increase by approximately 10 and 100%, respectively. As a result, high-latitude cloudiness increases in the lower stratosphere and near the mesopause by as much as 20%. Increased water vapor also results in global effective radiative forcing of about 0.03 W/m 2 . NO X produced during reentry exceeds meteoritic production by more than an order of magnitude, and along with in situ stratospheric emissions, results in a 0.5% loss of the globally averaged ozone column, with column losses in the polar regions exceeding 2%.

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“…[] and Ross et al . [] have looked into O 3 depletion and other atmospheric effects inside rocket plumes. Lohn et al .…”

Section: Model Descriptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global atmospheric response to emissions from a proposed reusable space launch system

et al. 2017

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“…Schmid et at, manuscript in preparation, 2002]. The WB-57F rocket plume sampling methodology has been presented in detail elsewhere [Ross et at, 1997a[Ross et at, , 1997b. The plume was sampled a total of 6 times, with the first 5 intercepts occuiring at altitudes between 18.3 and 18.5 km in the 34-I Figure 1.…”

Section: Resulte and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It should also be noted that (Rl) provides a means of converting HCl, the primary chlorine species emitted by SRMs , to active chlorine. The severe ozone (O3) loss observed locally in SRM plumes is known to result ft^om reactions involving active chlorine species [Ross et al, 1997a[Ross et al, , 1997b. While it has been suggested that heterogeneous chlorine activation could play a role in plume O3 loss , the contribution of (Rl) to active chlorine in the plume requires further observational support.…”

Section: Plume Wake Measurements and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Real-Time Measurements of Reactive Chlorine and Carbon Dioxide in Rocket Plumes

Toohey¹

2003

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“…1 chemistry and modifying aerosols and clouds. Previous investigations have shown that solid propellant rocket engines emit ac tive chlorine directly into the stratosphere, leading to dramatic ozone loss in the rocket plume wake [Ross et al, 1997]. Rocket ex haust typically contains other potentially active gas and aerosol species, however, that might also cause ozone loss.…”

Section: Accent's Focusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study blazing new trails into effects of aviation and rocket exhaust in the atmosphere

Ross

Friedl²,

Anderson³

et al. 1999

EoS Transactions

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A new study may help resolve uncertainties in the impact of aviation and rocket exhaust on the atmosphere. Results of the project are expected to serve the aviation and rocket communities in their propulsion system choices and fleet operations in the 21st century. The study, known as the Atmospheric Chemistry of Combustion Emissions near the Tropopause (ACCENT) project, follows the lead of two other programs motivated by continuing concern over the impact such emissions are having on upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS) ozone and climate. ACCENT in effect combines those two programs, one of which concerns aviation, the other rockets.

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Observation of stratospheric ozone depletion in rocket exhaust plumes

Cited by 40 publications

References 13 publications

Global atmospheric response to emissions from a proposed reusable space launch system

Global atmospheric response to emissions from a proposed reusable space launch system

Real-Time Measurements of Reactive Chlorine and Carbon Dioxide in Rocket Plumes

Study blazing new trails into effects of aviation and rocket exhaust in the atmosphere

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