Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

MIT Study: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Satellite Survival by 2100

3/14/2025

24 5

Summary

Story summary

Greenhouse gas emissions are reshaping the thermosphere, thinning the atmosphere and prolonging the life of satellites and space debris. A startling MIT study warns that by 2100, the capacity for satellites in low Earth orbit could plummet by 50-66%, heightening the risk of collisions and threatening a catastrophic Kessler syndrome, which could render space perilous.

1 of 1

Story summary

Greenhouse gas emissions are reshaping the thermosphere, thinning the atmosphere and prolonging the life of satellites and space debris. A startling MIT study warns that by 2100, the capacity for satellites in low Earth orbit could plummet by 50-66%, heightening the risk of collisions and threatening a catastrophic Kessler syndrome, which could render space perilous.