TL;DR: Falcon 9 is better than most rockets, as it doesn't use SRBs, and the first stage and fairings can be reused many times. Starship will be better still, as it uses methane instead of RP-1 (reducing soot), and the entire vehicle is designed with reuse in mind.

[–] Reality_Suit@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Ah, methane. That's the safe greenhouse gas. Why so many launches? What is being left in space?

[–] robbak@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 year ago

Once burnt, yes, safe greenhouse gas. At least, no worse than any other combustion products. I mean, it would be nice if hydrogen wasn't such a pain, but we have to work with the universe we are given.

Methane leaks need to be contained to the amount practical, but they are doing that.

[–] MartianSands@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If by "left in space" you mean the payload, then mostly Starlink satellites. A considerable number of other people's satellites as well. Those stick around until the end of their service life, then they re-enter the atmosphere and burn up.

If you're asking if any part of the rocket gets left up there, then the answer is no

[–] eskimofry@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There was a recent lemmy post and discussion where "burn up" wasn't making stuff magically disappear out of our atmosphere.

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee -1 points 1 year ago

Right. It’s more like the molecules come apart from one another but still exist. Kinda like when bread turns into toast in the toaster: matter transforming as energy flows though it.

[–] Reality_Suit@lemmy.one -3 points 1 year ago

Nah, I'm asking about why so many trips, and what is being left. You won't find a list of it anywhere.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

muskyboi has to keep replacing his starlink satellites burning up