this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
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[–] Reality_Suit@lemmy.one 2 points 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months 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 11 months ago

muskyboi has to keep replacing his starlink satellites burning up