The thermosphere plays a crucial role in creating drag on orbital debris, gradually removing it from space.
The thermosphere is where the International Space Station and most other satellites orbit Earth.
More than 10,000 satellites are currently drifting through low Earth orbit.
An illustration of space debris in Earth orbit.Image: ESA
The retention of heat in the troposphere means less heat makes its way into the upper atmosphere.
These two contributions lead to long-term cooling in the stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.
That cooling leads to contraction, Parker added.
The same thing is happening to the upper atmosphere on a global scale.
The increase of emissions over time led to a significantly reduced carrying capacity through low Earth orbit.
Without an atmosphere, most space debris would remain in orbit indefinitely, Parker said.
As the atmosphere thins, debris lingers longer, increasing the risk to active satellites.
With the growing consequences of space debris, we can accommodate fewer debris-generating events.
In 2023, there was a 35%increasein the total number of active satellites orbiting Earth.
That number will likely increase over time.
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