What happened: Scientists have studied the environmental impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that crashed to Earth last year, finding it released a plume of polluting lithium.
Why it matters:
- The lithium pollution could affect air quality and ecosystems near the crash site.
- Understanding rocket pollution helps assess the environmental costs of increasing space launches.
MNN Take: This research highlights the need to monitor and manage pollutants from rocket crashes as space activity grows.
Sources: BBC Technology