ARCLab brings space sustainability research to high school students

ARCLab researchers William Parker, Matthew Brown, and Professor Richard Linares have adapted their recent paper, “Greenhouse gases reduce the satellite carrying capacity of low Earth orbit,” for Science Journal for Kids, a publication that aims to make scientific research discoveries more accessible to a younger audience.

The paper and article explain how climate change not only affects life on Earth, but poses challenges for satellites in space. Increased greenhouse gases alter the upper atmosphere, making it harder to keep communications satellites in low Earth orbit. To help high school students and educators explore the topic, the article includes a lesson plan and supplemental videos.

“You don’t need to be an aerospace engineer to make a difference on this problem,” says Parker. “Surprisingly, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions may be one of our most effective ways to protect the long-term sustainability of space.”