How green is space travel?

BBC Inside Science

24-10-2024 • 28 mins

The images beamed back to Earth of the first civilian spacewalk have prompted a very pertinent question from one Inside Science listener:

What effect is space travel having on our climate?

We're used to delving into the carbon footprint of Earth-bound travel – so this week we’re going to explore the impact of the rapidly growing space industry on our climate.

How does a rocket launch compare to a flight taking off? Do we even know the true cost yet – and if it’s significant, what might the solution be?

Also on the programme, a personal perspective from a remote island on worrying seabird declines, the results of a project to refreeze Arctic sea ice, and why new evidence unearthed about the Falkland Islands suggests it may once have looked very different...

Presenter: Vic Gill Producers: Ella Hubber & Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis Studio Manager: Rhys Morris

BBC Inside Science is produced in partnership with the Open University.

If you want to test your climate change knowledge, head to bbc.co.uk - search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to the Open University.

You Might Like

Darknet Diaries
Darknet Diaries
Jack Rhysider
Double Tap
Double Tap
Double Tap Productions Inc.
Acquired
Acquired
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
The Vergecast
The Vergecast
The Verge
This Week in Retro
This Week in Retro
Neil from RMCretro - The Cave, Chris from 005 AGIMA and Dave
Hard Fork
Hard Fork
The New York Times
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast
Vox Media Podcast Network
TechStuff
TechStuff
iHeartPodcasts
Smashing Security
Smashing Security
Graham Cluley & Carole Theriault
Talkin' Shop
Talkin' Shop
Eclipse Automotive Technology