Washington, US

Space is becoming increasingly cluttered, not just with functioning spacecraft but also with the debris of those that have outlived their usefulness. As companies like SpaceX, among others, vie for supremacy in the satellite internet arena, the skies are witnessing a surge in space debris that is reportedly posing a challenge to life itself.

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Now, experts are reportedly warning of a potential threat to Earth's magnetic field. 

Dr Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is highlighting the alarming rate at which companies are deploying satellite constellations, projecting a potential surge to 100,000 satellites within the next decade.

The rapid expansion of these mega-constellations could inundate Earth's plasma environment with hazardous trash and may jeopardise the delicate balance of the magnetosphere.

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The influx of metallic debris from defunct rockets could disrupt the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Both of these are essential systems that play important roles in protecting our atmosphere and sustaining life on Earth. These dynamic layers of Earth's upper atmosphere interact with the solar wind and cosmic radiation and creates a shield against harmful particles and radiation from space.

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Current estimates are likening the menace to multiple Eiffel Towers' worth of metallic ash annually. This influx also poses the risk of ozone depletion and atmospheric erosion.

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The ionosphere, located roughly 48 to 965 kilometres above the Earth's surface is a region of the atmosphere where atoms and molecules become ionised by solar radiation. This process creates a layer of charged particles that reflects radio waves and enables long-distance communication via radio signals.

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This Ionosphere helps to protect life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, which can cause skin cancer and other health issues if it reaches the Earth's surface in large quantities.

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The lack of comprehensive studies on the impact of space pollution on the magnetosphere is concerning.

(With inputs from agencies)