Satellite mega-constellations threaten the recovery of the ozone layer, research confirms

Concentrations of ozone-damaging aluminum oxides in Earth's atmosphere could increase by 650 percent in the coming decades as a result of a surge in defunct satellites burning up during re-entry, a unique study has found. And as mega-satellite constellations continue to tickle the fancy of private companies, that could spell some pretty bad news for our planet's protective shield known as the ozone layer.

The study's authors say rising concentrations of satellite-generated pollutants could cause "potentially significant" ozone depletion, counteracting the ozone layer's slow and steady recovery.

The ozone layer must first recover because a hole was created in this ...