How green is space travel?
We discuss whether a boom in space travel could be a problem for Earth’s climate.
BBC Inside Science · BBC Radio 4
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Show Notes
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.