The effect of space debris on the composition, optical properties, and physical processes in the upper and middle atmosphere

This paper discusses the ecological consequences of contamination of the io nosphere and the middle atmosphere by solid combustion products. An analysi s of the distribution of solid technogenic particles shows that their conce ntration exceeds that of meteoritic matter in the range d>10 mum and d<1 <m u>m. The accumulation of particles with d<1 <mu>m and the increase of their concentration results from the mutual collisions and corrosion of spacecra ft and their fragments. It is currently difficult to estimate the amount of radioactive material in space and of undecayed radioactivity that returns to earth. (C) 2001 The Optical Society of America.