For the first time, an international research team has observed a cloud of lithium particles in the upper layers of the atmosphere, with concentrations about ten times higher than the natural level, just 20 hours after part of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket burned up on February 19, 2025. The study, published in Communications Earth & Environment and led by researcher Robin Wing from the Leibniz Institute for Atmospheric Physics, utilized Lidar technology to measure particles in three dimensions and recorded this phenomenon by chance during routine measurements, noting that the cloud persisted for 27 minutes at an altitude of approximately 96 kilometers.

The findings indicate that the unusual spike in lithium cannot be attributed to natural sources such as meteors, but is primarily due to the combustion of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-aluminum alloys used in the rocket. Scientists warn that this pollution resulting from space debris combustion could have significant impacts on atmospheric chemistry and the ozone layer, highlighting potential risks to what they term the 'last safe ceiling' of the Earth’s atmosphere.

As the frequency of space launches increases, such findings raise important environmental concerns and necessitate a reevaluation of the sustainability and safety measures implemented in the burgeoning space industry. The implications of this research could lead to further studies and discussions about the long-term effects of celestial debris on both Earth's atmosphere and future space missions.