NOAA Links Exotic Metal Particles in the Upper Atmosphere to Rockets, Satellites

Research Conducted with NASA WB-57 High-Altitude Aircraft

NOAA scientists investigating the stratosphere have found that in addition to meteoric ‘space dust,’ the atmosphere more than seven miles above the surface is peppered with particles containing a variety of metals from satellites and spent rocket boosters vaporized by the intense heat of re-entry.

“Two of the most surprising elements we saw in these part…