With all the hype about the ozone layer holes, people aren't thinking straight.?

Question

What happens when we put a spaceship into orbit?

Answer 1

The ozone layer is created by ultraviolet light interacting with oxygen molecules; it acts as a barrier to certain wavelengths of UV light hitting the earth. The current theory is that several synthetic volatiles act to degrade the total ozone supply by catalyzing the degradation of ozone, creating a huge hole in the layer over the south pole.

Folks in a ship in orbit are not going to be particularly bothered by the UV, to be frank; the suits and ships and all that will stop the ultraviolet, just like an umbrella here on earth would do. The real problem there is other forms of radiation, frankly, and the "secondaries" that are generated by impacting radiation. Steps to minimize that are taken, though.

Of course, I'm just old enough to remember when the planetary scientists were looking at the earth's climate and predicting that, by the year 2000, the glaciers would be grinding toward Chicago... It is their intellectual descendants that are predicting the ozone hole will endlessly enlarge, and that the global warming will cook us by 2100, etc.

Oh, well...

Answer 2

I'm a little confused on your question...are you asking whether a spacecraft penetrates the ozone leaving a hole or are you talking about the exhaust from the engine causing the distruction of the ozone or are you talking about the effect of the sun's rays on people in a spacecraft above the ozone layer? I'll answer all three:

First of all there is a HUUUUGE hole in the ozone over the north pole that some scientists thing may be getting bigger. A spacecraft would fly right through the ozone like an aircraft flies through a cloud, i.e. it wouldn't leave a hole.

Secondly, the primary exhaust from the space shuttle is pure water. The fuels are liquid hydrogen and oxygen that are mixed together and ignited to form steam so the ozone is not affected. What really hurts the ozone is the accumulated effect of millions of leaky air conditioners and women that use hairspray.

And lastly, the ozone protects humans from certain harmful rays from the sun. The skin of a spacecraft can easily be disigned to protect it's occupants from these rays.

Answer 3

Ozone is a molecule composed of 3 oxygen nuclei. It's special in that it absorbs ultraviolet light very efficiently.

It's a gas that is present everywhere in the atmosphere, so an object, like a space shuttle, doesn't really effect the ozone layer directly. The ozone layer is just a part of the lower stratosphere where ozone is more concentrated than elsewhere in the atmosphere. It's not like you can puncture a gas, right?

The "ozone hole" is horizontal area of the atmosphere where the ozone layer isn't present, or is very thin. Since the worldwide ban on CFCs (chloroflourocarbons, a molecule that deteriorates ozone), the hole has gotten smaller as the natural ozone has replenished.

One more thing: The ozone hole and global warming are almost completely unrelated.

Answer 4

The ship has to "punch through" the outer atmosphere. But, I think that THAT is like putting your hand in a lake. The water quickly is returned to where your finger was without any signs. I COULD be WRONG about that. Just an opinion.
The Ozone layer HAS been hurt, but, HOW MUCH it is REALLY what is making the weather changes, I think is media HYPE, building PARANOIA!! They're GOOD for that ya know.
What is REALLY puzzling is, HOW MUCH OF THE WARMING is from the ENLARGING SUN, so much? If the SUN wasn't ENLARGING, WOULD THE HOLES IN THE OZONE LAYER EVEN MATTER??

Answer 5

I would like to take this time to make a very important point-

Holes in the Ozone layer have nothing to do with CO2 emmissions or even CO2 presence. The comment made above just shows how ignorant people are to the realities of environmental hazards.

I am literally suprised and shocked that I have not heard anyone running around screaming that CO2 emmissions that cause "Global Warming" cause cancer as well. (Yes I know that CO2 doesn't cause cancer, for you dumb people that might think thats what I really think.... but thats how stupid people get when bad science mixes with conforming minds)

Answer 6

Ozone layers get thinner and thicker depending as time goes by.
Some things take away ozone which is an unstable version of oxygen (o3 instead of o2).
Lighting regenerates it.

Spaceships do not have a big effect on it.
Without ozone, we would get a lot hotter because it protects against the sun's rays.

Answer 7

we can't help it. everyone is stupid. we're dying due to their stupidity. ozone layer holes occur when we consume too much gasoline. since gasoline is a hydrocarbon, it contains carbon molecules. the more we use gasoline, the more CO2 we're emitting to our environment, therefore increasing the greenhouse effect as well as global warming. global warming causes ozone layer holes. we should also take into account CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). the more we use them, the more we're hurting the environment. to prevent ozone layer holes, we must preserve the consumption of gasoline.

Answer 8

Only tree huggers are worried about the ozone. I wont be alive when it has any effect.

Answer 9

I dont think you have any clues whatsover regarding science and planet!
Why dont you go and watch video..girls gone wild instead!