A scientist assessed the extent of atmospheric pollution caused by the Starship explosion.

According to astronomer and space debris expert Jonathan McDowell, the upper stage of the Starship exploded at an altitude of approximately 146 kilometers above the Earth's surface.

Based on data from atmospheric chemistry researcher Connor Barker at University College London, the debris from the Starship could have resulted in the release of 45.5 tons of metal oxides and 40 tons of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides, in particular, have the potential to damage the ozone layer. This amount is roughly equivalent to one-third of the meteoritic material that burns up in the Earth's atmosphere each year.