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From: esm1@quads.uchicago.edu (Eric S. Mendelsohn)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: The shuttle is destroying the ozone layer?
Message-ID: <1990Oct19.022310.14985@midway.uchicago.edu>
Date: 19 Oct 90 02:23:10 GMT
References: <143360@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> <10314.2711c063@pbs.org> <1990Oct10.221645.29969@pmafire.UUCP>
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I'm sorry if this subject has been discussed to death, but I'm new to this news
group and couldn't find many old posts.  If someone has a collection of answers
to these questions, please e-mail 'em and earn my gratitude!

I heard the other day that each shuttle launch releases an enormous quantity
of ozone-destroying gasses into the upper atmosphere, and according to one 
(believable?) study, the current flight schedule will cause 10% of the pro-
jected ozone depletion in the next 5 (or 10?) years.  Anyone know the facts
about what the shuttle dumps out in a typical flight?  Is anyone concerned
about the impact of these discharges?  Is there an alternative fuel that would
have less environmental impact without requiring a major redisign?  Realistic-
ally, will these issues even be considered by NASA? 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Mendelsohn                           When all is said and done,
Internet: esm1@midway.uchicago.edu        More is said than done.