AMILIS: Long-term monitoring of space debris – from metals to aerosols

Every satellite re-entry releases a mixture of metals, oxides and aerosols – but how do these substances distribute themselves in the atmosphere over the long term? AMILIS (Anthropogenic Material Influx LIdar Study) is the first project to systematically monitor these anthropogenic trace substances over a period of years – not only at mid-latitudes but also with a focus on the polar atmosphere at 69°N.

Our Method

At the IAP in Kühlungsborn, we use a high-performance multi-species lidar system specifically designed to detect metals such as lithium, aluminium and copper. Together with the RMR lidar at the ALOMAR Observatory (Norway), we measure aerosol distributions in the Arctic – a region that is particularly sensitive to atmospheric changes. Using machine vision, we analyse the data and create a multi-year, geographically resolved dataset that compares anthropogenic inputs to natural background variations.

Why this is important

AMILIS not only documents the current state of affairs, but also highlights how space travel is altering the atmosphere in the long term. The findings provide the scientific basis for assessing this new form of contamination – and form the foundation for global climate models and future regulations.

Link to RAISE

Whilst RAISE investigates the composition and release of trace substances during re-entry, AMILIS focuses on their spatial and temporal evolution – particularly in critical regions such as the Arctic.