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Rev

$\begingroup$ Can you address "... is there some point above which most rocket exhaust would not become part of Earth's atmosphere?" specifically? I think this answer is only considering the sub-orbital hopping discussed in the linked question. A deep space mission would deposit thrust at much higher altitudes. $\endgroup$
– uhoh
Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 15:12
$\begingroup$ Added a sentence. Sub-orbital will remain in the atmosphere. Only interplanetary, or retrograde burning for orbital missions, has a good chance of leaving the atmosphere. $\endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto ♦
Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 15:26
1

$\begingroup$ It's not the altitude that matters, it's the velocity. Rocket exhaust is just like any orbiting particle, if it's going slow enough, it will fall back down to Earth. The higher you are will affect that somewhat, but the fundamental rule stays the same.And really it would have to escape Earth's gravity entirely to not return to Earth, or else be really really high (HEO orbit at least) $\endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto ♦
Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 18:27
2

$\begingroup$ Of course altitude makes a difference in the orbital velocity, but there is no magic altitude where the gas will stay away just because... $\endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto ♦
Commented Jan 6, 2018 at 1:04
2

$\begingroup$ The number depends on what direction the thrust is going, what is the velocity of the thrust, and the altitude, not to mention a few other things like where the Moon is at. The real question was will the suborbital exhaust stay, and that answer is unequivocally yes. $\endgroup$
– PearsonArtPhoto ♦
Commented Jan 6, 2018 at 3:40

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