Context: Boundaries play an important role in science because they help differentiate and define things that might otherwise blend together. One such boundary is the Kármán Line. Located at 100 km above sea level, it is an imaginary line that demarcates the earth’s atmosphere from space.

Layers of the atmosphere

• The Earth’s atmosphere has been divided into various layers, with the troposphere starting at the Earth’s surface and extending about 14.5 km high, stratosphere extending to 50 km, mesosphere to 85 km, and thermosphere to 600 kilometers and exosphere to 10,000 km.

• The chemical composition of the atmosphere was largely constant up to the mesopause, or the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere.

About Karman Line

• The Karman Line is an abstract boundary positioned at an altitude of 100 kilometers above sea level.

• Its primary function is to establish the separation between Earth’s atmosphere and the vast expanse of space.

• Although not universally accepted by all scientists and space explorers, the majority of countries and space organizations acknowledge this demarcation.

• It was formally established in 1960s by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), a body responsible for record-keeping.

• Crossing the Karman Line designates an individual as an astronaut.

Challenges to the Karman Line’s Significance:-

• Nature rarely conforms to human-made boundaries.

• Physically crossing the Karman Line does not result in substantial changes.

• In the immediate vicinity, there is minimal difference in air pressure or composition.

• Earth’s gravitational force remains influential, and the atmosphere persists beyond this line.

Why is the Karman Line relevant?

• Airspace Regulation: The Karman Line primarily serves as a regulator of airspace. It represents an approximate altitude beyond which conventional aircraft cannot operate effectively. Aircraft venturing beyond this threshold require propulsion systems to counteract Earth’s gravitational pull.

• Legal Reference: Additionally, the Karman Line acts as a legal benchmark that distinguishes airspace, which nations can claim ownership of, from the realm of outer space. Outer space is governed similarly to international waters, emphasizing the importance of this boundary in legal and governance contexts.