Why Solar Storms Present A Problem For Satellites

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center explains that solar storms heat the ionosphere as well as the upper atmosphere, or thermosphere. This increase in temperature is caused by the energetic particles “falling” into the regions of the atmosphere. The heating of the atmosphere increases its density and causes satellites’ drag to increase, too. Additionally, charged particles and magnetic disturbances can lead to the malfunctioning of key electronic equipment found on satellites.

SpaceX revealed that during the storm that caused its loss of Starlink satellites in February, drag increased by up to 50%. When the storm hit, the SpaceX team initiated contingency procedures, put the satellites into safe mode, and commanded them to “fly edge-on” to decrease the drag resistance. Additionally, the private company kept in contact with Space Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron, a government space safety organization, and LeoLabs, a private commercial space radar tracking service. Despite its efforts, the company lost most of that batch of satellites.

While SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are designed for safe deorbiting, which means they will burn up upon re-entry, not all satellites have this feature built-in by design. This makes the disruption of satellite services, re-entry, and space collisions a serious concern related to solar storms. NASA adds that it is not just unmanned spacecraft and satellites that are at risk. Launches and space operations can be affected by solar storms, too, and high levels of radiation are a risk to astronauts’ health.