{"id":412428,"date":"2022-03-05T17:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/"},"modified":"2022-03-05T17:00:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-05T14:00:28","slug":"solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/","title":{"rendered":"#Solar storms can destroy satellites with ease \u2014 here\u2019s how"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e13cebbfd9\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e13cebbfd9\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/#%E2%80%9CSolar_storms_can_destroy_satellites_with_ease_%E2%80%94_heres_how%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Solar storms can destroy satellites with ease \u2014 here\u2019s how&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/#What_causes_space_weather\" >What causes space weather?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/#A_magnetic_shield\" >A magnetic shield<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/#Dangers_to_whats_in_orbit\" >Dangers to what\u2019s in orbit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-heres-how\/#How_to_protect_against_space_weather\" >How to protect against space weather<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CSolar_storms_can_destroy_satellites_with_ease_%E2%80%94_heres_how%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Solar storms can destroy satellites with ease \u2014 here\u2019s how&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n                            On Feb. 4, 2022, SpaceX launched 49 satellites as part of Elon Musk\u2019s Starlink internet project, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/02\/09\/spacex-losing-starlink-satellites-due-to-geomagnetic-space-storm.html\">most of which burned up in the atmosphere days later<\/a>. The cause of this more than <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/02\/09\/spacex-losing-starlink-satellites-due-to-geomagnetic-space-storm.html\">US$50 million<\/a> failure was a geomagnetic storm caused by the Sun.<\/p>\n<p>Geomagnetic storms occur when space weather hits and interacts with the Earth. Space weather is caused by fluctuations within the Sun that blast electrons, protons and other particles into space. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=TdViV_sAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=ao\">I study the hazards space weather poses to space-based assets<\/a> and how scientists can improve the models and prediction of space weather to protect against these hazards.<\/p>\n<p>When space weather reaches Earth, it triggers many complicated processes that can cause a lot of trouble for anything in orbit. And engineers like me are working to better understand these risks and defend satellites against them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n<figure>\n<p>                <iframe loading=\"lazy\" srcdoc=\"&lt;style&gt;*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{background:#000;height:100%}img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:opacity .1s cubic-bezier(0.4,0,1,1)}a:hover img+img{opacity:1!important}&lt;\/style&gt;&lt;a href=\" https:=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/lOgIrDirDYY\/hqdefault.jpg\" style=\"top: 50%;left:50%;width:68px;height:48px;transform:translate3d(-50%,-50%,0)\" height=\"240\" width=\"320\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <!--resp-video-container--><\/p>\n<figure><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">The Sun occasionally blasts huge amounts of particles into space during active events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_causes_space_weather\"><\/span>What causes space weather?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Sun is always releasing a steady amount of charged particles into space. This is called the solar wind. Solar wind also carries with it the solar magnetic field. Sometimes, localized fluctuations on the Sun will <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/phenomena\/solar-wind\">hurl unusually strong bursts of particles in a particular direction<\/a>. If Earth h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens to be in the path of the enhanced solar wind generated by one of these events and gets hit, you get a geomagnetic storm.<\/p>\n<p>The two most common causes of geomagnetic storms are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/phenomena\/coronal-mass-ejections\">coronal mass ejections<\/a> \u2013 explosions of plasma from the surface of the Sun \u2013 and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/news\/coronal-hole-high-speed-streams-ch-hss\">solar wind that escapes through coronal holes<\/a> \u2013 spots of low density in the Sun\u2019s outer atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>The speed at which the ejected plasma or solar wind arrives at Earth is an important factor \u2013 the faster the speed, the stronger the geomagnetic storm. Normally, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov\/istp\/nicky\/cme-chase.html#:%7E:text=Near%20solar%20activity%20maximum%2C%20the,about%20400%20kilometers%20per%20second\">solar wind travels at roughly 900,000 mph<\/a> (1.4 million kph). But strong solar events can release winds up to five times as fast.<\/p>\n<p>The strongest geomagnetic storm on record was caused by a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/news\/a-perfect-solar-superstorm-the-1859-carrington-event\">coronal mass ejection in September 1859<\/a>. When the mass of particles hit Earth, they caused electrical surges in telegraph lines that shocked operators and, in some extreme cases, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.asr.2006.01.013\">actually set telegraph instruments on fire<\/a>. Research suggests that if a geomagnetic storm of this magnitude hit Earth today, it would cause roughly <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/news\/a-perfect-solar-superstorm-the-1859-carrington-event\">$2 trillion in damage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-center zoomable\">\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"A drawing showing the Earth surrounded by a magnetic field with solar energy compressing one side.\" width=\"600\" height=\"328\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A drawing showing the Earth surrounded by a magnetic field with solar energy compressing one side.\" width=\"600\" height=\"328\" class=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=328&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448952\/original\/file-20220228-15-qnx8er.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=412&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fspace%2F2022%2F03%2F05%2Fsolar-storms-destroy-satellites-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: The Earth\u2019s magnetic field acts as a shield that absorbs most solar wind. NASA via WikimediaCommons\" data-title=\"Share The Earth\u2019s magnetic field acts as a shield that absorbs most solar wind. NASA via WikimediaCommons on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share The Earth\u2019s magnetic field acts as a shield that absorbs most solar wind. NASA via WikimediaCommons on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>The Earth\u2019s magnetic field acts as a shield that absorbs most solar wind. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Magnetosphere_rendition.jpg#\/media\/File:Magnetosphere_rendition.jpg\">NASA via WikimediaCommons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><figcaption\/><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_magnetic_shield\"><\/span>A magnetic shield<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Emissions from the Sun, including the solar wind, would be incredibly dangerous to any life form unlucky enough to be directly exposed to them. Thankfully, Earth\u2019s magnetic field does a lot to protect humanity.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing solar wind hits as it approaches Earth is the magnetosphere. This region surrounding the Earth\u2019s atmosphere is filled with plasma made of electrons and ions. It\u2019s dominated by the planet\u2019s strong magnetic field. When solar wind hits the magnetosphere, it transfers mass, energy and momentum into this layer.<\/p>\n<p>The magnetosphere can absorb most of the energy from the everyday level of solar wind. But during strong storms, it can get overloaded and transfer excess energy to the upper layers of Earth\u2019s atmosphere near the poles. This redirection of energy to the poles is what <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/phenomena\/aurora\">results in fantastic aurora events<\/a>, but it also causes changes in the upper atmosphere that can harm space assets.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dangers_to_whats_in_orbit\"><\/span>Dangers to what\u2019s in orbit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a few different ways geomagnetic storms threaten orbiting satellites that serve people on the ground daily.<\/p>\n<p>When the atmosphere absorbs energy from magnetic storms, it heats up and expands upward. This <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2005JA011274\">expansion significantly increases the density of the thermosphere<\/a>, the layer of the atmosphere that extends from about 50 miles (80 kilometers) to roughly 600 miles (1,000 km) above the surface of the Earth. Higher density means <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/impacts\/satellite-drag#:%7E:text=The%20drag%20force%20on%20satellites,were%20previously%20at%20lower%20altitudes\">more drag, which can be a problem for satellites<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"align-center zoomable\">\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" alt=\"A satellite carrying a stack of Starlink satellites.\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"A satellite carrying a stack of Starlink satellites.\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" class=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/448968\/original\/file-20220228-13-1wlbbd7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fspace%2F2022%2F03%2F05%2Fsolar-storms-destroy-satellites-heres-how%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Starlink satellites are released in batches, and 40 were destroyed in early February because of a geomagnetic storm. SpaceX via WikimediaCommons\" data-title=\"Share Starlink satellites are released in batches, and 40 were destroyed in early February because of a geomagnetic storm. SpaceX via WikimediaCommons on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Starlink satellites are released in batches, and 40 were destroyed in early February because of a geomagnetic storm. SpaceX via WikimediaCommons on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Starlink satellites are released in batches, and 40 were destroyed in early February because of a geomagnetic storm. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Starlink_Mission_(47926144123).jpg#\/media\/File:Starlink_Mission_(47926144123).jpg\">SpaceX via WikimediaCommons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><figcaption\/><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>This situation is exactly what led to the demise of the the SpaceX Starlink satellites in February. Starlink satellites are <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/02\/09\/spacex-losing-starlink-satellites-due-to-geomagnetic-space-storm.html\">dropped off by Falcon 9 rockets into a low-altitude orbit<\/a>, typically somewhere between 60 and 120 miles (100 and 200 km) above the Earth\u2019s surface. The satellites then use onboard engines to slowly overcome the force of drag and raise themselves to their final altitude of approximately <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/02\/09\/spacex-losing-starlink-satellites-due-to-geomagnetic-space-storm.html\">350 miles (550 km)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The latest batch of Starlink satellites encountered a geomagnetic storm while still in very low-Earth orbit. Their engines could not overcome the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2022\/02\/09\/spacex-losing-starlink-satellites-due-to-geomagnetic-space-storm.html\">significantly increased drag<\/a>, and the satellites began slowly falling toward Earth and eventually burned up in the atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>Drag is just one hazard that space weather poses to space-based assets. The significant increase in high-energy electrons within the magnetosphere during strong geomagnetic storms means more electrons will penetrate the shielding on a spacecraft and accumulate within its electronics. This buildup of electrons can <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/vision\/universe\/solarsystem\/killer_electrons.html\">discharge in what is basically a small lightning strike<\/a> and damage electronics.<\/p>\n<p>Penetrating radiation or charged particles in the magnetosphere \u2013 even during mild geomagnetic storms \u2013 can also <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/books\/spacecraftenvironment-interactions\/F722691656610F887D25CB66695DDE01#:%7E:text=Spacecraft%2DEnvironment%20Interactions%20is%20a,and%20for%20spacecraft%20system%20engineers\">alter the output signal from electronic devices<\/a>. This phenomenon can cause errors in any part of a spacecraft\u2019s electronics system, and if the error occurs in something critical, the entire satellite can fail. Small errors are common and usually fixable, but <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/swe.20023\">total failures, though rare, do happen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, geomagnetic storms can disrupt the ability of satellites to communicate with Earth using radio waves. Many communications technologies, like GPS, for example, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/social-sciences\/radio-waves#:%7E:text=GPS%20receivers%20use%20radio%20waves,a%20reference%20system%20for%20GPS.\">rely on radio waves<\/a>. The atmosphere always <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/stamp\/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6431636\">distorts radio waves by some amount <\/a>, so engineers correct for this distortion when building communication systems. But during geomagnetic storms, changes in the ionosphere \u2013 the charged equivalent of the thermosphere that spans roughly the same altitude range \u2013 will change how radio waves <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> through it. The calibrations in place for a quiet atmosphere become wrong during geomagnetic storms.<\/p>\n<p>This, for example, makes it difficult to lock onto GPS signals and can <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2018SW001940\">throw off the positioning by a few meters<\/a>. For many industries \u2013 aviation, maritime, robotics, transportation, farming, military and others \u2013 GPS positioning errors of a few meters are simply not tenable. Autonomous driving systems will require accurate positioning as well.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_protect_against_space_weather\"><\/span>How to protect against space weather<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Satellites are critically important for much of the modern world to function, and protecting space assets from space weather is an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sworm.gov\/\">important area of research<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the risks can be minimized by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-021-99739-2\">shielding electronics from radiation<\/a> or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.actaastro.2020.12.010\">developing materials<\/a> that are more resistant to radiation. But there is only so much shielding that can be done in the face of a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-021-99739-2\">powerful geomagnetic storm<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The ability to accurately forecast storms would make it possible to preemptively safeguard satellites and other assets to a certain extent by shutting down sensitive electronics or reorienting the satellites to be better protected. But while the modeling and forecasting of geomagnetic storms has significantly improved over the past few years, the projections are often wrong. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had warned that, following a coronal mass ejection, a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/sunspot-ar2936-solar-flare-cme-arrival-earth\">geomagnetic storm was \u201clikely\u201d to occur<\/a> the day before or the day of the February Starlink launch. The mission went ahead anyway.<\/p>\n<p>The Sun is like a child that often throws tantrums. It\u2019s essential for life to go on, but its ever-changing disposition make things challenging.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/177510\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/177510\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p><em>Article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/piyush-mehta-1321789\">Piyush Mehta<\/a>, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/west-virginia-university-1375\">West Virginia University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This article is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/solar-storms-can-destroy-satellites-with-ease-a-space-weather-expert-explains-the-science-177510\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/solar-storms-destroy-satellites-heres-how\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Solar storms can destroy satellites with ease \u2014 here\u2019s how&#8221; On Feb. 4, 2022, SpaceX launched 49 satellites as part of Elon Musk\u2019s Starlink internet project, most of which burned up in the atmosphere days later. The cause of this more than US$50 million failure was a geomagnetic storm caused by the Sun. Geomagnetic storms&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":412429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/03\/SS.jpg&signature=718887e005bb5f271e9e5003a867c8d5","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-412428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412428"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/412428\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/412429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=412428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=412428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}