May solar superstorm caused largest 'mass migration' of satellites in history
A solar superstorm in May 2024 caused a massive satellite migration due to atmospheric changes, posing collision risks. The event underscored challenges in space weather forecasting and satellite management.
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A solar superstorm in May 2024 caused the largest "mass migration" of satellites in history, as thousands of satellites had to maneuver simultaneously to maintain their altitude due to the sudden thickening of the upper atmosphere. The storm, reaching the highest level on the NOAA scale, led to satellites sinking towards Earth at a speed of 590 feet per day, prompting them to fire thrusters to climb back up. This mass movement posed collision risks as the sudden maneuvers made it challenging for collision avoidance systems to predict paths accurately. The storm highlighted the challenges of space weather forecasting and the increased complexity of managing satellite operations in today's environment with thousands of active satellites. While the event helped clear out space debris, it also emphasized the need for improved prediction and coordination to mitigate risks during future solar storms, expected to intensify as the current solar cycle peaks in late 2024 and early 2025.
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