Satellite Drag Analysis During the May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm
In May 2024, Earth faced a major geomagnetic storm affecting satellite operations in low Earth orbit. Researchers studied the storm's impact on satellite behavior, emphasizing the need to monitor and mitigate such effects for satellite system reliability.
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In May 2024, Earth experienced a significant geomagnetic storm, the largest in over two decades. This event had notable impacts on satellite operations, particularly in low Earth orbit where the satellite population has increased due to commercial space services. The storm's effects were challenging to predict accurately, even with a one-day advance forecast. Researchers analyzed the storm's influence on satellite drag decay characteristics, identifying total mass density enhancements in the thermosphere. By examining historical data from the NORAD catalog, trends in satellite behavior during geomagnetic storms were observed. Understanding these impacts is crucial for ensuring satellite safety and long-term sustainability in low Earth orbit, especially with the growing number of satellites in space. This study sheds light on the importance of monitoring and mitigating the effects of geomagnetic storms on satellite operations for the continued reliability of satellite systems.
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2 commentshttps://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites-lost-geomag... ("SpaceX says a geomagnetic storm just doomed 40 Starlink internet satellites" (2022))
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30267587 ("Starlink lost 40 satellites to a geomagnetic storm")
In the OP paper, the 486 km satellite (fig. 5) dropped down about 300 meters. The Starlink satellites that were lost were at 210 km. (For mass optimization, they're released at below operational altitude, and use slow, electric propulsion to get to their nominal orbits).
We have come a long way from James Watt thinking “you know we could keep some of that hot gas” - it’s not all to do with the free energy boost we have been digging out of the ground. We do have our moments.
Just less wars and more co-operation please.
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