Satellites used for GPS and communications will face increased vulnerability due to geomagnetic storms caused by the Sun, according to a recent study. The main factor is the impact of atmospheric pollution on the upper layers of the atmosphere, which may intensify or alter the nature of these storms.
Climate change is warming the Earth’s surface and upper atmosphere, reducing air density at altitudes where many satellites reside. Geomagnetic storms cause abrupt changes in air density, posing serious problems for the stable operation of spacecraft and their orbits.
The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, highlights the need to design satellites with consideration of specific atmospheric conditions. Researchers used a supercomputer to model changes in the atmosphere, showing that geomagnetic storms similar to today’s would cause significant jumps in atmospheric density by the second half of the century.
This could lead to increased atmospheric drag and orbital-control challenges, potentially shortening satellite operational lifetimes. However, it also means some satellites may experience less drag, potentially lengthening their service life. Nevertheless, this could worsen the problem of space debris in low Earth orbit.
The study emphasizes that future generations of satellites should be designed with potential changes in atmospheric conditions in mind, rather than relying solely on historical data. Researchers urge current hardware developers to take into account these effects related to climate processes and to implement new models and technologies to reduce risks to critical satellite networks.
Source: https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/impact-of-geomagnetic-storms-and-climate-change-on-satellite-operations