The Sun is currently experiencing its solar maximum, a period marked by intense solar eruptions and bursts of charged particles directed towards Earth. This has resulted in significant influence on satellites in low Earth orbit, causing them to shift positions.
According to William Parker, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, two geomagnetic storms caused by solar eruptions affected thousands of satellites this year, resulting in an unprecedented mass migration. The storms impacted SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which includes over 6,700 satellites, with position errors reaching up to 20 kilometers.
The increased atmospheric density in low Earth orbit due to the storm caused atmospheric drag, affecting satellite orbits and leading to a significant shift. To mitigate this effect, some satellites performed automated maneuvers to return to their pre-storm altitudes.
However, the mass migration of satellites also increases the risk of collision. With nearly 5,000 satellites performing orbit-raising maneuvers, it makes it even harder to predict where they will be from one another. This highlights the need for scientists to better understand the behavior of the Sun in order to predict and prepare for future geomagnetic storms.
Researchers aim to improve their understanding of these events to help satellite operators prepare their hardware in space. The next step is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of satellite operations.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/thousands-of-satellites-shift-position-as-the-sun-unleashes-violent-outbursts-2000537228