New ESA simulations suggest that a solar storm on par with the 1859 Carrington Event could wreak havoc on Earth-orbiting satellites — and it is a question of "when," not "if" this will happen, experts say.
And third, the CME, which caused the upper atmosphere to swell outward as it soaked up the solar storm’s energy.
The atmospheric swelling is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of this triple threat, as it could increase satellites’ drag by up to 400%, pulling the spacecraft down to Earth, where they will either burn up in the atmosphere or crash to the planet’s surface.
Atmospheric swelling would have devastating effects on LEO megaconstellations, but I doubt that GPS satellites way out at 20,000 km would be noticeably affected.
Atmospheric swelling would have devastating effects on LEO megaconstellations, but I doubt that GPS satellites way out at 20,000 km would be noticeably affected.
I have no knowledge about this. How far out would the swelling extend?