The satellites were a fresh batch of Starlinks that were launched by SpaceX just days before.
The findings have been published in the journal Space Weather published by the American Geophysical Union.
However, the impact of space weather on satellites in LEO has only recently started to garner attention.
The loss of a significant number of Starlink satellites shortly after their launch on February 3, 2022, raised concerns about the susceptibility of LEO satellites to space weather.
The team's objective was to determine the relationship between prevailing spaceweather conditions at LEO and the loss of Starlink satellites.
In February 2022, people in several parts of the world witnessed a rare fiery trail coming down from space. While initially it was believed to be a meteor that was disintegrating, analysis later revealed them to be satellites.
The satellites were a fresh batch of Starlinks that were launched by SpaceX just days before. Scientists have now analysed how the spaceweather conditions led to ther fiery downfall from space. The findings have been published in the journal Space Weather published by the American Geophysical Union.
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Human reliance on satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for various purposes such as Earth observations, telecommunications, navigation, and defense has been steadily increasing. However, the impact of space weather on satellites in LEO has only recently started to garner attention.
The loss of a significant number of Starlink satellites shortly after their launch on February 3, 2022, raised concerns about the susceptibility of LEO satellites to space weather. While initial attributions pointed to space weather as the cause, the actual conditions during the launch were relatively modest in terms of solar magnetic storms and space weather phenomena, making it difficult to establish a direct link. Starlink seen flying in space. (Photo: Getty)
To shed light on this issue, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata in collaboration with Nasa and Predictive Sciences Inc. employed a multifaceted approach combining observations of solar magnetic storms, near-Earth environmental conditions, and advanced computer simulations.
The team's objective was to determine the relationship between prevailing spaceweather conditions at LEO and the loss of Starlink satellites.
Spaceweather are conditions and disturbances in space, particularly those influenced by the Sun, that can affect technological systems and infrastructure both in space and on Earth.
The comprehensive analysis conducted revealed that the loss of the satellites was not attributable to a single factor but rather a combination of several.
These factors included the prevailing space weather conditions at the time, the insertion of the satellites into a relatively high-density LEO, and the possibility of enhanced drag due to orientation changes of the satellites.
The latter was particularly accentuated by a relatively high drag-to-inertia ratio.
This study points to the intricate interplay between space weather and satellite operations above Earth, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of these phenomena to mitigate risks and ensure the reliability of satellite systems. As human reliance on satellite technology continues to grow, addressing these challenges becomes increasingly vital.
Published By: Sibu Kumar Tripathi Published On: Apr 10, 2024
