Research claims that a powerful solar storm is capable of destroying most satellites orbiting the Earth. Know how it can affect us.
In February 2022, an unprecedented tragedy happened Elon Musk led SpaceX. It’s doing its own thing Starlink satellite launch, set to lower Earth orbit. These satellites have helped SpaceX spread its coverage based on satellite Internet services globally. However, tragically, during the launch event, the space company did not assume that a solar storm would make landfall on Earth on the same day. What happened next was a horrifying event that saw 40 of Starlink’s satellites destroyed as they attempted to reach safe orbit, and instead plunged into fiery death on their return to Earth. . Notably, it was not a particularly strong solar storm. it’s just a G2 class solar storm. Just imagine, what a powerful G5-class Sun storm What can be done for humanity? One study claims that it is capable of destroying most satellites orbiting the Earth, bringing down the Internet and even power grids around the world. Know what would happen in such a horrifying situation.
Research by Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, an Indian scholar and assistant professor at the University of California, claims that coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are plasmas containing a strong magnetic field around it, are polar. dangerous period for artificial satellites carrying out many important missions. for us includes GPS connectivity, providing information on climate, oceans, land and air, monitoring volcanoes, sending TV signals, handling mobile phone networks and the Internet and very importantly in wireless communication.
Research says solar storms can destroy satellites
In the 13-page study titled ‘Solar Superstorm: Planning for an Internet Apocalypse’, Jyothi said, “Communication satellites were among the severely affected systems. not from direct exposure to highly charged particles in the CME.” What the study refers to is that sensitive instruments are placed in these satellites, which must be fine-tuned for them to receive. even the weakest signal from Earth and send information accordingly.But because they are so sensitive, they are incapable of resisting any outside interference, whether electrical or magnetic.
The bodies of these satellites are also not reinforced with magnetic interferences, as they can weigh on the satellites and make floating them around the Earth more expensive and difficult. And because since the first satellite launch (Sputnik 1 in 1957), the Earth has not really witnessed a strong solar storm, it has never been a top concern for engineers.
But the study says that “modern technological progress coincides with periods of low solar activity, and the sun is expected to be more active in the near future.” And that the next big solar storm is not too far away. In the event of a solar superstorm hitting the Earth, we would essentially lose a huge amount of global communication and connectivity. This can not only lead to financial loss, but also possible loss of life as hospitals and other emergency services will not be able to function.
