Solar Storms Are Forcing Starlink Satellites to Return to Earth Sooner Than Expected
A recent study has uncovered that intense solar activity is hastening the fall of Starlink satellites back to Earth.
As the Sun becomes more active during its current 11-year cycle—known as Solar Cycle 25—powerful events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections are heating Earth’s upper atmosphere.
This causes the atmosphere to expand, increasing drag on satellites in low-Earth orbit, including those from Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
The added resistance slows satellites down and cuts short their operational lifespans.
Researchers reviewed data from 523 Starlink satellites launched between 2020 and 2024. Their analysis showed that higher levels of solar activity are clearly accelerating the rate at which these satellites are reentering Earth’s atmosphere. This trend not only affects satellite functionality but also makes it harder to predict when and where reentries will occur—raising operational risks and deepening concerns about space debris.
With a surge in both satellite launches and solar activity, scientists warn that we’re entering a new era of orbital unpredictability. One researcher noted, “We’re seeing the highest levels of satellite congestion and solar activity in recorded history.” This overlap highlights the urgent need for smarter strategies to manage the evolving challenges of our crowded skies.
Solar Storms Are Forcing Starlink Satellites to Return to Earth Sooner Than Expected
A recent study has uncovered that intense solar activity is hastening the fall of Starlink satellites back to Earth.
As the Sun becomes more active during its current 11-year cycle—known as Solar Cycle 25—powerful events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections are heating Earth’s upper atmosphere.
This causes the atmosphere to expand, increasing drag on satellites in low-Earth orbit, including those from Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
The added resistance slows satellites down and cuts short their operational lifespans.
Researchers reviewed data from 523 Starlink satellites launched between 2020 and 2024. Their analysis showed that higher levels of solar activity are clearly accelerating the rate at which these satellites are reentering Earth’s atmosphere. This trend not only affects satellite functionality but also makes it harder to predict when and where reentries will occur—raising operational risks and deepening concerns about space debris.
With a surge in both satellite launches and solar activity, scientists warn that we’re entering a new era of orbital unpredictability. One researcher noted, “We’re seeing the highest levels of satellite congestion and solar activity in recorded history.” This overlap highlights the urgent need for smarter strategies to manage the evolving challenges of our crowded skies.
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