Solar storms accelerate Starlink satellite failures: NASA
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An increasing number of SpaceX's Starlink satellites are re-entering Earth’s atmosphere earlier than expected due to intensified solar activity, according to new findings from NASA.
The study, led by scientist Denny Oliveira and reported by New Scientist, highlights the growing impact of solar eruptions on satellite longevity.
The research attributes the accelerated re-entries to geomagnetic storms triggered by the sun’s 11-year activity cycle, which reached its peak in late 2024. These storms increase atmospheric drag, pulling satellites out of orbit more rapidly.
"We found that when we have geomagnetic storms, satellites re-enter faster than expected [without solar activity]," Oliveira stated.
This phenomenon is particularly concerning for large satellite networks like Starlink, which currently has over 7,000 satellites in orbit and plans to deploy more than 30,000 in the coming years. The heightened solar activity has led to a dramatic increase in satellite re-entries, with several occurring each week.
Oliveira noted the historic scale of this trend: "It's the first time in history we have so many satellites re-entering at the same time. Between 2020 and 2024, 523 Starlink satellites were tracked re-entering our atmosphere, where they are designed to burn up entirely. In a few years, we will have satellites re-entering every day."
One of the most striking findings was that 37 Starlink satellites re-entered the atmosphere within just five days—far sooner than the typical 15-day post-failure timeline—underscoring how geomagnetic storms are speeding up orbital decay.
While some experts argue that frequent re-entries might help clear space debris and reduce collision risks, the trend also presents new challenges. Shorter satellite lifespans may limit the functionality of low-Earth orbit systems, and there's rising concern over the environmental impact of burned-up materials, particularly aluminium oxide, on the atmosphere.
Additionally, the rapid expansion of mega-constellations like Starlink increases the potential for orbital congestion. There have already been several close calls, including one incident that forced the European Space Agency to change a satellite’s trajectory to avoid a collision with a Starlink unit.
Astronomers, too, have raised alarms. The brightness of Starlink satellites continues to interfere with ground-based observations, drawing criticism from both the International Astronomical Union and the American Astronomical Society.
