On February 3, 2022, Starlink launched a group of 49 satellites into low Earth orbit to expand its constellation. This did not take into account space weather: a few days ago there was an M-class solar flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection, which led to the loss of these 39 satellites. A team of researchers from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Catholic University of America explains how the storm damaged much of the fleet.
Since May 2019, marking the start of the constellation’s deployment, Starlink has continued to send new satellites into low orbit to expand its constellation, which should eventually include about 30,000 telecommunications satellites. On February 3, 2022, 49 additional units lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket. A few days ago, on January 29, the Sun ejected an M1-class flare. – Announced by Spaceweather Its bulletin dated 31st JanuaryThis indicates that a large sunspot, which grew very quickly, is at the origin of this explosion.
” The long burst lasted more than 4 hours, giving plenty of power to the coronal mass ejection
“, the experts underlined. These high-speed solar particles unfortunately headed towards the Earth. Satellites facing the Sun were able to observe the movement of the magnetic cloud, especially NASA’s STEREO-A observation satellite, dedicated to the study of EMC. On February 1, the cloud hit the Earth’s magnetosphere, creating a spectacular aurora at the level of the Arctic Circle. Borealis created the wave, but it also had serious material consequences for Starling.
Warming leads to a drag phenomenon
The Sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles (ions and electrons) called the “solar wind”. This flux varies in density, speed and temperature depending on solar activity. When the Sun is very active, it emits powerful flares (class M and X), which are capable of creating EMC – a set of magnetic field lines embedded in hot plasma, traveling away from the Sun at very high speeds (up to 3000). km/s); This cloud can take 24 hours or more (depending on its speed) to reach Earth and cause a geomagnetic storm.
In December 2019, we entered the 25th solar cycle; Its activity has only increased to a maximum in July 2025. As the Sun’s activity intensifies, EMCs occur more and more frequently; At most, there may be several per day in sunlight. If they reach Earth, they can create spectacular auroras, but can disrupt commercial satellites, and in extreme cases even cause blackouts on the ground.
In fact, when a geomagnetic storm occurs, it creates intense currents that circulate between Earth and space, called “geomagnetically induced currents”. These can short out power lines and networks, which can disable all terrestrial technologies.
Another side effect of space weather that can affect satellites is the heating of the thermosphere – the layer of atmosphere between the mesosphere and the exosphere (ie between 100 and 600 km at altitude). This warming temporarily increases the density of the upper atmosphere, causing a phenomenon known as “atmospheric drag” – the thicker the atmosphere, the slower everything moving through it. Starling’s satellites suffered consequences.
A magnetic cloud strengthened by the solar wind
Researchers studying the characteristics of the January 29, 2022 solar event describe it as a “moderate-strength geomagnetic storm” caused by a halo CME of moderate speed (about 690 km/s). The north-east quadrant of the Sun. ” The eruption was marked by the M1.1 eruption, which began at 22:45 UT, peaked at 23:32 UT on January 29, and ended at 00:24 UT the following day. The CME became a magnetic cloud “, they summarized in their pre-print article.
Image of the coronal mass ejection captured by the SOHO satellite (bottom right of the Sun). After a few days, it collided with Earth’s magnetic field, which helped thicken the atmosphere. ©NASA/SOHO.
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The researchers said the geomagnetic storm was caused by a strong southerly component of the magnetic cloud, enhanced by the ensuing high-speed solar wind current. Space weather didn’t really bother Starlink, however, as it continued its launch despite solar activity warnings. Affected by atmospheric drag, most satellites are rapidly de-orbited and then destroyed during descent. The loss cost the company several million dollars.
Satellite companies generally pay close attention to reports from organizations such as the Space Weather Forecast Center. Given enough notice, they can take steps to protect their equipment. Similarly, astronauts on the ISS can take shelter until a storm passes, while power companies can take steps to contain damage during a violent event. remember Universe Today.
Solar physicists carefully study these solar flares and try to develop a foolproof forecasting system. Currently, several observation satellites keep a close watch on the Sun and send notifications when an eruption occurs – giving a few hours to take appropriate action.
Source: N. Gopalsamy et al., arXiv
