Scientists Propose 6-Spacecraft StormWall to Halve Solar Superstorms
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jul 5
Scientists Propose 6-Spacecraft StormWall to Halve Solar Superstorms
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jul 5
Summary
A new Space Weather study outlines “StormWall,” a concept in which six spacecraft would release gas into Earth’s magnetosphere for 14 hours to blunt an incoming coronal mass ejection.
Simulations of the May 2024 geomagnetic storm showed the added plasma could cut major storm intensity by 50% or more by making Earth’s magnetic shield harder to disturb.
The proposal targets rare but potentially catastrophic events that could destroy thousands of satellites and push power-grid damage alone above $2.4 trillion in a once-in-a-century storm.
StormWall would require about 384 tons of gas and more than 436 tons of total payload in geosynchronous orbit, raising cost, launch and environmental questions about injecting ionized material into space.
Researchers frame the idea as a thought experiment inspired by the 1859 Carrington Event, while outside experts note it could also dim auroras and may be less practical than hardening satellites directly.