Study finds space debris falls faster during higher solar activity
Updated
Updated · Space.com · May 6
Study finds space debris falls faster during higher solar activity
15 articles · Updated · Space.com · May 6
Published on 6 May, the research tracked 17 low-Earth-orbit debris pieces over 36 years using long-term solar data from Germany's GFZ Potsdam.
Researchers said stronger solar activity increases atmospheric density, raising drag that lowers debris altitude more quickly and could force satellites to make more orbit corrections and use more fuel.
With nearly 130 million pieces of orbital junk around Earth, the findings could help planners manage collision risks and design more sustainable operations, especially for missions launched near solar maximum.
Does the sun’s activity offer a secret advantage, making it cheaper to actively remove the most dangerous space junk?
As the sun cleans our orbit, is climate change trapping space debris, creating a permanent junkyard above Earth?
A catastrophic orbital collision could happen in days. Can global safety regulations keep pace with the private satellite boom?
How the 2024 Solar Maximum Accelerated Starlink Reentries and Heightened Collision Hazards
Overview
In 2024, intense solar storms during Solar Cycle 25 caused the Earth's thermosphere to heat and expand, increasing atmospheric density in Low Earth Orbit. This led to higher drag on satellites, causing them to lose altitude faster and reenter the atmosphere earlier than expected. The rapid changes and model limitations created large uncertainties in satellite positions, complicating collision avoidance. These effects, combined with a crowded orbital environment from expanding satellite constellations, amplified collision risks and increased the chance of debris surviving reentry, as seen when Starlink debris landed in Canada. Severe solar storms can also disrupt satellite control, raising the risk of cascading collisions known as Kessler Syndrome. Efforts to improve atmospheric models and adopt mitigation strategies are critical for space safety.