Meteorological Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
    • G-P
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
    • R-S
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
    • T-Z
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • April 2023
    • September 2022
    • April 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
Subscribe
Meteorological Technology International
  • News
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2023
    2. September 2022
    3. April 2022
    4. September 2021
    5. Archive Issues
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – April 2023

    By Web TeamApril 18, 2023
    Recent

    In this Issue – April 2023

    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2022

    August 12, 2022

    April 2022 issue is now available online!

    April 12, 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Meteorological Technology International
Space Weather

NOAA study analyzes geomagnetic storm conditions that destroyed 38 SpaceX satellites

Elizabeth BakerBy Elizabeth BakerNovember 17, 20224 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Share
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email

A study, published in the American Geophysical Union’s journal Space Weather, has analyzed the space weather conditions that led to the loss of 38 Starlink satellites.

In early February 2022, 38 of the 49 Starlink satellites that SpaceX launched into very-low-Earth orbit burned up as a result of a period of prolonged, minor geomagnetic storm conditions. According to the researchers, the study highlights the need for better space weather observations and forecasts for the emerging commercial spacecraft industry.

Scientists from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder worked closely with SpaceX Starlink to co-author this study. The organizations used observations from the Starlink satellites and forecasts and numerical simulations from NOAA to demonstrate the disturbance in the upper atmosphere and increased satellite drag conditions during the February event. NOAA’s GOES-16 satellite captured a series of M-class solar flares on February 1, 2022. These eruptions on the sun caused minor geomagnetic storms that destroyed 38 SpaceX Starlink satellites launched on February 3. This study therefore confirms SpaceX’s preliminary analysis – high satellite drag conditions reduced satellite stability and made the orbit-raising process impossible. In response, the satellites quickly deorbited and ultimately burned up during reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

SWPC forecasters predicted the minor to moderate geomagnetic storms and issued watch, warning, and alert products beginning January 30, 2022, and continued to do so through February 5. However, the center doesn’t currently have warnings and alerts for satellite drag or neutral density predictions as described in the study, but has since prioritized the importance of this service following the satellite loss event.

The study recommends accurate forecasts of low-Earth orbit events ahead of the onset of solar and geomagnetic storms and identifies that it is crucial for SWPC to establish suitable alerts and warnings based on neutral density predictions to provide users guidance for preventing satellite losses due to drag and to aid in collision avoidance calculations. To provide suitable space weather predictions and warnings for this expanding industry, SWPC therefore needs new observations and data to improve space weather forecast models.

The study identifies additional space weather forecast improvement services, and research areas that are critical to support the spacecraft industry at low-Earth orbits, such as better predictions of arrival time of coronal mass ejection and magnitude and duration of geomagnetic activity. In addition, establishing the uncertainties and variability of solar wind/near-Earth interactions should be prioritized to provide probability forecasts of the responses at Earth. It also recommended computationally efficient data-assimilation techniques, to use the large volume of on-orbit neutral density observations that will enable SWPC to improve neutral atmosphere nowcasts and produce better forecasts. Alongside these recommendations, the study highlighted the need to improve processes in the satellite industry to incorporate space weather information and neutral density models that better capture space weather responses into satellite design and operations. The study also noted that insufficient measurements between the sun and Earth, limitations in SWPC modeling tools and knowledge gaps in space physics all lead to prediction errors on geomagnetic storm timing and intensity.

The researchers found that SWPC’s physics-based numerical model, called Whole Atmosphere Model-Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (WAM-IPE), captured the increased neutral density environment responsible for the Starlink satellite loss event, out-performing the empirical model used by the Starlink team for their analyses. Collaborating with Starlink and others in this growing industry, SWPC will incorporate design changes to the WAM-IPE to make the model more useful to both industry and government interests in low- and very-low-Earth orbits. In addition, SWPC is developing a neutral density product with a comprehensive, satellite-focused webpage for the spacecraft industry to access model outputs and forecasts. These improvements will take place in mid-2023.

Further, the Starlink team has implemented system upgrades to ensure future low insertion missions can accommodate the satellite drag given the anticipated increase in solar and geomagnetic activity as we approach the maximum of Solar Cycle 25, the study said. SpaceX has completed more than 60 satellite launches since November 2019, specifically for deploying the Starlink system. The earlier launches took place during a period of quiet space weather conditions compared to what was observed in February 2022.

Tzu-Wei Fang, lead author of the study and space scientist at NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, said, “This study demonstrates the benefits that can come from collaborative work between government and industry. The free exchange of model and satellite data and close interaction between SWPC and the Starlink team have enabled us to identify the quantitative impact of space weather events on these satellites, which help us to quickly prioritize our tasks to improve our space weather models and design the operational products that will better meet the needs of modern space commerce.”

Previous ArticleMet Office study says overshooting 1.5°C global temperature rise is likely
Next Article CIWRO simulates winter storms to understand hidden weather phenomena and improve short-term storm predictions

Read Similar Stories

Climate Measurement

Bureau of Meteorology opens Space Weather Forecasting Centre

October 7, 20222 Mins Read
Space Weather

NOAA forecasts a strong geomagnetic storm after several eruptions on the sun

August 19, 20222 Mins Read
Space Weather

Digantara launches commercial space weather monitoring system

July 8, 20222 Mins Read
Latest News

Vaisala celebrates 40 years of operating US lightning detection network

June 1, 2023

Celeste Saulo to become first female secretary-general of the WMO

June 1, 2023

Tomorrow.io launches first forecast plug-in for ChatGPT marketplace

May 31, 2023

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • ELDES S.r.l.
Latest Job Postings
  • Sailing Weather Specialist

    • Remote
    • SeaTactics
    • Part Time
  • SALES MANAGER

    • Erftstadt, Germany
    • GWU-Umwelttechnik GmbH
    • Full Time
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
© 2023 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by