Scientists used the LOFAR telescope (seen on the ground in this illustration) to measure the radiation leaking from SpaceX’s network of more than 2,000 Starlink satellites (Image credit: Daniëlle Futselaar (artsource.nl))
The Sun’s Activity is Changing the Game for Low-Earth Orbit Satellites
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA researchers have revealed that increasing solar activity is accelerating the reentry of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites into Earth’s atmosphere. This finding highlights how powerful space weather can disrupt modern satellite operations.
Why Solar Activity Matters
The Solar Cycle and Atmospheric Drag
Every 11 years, the Sun goes through an activity cycle, swinging from quiet periods to solar maximums filled with solar flares and geomagnetic storms. These solar outbursts heat and expand Earth’s upper atmosphere, creating greater resistance—or drag—on satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Starlink Satellites and the Effects of Solar Cycle 25
The recent study examined satellite behavior during the rise of Solar Cycle 25 (2020–2024). It found that when intense geomagnetic storms hit, Starlink satellites lose altitude faster, cutting their expected orbital lifespan by about 10 to 12 days.
What This Means for Satellite Operators
Unplanned Reentries and Connectivity Risks
These rapid reentries could interrupt Starlink’s broadband internet coverage. With thousands of satellites in orbit, even minor changes in their lifespan can ripple across the entire network.
Increased Collision Risks in Orbit
Atmospheric drag doesn’t just slow satellites down—it can unpredictably shift their paths. This increases the odds of mid-orbit collisions, a growing concern with crowded orbital highways.
Space Debris Reaching Earth
Most satellites burn up on reentry, but not always. In one notable 2024 incident, debris from a Starlink satellite survived the fall and landed on a farm in Canada. Events like this raise questions about satellite design and reentry safety.
What Comes Next?
Designing Satellites for a Stormy Space Environment
As space traffic grows, engineers and satellite operators must adapt to solar weather. From better forecasting tools to improved materials and orbital adjustments, space technology must evolve to keep pace with the Sun’s changing behavior.
Can We Predict and Prevent Satellite Loss?
The key might lie in improved models of solar activity and real-time data from Earth’s atmosphere. With better prediction tools, satellite operators could anticipate drag changes and take corrective actions sooner.
Curious About the Cosmos?
Could future satellites be designed to “surf” solar storms rather than suffer from them? What new technologies might help us stay one step ahead of the Sun’s fury? Join the conversation and explore the future of satellite survival in an active solar system.
More information: Denny M. Oliveira et al, Tracking Reentries of Starlink Satellites During the Rising Phase of Solar Cycle 25, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2505.13752
