- Study by IISER Kolkata, found following factors for loss of satellites.
- Space weather conditions,
- Satellites in high-density low Earth orbit,
- Enhanced drag due to orientation changes of satellites.
- Space Weather
- Space weather is environment around Earth, other planets, and celestial objects in our galaxy which is largely controlled by Sun’s activities.
- It is influenced by solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and other particles and emissions emanating from Sun.
- Solar flares are sudden and intense explosions of energy on surface of Sun, often associated with sunspots. These are caused by release of magnetic energy stored in Sun’s atmosphere.
- CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from Sun’s corona.
- Impact of Space Weather on Earth
- Radio blackout storm: Electromagnetic energy released in flares disrupts radio signals in earth’s upper atmosphere impacting Navigation system.
- Geomagnetic storms (major disturbances in earth’s magnetic field) affect power grids, pipelines, and railways, and cause auroras.
- Solar radiation storm: Fast-moving charged particles from sun can permeate magnetosphere and endanger astronauts and spacecraft/satellites/aircraft.
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