There, they are more vulnerable to space weather.
As a key element of communications, GPS navigation and weather forecasting, satellite damage can have far-reaching impacts.
Solar radiation can damage satellite parts and electronics, leading to system errors or phantom commands.
Space weather can also affect a satellite’s orbit.
Satellites that drift out of their orbits risk hitting other satellites or space debris.
Satellites
Satellites orbit in space beyond the Earth’s protective atmosphere. There, they are more vulnerable to space weather. As a key element of communications, GPS navigation and weather forecasting, satellite damage can have far-reaching impacts.
Solar radiation can damage satellite parts and electronics, leading to system errors or phantom commands. While generally minor, phantom commands could affect a thruster, causing the satellite to point away from Earth. Over time, radiation can degrade solar arrays and damage instruments almost to the point of complete failure.
Space weather can also affect a satellite’s orbit. Strong solar storms can heat Earth’s upper atmosphere, expanding it slightly and altering its density. This small change can increase atmospheric drag on low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. Extra drag can slow satellites in their orbit, or even cause them to lose altitude. NOAA’s most recent satellite series have thrusters to keep them on track. Satellites that drift out of their orbits risk hitting other satellites or space debris.
Power Grids
Geomagnetic storms can cause large currents in the Earth's surface called geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). GICs can flow into conductors such as power lines and damage high-voltage transformers. In the past, they have led to widespread power outages.
Pipelines
Ground currents from geomagnetic storms can also affect oil and gas pipelines, which are made from steel with a special coating that helps resist corrosion. However, ground currents may speed up corrosion, causing damage and shortening the pipeline’s service life.
Communication and Navigation Systems
