A new study reveals the escalating threat of “killer electrons” during geomagnetic storms, urging for fortified satellite infrastructure to mitigate potential space weather damages. This research serves as a benchmark for preparing and safeguarding the expanding space sector, which significantly influences a myriad of industries and global communications.
Satellite operators, manufacturers, insurers, and governments need to prepare and mitigate against the risks posed by these electrons. Society is increasingly reliant on satellites for a variety of applications including communication, navigation, Earth observation, and defense. As of April 2022, there were 5,465 operational satellites in Earth orbit, and most are exposed to energetic electrons for at least some of their orbit.
These findings are vitally important to the satellite industry as engineers and operators require realistic estimates of the largest electron fluxes encountered in GPS orbit to prepare for the impacts of these extreme events and to improve the resilience of future satellites.
Like weather on our planet, space weather can vary greatly over minutes, days, seasons, and the 11-year solar cycle. The researchers found that the majority of these killer electron events occurred during the solar cycle’s declining phases — seen twice during the 20-year period they studied — but the largest event was elsewhere, showing that extreme events can happen at any time.