The Sun’s Fierce Outbursts Are Knocking Starlink Satellites Out of Orbit—Here’s What We Know
The Sun’s record-setting activity is sending hundreds of Starlink satellites crashing back to Earth. Find out what’s fueling this dramatic trend.
- 316 Starlink satellites reentered in 2024 alone
- 8,873 Starlink satellites launched to date
- 72% of all falls happened during weak solar storms
- 25th solar cycle currently at intense peak
The Sun is raging like never before—and its cosmic tantrums are sending hundreds of SpaceX Starlink satellites spiraling to fiery deaths in Earth’s atmosphere. As solar flares and geomagnetic storms intensify, a new scientific analysis links these powerful solar events to an unprecedented spike in satellite reentries.
Since 2020, a quiet crisis has been unfolding 340 miles above our heads. With every solar outburst, the upper atmosphere swells, creating invisible turbulence that tugs at orbiting spacecraft. SpaceX’s Starlink fleet, the world’s largest constellation, has become a real-world laboratory for scientists tracking this hidden hazard.
This solar cycle—the 25th since humans started counting—has been far more powerful than experts predicted. The consequences? Stunning auroras lighting up the night, but also unforeseen dangers for the crowded highways of low-Earth orbit.
Why Are More Starlink Satellites Falling From Space?
The culprit is the Sun’s 11-year activity cycle. When the Sun hits its “solar maximum,” sunspots, flares, and harmful solar particles bombard Earth. Experts from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center closely studied 523 Starlink satellite reentries between 2020 and 2024.
They found a dramatic surge in satellite falls directly linked to the rising intensity of the current solar cycle. In 2024, a staggering 316 satellites tumbled back to Earth—over three times the number of any previous year. For context, only two reentered in 2020.
The culprit isn’t just the biggest storms. A surprising 72% of reentries happened during periods of mild solar activity. It’s the slow, persistent drag from heated, expanded atmospheric layers that eventually dooms many satellites.
How Does Solar Activity Affect Satellites in Low-Earth Orbit?
Each solar eruption sends waves of energy that heat Earth’s atmosphere. This causes the thin air at satellite altitudes to puff up. While we can’t feel these changes at ground level, the extra air creates powerful drag on satellites like those in the Starlink constellation.
SpaceX has launched over 8,800 Starlink satellites, with about 7,669 still in operation. The sheer size of this network gives scientists detailed, real-time data on how solar storms degrade satellite orbits. According to the latest research, satellites dropped during intense storms fell much faster than those affected by milder, persistent activity.
This knowledge is critical for designing new satellites. Smarter drag models, using live satellite data, could help engineers anticipate and avoid orbital decay—even amid wild solar weather.
Can We Prevent Future Satellite Losses?
Researchers say this new analysis opens the door to improved prediction and mitigation. By crunching rich data from future launches, satellite companies like SpaceX can tweak their flight patterns and designs to resist atmospheric drag.
Keeping satellites on track isn’t just about saving money—it’s vital for avoiding dangerous collisions and space debris, which could trigger catastrophic chain reactions known as Kessler syndrome.
For more on space weather, check resources like NASA, SpaceX, or ESA for the latest science and satellite technology news.
Q&A: Burning Questions on Starlink and Solar Storms
Q: How often does the solar maximum occur?
Every 11 years, the Sun flips its magnetic poles, peaking in activity and radiation output.
Q: Are other satellites at risk?
Yes—any spacecraft in low-Earth orbit faces increased drag during solar maximum, though Starlink’s vast network provides most of the current data.
Q: Could lost satellites cause problems on Earth?
While most burn up harmlessly, congestion and collision risk in orbit are rising concerns for the future.
Q: What’s next?
Scientists will fine-tune drag models, and satellite operators will adjust designs and tracking to brave the Sun’s next tantrum.
Protecting Our Space Highways Starts Now!
- Track solar activity with trusted space agency updates
- Support efforts to develop smarter satellite tech
- Demand responsible satellite management to counter orbital risks
- Stay informed—our connection and safety rely on it
