Space Weather and Broadband

There was an interesting phenomenon that happened in September when Starlink launched 49 new satellites. The satellites were successfully deployed by the rocket, but as the satellites were being maneuvered to reach the final orbital slots there was a geomagnetic storm that caused 38 of the satellites to fall back to earth. Space storms happen when radiation affects the magnetosphere that surrounds the earth. The extra energy from the storms can also play havoc with GPS and other space-based communications. Strong storms can wreak havoc with radio communications and can even produce feedback in long-haul electric wires that can disrupt the power grid. Scientists have been looking at ways to better predict solar flares and the ensuing storms. Tracking space weather matters since we are becoming reliant on space technologies. We’ve all incorporated GPS and satellite weather into our daily routines. Space technology has become everyday technology, but it’s too easy to take for granted and to assume it will always work.