In May 2024, Earth experienced its largest geomagnetic storm in over two decades, impacting satellite operations in low Earth orbit. The surge in satellite population since 2003 has led to challenges in predicting and managing the effects of such storms. The forecast performance assessment of the storm revealed poor predictability, even one day in advance. By analyzing thermospheric mass density enhancements and tracking satellite decay characteristics, researchers observed large-scale trends using two-line element data from the NORAD catalog. Understanding the impact of geomagnetic storms on satellites is crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability and safety in low Earth orbit.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.08617