Low Earth Orbit Challenges During the 10-14 May 2024 ‘Gannon’ Storm
Delores
Knipp
Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder
Poster
We present a collection of anecdotal reports and statistical information related
to satellite operations in the Low Earth Environment (LEO) during the 10-14 May 2024
storm. Several High LEO operators (altitudes > 650 km) reported challenges with
pointing and altitude maintenance. In mid-LEO (400-600 km) where neutral density
increased by a factor 5 above background values, autonomous orbit maneuvers by
thousands of satellites occurred during the peak of the storm, vs the October 2003
storm during which the bulk of orbit maneuvering was in the post-storm phase. In Very
Low Earth Orbit (VLEO < 400 km) reports show that active and inactive ‘cubesats’ met
an early orbit demise. Many space operators paused normal activities or noted that
data products had to be reprocessed because of storm. Although not comprehensive,
we believe this collection of reports is illustrative of future storm-time operations and
challenges in the statistically more ‘active’ declining phase of odd-numbered solar
cycles.
to satellite operations in the Low Earth Environment (LEO) during the 10-14 May 2024
storm. Several High LEO operators (altitudes > 650 km) reported challenges with
pointing and altitude maintenance. In mid-LEO (400-600 km) where neutral density
increased by a factor 5 above background values, autonomous orbit maneuvers by
thousands of satellites occurred during the peak of the storm, vs the October 2003
storm during which the bulk of orbit maneuvering was in the post-storm phase. In Very
Low Earth Orbit (VLEO < 400 km) reports show that active and inactive ‘cubesats’ met
an early orbit demise. Many space operators paused normal activities or noted that
data products had to be reprocessed because of storm. Although not comprehensive,
we believe this collection of reports is illustrative of future storm-time operations and
challenges in the statistically more ‘active’ declining phase of odd-numbered solar
cycles.
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Poster category
Ionosphere and Thermosphere Research and Applications
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