For satellites, the effect depends on the orbit. The CMEs will heat up the Earth's thermosphere, causing it to expand and create drag that will cause the LEOs, such as those in the Iridium and Orbcomm constellations, to fall out of orbit sooner and have shorter lives, he added. Robert Edwards, a spokesman for Motorola, the operator of the Iridium constellation of LEO mobile telephony satellites, said Iridium's momentum wheels and on-orbit fuel can compensate for any atmospheric drag created by CMEs. More susceptible The trend toward smaller satellites with miniaturized electronics also makes spacecraft more susceptible to problems from solar activity, Hathaway said. She is a former chair of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Solar and Space Physics, which recently released a report on space weather.
Several things can happen.
Spacecraft outside the Earth's magnetic field of protection can get exposed to energized particles accelerated by a solar flare or by the solar wind. Inside the Earth's magnetic belt, the satellites can pick up an electrical charge resulting from a CME on their surface or inside, causing sparks that can damage components. The electrical discharge can appear as phantom commands to a satellite, disrupting propulsion or power systems, or resulting in a loss of control of instruments. But officials at Telesat Canada say they are not overly concerned about the upcoming solar activity. Telesat has several decades' experience operating Canadian satellites, and is considered to be an industry expert, with a sizable business advising other satellite owners on spacecraft operations.