🌍Satellite Orbits Track Atmospheric Changes
Satellites as Atmospheric Sensors
TL;DR
Astronomers use satellite data to track atmospheric changes, revealing how solar events impact orbit decay. This method uses public tracking data from 1,198 satellites.
Astronomers are using satellite data to track changes in Earth's atmosphere, showing how solar events impact orbit decay. This method uses public tracking data from 1,198 satellites, including 1,000 Starlink, 107 SuperDoves, 391 Amazon Kuiper, and 651 Eutelsat OneWeb satellites. The study reveals how solar ultraviolet radiation heats the thermosphere, affecting satellite orbits. This research highlights the potential of satellite constellations as atmospheric sensors, providing insights into space weather and orbit stability.
Key Points
Astronomers analyzed TLE data for 1,198 satellites, including 1,000 Starlink, 107 SuperDoves, 391 Amazon Kuiper, and 651 Eutelsat OneWeb satellites.
Satellites lose a few meters of altitude daily due to atmospheric drag.
Solar ultraviolet radiation heats the thermosphere, affecting satellite orbits.
The study uses a running, public, daily index with three independent constellations to track atmospheric changes.
The data is read from public tracking data, providing insights into space weather and orbit stability.
Why It Matters
Astronomers use satellite data to track atmospheric changes, revealing how solar events impact orbit decay. This method uses public tracking data from 1,198 satellites, including 1,000 Starlink, 107 SuperDoves, 391 Amazon Kuiper, and 651 Eutelsat OneWeb satellites. This research highlights the potential of satellite constellations as atmospheric sensors, providing insights into space weather and orbit stability.
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