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Abstract <p>In order to avoid emergency situations when launching spacecraft, the impact of perturbations in near-Earth space should be taken into account. Here disturbances of the thermosphere neutral mass density (ρ) from <i>Swarm</i> satellites and global electron content (GEC) using JPL GIM-TEC maps are analysed for 130 <i>Starlink</i> satellite launches in 2019–2023. Variations in ρ and GEC over a 24-h period centred at launch were identified and analysed. The spatial distribution and evolution of ρ and GEC were investigated with variations in solar activity, season and level of geomagnetic activity before and after each <i>Starlink</i> launch. GEC and ρ were shown to increase in magnitude by 2.1 and 3.5 times, respectively, with an increase in the phase of the solar cycle, Φ, from Φ = 0.5 (February 2022) to maximum Φ = 1 (April 2024) in SC25. Sample of 75 geomagnetic storms of categories NOAA, G1–G4 with <i>Kp</i> ≥ 5.0 were observed during the period under review, of which 19 storms occurred in the interval ±24 h relative to the <i>Starlink</i> launch time. The emergency was observed only in one case February 3, 2022 at the launch of the <i>S-36</i>, when 38 out of 49 satellites left orbit and re-entered the atmosphere during a small two-phase geomagnetic storm of level G1 (<i>Kp</i> = 5.3). The comparison is made with another successful launch of <i>S-77</i> March 23, 2023, which coincided with an intense magnetic storm of category G3 (<i>Kp</i> = 7.3). It was shown that the neutral density, ρ, prevailed in the northern high latitudes at <i>S-77</i> launch, but in the case of <i>S-36</i>, the thermosphere was denser near the equator. After <i>S-36</i> launch, GEC experienced a change from positive to negative perturbation, while in the case of <i>S-77</i>, a strictly negative GEC anomaly was observed. These examples testify that the intensity of a geomagnetic storm is not the only criterion for an emergency situation. Other characteristics should be taken into account when launching spacecraft, including an increase of the electron content in the ionosphere and the density of the neutral atmosphere, accompanied by increased satellites drag in low orbits.</p>

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Global Electron Content and Neutral Density of the Thermosphere during Starlink Satellite Launches in 2019–2023

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月1日

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  • T. L. Gulyaeva,
  • R. Yu. Lukianova

摘要

Abstract

In order to avoid emergency situations when launching spacecraft, the impact of perturbations in near-Earth space should be taken into account. Here disturbances of the thermosphere neutral mass density (ρ) from Swarm satellites and global electron content (GEC) using JPL GIM-TEC maps are analysed for 130 Starlink satellite launches in 2019–2023. Variations in ρ and GEC over a 24-h period centred at launch were identified and analysed. The spatial distribution and evolution of ρ and GEC were investigated with variations in solar activity, season and level of geomagnetic activity before and after each Starlink launch. GEC and ρ were shown to increase in magnitude by 2.1 and 3.5 times, respectively, with an increase in the phase of the solar cycle, Φ, from Φ = 0.5 (February 2022) to maximum Φ = 1 (April 2024) in SC25. Sample of 75 geomagnetic storms of categories NOAA, G1–G4 with Kp ≥ 5.0 were observed during the period under review, of which 19 storms occurred in the interval ±24 h relative to the Starlink launch time. The emergency was observed only in one case February 3, 2022 at the launch of the S-36, when 38 out of 49 satellites left orbit and re-entered the atmosphere during a small two-phase geomagnetic storm of level G1 (Kp = 5.3). The comparison is made with another successful launch of S-77 March 23, 2023, which coincided with an intense magnetic storm of category G3 (Kp = 7.3). It was shown that the neutral density, ρ, prevailed in the northern high latitudes at S-77 launch, but in the case of S-36, the thermosphere was denser near the equator. After S-36 launch, GEC experienced a change from positive to negative perturbation, while in the case of S-77, a strictly negative GEC anomaly was observed. These examples testify that the intensity of a geomagnetic storm is not the only criterion for an emergency situation. Other characteristics should be taken into account when launching spacecraft, including an increase of the electron content in the ionosphere and the density of the neutral atmosphere, accompanied by increased satellites drag in low orbits.