On Saturday, Starlink, the satellite division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, cautioned of “degraded service” amidst the Earth enduring its most substantial geomagnetic storm in two decades due to solar activity. Starlink maintains approximately 60% of the approximately 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth, solidifying its dominance in satellite internet provision.
Musk mentioned earlier on Saturday 11 May, 2024 in a post on X that while Starlink satellites were experiencing significant pressure from the geomagnetic storm, they were holding up thus far.
Major geomagnetic solar storm happening right now. Biggest in a long time. Starlink satellites are under a lot of pressure, but holding up so far.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared this storm the most significant since October 2003, with expectations for it to persist throughout the weekend. This poses risks to various systems including navigation, power grids, and satellite communication.
Starlink, with its thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, employs inter-satellite laser links to transmit data at the speed of light, facilitating global internet coverage.
As the geomagnetic storm continues to surge, its impact reverberates across multiple sectors. Navigation systems, power grids, and satellite communications face heightened risks, prompting concerns about potential disruptions.
Amidst this tumultuous environment, Starlink’s innovative network, reliant on inter-satellite laser links, faces the test of resilience. The outcome remains uncertain, yet the storm underscores the fragility of our interconnected technological infrastructure in the face of nature’s powerful forces.