May 29, 2025 – A new NASA-led study has revealed that intense solar activity is quietly shortening the lives of Starlink satellites in orbit, potentially accelerating the re-entry of hundreds of them into Earth’s atmosphere.
Led by NASA scientist Denny Oliveira, the research highlights how powerful solar eruptions triggered by the peak of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle are disrupting satellite longevity. These geomagnetic storms increase atmospheric drag, causing satellites to descend and burn up faster than anticipated.
“We found that when we have geomagnetic storms, satellites re-enter faster than expected [without solar activity],” Oliveira said. In one striking case, 37 Starlink satellites re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in just five days far sooner than their usual 15-day orbital decay time.
The solar maximum, which peaked in late 2024, has intensified these space weather events, directly impacting low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. SpaceX’s Starlink, currently the largest satellite network in orbit with over 7,000 satellites and a goal of 30,000, has become the most visible casualty of this solar storm surge.
Between 2020 and 2024, 523 Starlink satellites were tracked as they re-entered the atmosphere where they are designed to burn up completely. However, Oliveira warns that satellite re-entries could become a daily occurrence in just a few years if trends continue.
“This is the first time in history we have so many satellites re-entering at the same time,” he noted.
While satellite re-entries might sound alarming, some experts point out a silver lining: dead satellites leaving orbit reduces space junk and collision risks. However, the increasing frequency of re-entries also brings new concerns about atmospheric impacts and orbital crowding.
One key concern is the growing amount of aluminum oxide released into the upper atmosphere when satellites burn up. Scientists worry this could alter atmospheric chemistry and potentially affect climate systems—though research on this is still in early stages.
Another issue is space traffic. Starlink satellites are frequently involved in close calls with other spacecraft. The European Space Agency even had to maneuver one of its satellites to avoid a Starlink satellite in a past incident. As satellite numbers grow and solar activity continues to increase, experts fear such events could become more frequent.
Astronomers also remain concerned about the brightness of Starlink satellites, which interfere with deep-sky observations and telescope imaging. Both the International Astronomical Union and American Astronomical Society have called for more regulation and design changes to reduce their visual footprint.
As solar activity continues to surge, satellite operators like SpaceX face an urgent challenge: how to design spacecraft that can withstand the sun’s unpredictable fury, while also managing the growing crowd of satellites in orbit.
The NASA study serves as a wake-up call—not just for SpaceX, but for the entire satellite industry navigating a new era of solar-powered space disruption.