Space Exploration

[ysabetwordsmith]

Low-Earth orbit is just 2.8 days from disaster

Low-Earth orbit is more crowded—and fragile—than it looks. Satellites constantly weave past each other, burning fuel and making dozens of evasive maneuvers every year just to stay safe. A major solar storm could disable navigation and communications, turning that careful dance into chaos. According to new calculations, it may take just days—not decades—for a catastrophic chain reaction to begin, potentially choking off humanity’s access to space for generations.


Solar storms can have various effects and follow an 11-year cycle. We are currently around the maximum, hence the aurora displays over the last year or two.

Comments

[siliconshaman]

Basically, it's a plate spinning act but the plates are close enough together if one falls, it knocks another one over and creates a domino cascade.

Yet another way we're fucked.

[thewayne]

Yep, good ol' Kessler Syndrome. And Leon Muskbrat is making it all so much riskier, now Jeff Bozos, China, and who knows who else wants their own satellite constellations.

MORONS.