New scientific research shows that solar activity directly affects the rate at which space debris in Earth's orbit falls into the atmosphere. When the Sun becomes active, the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere expand slightly and become denser. As a result, objects in low orbit encounter stronger resistance and lose altitude faster. This is reported by Ixbt.com reports .
Scientists reached this conclusion after analyzing the movement of 17 pieces of space debris over 36 years. Researchers compared the orbits of these objects with data such as sunspot cycles and radiation levels. It turned out that when solar activity reaches a certain level, the process of debris leaving orbit accelerates significantly.
During periods of high solar activity, operational satellites are forced to consume more fuel to maintain their orbits. However, for space debris, this process is positive: they burn up in the atmosphere faster and leave orbit. The authors emphasize that this phenomenon is important for assessing the lifespan of space objects and the risk of collisions.
Currently, there are up to 130 million pieces of debris of various sizes around Earth, including defunct satellites and small fragments left over from accidents. This problem is becoming increasingly serious in the exploration of space.
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