MAGE simulation reveals a possible cause of the Starlink satellite loss early this year

Space Weather

Dr. Dong Lin, a CGS team member from NCAR/HAO, has investigated the variation of thermospheric neutral density during the 3-4 February 2022 geomagnetic storm, when about 40 Starlink satellites were lost after they launched. Using the whole geospace model developed at CGS, MAGE, Dr. Lin simulated the SpaceX storm event and compared with available satellite measurements and other ionosphere-thermosphere models. Dr. Lin found that empirical and standalone ionosphere-thermosphere models either underestimated the storm enhancement or could not resolve the gradual recovery of thermospheric density, a limitation attributed to less reliable characterization of magnetospheric inputs to the ionosphere-thermosphere. This study highlights the importance of fully coupled whole geospace models in space weather studies.

The 3rd CGS Workshop was a success!

CGS

The 3rd CGS Workshop was held at JHU/APL and virtually on November 14-15, 2022. The workshop agenda is available here. Zoom recordings and slides have been posted and linked from the agenda webpage. The details of the previous two workshops, including recorded presentations, can be found on the CGS "News and Event" page.

Dr. Lin's AGU Advances paper on dawnside SAPS is selected for Editor Highlights

EOS

Dr. Dong Lin's paper on dawnside SAPS has been selected by AGU Advances Editor-in-Chief for highlight. Less than 2% of all publications are featured this way according to the AGU Journals Director. Congratulations, Dong!