Sun's unpredictable outbursts are forcing satellites back to Earth sooner

Solar activity is accelerating satellite re-entry, especially for mega-constellations like Starlink, reducing lifespans by up to 10 days during solar maximum. With thousands of satellites in orbit, more frequent re-entries increase the risk of debris reaching Earth, as evidenced by a Starlink piece found on a Canadian farm in 2024. This trend challenges operators and raises safety concerns for very low Earth orbits.