Satellite Collisions Could Occur Within 3 Days During Solar Storm, Study Warns

A new study led by Sarah Thiele at Princeton University reveals that satellite collisions could happen in as little as 2.8 days after a solar storm disrupts communications. The research introduces a new metric called Collision Realization and Significant Harm (CRASH), which tracks how quickly a serious collision can occur when operators lose contact. This critical timeframe has plummeted from 164 days in 2018 to under 72 hours today. The findings highlight the fragility of our satellite network, especially with the surge of low-Earth orbit satellites from SpaceX's Starlink. From December 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, Starlink satellites performed 144,404 collision avoidance maneuvers—about one every 1.8 minutes—and approach another object within a kilometer every 47 seconds. The study also references the 1859 Carrington Event, a significant solar storm that affected telegraph systems, underscoring potential dangers. While the researchers don’t suggest removing satellites, they emphasize the need for precise management to prevent a chain reaction of collisions, known as Kessler Syndrome.