A powerful flare of the highest type recorded on the Sun on the evening of January 18 could interfere with the work of space satellites. About this said senior researcher at the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences and ISTP SB RAS Anton Reva.
He explained that the impact of such a flare on the satellite's electronics can be compared to a computer approaching a nuclear reactor due to a sharp increase in radiation levels. The flow of electrons, gamma particles and protons can affect processes within the microchip, potentially leading to failure. To minimize risks, satellites are protected with special shields and many anti-radiation devices are being developed.
According to Reva, thanks to such measures, modern satellites generally operate stably, and although interference may occasionally occur, serious consequences will most likely be avoided. He noted that when designing the spacecraft, statistics on previous solar flares were taken into account, and preparing for them was standard practice, similar to preparing for snowfall in winter.
The first high-end flare in 2026 resulted in a 200-fold increase in radiation load on spacecraft in Earth orbit due to accelerated proton flow.
Previously it was reported that residents of certain regions in Russia Share footage of the aurora borealis.
