BOOK OF ABSTRACTS AND CONTRIBUTED PAPERS: International scientific conference Meeting on Operational and Research Capabilities for Better Understanding Solar-Terrestrial Interactions ,
Pages: 41-43,
https://doi.org/10.69646/aob250913
International scientific conference Meeting on Operational and Research Capabilities for Better Understanding Solar-Terrestrial Interactions
Published by: Scientific Society Isaac Newton

Geomagnetic storms inject significant energy into the upper atmosphere, increasing thermospheric temperature and density and, consequently, increase the atmospheric drag experienced by satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). This study compares the effects of the October 2003 geomagnetic superstorm and the May 2024 storm on satellite orbital decay by quantifying changes in thermospheric density and their influence on drag force. Using analytical models combined with empirical density data from the NR LMSIS model, we calculated drag -induced decay rates for a representative LEO satellite at 400 km altitude. Results show that the decay rate increased from 73 m/day to 104 m/day in 2003, and from 155 m/day to 258 m/day in 2024, demonstrating a significant i ncrease in drag on satellites which may affect their useful life. These findings highlight the critical importance of accounting for space weather conditions in satellite mission planning, particularly during solar maximum periods.