Solar Activity Accelerates Space Debris Descent, Analysis Finds (heise.de)

• High solar activity increases atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit debris.
• Retired satellites descend faster during sunspot peaks.
• Analysis based on decades of orbital tracking data.

"An analysis of historical orbital data reveals that space debris and retired satellites experience accelerated orbital decay during periods of high solar activity, such as sunspot maxima. The increased solar radiation heats and expands the upper atmosphere, increasing drag on low-Earth orbit objects. This finding has implications for space debris management and satellite end-of-life planning."