Starlink Satellites Used to Map Earth's Upper Atmosphere
Starlink Satellites Used to Map Earth's Upper Atmosphere
IN · Published Aug 22, 2026
Researchers at Kyoto University have utilized data from approximately 1,200 Starlink satellites to create a two-dimensional map of the thermosphere, a challenging region to study located between 100 and 1,000 kilometers above Earth's surface.
By analyzing orbital changes caused by atmospheric drag at an altitude of about 482 kilometers, the team estimated variations in thermospheric density across different geographic areas.

Impact & Risks

The findings are significant for satellite operators and space agencies as thermospheric density directly affects atmospheric drag, which in turn influences satellite trajectories. Variations in density, often driven by solar activity, can increase collision risks in the increasingly crowded low Earth orbit. Improved density measurements could enhance collision-risk assessments and spacecraft operation planning. Additionally, this research underscores the growing importance of leveraging commercial satellite constellations for scientific purposes, particularly as the number of active and inactive satellites in orbit continues to rise.

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