In 1859, the Carrington Event, the most powerful solar storm ever recorded, damaged communication equipment across North America and Europe.
Now researchers propose a constellation of satellites called StormWall that would release hundreds of tons of gas into orbit to blunt the force of an incoming solar storm.
Launching this much material into orbit is a big undertaking, but it could be within reach by using heavy-lift vehicles like SpaceX’s Starship
However, getting the satellites into orbit is only part of the puzzle. Accurate and timely space weather forecasts would also be a prerequisite.
MORE