12:22Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Solar Storm Disrupted GPS and Satellite Communications Across the US for Hours
Researchers working in the US have studied the impact of the powerful solar storm on November 11, 2025 on GPS and satellite communications. The event reached the highest level on the scale used to rate solar storms. The storm caused an unprecedented disruption in the ionosphere, the upper layer of the atmosphere. The effects lasted for hours across the US.
GPS positioning errors of up to 10 meters were recorded in some areas. Satellite communications were also interrupted. Researchers said that even a positioning error of just 1-2 meters could cause serious problems for precision agricultural equipment and autonomous vehicles. However, the study did not identify any specific accident involving an autonomous car or agricultural machine. According to the scientists, the economic damage could have been greater if the storm had occurred during the main growing season. For comparison, the solar storm recorded in May 2024 is estimated to have caused about $500 million (about 850 million manats) in damage to US agriculture. No specific financial loss from the new event has been disclosed.
The storm is considered to pose a low direct health risk to people. However, passengers on aircraft flying at altitudes closer to the ionosphere may be exposed over a short period to radiation equivalent to several X-ray examinations. Such storms also cause brighter auroras near both the North and South Poles. The research team considers more accurate space weather forecasting essential to protecting technological infrastructure. To achieve this, it proposes combining various observations, improving models based on the laws of physics and making equipment more resistant to radiation and magnetic disturbances. The goal is to reduce disruptions to GPS, satellite communications and other radio systems during future solar storms.
GPS positioning errors of up to 10 meters were recorded in some areas. Satellite communications were also interrupted. Researchers said that even a positioning error of just 1-2 meters could cause serious problems for precision agricultural equipment and autonomous vehicles. However, the study did not identify any specific accident involving an autonomous car or agricultural machine. According to the scientists, the economic damage could have been greater if the storm had occurred during the main growing season. For comparison, the solar storm recorded in May 2024 is estimated to have caused about $500 million (about 850 million manats) in damage to US agriculture. No specific financial loss from the new event has been disclosed. The storm is considered to pose a low direct health risk to people. However, passengers on aircraft flying at altitudes closer to the ionosphere may be exposed over a short period to radiation equivalent to several X-ray examinations. Such storms also cause brighter auroras near both the North and South Poles. The research team considers more accurate space weather forecasting essential to protecting technological infrastructure. To achieve this, it proposes combining various observations, improving models based on the laws of physics and making equipment more resistant to radiation and magnetic disturbances. The goal is to reduce disruptions to GPS, satellite communications and other radio systems during future solar storms.