Articles | Volume 39, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-397-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-39-397-2021
Regular paper
 | 
07 May 2021
Regular paper |  | 07 May 2021

Atmospheric drag effects on modelled low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites during the July 2000 Bastille Day event in contrast to an interval of geomagnetically quiet conditions

Victor U. J. Nwankwo, William Denig, Sandip K. Chakrabarti, Muyiwa P. Ajakaiye, Johnson Fatokun, Adeniyi W. Akanni, Jean-Pierre Raulin, Emilia Correia, John E. Enoh, and Paul I. Anekwe

Viewed

Total article views: 8,402 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
4,901 3,393 108 8,402 128 178
  • HTML: 4,901
  • PDF: 3,393
  • XML: 108
  • Total: 8,402
  • BibTeX: 128
  • EndNote: 178
Views and downloads (calculated since 29 Jun 2020)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 29 Jun 2020)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 8,402 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 8,374 with geography defined and 28 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 11 Feb 2026
Download
Short summary
In this work, we simulated the effect of atmospheric drag on satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) during 1-month intervals of disturbed and quiet solar geomagnetic activity. Our results show that geomagnetic storms (e.g. the Bastille Day event) can cause a significant drop in LEO satellite altitudes and increase their background orbit decay rate by 50–70 %. This work can contribute to improved situational awareness and mitigation of potential threats solar energetic events pose to satellites.
Share