We've Turned Starlink into a Planetary Barometer

Researchers are using the 11,000+ Starlink satellites orbiting Earth as atmospheric sensors to measure upper-atmosphere density and air pressure changes. By monitoring how much altitude these satellites lose daily due to atmospheric drag, scientists track a "sink rate" that reveals how solar activity and geomagnetic storms heat and expand Earth's thermosphere, with rates ranging from 19.7 to 127.6 meters per day in 2026. This data provides crucial insights into space weather conditions that affect all satellites and spacecraft operations.