A proposed U.S. system to protect satellites from solar storms or high-altitude nuclear detonations might cause radio communication blackouts. New research suggests if activated, a so-called "radiation belt remediation" system could significantly alter the upper atmosphere, seriously disrupting the world's high frequency radio transmissions and GPS navigation.
The remediation system aims to protect low-orbiting satellites from being damaged by charged particles in unusually intense Van Allen radiation belts "pumped up" by high-altitude nuclear explosions or solar storms.
The project, being pursued by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, involves the generation of very low frequency radio waves to flush particles from the radiation belts and dump them into the upper atmosphere over one or several days.
Scientists say they calculate Earth's upper atmosphere could be dramatically affected by such a system, causing unusually intense high-frequency blackouts around most of the world.
The researchers say the blackouts might affect planes, ships and other HF users for as long as a week. The researchers say policymakers need to carefully consider the implications of remediation.
The research appears in the international journal Annales Geophysicae.
