The rapid growth of the small satellite population on orbit has been a remarkable achievement for increasing access to space. Yet, as much of this growth has come in the past five years, many new small satellite operators have not experienced the more extreme space weather environment that comes with a period of solar maximum. As Solar Cycle 25 begins and space weather activity increases, SWF partnered with the University of Colorado at Boulder to explore the challenges and opportunities of operating in low-Earth orbit at the virtual SmallSat conference.

Project Manager Josh Wolny moderated a panel with space weather experts from academia, international space agencies, and industry focusing on the near-Earth space weather environment, the potential for increased atmospheric drag, and radiation hazards. More information, including a video, and speaker presentations, are available at the event page here.