Burning Issues: Businesses Need To Prepare As A Surge In Solar Activity Threatens Tech, Communications And Power Grids In 2024

• As 2024 progresses, the Sun is entering a period of heightened activity, which may have significant implications for various aspects of life and work on Earth. 
• For those working in sectors reliant on satellite technology, such as telecommunications, navigation, and broadcasting, the upcoming solar maximum could pose challenges. 
• Organizations may need to strengthen their infrastructure against potential disruptions and develop contingency plans to maintain operations during solar events.

Last week, cellular networks crashed across America. This happened around the same time as two massive solar flares were detected, leading some to speculate the sun was to blame. While it was only a coincidence, and the solar flares did not cause the network disruptions, the sun could actually create massive problems this year for both individuals and businesses. 

Put simply, the sun is entering a period of heightened activity, which may have significant implications for various aspects of life and work on Earth. 

What’s happening with the sun?

This phase, known as solar maximum, is part of the Sun’s natural 11-year cycle, during which it oscillates between periods of high and low solar activity. The upcoming solar maximum is predicted to peak between January and October 2024 — potentially making it one of the strongest cycles since records began.

During solar maximum, the Sun exhibits an increased number of sunspots, which are regions with intense magnetic fields. These sunspots are the sites of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which release vast amounts of energy and charged particles into space. When directed toward Earth, these solar events can have profound effects on our planet’s magnetosphere, leading to geomagnetic storms.

What does the sun’s activity have to go with work-life on Earth? 

The impact of such solar activity on Earth’s technological infrastructure can be substantial. Geomagnetic storms have the potential to disrupt satellite operations, GPS signals, radio communications, and even power grids. For instance, in early February 2022, minor geomagnetic storming led to the loss of several SpaceX Starlink satellites that failed to reach their intended orbit and reentered Earth’s atmosphere prematurely.

For those working in sectors reliant on satellite technology, such as telecommunications, navigation, and broadcasting, the upcoming solar maximum could pose challenges that require proactive planning and mitigation strategies. This means that workers in these sectors may face challenges in maintaining consistent communication and navigation capabilities, potentially leading to delays or interruptions in services. Organizations may need to strengthen their infrastructure against potential disruptions and develop contingency plans to maintain operations during solar events.

The electrical grid is also vulnerable to the effects of space weather. Strong solar activity can induce currents in power lines, leading to voltage fluctuations and even blackouts. Utility companies and electrical engineers may need to be on high alert to manage and mitigate potential power surges to prevent widespread electrical disruptions. 

For those involved in outdoor work, particularly in fields like construction or surveying, the reliability of electronic equipment could be compromised during periods of intense solar activity. This might necessitate alternative planning and scheduling to ensure the safety and accuracy of their work. 

The health and safety of airline crews and astronauts could be at risk as well due to increased radiation exposure during solar storms. Flights may need to be rerouted to avoid high-radiation areas, and spacewalks outside the International Space Station may be delayed to protect astronauts from harmful radiation levels. 

It would be wise for these industries and others to prepare now in response to these challenges and adapt by developing more robust contingency plans. This could include enhancing monitoring systems to provide early warnings of solar storms, reinforcing infrastructure to withstand electromagnetic disturbances, and training staff to respond effectively to space weather events. 

Overall, as the Sun becomes more active, it is crucial for businesses and organizations to stay informed about space weather forecasts and to prepare accordingly. By doing so, they can minimize the impact on their operations and ensure that work continues to get done safely and efficiently.

The growing solar activity highlights the need for industry readiness and advancements in space weather research to protect work and exploration in our tech-reliant world.