Starlink satellites under a lot of pressure due to powerful solar storm which hit Earth

Described by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a 'strong' geomagnetic storm, it hit the earth on Friday.

Musk posted on X: "Major geomagnetic solar storm happening right now. Biggest in a long time. Starlink satellites are under a lot of pressure, but holding up so far."

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) had issued a Geomagnetic Storm Warning for Friday.

"Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend," NOAA website said.

"This storm is ongoing and SWPC will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional warnings as necessary," the website said.

CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona.

They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth.

"Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations," NOAA said.

The last severe G5 event happened in 2003 during the Halloween Storm.