Posted by onawah
(here)
NASA Warns: Solar Storms in 2025 May Disrupt GPS Nationwide
I looked further and found the following info from NASA on the same subject from a different site than MicroSoftNews, which was easy to share here.
It's actually very important news, though it doesn't go far enough, and it's good to see the MSM reporting on at least this much, giving the public a certain amount of "headsup".
(Even though youtube labels it "suspicious content" 
)
(Bold letters my emphasis)
NASA Warns: Solar Storms in 2025 May Disrupt GPS Nationwide
Climate Cosmos
By Walter Isacson M.Sc. Space Systems
June 5, 2025
https://climatecosmos.com/climate-ne...ps-nationwide/
" Suspicious Content]
Unprecedented Solar Activity Predicted for 2025
NASA scientists have issued a stark warning: the Sun is set to reach the peak of its 11-year solar cycle in 2025, and this one looks especially intense. According to the latest reports from NASA and NOAA, solar maximum is predicted to be stronger than anything seen in the last two decades. The Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel, which tracks sunspot numbers, now expects sunspot activity to exceed the previous forecast by as much as 30%. Higher sunspot numbers mean more eruptions, known as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These eruptions send massive clouds of charged particles hurtling toward Earth at speeds up to several million miles per hour. When these clouds hit Earth’s magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms powerful enough to disrupt our technology.
What Are Solar Storms and How Do They Affect Us
Solar storms start with explosions on the Sun’s surface, such as solar flares or CMEs, which release bursts of energy and charged particles. These storms travel through space and can arrive at Earth in just a few days, even hours in extreme cases. The most dangerous storms can disturb Earth’s magnetosphere, leading to geomagnetic storms. In 2024, the world saw the strongest geomagnetic storm since 2003, causing brief GPS outages and brilliant auroras as far south as Texas and Spain. The impacts are not just pretty lights; they can affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems. NASA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has repeatedly stressed the risk these storms pose to modern life.
Why GPS Systems Are So Vulnerable
GPS relies on a network of satellites circling high above Earth, sending precise timing and location signals to receivers on the ground. Solar storms can mess with these signals by causing disturbances in the ionosphere, a layer of charged particles in Earth’s upper atmosphere. When a solar storm hits, the ionosphere becomes turbulent, bending or distorting GPS signals. During the 2024 geomagnetic storm, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported temporary loss of GPS-based navigation for aircraft in several regions. A 2017 study in the journal Space Weather confirmed that severe solar storms can degrade GPS accuracy by up to several meters or even cause total signal loss.
Potential Nationwide Disruptions in 2025
NASA’s warning is clear: if a major solar storm hits during the 2025 solar maximum, GPS disruptions could be felt across the entire United States. The SWPC has modeled scenarios showing that a severe G4 or G5 geomagnetic storm would cause navigation errors and blackouts for GPS devices from coast to coast.
This could affect everything from smartphone maps to emergency services, shipping, farming, and air travel. In May 2024, a moderate storm caused widespread GPS anomalies, with drivers and pilots reporting inaccurate location data for hours. A repeat on a larger scale could bring daily routines to a halt, especially in rural or remote areas where GPS is critical.
What NASA and NOAA Are Doing to Prepare
Both NASA and NOAA have ramped up efforts to monitor and forecast space weather. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Parker Solar Probe are providing real-time data on solar activity, while NOAA’s SWPC issues alerts and watches for possible geomagnetic storms. In 2024, new satellite missions like NOAA’s GOES-U and ESA’s Vigil were launched to improve early warning capabilities. SWPC’s updated warning system now gives up to 24 hours’ notice before a major storm hits, allowing airlines, utilities, and GPS providers to take precautionary measures. These agencies are also working with private tech companies to harden infrastructure against space weather effects.
Recent Examples of Solar Storm Impacts
The effects of solar storms are not just theoretical. In May 2024, a G4-class storm caused GPS glitches for shipping companies on both coasts and forced rerouting of several commercial flights. In 2023, mild storms knocked out agricultural GPS systems, disrupting automated planting on Midwest farms. The most famous incident remains the 1989 Quebec blackout, caused by a storm that overwhelmed power grids and caused widespread outages for millions. These real-world events illustrate how vulnerable modern society is to space weather, especially as our dependence on GPS grows.
How Solar Storms Affect Everyday Life
Most people don’t realize how much they rely on GPS until it stops working. From finding the fastest route home to tracking packages, GPS is woven into daily life. Emergency services use it to locate accidents, while farmers depend on it for precision planting and harvesting. Even financial markets use GPS timing to synchronize transactions. When solar storms disrupt these systems, delays and confusion can ripple across the country. During the May 2024 storm, delivery drivers found themselves lost, and some ride-sharing apps stopped functioning in affected areas.
Airlines and Maritime Industries on High Alert
Air travel and shipping depend on GPS for safe and efficient operations. Airlines use it for navigation, approaches, and landings, while ships rely on it to avoid hazards and plan routes. After the 2024 storm, the FAA and International Maritime Organization issued advisories and conducted emergency drills. Airlines now have backup procedures, but experts warn that widespread GPS outages will still cause delays and cancellations. In severe cases, flights may be grounded until signals stabilize, leading to major disruptions for travelers and supply chains.
What Individuals Can Do to Prepare
While we can’t stop solar storms, individuals can take simple steps to stay informed and minimize the impact. The SWPC recommends signing up for space weather alerts and keeping paper maps as a backup in case GPS goes down. Pilots, mariners, and outdoor enthusiasts should be especially cautious during major storms and verify their routes with alternative tools. Tech-savvy users can check geomagnetic forecasts online and plan important trips or tasks for quieter space weather days. Taking these precautions can turn a potentially stressful situation into a manageable inconvenience.
The Role of Technology Companies in Mitigation
Major GPS providers and smartphone manufacturers are now working closely with NASA and NOAA to improve system resilience. In 2024, several companies announced software updates to help devices detect and filter out bad GPS signals during solar storms. Some are developing dual-frequency receivers, which can maintain accuracy even during moderate disturbances. The telecommunications industry is also investing in alternative navigation systems, such as ground-based radio signals, as a backup to satellite-based GPS. These efforts aim to keep critical services running, even when the Sun throws a tantrum.
Lessons from Past Solar Cycles
Historical records show that the Sun’s activity is unpredictable, with each cycle bringing its own surprises. The infamous Carrington Event of 1859 remains the largest solar storm on record, causing telegraph systems to spark and fail across Europe and North America. Scientists warn that a similar event today would have far greater consequences, given our reliance on electronics and satellites. Even less severe storms, like those in 2003 and 1989, caused billions in damages and months of repairs. Learning from these past events, agencies and industries are now better prepared, but the risk is never zero.
Key Takeaways for 2025
NASA’s urgent warning is rooted in real science and recent events, not speculation. The solar maximum in 2025 could bring the strongest storms in decades, with the real possibility of nationwide GPS disruptions. Recent storms in 2023 and 2024 have already given us a glimpse of what’s at stake. With agencies, industries, and individuals all on alert, the focus is on preparation and resilience. The next year will be a major test of how well technology and society can withstand the Sun’s unpredictable bursts of energy."
Walter Isacson M.Sc. Space Systems
Walter is a space systems engineer with expertise in satellite technology and orbital mechanics. He has contributed to multiple aerospace missions, focusing on Earth observation and space-based communication. Walter is driven by a vision of expanding humanity’s reach through innovative space technologies.
"
NASA Says Solar Storms in 2025 Might Disable GPS for Months
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techn...ei=30#image=11
Posted by ThePythonicCow
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Posted by onawah
(here)
... the MSN site, and that site is really difficult for me to navigate, so I can't share it here.
And it's not so much that the info is of the highest scientific calibre, but it's of interest because it's showing up now on a mainstream site like MSN.
I will ask the Mods if someone can help.
Well, with an introduction like that, you've convinced all us in the backroom to continue our focus on other stuff
.
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