For the first time, a thermosphere density map has been produced using Starlink data by Kyoto University scientists.

A fresh approach to tracking the thermosphere

According to НВ — Техно: On August 13 at 18:00, a Kyoto University team published a study describing a new way to probe the thermosphere with Starlink satellites. The researchers analyzed public orbital information for roughly 1,200 Starlink spacecraft flying at 482 kilometers in altitude, looking at the atmospheric drag encountered as the satellites descended. Using a tomographic approach, they turned that drag data into the first two-dimensional map of thermosphere density at around 500 kilometers up-a capability that could improve spaceflight safety. With satellite constellations growing quickly, understanding the upper atmosphere at these heights is becoming an essential part of orbital operations.

The thermosphere is an electrically neutral layer of gas that extends from roughly 100 to 1,000 kilometers above the surface, and it contains more than 99 percent of the atmosphere in the several-hundred-kilometer altitude band. Up to now, most thermospheric studies lacked horizontal coverage; the new technique adds that dimension, making it possible to measure atmospheric density around spacecraft in near real time. The Kyoto group confirmed the reliability of its findings by comparing them with measurements from the European Space Agency's SWARM constellation.

Why this matters for orbital safety

The method enables detailed density maps that offer fresh opportunities for studying Earth's upper atmospheric layers. It could also sharpen space weather forecasts, improve trajectory calculations, and lower the risk of satellite collisions with debris. As low Earth orbit becomes increasingly cluttered with active spacecraft and defunct hardware, this research is especially valuable. The team's work represents an important step toward safer spaceflight and more effective management of the orbital environment, and it may lay the groundwork for future developments in atmospheric monitoring and space technology while helping prevent potential disasters.

Understanding the dynamics of the upper atmosphere is crucial for enhancing satellite safety. In a related study, researchers have uncovered how spacecraft data may have misled scientists for years, highlighting the importance of accurate atmospheric models for predicting particle motion in the radiation belts. This emphasizes the ongoing need for innovative approaches to atmospheric research.