Researchers at Boston University have proposed an active defense technology called "StormWall" to protect Earth from solar storms. The system aims to reduce the impact of geomagnetic storms.
The project involves launching six satellites into geosynchronous orbit. Each satellite will carry evaporable materials like barium, lithium, sodium, or calcium. When a strong solar storm approaches, the satellites release the material into space, where sunlight ionizes it into a charged plasma cloud.
The resulting plasma cloud drifts toward the magnetosphere boundary, thickening it and slowing down magnetic reconnection. This process can reduce storm intensity by more than 50%.
Scientists tested the concept using a computer model of the real "Mother's Day Storm" that occurred in May 2024. The simulation showed that the StormWall plasma screen more than halved the magnetic disturbance strength.
To provide reliable coverage, the orbital group would need to carry a load equivalent to about a dozen tankers. The system is single-use, based on a "fire and forget" principle.
