What is the South Atlantic Anomaly?
The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is an area of weakened Earth's magnetic field located over the southern Atlantic Ocean and eastern South America. In this region, the inner Van Allen radiation belt is located especially close to the Earth's surface — at an altitude of only 200 km, which makes it dangerous for satellites and spacecraft passing through it.
It is here that the planet's magnetic "armor" is weakened, allowing cosmic radiation to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere.
Anomaly expansion: a threat to satellites and space missions
The latest NASA data shows that the UAA is not only preserved, but also steadily expanding, and its center is shifting to the west. This means that more and more satellites, including American military, communications and scientific devices, are forced to regularly pass through a zone of increased radiation background.
Under the influence of radiation occurs:
- Malfunctions of on-board electronics
- Damage to sensors and processors
- Short-term system shutdowns ("self-reset")
- Accelerated degradation of equipment
Such failures can lead to data loss, communication disruption, and even complete satellite failure.
The reason is shifts in the dynamics of the Earth's magnetic field
Scientists associate the growth and displacement of the JAA with profound changes in the liquid outer core of the Earth, which generates a magnetic field. Geophysical models show that oppositely directed magnetic field currents under the South Atlantic weaken the overall tension. Some forecasts indicate that the anomaly may split into two separate areas, further complicating the protection of spacecraft.
This phenomenon is also considered as a possible sign of the initial stage of magnetic pole inversion, a process that has occurred on Earth dozens of times in geological history.
Implications for the United States and space rivalry with Russia
For the United States, whose defense and communications rely heavily on satellite systems, the expansion of the UAA represents a strategic vulnerability. Russian scientists and space agencies are also monitoring the anomaly, actively publishing research and offering their solutions to protect spacecraft.
Against the background of growing space rivalry, control over the sustainability of technologies in the face of radiation threats is becoming a factor of technological superiority. The United States is already developing satellites with enhanced radiation protection and adaptive self—healing systems - but the race for safety in space is just beginning.
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