According to a recent paper published in Space Weather, such concern may well be justified.
FORBES: A Powerful Solar Storm Could Render Satellites Inoperable For Years
The satellite, FalconSat-2, was built by US Air Force Academy cadets to investigate the phenomenon known as "space weather".
BBC: The new Falcon 1 rocket has been lost on its maiden flight.
The RAEng recommends that a UK Space Weather Board be set up by the government to lead the response to the space weather issue.
Currently a severe "space weather" event would most likely be considered an "emergency" under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and require help from the armed forces.
Studies of space weather aid in the development of early warning systems for solar storms and help to minimize the damage from turbulent solar activity, researchers said.
MSN: Solar storms sparked by giant 'magnetic rope,' study finds
The report also urged the Ministry of Defence to plan for the loss or degradation of satellite-based communications systems in case they are damaged by severe space weather.
This "space weather" can have a number of effects on modern infrastructure, from glitching electronics in orbiting spacecraft to increasing the interference heard on radio broadcasts such as those from the BBC.
Because new technology has flourished since then, scientists could discover that some new systems are also at risk, said Jeffrey Hughes, director of the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling at Boston University.
WSJ: Solar Flare: Sun Flare Leads to Solar Storm Reaching Earth
"Fortunately, satellites are already designed to deal with a lot of this space weather, " observed one of the report's authors, Keith Ryden, a reader in space engineering at the University of Surrey Space Centre.
But a solar storm has the potential to disrupt the shielding effect, and severe space weather can have harmful effects on a wide array of technological systems, including satellite operations, communications, navigation and electric power grids.
MSN: Solar storms sparked by giant 'magnetic rope,' study finds
The good news is that there are practical and affordable steps we can take to mitigate these threats, if only we have the will and the wit to adopt them before we are hit by heavy space weather or its man-caused counterpart.
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Do You Feel Lucky? The Danger of EMP
Entering the main exhibit, we're met by darkness and 40 seven-foot screens that will soon come to life, telling stories of space exploration, weather prediction and medicine.
ENGADGET: IBM's THINK Exhibit invades NYC, aims to inspire (video)
The RPi has since be used to power everything from home-made jukeboxes to baby monitors to miniature near-space crafts and digital weather-stations.
The committee said sudden fluctuations in the magnetic field caused by weather in space or nuclear attack, could wipe out electricity and GPS, used by the military and financial markets.
Can find you a parking space, news, weather, etc.
FORBES: Launch Festival's First 6 companies give show a strong start.
Unlike conventional rockets that blast off from a pad, air-launched systems similar to the one Mr. Allen wants to put together are designed to deliver a broad range of satellites to space without the constraints of weather or optimal times and locations to try to reach specific orbits.
WSJ: Microsoft Co-Founder to Build Massive Jet for Space Launches
The exploration of space has led to advances in weather forecasting, in communications, in computing, search and rescue technology, robotics and electronics.
CNN: Bush: 'It is time for America to take the next steps' in space
Set in 1997, the film followed rising tensions between East and West and the battle to control a space station capable of manipulating the weather at any place on the planet.
Unsettled weather at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida prompted NASA to call off today's planned landing, and the shuttle's orbit will not allow another landing attempt in Florida until tomorrow morning.
Today, the courtyard has swung back to being a blend of geometry and nature, transforming from a functional protection from weather and foes to a space that's conducive to spending more time outside.
The weather function is dependent on space assets.
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While the cramp interior can be daunting, the space was actually kind of cozy when the weather turned foul.
The satellite launched by Seoul is designed to analyze weather data, measure radiation in space, gauges distances on earth and test how effectively South Korean-made devices installed on the satellite operate in space.
The GOES-13 satellite, which is also known as GOES East, launched into space in 2006 and was responsible for tracking weather systems across the eastern United States while another GOES satellite monitored the country's western regions, according to NASA records.
Projects up for debate include Europe's continued participation in the space station and the development of a major new weather satellite system.
Broadcastify streams around 3, 500 scanner channels, including local law enforcement, fire departments, weather service, emergency medical services and the International Space Station.
Let us explain: Apparently some regions in the South and West aren't as wired as midtown Manhattan, so a company called Space Data found a way to make money by repeatedly launching weather balloons with cellular transmitters called SkySites, and charging what must be astronomical fees for getting your cell-on in the boonies.
For those with limited winter furniture storage space, do not buy chairs, tables or benches that are not weather resistant.
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