Comment Re:Not a normal event, but an exceptional one (Score 1) 210
The space-weather phenomenon that is most likely to damage GPS satellites is spacecraft charging, a build-up of very high voltages within the spacecraft due to differential charging by high-energy particules. These voltage differences can result in sudden discharges, much like a lightning bolt, inside the spacecraft. Problem is that this seems to be more of a problem for satellites in lower orbits than GPS. It remains to be seen whether or not this will be a major problem for GPS, even in a large geomagnetic disturbance such as the one that followed the 1859 flare.
A more subtle impact might be small changes in the GPS orbits due to changes in drag on the satellite by increased local particle density should the shock from the CME push the magnetosphere in far enough to put the GPS satellites outside the magnetosphere and into the solar wind. These changes will result in short-term GPS errors, as the satellites won't be where they are expected to be. This, however, can be fixed fairly quickly by correcting the orbits and the orbit elements from which the expected positions are calculated.
A more subtle impact might be small changes in the GPS orbits due to changes in drag on the satellite by increased local particle density should the shock from the CME push the magnetosphere in far enough to put the GPS satellites outside the magnetosphere and into the solar wind. These changes will result in short-term GPS errors, as the satellites won't be where they are expected to be. This, however, can be fixed fairly quickly by correcting the orbits and the orbit elements from which the expected positions are calculated.