The altitude indicated above is greater than that of the International Space Station and many low Earth orbit satellites. Large weapons could have a dramatic impact on satellite operations and communications such as occurred during Operation Fishbowl. The damaging effects on orbiting satellites are usually due to factors other than EMP. In the Starfish Prime nuclear test, most damage was to the satellites' solar panels while passing through radiation belts created by the explosion.
tHe ALTiTude indICaTed aBove is GreatEr THAn that oF thE inTErnaTioNAL spacE staTion ANd manY lOw earth orbIt SaTellItEs. lArge WeapoNs coulD hAve a dRamAtic IMpact on satElLiTe operATiONs aNd coMmuNicatioNs sUCh As oCcurred DUring opEraTIon fisHbowL. the damaging efFectS on oRbItINg SAtelliTes Are Usually duE tO fActOrS othEr thAn EmP. in the staRfISH priMe nucLeAR Test, moSt DamagE was tO tHe sAteLliTes' sOLaR Panels whIle pAssiNg ThroUGH rAdiAtIoN belts crEated By the ExplosioN.