The phrase "damage satellites" means causing harm or destruction to the man-made objects in space that orbit around the Earth, which are used for various purposes like communication, weather forecasting, and navigation. Full definition
Radiation within the Van Allen belts can occasionally damage satellites passing through them. (newworldencyclopedia.org)
These storms increase fluxes of energetic electrons that can permanently damage satellite electronics, and can also be a hazard to astronauts, even in low - Earth orbit. (newworldencyclopedia.org)
If aimed toward Earth, such an ejection could lead to even more spectacular auroras, but could also damage satellites, communications and power systems. (scientificamerican.com)