NASA's Artemis II Launch Disrupted GPS Signals by Creating Massive Ionospheric Holes
- Published
- Source
- SPACE.com
The launch of NASA's Artemis II mission in April 2026 resulted in significant disturbances in Earth's ionosphere, leading to potential temporary errors in GPS positioning. Researchers from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan analyzed data from ground-based GPS receivers and found that the ionospheric disturbances were more intense than any caused by previous rocket launches, including those of SpaceX's Starship.
This study highlights the implications of rocket launches on GPS technology, particularly for autonomous vehicles and drones that rely on precise positioning. The disturbances observed during the Artemis II launch could lead to positioning errors of several meters, which may affect the operation of self-driving cars and other navigation-dependent technologies.
National Cheng Kung University researchers noted that the Artemis II mission created two significant holes in the ionosphere, stretching across the American continent. These disturbances were primarily caused by the rocket's upper stage burns, which occurred after the initial launch, emphasizing the need for further monitoring of the effects of rocket launches on GPS systems.
Original report
NASA's Artemis II moon launch tore a hole in Earth's upper atmosphere so huge it disrupted GPS signals
SPACE.com · Tereza PultarovaThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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