Artemis II Rocket Burns Disturbed Ionosphere, Study Finds

Researchers at National Cheng Kung University found that NASA’s Artemis II launch and later engine burns produced temporary disturbances in Earth’s ionosphere, with measurements corresponding to possible GPS positioning errors of several metres. The study does not establish that GPS users experienced widespread disruption or that the launch caused accidents or equipment failures. The researchers analysed measurements from ground-based GPS receivers and detected changes in the ionosphere, an electrically charged region of the upper atmosphere that satellite-navigation signals pass through. Variations in its charged particles can alter signal travel times and affect the position calculated by a receiver. The study attributes the disturbances to the rocket’s ascent and subsequent engine activity. Reports of its findings describe an initial disturbance during liftoff and further effects associated with upper-stage burns. Some accounts say the disturbances extended roughly 3,100 miles across North America; another describes the largest as about 2,500 miles. The measurements and descriptions concern the extent of atmospheric effects, not a documented GPS outage across those areas....