Artemis II Rocket Created Three Ionospheric Disturbances Over North America, Study Finds

NASA's Artemis II mission, launched on April 1, 2026, caused three separate disturbances in Earth's ionosphere above North America, according to a study by researchers at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan published in Geophysical Research Letters in July 2026. The disturbances, which stretched approximately 5,000 kilometers across the continent, were triggered by the rocket's initial liftoff and subsequent upper-stage engine burns occurring more than an hour and over 24 hours after launch. This marked the first time a single space mission produced multiple ionospheric perturbations over the same geographic region.

The ionospheric disturbances resulted from the Space Launch System rocket's passage through the upper atmosphere. As the rocket ascended at supersonic speeds, it created shock waves that effectively punched holes into the ionosphere—the electrically charged atmospheric layer above 30 miles altitude. The most significant disturbance came from upper-stage thruster burns at approximately 115 miles altitude. Researchers measured these disturbances using high-precision ground-based GPS receiver networks, detecting changes in electron density that corresponded to potential GPS positioning errors of several meters.

According to Charles Lin, an earth science professor and co-author of the study, such positioning errors could impact technologies reliant on precise GPS data. "A positioning error of a couple of meters is enough to cause an autonomous car to change lanes," Lin stated, noting potential effects on both autonomous vehicles and drone positioning systems. The disturbances were more significant than those caused by any previous rocket launch, including SpaceX's Starship test flights, despite Starship being more powerful in terms of liftoff thrust.

The ionosphere's free electrons affect the speed at which GPS signals travel from satellites to ground receivers. When electron concentrations change—whether from solar storms or rocket launches—signals can arrive faster or slower, resulting in inaccurate position measurements. GPS satellites orbit at approximately 12,550 miles altitude, well above the ionosphere, meaning their signals must pass through this variable atmospheric layer to reach Earth. While the study did not measure actual disruptions to GPS systems or report any navigation failures, researchers indicated they plan to investigate the degree and duration of potential GPS errors in future analysis.