Artemis II Launch Linked to Ionospheric Changes in GPS Study

Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on April 1, 2026. Researchers from National Cheng Kung University analyzed ground-based GPS network data to estimate how the rocket’s passage affected the ionosphere, the region of Earth’s upper atmosphere that can influence GPS signals.

Key details

• The researchers identified two large ionospheric disturbances associated with the rocket’s core stage and later upper-stage engine burns.
• The disturbances extended roughly 5,000 kilometers across the United States.
• Measurements corresponded to GPS positioning errors of several meters at ground stations.
• The upper-stage burns took place at about 185 kilometers altitude, more than an hour after liftoff.
• The study discussing the observations appeared as a preprint associated with Geophysical Research Letters.

Researchers identified two ionospheric disturbances spanning roughly 5,000 kilometers across the United States.

Why it matters

GPS signals pass through the ionosphere, where changes in electron density can affect positioning measurements. Researchers discussed possible implications for systems that rely on GPS, including autonomous vehicles and drones, but the material describes those effects as potential rather than documented disruptions.