Space Travel News  
Interfering With The Global Positioning System

The ionosphere and how it relates to the atmosphere.
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Jun 10, 2008
You can't always trust your GPS gadget. As scientists have long known, perplexing electrical activity in the upper atmospheric zone called the ionosphere can tamper with signals from GPS satellites.

Now, new research and monitoring systems are clarifying what happens to disruptive clouds of electrons and other electrically charged particles, known as ions, in the ionosphere. The work may lead to regional predictions of reduced GPS reliability and accuracy.

One team of researchers has recently observed Earth's aurora, which is a prominent manifestation of ionospheric electrical activity, in the act of disrupting GPS equipment. Other scientists have successfully tested a way to forecast GPS disturbances for marine users, with likely extension to users on land.

Some research groups are turning the tables and employing GPS receivers as tools with which to conduct basic research on the electrical-current structures of the ionosphere.

The scientific reports on these and other recent developments are available in a special section of Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications, a publication of the American Geophysical Union, or AGU.

A magazine-style article that introduces the section was posted online Friday, June 6. It summarizes past research and operational developments regarding ionospheric effects on GPS, and discusses potential future improvements in the field.

Related Links
"GPS scintillation in the high arctic associated with an auroral arc"
"Potential for issuing ionospheric warnings to Canadian users of marine DGPS"
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Moscow Making Plans For GLONASS Part One
Moscow (UPI) Jun 9, 2008
The Russian displays at the ILA-2008 International Aerospace Exhibition, held in Berlin from May 27 to June 1, can be described as epoch-making.







  • Orion's New Launch Abort Motor Test Stand Ready For Action
  • Researchers To Upgrade Safety And Performance Of Rocket Fuel
  • NASA chief backs proposal for European spaceship
  • SpaceX And NASA To Improve Mission Critical Software Systems

  • Ariane Skynet 5C And Turksat 3A Launch Delayed To June 12
  • GLAST Blast Off Delayed Until At Least June 11
  • Independent Panel To Investigate Ariane 5 Software Glitch
  • NASA sets Thursday for GLAST launch

  • Space shuttle blastoff damaged launch pad: NASA
  • Foam chunks in Discovery launch no problem: NASA official
  • Shuttle delivers Japanese lab to space station
  • Japan astronaut's fans celebrate shuttle launch

  • Russia Eyeing New Launch Services Deal With US
  • Astronauts complete third spacewalk at space station
  • Astronauts test Japanese robotic arm
  • Space station's Japanese lab gets more room

  • MESSENGER Trajectory Mastermind Honored For Computation
  • AIAA President Urges House To Pass NASA Authorization Act HR 6063
  • House Committee Approves NASA Funding Bill
  • Canada Lagging Behind G8 In Space Capabilities

  • Suits For Shenzhou
  • China Launches New Space Tracking Ship To Serve Shenzhou VII
  • Three Rocketeers For Shenzhou
  • China's space development can pose military threat: Japan

  • Energy ministers get 'buddy' humanoids
  • TU Delft Robot Flame Walks Like A Human
  • A Biomimetic Jumping Microrobot
  • Robot conducts Detroit orchestra

  • NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Testing Sprinkle Technique
  • Phoenix Sifts For Samples, Continues Imaging Landing Site
  • Making Sense Of Mars Methane
  • Mars lander Phoenix struggles with soil sample

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement