Using data from the European Space Agency's Swarm mission, scientists find that abrupt drops in the ionosphere's electron density may cause low-orbiting satellites to lose contact with GPS satellites
satellites
Posted inNews
Scientists Get First Glimpse of Solar Wind as It Forms
Using computer-processed images from Sun-watching satellites, scientists observed solar wind emerging from the Sun's corona.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Scientists Map Temperature and Density in Earth’s Exosphere
Data from multiple orbiters give a clearer picture of how density and temperature interact and what that could mean for future satellite missions.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Predicting Space Weather, Protecting Satellites
A new model predicts electron and ion fluxes at geosynchronous orbit an hour ahead of time, allowing satellite operators to protect their instruments.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Tracking Ions at the Edge of the Atmosphere
The first results from a recently launched satellite hold promise for studying solar storms, the very top of Earth's ionosphere, and how the atmosphere is evolving.
Posted inNews
Rapidly Activated Satellite Completes A European Constellation
Sentinel-1B will move to a new orbit on the other side of our planet from its sister spacecraft Sentinel-1A.
Posted inScience Updates
Radiation Belt Processes in a Declining Solar Cycle
The Van Allen Probes began an extended mission in November to advance understanding of Earth's radiation belts.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Satellite Shows Earth's Magnetic Field Bent During a Solar Storm
When solar storms strike, they weaken Earth's defenses against harmful radiation. New satellite measurements reveal just how much.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
New GPS Satellite Technique to Monitor Ionospheric Disturbances
Researchers are developing better ways to use satellites to understand space weather events that can interfere with technology.
Posted inScience Updates
Students, Meet Data
Lessons that incorporate publicly available data from Earth observing sensors can expose students to the thrill of scientific discovery.