How did the Artemis II rocket disrupt GPS signals?

## The Mechanism: A Fiery Atmospheric Entry The Artemis II mission, which launched on November 28, 2024, sent its Orion spacecraft on a trajectory around the Moon. While the ascent phase of a rocket launch is known for its immense power and atmospheric disturbance, it was the return journey and the spacecraft's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere that caused the unexpected disruption. As Orion plunged back into the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, it created a plasma sheath – a superheated, ionized layer of gas – around the capsule. This plasma, a byproduct of extreme heat and friction, temporarily blocked radio communications, including those essential for GPS signals.

30 min ago