NASA's Artemis II Rocket Punched a Huge Hole in Earth's Atmosphere — Here's How

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NASA's Artemis II Rocket Punched a Huge Hole in Earth's Atmosphere — Here's How

NASA's Artemis II moon rocket created enormous disturbances in Earth's upper atmosphere during its April 2026 mission, with researchers identifying ionospheric holes stretching approximately 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) across North America.

The discovery came from a study by researchers at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, who analysed measurements from ground-based GPS receiver networks to investigate how NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket affected the ionosphere.

Their findings revealed that the rocket's ascent and subsequent upper-stage engine burns significantly changed the concentration of free electrons in the electrically charged region of Earth's atmosphere.

The atmospheric disturbances were large enough to produce GPS measurement changes equivalent to positioning errors of several metres.

Although the findings raise concerns about the potential effects of rocket launches on satellite navigation, they do not establish that GPS services experienced a widespread outage.

The discovery is particularly significant because NASA and other space agencies are preparing for more missions to the Moon and Mars, potentially increasing the frequency of rocket activity capable of disturbing Earth's upper atmosphere.

What Happened When NASA's Artemis II Rocket Launched?

NASA launched its Artemis II mission on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The mission used the Space Launch System rocket to send four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a journey around the Moon and back to Earth.

The crew included NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Artemis II was an important milestone in NASA's lunar exploration programme because it tested the systems and operations needed for future crewed missions to the Moon.

However, scientists later discovered another consequence of the launch.

The powerful rocket disturbed Earth's ionosphere, creating large regions where the concentration of free electrons changed significantly.

Researchers detected these changes using measurements collected by ground-based GPS receivers.

The disturbances were particularly interesting because they extended thousands of kilometres across North America, far beyond the immediate launch location in Florida.

Space.com reported the findings on November 4, 2026, describing the atmospheric effects as among the most significant rocket-related ionospheric disturbances observed by researchers.

What Is the Hole NASA's Artemis II Rocket Created in Earth's Atmosphere?

The atmospheric hole is not a physical opening in Earth's atmosphere.

It is a temporary region where the concentration of free electrons in the ionosphere becomes significantly reduced or disturbed.

Scientists refer to this type of phenomenon as an ionospheric hole, plasma depletion or ionospheric disturbance.

The ionosphere is an electrically charged region of Earth's upper atmosphere. It contains free electrons and positively charged ions that influence how radio signals travel between satellites and receivers on the ground.

Under normal conditions, these charged particles are distributed throughout the ionosphere.

However, rocket launches can disturb this environment through shock waves, atmospheric waves and chemical reactions involving engine exhaust.

When these processes reduce the concentration of free electrons, they can produce areas of lower electron density.

This is what scientists mean when they describe a rocket as punching a hole in the ionosphere.

The atmosphere does not disappear, and there is no permanent opening. Instead, its electrical properties change temporarily.

How Did NASA's Artemis II Rocket Create the Atmospheric Holes?

Researchers identified two major ionospheric disturbances associated with the Artemis II mission.

One was linked to the passage of the rocket's core stage, while the other was associated with two subsequent upper-stage engine burns.

Although three rocket events contributed to the observations, the Space.com report groups the resulting disturbances into two major holes.

1. The SLS rocket's core-stage passage

The first disturbance was associated with the Space Launch System's powerful core stage.

The SLS core stage measures approximately 212 feet (65 metres) in length.

As the rocket accelerated through Earth's atmosphere, its movement generated powerful shock waves.

These waves disturbed the surrounding air and propagated towards higher atmospheric regions.

The resulting disturbance affected the distribution of charged particles in the ionosphere.

Researchers detected changes in electron density through measurements collected by ground-based GPS receivers.

2. The first upper-stage engine burn

The second major disturbance was associated with the upper-stage engine operations.

Unlike the initial rocket ascent, the upper-stage engine burns occurred at much higher altitudes, directly inside the ionosphere.

The first burn was part of the spacecraft's orbital manoeuvres after reaching space.

At approximately 115 miles (185 kilometres) above Earth, the engine exhaust interacted with the electrically charged environment.

This created a more prominent disturbance than the one associated with the core-stage passage.

3. The Trans-Lunar Injection burn

The second upper-stage burn helped send Orion away from Earth and onto its trajectory towards the Moon.

This manoeuvre is known as Trans-Lunar Injection, or TLI.

It is an important stage of a lunar mission because it provides the spacecraft with the speed and trajectory needed to travel beyond Earth's immediate orbital environment.

The engine activity produced another contribution to the upper-stage ionospheric disturbance.

The three events demonstrate that the atmospheric effects of a rocket mission can occur during initial ascent and during subsequent engine operations in space.

Why Did the Upper-Stage Engine Burns Cause Such Significant Disturbances?

One of the most interesting findings was that the disturbance associated with the upper-stage burns was more prominent than the one associated with the enormous core stage.

The reason is that the upper-stage engines operated directly inside the ionosphere.

When a rocket travels through the atmosphere, its movement creates shock waves that can propagate upwards.

However, when an engine fires inside the ionosphere, its exhaust is released directly into an environment containing electrically charged particles.

The exhaust gases can interact chemically with the surrounding ions and reduce the concentration of free electrons.

The expansion of exhaust gases can also generate acoustic and gravity waves that travel through the upper atmosphere.

Research at UNSW Canberra describes these two mechanisms: chemical depletion caused by rocket exhaust and atmospheric disturbances driven by expanding gases.

Together, these processes can produce large changes in the ionosphere.

This explains why engine burns performed at high altitude can have significant atmospheric effects even after a rocket has completed its initial ascent.

How Big Were the Holes Created by Artemis II?

The disturbances reported after the Artemis II mission extended approximately 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) across North America.

That is an enormous distance for a temporary atmospheric disturbance associated with a single rocket mission.

The affected regions extended from east to west across a large part of the continent.

Researchers were able to identify the disturbances by examining GPS measurements from multiple ground stations.

The findings also attracted attention because the observed effects were reported to be up to ten times more intense than those associated with SpaceX Starship test launches.

This comparison is based on the ionospheric disturbances discussed in the research, not the overall power or performance of the rockets.

It also demonstrates why rocket size alone does not determine the atmospheric impact of a launch.

The altitude, timing and type of engine activity all matter.

Did NASA's Artemis II Rocket Disrupt GPS Signals?

The Artemis II research identified changes in GPS measurements equivalent to positioning errors of several metres.

However, this does not mean GPS stopped working across North America.

GPS satellites transmit radio signals that travel through Earth's ionosphere before reaching receivers on the ground.

The ionosphere can change the speed at which these signals travel.

When the concentration of free electrons changes significantly, GPS receivers may experience differences in signal travel time.

Because GPS positioning depends on accurately measuring the time taken for signals to travel from satellites to receivers, these changes can introduce errors into location calculations.

The Artemis II study detected changes large enough to be equivalent to positioning errors of several metres.

That matters because some technologies depend on extremely accurate location information.

However, the study does not establish that widespread GPS outages occurred, that vehicles crashed or that drones experienced confirmed navigation failures.

It identifies a potential navigation accuracy problem rather than documenting those consequences.

Could the Artemis II Atmospheric Holes Affect Self-Driving Cars and Drones?

Potentially, yes.

The research has implications for technologies that rely on accurate satellite positioning.

These include:

• Self-driving cars.
• Commercial drones.
• Aircraft navigation systems.
• Precision agriculture equipment.
• Land surveying technology.
• Mapping and geolocation systems.

For ordinary navigation, a positioning error of a few metres may not always create a serious problem.

However, high-precision applications can be more sensitive.

An autonomous vehicle, for example, may use accurate positioning information alongside cameras, radar and other sensors to determine its location.

A positioning error could complicate navigation decisions if the system cannot adequately detect or correct it.

Drones operating in areas where precise positioning is required could also be affected by changes in satellite signal propagation.

The important qualification is that these are potential consequences discussed in connection with the research. The study does not show that Artemis II caused actual accidents or failures involving these technologies.

How Did Scientists Discover the Atmospheric Holes?

Researchers used data from ground-based GPS receiver networks to investigate changes in the ionosphere.

These receivers are capable of measuring the travel time of satellite signals with very high precision.

GPS signals pass through the ionosphere before reaching the ground.

When the number of free electrons changes, the signals can experience variations in their propagation.

By examining measurements from different ground stations, scientists can estimate changes in the distribution of electrons across large geographical areas.

The Artemis II research used these measurements to reconstruct the disturbances associated with the rocket's passage and engine operations.

This approach is particularly useful because the ionosphere cannot be studied simply by looking at the sky.

Scientists need specialised instruments and measurements to understand how its electrical properties change.

Is This the First Time a Rocket Has Created a Hole in the Ionosphere?

No.

Rocket launches have been known to disturb Earth's ionosphere for years.

Rocket exhaust can interact with charged particles and reduce electron concentrations, while shock waves can generate travelling atmospheric disturbances.

Research into these effects has examined how rocket launches influence satellite communication, radio signals and radar systems.

What made the Artemis II findings particularly significant was the scale and intensity of the observed disturbances, especially those associated with the upper-stage engine burns.

The mission also provided an opportunity to study the atmospheric effects of orbital manoeuvres connected to an interplanetary journey.

This is important because future missions may involve more frequent engine operations at high altitudes.

Was the Artemis II Ionospheric Disturbance Bigger Than SpaceX Starship's?

According to the Space.com report, the Artemis II disturbances were up to ten times more intense than those observed following SpaceX Starship test launches.

This finding attracted attention because Starship has greater liftoff thrust than NASA's SLS rocket.

However, the comparison does not mean that Starship is less powerful or that every SLS launch will create a larger disturbance.

Different launch profiles produce different atmospheric effects.

The altitude at which an engine operates, the exhaust released, the rocket's speed and the surrounding atmospheric conditions can all influence the result.

The Artemis II upper-stage burns were particularly important because they occurred directly inside the ionosphere.

How Long Did the Artemis II Atmospheric Holes Last?

The reported research describes temporary disturbances associated with the launch and subsequent engine burns.

The effects were not permanent changes to Earth's atmosphere.

However, the available Space.com reporting does not establish a precise duration for the entire disturbance.

The ionosphere is naturally dynamic.

Its electron density changes with sunlight, geographical location, time of day and solar activity.

Rocket-related disturbances introduce additional changes into this environment.

Further measurements and research are needed to establish how long individual disturbances remain detectable and how their effects vary across different locations.

Could Future Artemis Missions Create More Atmospheric Holes?

Future rocket missions could produce similar disturbances.

NASA's Artemis programme is designed to support a longer-term human presence on the Moon and prepare for future exploration beyond Earth.

As missions become more frequent, scientists may need to pay closer attention to how rocket launches and high-altitude engine burns affect the ionosphere.

This is especially important because modern transportation, communications and industrial systems increasingly depend on satellite navigation.

The Artemis II findings provide evidence that human spaceflight can produce atmospheric effects over very large geographical areas.

They may also help researchers improve models used to understand and predict ionospheric disturbances.

However, the findings do not establish that every future Artemis launch will create disturbances of the same size or intensity.

What Does the Discovery Mean for Earth's Atmosphere?

The discovery highlights an often-overlooked consequence of space exploration.

A rocket launch does not simply affect the area around its launch site. Its movement and engine operations can also influence the upper atmosphere.

In the Artemis II case, researchers identified disturbances extending thousands of kilometres across North America.

The findings could become increasingly relevant as more countries and private companies conduct missions beyond Earth's orbit.

Scientists will need to understand how these activities affect the ionosphere and whether additional monitoring or prediction systems are necessary to protect technologies that depend on accurate satellite signals.

The discovery does not mean that rocket launches are unsafe or that GPS will routinely stop working.

Instead, it demonstrates that the atmosphere surrounding Earth is part of the environment that space missions can affect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did NASA's Artemis II rocket create a hole in Earth's atmosphere?

Yes. Researchers identified large temporary disturbances in the ionosphere following the Artemis II launch and upper-stage engine burns. The term hole refers to reduced or disturbed electron density, not a physical opening in the atmosphere.

How big was the Artemis II atmospheric hole?

The reported disturbances stretched approximately 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) across North America.

Did Artemis II create two or three atmospheric holes?

Space.com's report describes two major ionospheric holes: one associated with the SLS core-stage passage and another associated with two upper-stage engine burns. Three rocket events are discussed, but that does not necessarily mean three separate holes.

Did Artemis II disrupt GPS?

Researchers detected GPS measurement changes equivalent to positioning errors of several metres. The study does not establish that GPS services experienced a widespread outage.

Why did the rocket affect Earth's ionosphere?

The rocket produced shock waves during its ascent, while its upper-stage exhaust interacted with electrically charged particles at high altitude. These processes can reduce or disturb the concentration of free electrons.

What is an ionospheric hole?

An ionospheric hole is a temporary region where the concentration of free electrons becomes significantly reduced or disturbed.

Could the disturbance affect self-driving cars?

Potentially. Satellite positioning errors can affect technologies that depend on highly accurate location information. However, the Artemis II study did not document actual autonomous vehicle failures.

Was Artemis II's atmospheric disturbance stronger than SpaceX Starship's?

Space.com reported that the measured disturbances were up to ten times more intense than those observed after Starship test launches. This comparison concerns the reported ionospheric effects.

When did NASA launch Artemis II?

NASA launched Artemis II on April 1, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Will future NASA launches create similar atmospheric disturbances?

They could. The effects will depend on factors such as rocket design, engine activity, altitude, trajectory and atmospheric conditions.

Conclusion

NASA's Artemis II mission created more than a historic journey around the Moon. New research has revealed that the powerful Space Launch System rocket also produced significant disturbances in Earth's ionosphere.

The disturbances stretched approximately 3,100 miles across North America and were detected through changes in GPS measurements.

Researchers linked the effects to the rocket's core-stage passage and two subsequent upper-stage engine burns, with the upper-stage activity producing the more prominent disturbance.

Although the findings indicate potential GPS positioning errors of several metres, they do not establish a widespread GPS outage.

As space agencies prepare for more ambitious missions to the Moon and Mars, understanding how rocket activity affects Earth's upper atmosphere could become an increasingly important part of space exploration.

Sources

1. [Space.com – NASA's Artemis II moon launch tore a hole in Earth's upper atmosphere so huge it disrupted GPS signals](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/nasas-artemis-ii-moon-launch-tore-a-hole-in-earths-upper-atmosphere-so-huge-it-disrupted-gps-signals)

1. [UNSW Canberra – Simulating Ionospheric Perturbations from Rocket Launches](https://www.unsw.edu.au/canberra/our-research/phd-study-opportunities/simulating-ionospheric-perturbations-from-rocket-launches)

1. [NASA – Artemis II Mission](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/)

1. [NOAA – The Ionosphere](https://www.spaceweather.gov/phenomena/ionosphere)

1. [NOAA – Space Weather and GPS Systems](https://www.spaceweather.gov/impacts/space-weather-and-gps-systems)

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