In November 2023, SpaceX's Starship launch resulted in a remarkable phenomenon: a temporary hole in the ionosphere caused by the intense shock wave of the rocket's explosion. Following the planned booster separation, the rocket detonated mid-air and again at an altitude of approximately 93 miles. This unprecedented event marked the first time a rocket explosion has directly resulted in an ionosphere disruption, typically caused by chemical reactions. Scientists monitored the hole using satellite and ground-based GNSS data, noting it remained for about 30-40 minutes before repairing itself naturally.
Scientists observed that the shock wave from the Starship explosion disrupted the ionosphere, creating a temporary hole never seen before in such a catastrophic event.
Using data from GNSS receivers, researchers noted the ionosphere hole remained open for 30 to 40 minutes before self-repairing, showcasing the impact of rocket launches on atmospheric layers.
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