- SpaceX's rocket experienced an explosion, creating a tear in the upper stratosphere.
During SpaceX's inaugural test flight of the "Starship" rocket last year, not only did it generate a significant amount of flame and smog, but it also affected the atmosphere in an unusual way. Researchers published in "Geophysical Research Letters" revealed that the event led to the creation of a sizeable gap at high altitudes. Spanning across numerous kilometers, this hole persisted for approximately an hour.
As per the study, this space was characterized by a lack of ionization. Typically, the ionosphere, which is located between 60 to 1,000 kilometers above the earth's surface, consists of electrically charged particles. The "Starship" launch reduced the quantity of these particles due to a charge exchange resulting from the ignition of the rocket fuel.
According to the study's lead author, Yuri Yasukevich, from the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics in Irkutsk, Russia, the exhaust of other rockets can momentarily produce such gaps. However, in this situation, the impact was remarkably more substantial, which was further amplified by the shockwaves from the blast.
Furthermore, the ionosphere is vulnerable to various stimuli, as indicated in the study. Its composition can change as a result of solar eruptions, large meteor impacts, as well as natural phenomena like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Consequences of the "Starship" launch on the ionosphere were comparable to those of large earthquakes or the underwater volcanic eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in 2022 near the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific.
Yasukevich observed that the magnitude of change was unexpected. He stated that research indicated that such events might have implications for satellite navigation, including autonomous vehicles.
The "Starship" is the most substantial and potent rocket system ever constructed. On November 18, 2023, it took off from Texas. After approximately three minutes, the "Super Heavy" engine detached and exploded at an altitude of 90 kilometers, followed by the upper stage's explosion at 149 kilometers. According to the study, the debris landed in the northeastern region of Puerto Rico.
Investigations into the impact of the "Starship" flight and explosions were made possible utilizing satellite-based navigation systems, also known as GNSS. Receivers on the Earth's surface communicate with satellites, and the velocity of certain electromagnetic waves relies on the ionosphere's electrical particle density.
Using this information, researchers determined that this region experienced a decrease in electrical particle density following the launch. Disturbances propagated north in the form of a V-shaped pattern, reaching a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers. "This appears to be the first documented instance of a non-chemical ionospheric hole created by a human-made explosion," concluded the researchers.
In the aftermath of the maiden flight, SpaceX conducted subsequent uncrewed launches of the "Starships." During the fourth test in June, the colossal rocket remained airborne for half an hour before executing a controlled landing. The reusable spacecraft and rocket are intended for future manned missions to the moon and Mars.
Source: GFZ Potsdam: Ionosphere Article in "Nature"
The study found that the exhaust of the "Starship" rocket, rich in physics and physics-related processes, significantly reduced the quantity of electrically charged particles in the ionosphere, leading to a hole similar to those created by large natural events like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. This event had potential implications for satellite navigation systems.
The exhaust of other rockets can temporarily create gaps in the ionosphere, but the impact of the "Starship" launch was remarkably more substantial, indicating the significant role of physics and physics-related processes in space exploration and their impact on our planet's atmosphere.
