Ionospheric Disturbances in GNSS TEC Data: SpaceX Falcon 9 Deorbit Maneuvers Over CONUS in April–May 2024

Abstract

Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) driven by a large number of internal and external sources are detectable with dense networks of ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers' measurements of total electron content (TEC). We present the newly developed System for Rapid Analysis of Ionospheric Dynamics (S-RAID), providing data and visual GNSS TEC products of TIDs of periods (Formula presented.) 2–120 min and horizontal resolution up to tens of kilometers for years 2017–2024. The S-RAID data reveal myriad natural and anthropogenic TIDs from meteorology and space weather, and from human spaceflight activities. In this report, we focus on new prominent disturbances found during SpaceX second stage deorbit maneuvers in April–May 2024. Signatures include waves emanating from the Falcon's trajectory above California and depletions following its deorbit and passage over Arizona. These findings suggest further opportunities to detect and quantify small-scale events in the ionosphere as well as to understand the responses of the atmosphere-ionosphere system to known inputs.