The ionosphere is a layer of air within the Earth's atmosphere that contains many charged particles. It begins at an altitude of about 60 kilometers and extends to an altitude of 2,000 kilometers. The ionosphere is extremely important for our communication on earth. reflects radio waves and GPS signals, which enables radio communication over long distances. Also in this area is the low Earth orbit, in which many satellites orbit.
But fluctuations in the ionosphere - triggered by turbulent space weather - can disrupt or even disrupt communications signals. More precisely, the fluctuations in the ionosphere cause areas of low and high density to form there – so-called bubbles and spots. These anomalies then cause the noisy radio signals.
The International Space Station ISS also orbits in this zone - as a kind of outpost of mankind. The station's astronauts therefore have a clear view of the ionosphere and its phenomena - like the auroras in this image. These luminous phenomena occur when parts of the charged solar wind break through the protective cage of the earth's magnetic field and penetrate into the ionosphere. There, the high-energy particles then excite gas molecules in the atmosphere, which release this excess energy a little later in the form of light.
In order to better understand the effects of space weather on the ionosphere, two small satellites are currently on a research mission. "petitSat" and "SPORT" are intended to provide data on what conditions lead to plasma bubbles in the ionosphere and how these bubbles affect communication signals. The more we learn about these connections, the better we can protect our communication technologies in the future.