Ionospheric Response to the Atmospheric Waves Generated during First Launches from the Vostochny Space Center

Abstract

Based on the GPS, and GLONASS data, we studied the ionospheric disturbances generated in the subauroral ionosphere during the first three launches from Vostochny, a new Russian Space Center (Vostochny cosmodrome): 28 April 2016, 28 November 2017, 01 February 2018. To study ionospheric disturbances, total electron content (TEC) variations were calculated based on GPS/GLONASS measurements. During all three launches, wave TEC disturbances caused by atmospheric shock acoustic waves (SAWs) were registered. SAW is formed by a launch vehicle (LV) supersonic flight. TEC disturbances started 7-14.5 min after the liftoffs. They were observed along the LV trajectory. TEC disturbances had average periods of 3–6 min and average amplitudes of 0.1-0.18 TECU. Shape of TEC disturbances corresponded to the SAW shape. Characteristics and spatial distribution of SAW-generated TEC wave disturbances in the subauroral ionosphere was shown to be close to parameters of similar disturbances observed earlier at the middle and equatorial latitudes. During all three launches, a TEC drop (“ionospheric hole”) was registered nearby the area where the upper composite separated from the LV. Specific features of “ionospheric holes” during the each launch were analyzed.