GNSS Eclipsing of Transiting Spacecraft

Plasma density variations in the ionosphere perturb Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals transiting through them. In this study, we demonstrate that the plasma density perturbations generated by a spacecraft can be detected in GNSS signals. This experiment is performed by analyzing 50 Hz detrended carrier phase data from the Ministik Lake GNSS receiver which is part of the larger Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN). It is found that at times when the International Space Station moved through the radio line-of-sight, a detectable change in the carrier phase on the order of centimeters happens at 15-40 seconds before the crossing and at the time of the crossing.