Nasa sls rocket upper atmosphere hole

On 2 November 2026, NASA released a comprehensive study detailing the impact of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on the Earth's upper atmosphere. The report confirms that the massive thrust generated during the vehicle's ascent creates temporary, localized "holes" in the ionosphere. These disturbances occur as the rocket’s exhaust plumes interact with the plasma environment, leading to a rapid recombination of ions and electrons. This process effectively creates a transient depletion of the ionospheric layer, which can disrupt satellite communications and GPS signals for several hours following a launch. While these phenomena are temporary and do not pose a long-term threat to the ozone layer, the study highlights the necessity of monitoring these atmospheric "scars" as launch cadences increase for the Artemis program. Scientists are now utilizing data from the latest mission to refine predictive models, aiming to better understand how high-altitude chemical injections from heavy-lift rockets alter the electrical conductivity of the upper atmosphere, ensuring that future deep-space exploration missions minimize their environmental footprint on the planet's protective layers.