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NASA probes ionosphere's 'Mysterious' clouds with rockets
NASA is sending rockets up from the Marshall Islands on June 13, 2025, for its SEED mission, aiming to figure out why certain layers in the ionosphere mess with radio signals. These "Sporadic-E" layers can scramble air traffic control, marine radios, and even military radar—definitely not ideal when you need clear communication.
Why the sporadic-E layers are a mystery
Scientists know these ionospheric layers show up at midlatitudes, but near the magnetic equator, they're still a puzzle. By launching rockets from Kwajalein Atoll (close to the equator), NASA hopes to finally understand how these mysterious patches form—and maybe help keep our signals clearer in the future.