Tests suggest Russian satellites can jam GPS on a continental scale

Recent investigations have revealed that Russian satellites are likely behind a series of mysterious GPS interference incidents across Europe, marking a significant example of human-induced disruptions originating from space. As researchers delve deeper, questions remain regarding whether this interference is intentional and if it could evolve into a more potent form of GPS jamming capable of affecting entire continents in the future. The findings, detailed in a preprint paper published on June 2 by Todd Humphreys and his student Zach Clements from The University of Texas at Austin, alongside Argyris Krizis from Stanford University, emerged from an analysis of public data collected from ground-based stations equipped with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers. The research revealed a notable pattern: bursts of high-powered interference lasting under 10 seconds were detectable by ground stations across Europe, spanning from Norway to Spain and Poland, and even extending to Greenland and Canada. The analysis covered interference events from January 2019 to April 2026, highlighting 75 days where widespread GNSS disruptions coincided with the GPS L1 frequency band, centered at 1575.42 megahertz. This frequency is critical as it is the primary band used by the US GPS satellite network and similar systems from other nations. Interestingly, these interference events predominantly occurred on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during typical business hours in Europe, as noted by Humphreys during a discussion on the YouTube channel Veritasium. To determine the source of this interference, the researchers calculated that it had to be emanating from at least 1,200 kilometers above the Earth's surface, given the widespread impact across the continent. By tracking which satellites were positioned above the affected areas during these interference incidents, the team was able to narrow down their list to a few potential culprits. However, further investigation was hindered by the lack of raw radio signal data from the interference source, as they relied solely on processed data from GNSS receivers at ground stations.