NASA satellites, originally designed for monitoring cyclone wind speeds and ice sheet collapses, have shown potential in identifying the locations of GPS jammers. This capability is crucial for enhancing navigation safety for aircraft and ships amid increasing GPS interference globally.
How the Technology Works
In a recent study led by Sean Gorman, CEO of Zephr.xyz, two NASA satellite systems successfully located a known GPS jammer in Iran within several kilometers of its actual position. These jammers emit strong signals that overpower the weaker signals from GPS satellites, disrupting navigation.
NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) comprises eight microsatellites that detect GPS signals reflected off ocean surfaces. When a jammer is activated, it creates a significant footprint in the reflected signals, detectable hundreds of kilometers away. The other system, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), uses radar imaging to monitor Earth’s surface changes. It captures streaks in radar imagery caused by jammer emissions, providing directional information relative to the satellite’s ground track.
Experimental Validation
To validate the capabilities of these satellite systems, Gorman and his team utilized independent signals intelligence to locate a GPS jammer near Shiraz, Iran, which has been operational since early 2026. They conducted controlled experiments using satellite data from specific dates when the jammer was active and inactive, applying various detection techniques.
The results indicated that CYGNSS could locate the jammer within 4.33 kilometers of the true position, with a circular error probable of 3.48 kilometers. In comparison, NISAR’s estimates were within 6.26 kilometers, with a circular error probable of 6.88 kilometers. Although CYGNSS outperformed NISAR, a combined approach yielded a location estimate within 4.69 kilometers, demonstrating the effectiveness of both systems.
Implications for Navigation and Research
Despite their capabilities, these NASA satellites cannot provide near-real-time monitoring of GPS jammers, as data can take days to become publicly available. However, the ability to identify approximate locations could enhance flight planning and maritime navigation safety. Additionally, this information may assist open-source intelligence efforts in tracking GPS interference globally.
The prevalence of GPS jamming has expanded beyond conflict zones, affecting maritime traffic in various regions, including the Baltic Sea and South China Sea. With over 900 flights experiencing GPS disruptions daily, the need for reliable navigation alternatives is becoming increasingly urgent.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
