Lads my k-index app has reached 4 for the first time in a few months so be careful and keep an extra eye on your satellite coverage just in case it goes above 5. Solar flares must be about.
k-index is at 4 watch out for your satellite coverage
- Thread starter Mal_PV2_Ireland
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Maybe nothing to worry about, it could jump back to level 1 in a few mins but just a friendly warning to any flyers dont know aboit this. When the k-index goes above 5 it means the likes of solar flare activity is high and can disrupt gps signals meaning your bird could lose sight of a sat or 2 and go into atti mode withoit you realising. There are apps for android and ios. Just search for them. Mine is so simple it doesnt even have an Interface it just updates the k-index number in the corner of my phone the whole time and refreshes every 30 mins
I had 10 sats this afternoon, didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I haven't heard anything recently major about flares either (and I am at NASA/GSFC and worked SDO - although that doesn't mean I hear everything).
Yeah all was good for me earlier too, just reporting that my app jumped up to level 4 around an hour ago. Something it hadnt done in a few months. Check it out, it has jumped up. I never just trust the app alone but its a good guide.
I've been a GPS user for a long time and never worried about solar flares impacting the service. What's usually a problem is when the configuration of the constellation of GPS satellites is such that they're all lurking on the horizon. That's when I usually see degraded accuracy.
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A big change in the Kp value is usually an indicator that the drag on a spacecraft will change realitive to predictions. But drag is not an issue for GPS spacecraft. If there is a magnetic storm that can effect communications/navigation signals. But I'm not sure how that will effect the ability to get satellite links. It may degrade accuracy.
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