Ionospheric effects on earth-space propagation

The ionosphere produces several effects upon radio waves that must travel through it. For radio waves such as those that propagate to and from satellites used for communication or navigation purposes, and for ranging to space objects from satellite detection and tracking radars, the effects of the ionosphere may be important depending upon the system operating frequency and the state of the ionosphere at the time. In this report the various effects that the ionosphere has upon radio waves which must traverse it are discussed and the main characteristics of the ionosphere, which are important to systems design engineers and others who must consider the effects of the ionosphere upon space systems, are presented.