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Russian Molniya Satellites Conduct First Space GPS Jamming

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Scientists say the GPS disruptions are the first confirmed space-based jamming of civilian navigation.
Todd Humphreys and colleagues identified Russian Molniya-orbit satellites as the source in Europe, Greenland and Canada.
They logged 75 events from Jan 2019 to Apr 2026, each under ten seconds and seen by dozens of stations.
Signals at 1577.5 MHz also hit BeiDou, leading the UK and France to develop terrestrial backup navigation while U.S. action stays limited.

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Story summary

Scientists say the GPS disruptions are the first confirmed space-based jamming of civilian navigation.
Todd Humphreys and colleagues identified Russian Molniya-orbit satellites as the source in Europe, Greenland and Canada.
They logged 75 events from Jan 2019 to Apr 2026, each under ten seconds and seen by dozens of stations.
Signals at 1577.5 MHz also hit BeiDou, leading the UK and France to develop terrestrial backup navigation while U.S. action stays limited.