The cited sources give this account (ad): Researchers initially suspected that the GPS signal disruptions in Europe were caused by ground interference, particularly from Kaliningrad, but ruled out this possibility due to the scale of the disruptions. They then considered solar interference but found that the disruptions were too narrow in frequency and too concentrated geographically to be caused by the sun. The only plausible source, they concluded, was a satellite. Using raw data from two stations in Amsterdam and Trondheim, researchers determined that a Russian satellite, Cosmos 2546, was the source of the jamming signal.
The researchers (ad) used the raw radio signal data to isolate a 2.3-second window where both stations recorded the same event, allowing them to measure the tiny difference in when the signal reached each station. This pinpointed the source to a specific location in space. They then tested every possible satellite, including those from the Russian early missile warning system, and found that only Cosmos 2546 aligned with their data to within 200 meters, matching their measurements perfectly.
While the work is still new and not peer-reviewed (ad), independent teams in Europe have verified aspects of these findings. The only issue is that Cosmos 2546 was launched in 2020, which means it couldn't explain events going back to 2019. However, it is part of a constellation of six satellites that covers large parts of the globe, including over the United States.
The constellation's (ad) capability to jam GNSS across a far wider region than previously seen suggests that the signal was not random or natural. However, the intention behind the jamming remains unclear, as the broadcasts are extremely powerful but slightly offset from the GPS frequency.
The impact (ad) of such a system could be enormous, especially considering the systematic, geographically clustered distortion of reality both in the air and at sea, affecting over 1,500 flights per day and ships jumping implausible distances. This is known as GPS spoofing, which quietly feeds ships and planes false locations, leading to real-world consequences.
