Local Estimation of Ionospheric Parameters from Single-Station Observations of Low-Orbiting Beacon Satellites

We propose a method for local estimation of ionospheric parameters (vertical total electron content and critical frequencies f 0F2 ) from single-station observations of low-orbiting beacon satellites in the vicinity of the reception station. We demonstrate the capabilities of this technique using the data from two receiving stations located in Moscow (Russia) and Gakona (Alaska, USA). The critical frequencies f 0F2 calculated using the data from satellite signal receivers are compared with those based on the ionosondes in Moscow and Gakona. The correlation coefficients based on the ionosonde and satellite data processed by the proposed method are 0.85–0.86. A possibility for constructing local indicators of ionospheric disturbances, which are sensitive to geomagnetic conditions, is discussed.