Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel helped develop a tiny analyzer to study empty pockets in the plasma of the ionosphere ? a phenomenon that can disrupt satellite communications.

The Flat Plasma Spectrometer is one of three experimental payloads onboard the Air Force Academy?s Falconsat-3 microsatellite launched earlier this month on a six-month mission to monitor the ionosphere. Hopkins researchers worked with NASA scientists and the U.S. Air Force Academy on the teacup-sized monitor.