Geomagnetic effect of launches and flights of large spacecraft

The results of observations of variations in the geomagnetic field that accompanied launches and flights of rockets of different types have been analyzed. The launches were performed in 2002–2010 from different space launch facilities of the world (237 events in total), and variations in the range of periods 1–1000 s were studied. Measurements were performed near the city of Kharkov (distance from the spaceports ranges from 1500 to 9500 km). Statistical analysis and spectral estimations have been made, and three groups of disturbances were revealed. Time delays and disturbance durations increased with increasing distance from spaceports. Typical periods were equal to 6 to 14 min, while amplitudes varied in the range 1–3 nT.