RADIO TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE PLASMA SHEATH AROUND A LIFTING REENTRY VEHICLE

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4124720

Ellis, Jr, M C; Huber, P W

Plasma-signal-attenuation concepts related to hypersonic reentry are reviewed. Attenuation experiments are described in which telemetry and microwave signals are transmitted through a simulated flight plasma. Computations of plasma conditions about typical reentry shapes are made to show effects of body bluntness, angle of attack, velocity, and altitude on the plasma frequency and collision frequency in the shock layer. It is concluded that signal frequencies of the order of lO kmc are required to avoid sudden signal blackout during a critical part of a lifting reentry flight. Areas of needed research are outlined. (auth)

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Langley Research Center, Langley Field, Va.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-006938
• OSTI ID: 4124720
• Report Number(s): NASA-TN-D-507
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COMMUNICATIONS
FREQUENCY
MEASURED VALUES
MICROWAVES
PHYSICS
PLASMA
RADIO WAVES
RE-ENTRY
REMOTE CONTROL
SIGNALS
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE VEHICLES
TELEMETRY
VELOCITY