Plasma density reduction using electromagnetic e×b field during reentry flight

Kim, Minkwan, Keidar, Michael, Boyd, Iain D. and Morris, David (2007) Plasma density reduction using electromagnetic e×b field during reentry flight. 43nd Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition - Answering Tomorrow's Telemetry Challenges, ITC/USA 2007, , Las Vegas, NV, United States. 22 - 25 Oct 2007.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

As a vehicle reenters or flies at hypersonic speed through the atmosphere, the surrounding air is shock heated and becomes weakly ionized. The plasma layer thus formed causes a communication problem known as 'radio blackout'. At sufficiently dense plasma conditions, the plasma layer either reflects or attenuates radio wave communications to and from the vehicle. In this paper, we propose an electromagnetic field configuration as a method to allow communication through the plasma layer. Theoretical models show that this may address the blackout problem under a range of conditions. Preliminary experimental results are also presented.

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More information

Published date: 2007

Venue - Dates: 43nd Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition - Answering Tomorrow's Telemetry Challenges, ITC/USA 2007, , Las Vegas, NV, United States, 2007-10-22 - 2007-10-25

Keywords: Electromagnetic field, ExB drift, Radio blackout, Recomm, Reentry communication