Effectiveness of an electromagnetic mitigation scheme for re-entry telemetry through plasma

Kim, Minkwan, Keidar, Michael and Boyd, Iain D. (2008) Effectiveness of an electromagnetic mitigation scheme for re-entry telemetry through plasma. In 46th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.. (doi:10.2514/6.2008-1394).

Abstract

During hypersonic re-entry flight, the shock heated air generates a weakly ionized plasma layer. Since the plasma layer has a high plasma number density, it causes an important systems operation problem. When the plasma frequency of the plasma layer is higher than a radio wave frequency, the radio wave signals to and from the vehicle are reflected or attenuated. The vehicle loses voice communication, data telemetry, and GPS navigation. This situation is known as communications or radio 'blackout'. Because the plasma frequency is mainly related to the plasma number density of the plasma layer, reducing the plasma number density could be a solution to the radio blackout problem. An electromagnetic ExB field approach is proposed to reduce the plasma densit. Onedimensional and two-dimensional analysis methods are applied which suggest that an ExB field can be used to allow transmission of the communication signals through the plasma layer. An alternative method is also introduced to reduce the plasma density which is based on an electrostatic plasma sheath.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Minkwan Kim

Download statistics