Communication with reentry vehicle through modulated plasma

摘要

Signal antennae are mounted on the casing wall between forward nose and rear tail ends of an aerospace launched vehicle for radio communication through a radiation conducting sheath of plasma formed thereon by atmospheric ionization during descent of the vehicle along a non-gliding reentry path. The reentry path is maintained by vehicle guidance at a steep angle in response to data transmitted to the antennae through the radiation conducting sheath having a plasma content minimized by cooling which is thereby maintained in complete surrounding relation to the vehicle and modulated to enhance data transmission during the entire duration of vehicle descent.