A new method for removing the blackout problem on reentry vehicles

Abstract

Supersonic vehicles are surrounded by a plasma layer which produces a cutoff layer for electromagnetic waves. Methods to remove the layer by gas releases, dc magnetic fields, and E×B flows have been proposed earlier. The present work suggests a new approach which is based on laboratory observations. Ions are expelled by a time varying magnetic field which creates a Hall electric field. The ion expulsion opens up a window of transparency for wave communications.