Mitigation of RF blackout by surface catalysis effect
RF blackout is a phenomenon that cuts-off communication between reentry vehicles and the ground station. Its mitigation measures are required. We focused on the surface catalysis effect of an atmospheric reentry capsule to reduce electron density in the capsule wake, which mitigates RF blackouts. Numerical and experimental demonstrations have been conducted using high-performance computers and large-scale plasma wind tunnels.

Reduction of electron density near an atmospheric reentry capsule without and with surface catalysis

Mitigation of RF blackout by air-film effect
We propose a new method for mitigating RF blackouts using the air-film effect, in which a cooling gas is injected from the surface to form an insulating layer. Coupled simulation with the high-enthalpy flow and electromagnetic wave propagation indicates that this approach is effective for blackout mitigation. We are currently demonstrating air-film technology using a high-performance computer and a large plasma wind tunnel.

Electron density reduction by air-film

Comparison of electric field magnitude of electromagnetic waves by air-film effect

Related paper

•  Hideto Takasawa, Yusuke Takahashi, Nobuyuki Oshima, and Hisashi Kihara, “Experimental Demonstration and Mechanism of Mitigating Reentry Blackout via Surface Catalysis Effects”, Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, Vol. 54, No. 22, 2021. 225201(11pp) , DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/abe746