System and method for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizing electrophilic injectant and sharp reentry vehicle nose shaping

• US 7,237,752 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Meyer, J. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holzen; Stephen A.
• Application Number:
  US10/849,268
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.9, 244/159.1, 244/171.7, 244/171.8, 244/158.1
• US Class Current: 244/159.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/62 Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and a method for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizing electrophilic injectant and sharp reentry vehicle nose shaping. Injecting electrophilic gas into plasma accomplishes reduction of plasma induced communication disruption by removing free electrons in the plasma which causes the communication disruption. For reentry vehicles, a multi-section sharp nose also reduces plasma effect during reentry. By combining electrophilic gas injection and a multi-section sharp nose shaping, the present invention reduces and further eliminates plasma induced communication blackout, such as GPS communication blackout, for a reentry vehicle during reentry. As a result, the present invention improves targeting accuracy for a GPS-guided reentry vehicle by reducing plasma induced GPS blackout during the critical reentry phase.

Claims

1. A system for reducing plasma induced communication blackout during reentry, comprising:

a reentry vehicle having a multi-section sharp nose, a base opposite the multi-section sharp nose, and a communication antenna on the base;

an electrophilic gas injectant; and

an electrophilic gas injection system having at least one exit port in the base for injecting the electrophilic gas injectant into plasma near the communication antenna to reduce free electrons in the plasma.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrophilic gas injectant is injected into a separated-flow vortex near the communication antenna.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-section sharp nose has a biconic shape.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrophilic gas injectant is hexafluoroethane.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a plasma induced communication blackout is eliminated.