Unique plasma diagnostic measurements at high altitudes from two geometrically similar blunt body reentry spacecraft using electrostatic probe rakes are presented. The probes measured the positive ion density profiles (shape and magnitude) during the two flights. The probe measurements were made at eight discrete points (1 cm to 7 cm) from the vehicle surface in the aft flow field of the spacecraft over the altitude range of 85.3 to 53.3 km (280,000 to 175,000 ft) with measured densities of 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 12th power electronscu cm, respectively. Maximum reentry velocity for each spacecraft was approximately 7620 meterssecond (25,000 ftsec). In the first flight experiment, flight experiments at 25000 feet per second water was periodically injected into a flow field which was contaminated by ablation products from the spacecraft nose region. The nonablative nose of the second spacecraft thereby minimized flow field contamination. Comparisons of the probe measured density profiles with theoretical calculations are presented with discussion as to the probable cause of significant disagreement. Also discussed are the correlation of probe measurements with vehicle angle of attack motions and the good high altitude agreement between electron densities inferred from the probe measurements, VHF antenna measurements, and microwave reflectometer diagnostic measurements. (Author)


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    Title :

    Electrostatic-Probe Measurements of Plasma Parameters for Two Reentry Flight Experiments at 25000 Feet Per Second


    Contributors:
    W. L. Jones (author) / A. E. Cross (author)

    Publication date :

    1972


    Size :

    134 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English