Citation
Abstract
Propagation of radio signals through sufficiently dense plasma will become disrupted during a space vehicle’s hypersonic entry phase into a planetary atmosphere. The Mars Phoenix communication links were found to experience varying levels of reduced received signal strength (brownout) during the spacecraft’s entry into the Martian atmosphere on May 25, 2008. These fades were attributed to charged particles generated inside the entry vehicle’s high-temperature shock layer during the hypersonic entry. This article presents the results of the analysis of the UHF carrier signal power emitted by Phoenix as received by three orbiting relay satellites during the period around peak heating: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Express.
Details
- Volume
- 42-179
- Published
- November 15, 2009
- File Size
- 2.9 MB