A Metamaterial-Inspired Approach to Mitigating Radio Frequency Blackout When a Plasma Forms Around a Reentry Vehicle

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) blackout and attenuation have been observed during atmospheric reentry since the advent of space exploration. The effects range from severe attenuation to complete loss of communications and can last from 90 s to 10 min depending on the vehicle’s trajectory. This paper examines a way of using a metasurface to improve the performance of communications during reentry. The technique is viable at low plasma densities and matches a split-ring resonator (SRR)-based mu-negative (MNG) sheet to the epsilon-negative (ENG) plasma region. Considering the MNG metasurface as a window to the exterior of a reentry vehicle, its matched design yields high transmission of an electromagnetic plane wave through the resulting MNG-ENG metastructure into the region beyond it. A varactor-based SRR design facilitates tuning the MNG layer to ENG layers with different plasma densities. Both simple and Huygens dipole antennas beneath a matched metastructure are then employed to demonstrate the consequent realization of significant signal transmission through it into free space beyond the exterior ENG plasma layer.

Improving Radio Transmission Through a Dense Plasma via Electron-Neutral Collisions

“…In particular, electromagnetic waves below the plasma frequency are shielded, resulting in diminished power transmission. Although this problem has been well studied for multiple decades, a comprehensive solution has been elusive, and several approaches for mitigating the radio attenuation problem are still being investigated [1][2][3][4][5][6]. One approach is the injection of an electrophilic gas that serves to absorb free electrons and reduce the electron density [5].…”

“…Another electromagnetic-based strategy is to surround the vehicle in a double-positive medium metamaterial to match the impedance of the plasma and allow for improved radio transmission [6]. Concerns with this method include the direct interaction with plasma particles as well as the complex changes to the radiation pattern of the antennas.…”

Unconditionally Stable System Incorporated Factorization-Splitting Algorithm for Blackout Re-Entry Vehicle

“…A plasma sheath is formed on the surface of the re-entry vehicle due to the conversion of kinetic energy to thermal and chemical energy across a strong shock wave at the hypersonic speed [1]. The occurrence of the blackout phenomenon significantly affects the detection and communication of the re-entry vehicle [2,3]. The accurate simulation of plasma sheaths has become a frontier science during the investigation of blackout phenomena.…”

Propagation Path of Radio Waves in Nonequilibrium Reentry Plasma Around a Nanosatellite With an Inflatable Aeroshell

“…The plasma propagation behavior of terahertz waves has been investigated by Xu et al [9], [10] and Ouyang et al [11], and is expected to be a potential blackout mitigation method. The split ring resonator based mu-negative sheet [12] and laser-plasma-induced X-ray emissions [13] are also proposed. The surface catalysis effects for the mitigation scheme have been investigated by Takasawa [14] and Takahashi [15], which revealed the detailed mechanism using experimental and analytical methods.…”