To develop alternative solutions to Air Force problems relating to signal transmission in the presence of ionization, AFCRL undertook an extensive investigation of techniques for modifying reentry plasmas. The program included laboratory tests and a series of reentry flight experiments. This report describes the flight test of one successful technique, Teflon ablation, a passive approach that requires no internal support systems. A reentry vehicle fitted with a Teflon-coated nosecap was ...
A Trailblazer II rocket was launched on 18 June 1967 from the NASA Wallops Island (Va.) Rocket Test Facility to study the properties of the reentry plasma sheath and its effects on microwave antenna performance. The reentry payload consisted of three major subsystems: a plasma diagnostic system, an S-band transponder system, and an X-band telemetry system. The flight data yielded (1) measurements of the influence of the plasma on the ...
This report describes the operation of a Pulse Position Modulation telemetry signal simulator and a decommutator that are used for testing and calibrating payloads for Trailblazer II vehicles. The simulator generates dual polarity Pulse Duration Modulation or Pulse Position Modulation modulating signals of several widths. The decommutator performs the functions of decommutation, PPM to PDM conversion, and frame-synchronization signal generation. The units are designed to operate at the standard commutation ...
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