RF Bridge Electrical Conductivity Gauge for RMP-B Vehicle
Abstract
The Reentry Measurements Instrument Package (RMIP) on the Reentry Measurements Vehicle (RMV) is designed to measure properties of the boundary layer and wake for a sharp nosed, slender body. One of the experimental instruments is an rf bridge that measures the dc conductivity of the plasma sheath formed about the vehicle. Because conductivity is directly proportional to electron density, knowledge of the electron-neutral collision frequency is sufficient to determine the electron density from the conductivity. For the RMP-B vehicle, it is expected that the conductivity will be in the range 0.3 to 1.0 mho/m for a refrasil heat shield with 50 ppm Na or equivalent contaminants. The conductivity meter was designed with a dynamic range of 0.1 to 10.0 mho/m. The system study providing design criteria is reviewed. Detailed operational information on instrument performance is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0837179
Entities
People
- Allen E. Fuhs
- Donald A. Mcpherson
- O. Gibb
- Wallace B. Harbridge
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation