The effects of an ion-thruster exhaust plume on S-band carrier transmission
Abstract
The study reported here was undertaken (1) to develop models of the effects of an ion-thruster exhaust plume on S-band signals, and (2) to measure the effects. The results show that an S-band signal passing through an ion-thruster plume is reduced in amplitude and advanced in phase. The mathematical models gave reasonable estimates of the average signal attenuation and phase shift. Negligible fluctuations in the signal amplitude and phase were measured during steady-state thruster operation. However, large jumps in phase occurred when changes were made in the thruster operating state. This study confirms that the thruster plume can have a significant effect on S-band communication link performance; hence the plume effects must be considered in S-band link calculations when electric thrusters are used for spacecraft propulsion.
- Publication:
-
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Pub Date:
- November 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976elpr.conf.....A
- Keywords:
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- Ion Engines;
- Microwave Attenuation;
- Microwave Transmission;
- Rocket Exhaust;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Transmission Loss;
- Phase Shift;
- Plumes;
- Spacecraft Propulsion;
- Superhigh Frequencies;
- Ultrahigh Frequencies;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking