Computational Study on Air Film Approach in Reentry Blackout Mitigation

What is it about?

This study proposes a novel mitigation method for reentry blackouts using air film effects by computational science. A coupled approach with computational fluid dynamics and computational electromagnetic analysis revealed the plasma flow properties and the communication wave propagation. The gas injection system created the insulating air film layer on the surface of the test model. The injection gas flowed backward without ionization at a low temperature. This air film layer acted as a propagation window for communication due to the low plasma density. Thus, the effectiveness of the air film as a reentry blackout mitigation scheme was demonstrated.

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