Plasma bombing the sky to improve the radio reception

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by Plazma Inferno!, Aug 22, 2016.

  1. Plazma Inferno! Ding Ding Ding Ding Administrator

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    The US Air Force has plans to improve radio communication over long distances by detonating plasma bombs in the upper atmosphere using a fleet of micro satellites.
    It’s not the first time we’ve tried to improve radio communication by tinkering with the ionosphere. HAARP, the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program in Alaska, stimulates the ionosphere with radiation from ground-based antennas to produce radio-reflecting plasma.
    Now the USAF wants to do this more efficiently, with tiny satellites – such as CubeSats – carrying large volumes of ionised gas directly into the ionosphere.
    There are at least two major challenges. One is building a plasma generator small enough to fit on a CubeSat. Then there’s the problem of controlling how the plasma disperses once released.
    The USAF has awarded contracts to three teams sketching out different approaches. The best proposal will be selected for a second phase in which plasma generators will be tested in vacuum chambers and exploratory space flights.

    https://www.newscientist.com/articl...to-plasma-bomb-the-sky-using-tiny-satellites/
     

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