Electron densities of the ionosphere utilizing high-altitude rockets

Abstract

The problem of determining the electron densities in the E -region of the ionosphere is approached by using 6-mc pulse transmissions from a rocket to several ground receiving stations. A logical and complete development, using dyadic techniques, is given for obtaining the propagation constant of the dissipative, anisotropic ionosphere. Special cases of the magneto-ionic formulas are given, and comparison of the ionosphere with a distributed-constant transmission line is made. In a nondissipative ionosphere, formulas are developed establishing the relationship between the effective electron density and the relative transmission delay of the 6-mc pulse. A description of the University of Utah's vertical incidence experiment is given in which a 6-mc pulse from an airborne transmitter is received simultaneously at several ground receiving stations. The relative 6-mc time-delay data from three Aerobee high-altitude rockets launched from Holloman Air Development Center on July 1, 1953, November 3, 1953, and June 13, 1956, were obtained and, from these, electron density was calculated. Curves showing the profile of electron density as a function of altitude as calculated both during the rocket ascent and descent are presented. The curves indicate a general increase of electron density throughout the E - region, rising from nearly zero at 85 km to a maximum of about 2 \times 10^{11} electrons/m3. The maximum altitude attained by the rockets allowed exploration up to 137 km above sea level.