Rocket borne instrumentation for the measurement of electron density—height profile in the ionosphere

Abstract

The present paper describes the construction and working of a high frequency capacitance rocket payload for the measurement of electron concentration in the ionosphere, designed and fabricated mostly with indigenous components. This payload was flight-tested in the first and second Indian Centaure test rocket launched on 26-2-1969 and 7-12-1969 from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. The paper also presents the calibration procedures and some of the preliminary results obtained from the first flight to show the capabilities of the instrument.