Plasma Onset and Emergence Fiber-Optic Sensor (POE-FOS)

The extreme environments on the vehicle exterior during atmospheric reentry generate a plasma-sheath which obstructs the transmission and reception of telemetry signals.  At present, reentry missionization includes pre-allocating periods of communication “blackout” periods where telemetry is temporarily shut-down.  These periods are determined from models and empirical data from past flights.  An on-board sensor capable of detecting these transitions between plasma onset and emergence based on the real in-flight conditions around the vehicle will minimize unnecessary telemetry downtime.  CVI proposes a Plasma Onset and Emergence Fiber-Optic Sensor (POE-FOS) which measures and analyzes the optical radiation spectrum on the outside of the vehicle to detect onset and emergence from the plasma sheath.  POE-FOS will relay these transition events to the vehicle’s telemeter to support maximizing test data delivered off the vehicle.