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HF propagation results from the Metal Oxide Space Cloud (MOSC) experiment
Author(s) -
Joshi Dev,
Groves Keith M.,
McNeil William,
Carrano Charles,
Caton Ronald G.,
Parris Richard T.,
Pederson Todd R.,
Can Paul S.,
Angling Matthew,
JacksonBooth Natasha
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/2016rs006164
Subject(s) - radar , sounding rocket , ionosphere , radio propagation , rocket (weapon) , depth sounding , remote sensing , radio wave , environmental science , meteorology , physics , aerospace engineering , geology , geophysics , astronomy , engineering , oceanography , quantum mechanics
With support from the NASA sounding rocket program, the Air Force Research Laboratory launched two sounding rockets in the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands in May 2013 known as the Metal Oxide Space Cloud experiment. The rockets released samarium metal vapor at preselected altitudes in the lower F region that ionized forming a plasma cloud. Data from Advanced Research Project Agency Long‐range Tracking and Identification Radar incoherent scatter radar and high‐frequency (HF) radio links have been analyzed to understand the impacts of the artificial ionization on radio wave propagation. The HF radio wave ray‐tracing toolbox PHaRLAP along with ionospheric models constrained by electron density profiles measured with the ALTAIR radar have been used to successfully model the effects of the cloud on HF propagation. Up to three new propagation paths were created by the artificial plasma injections. Observations and modeling confirm that the small amounts of ionized material injected in the lower F region resulted in significant changes to the natural HF propagation environment.