Abstract: Signal antennae are mounted on the casing wall between forward nose and r tail ends of an aerospace launched vehicle for radio communication through a radiation conducting sheath of plasma formed thereon by atmospheric ionization during descent of the vehicle along a non-gliding reentry path. The reentry path is maintained by vehicle guidance at a steep angle in response to data transmitted to the antennae through the radiation conducting sheath having a plasma content minimized by cooling which is thereby maintained in complete surrounding relation to the vehicle and modulated to enhance data transmission during the entire duration of vehicle descent.

Abstract: A microchannel plate device utilizing a semiconducting bulk material is cacterized by electron emissions of high output current density and efficiency. The channel passages in the plate device which are square in cross-section accommodates a larger open area ratio at the input and output plate surfaces. An extended range of high electron emission applications for the plate device is provided. Such applications may include a photocathode installation to which a modulation pulse input is applied under low voltages isolated from high post-accelerating voltages.