Supercharge the atmosphere by detonating plasma bombs. The Air Force is working to build a constellation of satellites equipped with a small plasma bomb.
The first phase of the project is theoretical and requires researchers to devise an optimal delivery method for plasma bombs. In the second phase, the proposals will be tested in a simulator before the third exploratory phase in flight.
A team, made up of researchers from Drexel University and General Sciences, is developing a plasma bomb that uses a chemical reaction to heat a piece of metal beyond its boiling point. Once vaporized, the metal reacts with atmospheric oxygen to create ionized plasma.
Another proposal under development by researchers at the University of Maryland and Enig Associates is to harness vaporized metals to supercharge the atmosphere using mini-detonations. The amount of plasma produced in the latter reaction can be controlled by changing the intensity and shape of the explosion.
By releasing plasma bombs, the Air Force would increase the amount of ions in the ionosphere, which begins at an altitude of approximately 37 miles, with a significant effect on radio communications. Radio waves bounce between the ionosphere and the earth like a kind of zigzag. This effect is influenced by the amount of ions in the ionosphere.
Using plasma bombs would increase the number of charged particles in the atmosphere, improving the rebound effect for the benefit of communications. It should be noted that the idea of artificially ionizing the atmosphere to improve radio communications is not new and has already been used in Alaska with the program High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), for the study of the effects produced in the telecommunications field. Unlike the latter, which uses ground-based technology, plasma bombs would act directly in the ionosphere.
It is still unclear whether the power of these plasma bombs could be such as to make significant changes in atmospheric ionization.
(photo: NASA)
