Effects of rocket outgassing on rf experiments

Peculiarities in the results of electron·dens ity measureme nts with roc ket s were noticed on several occasions. They were found to be e ffec ts of roc ke t outgassing. When the fue l valves of Aerobee rockets are not shut after burnout , re sidual fuel leaks out and diffuses into the atmosphere. Electrons attach to the fu el and decrease in conce ntration whil e the positive ions ar e not affected. Outgassing e ffects were observed on probe expe rime nts flown in rocke ts as well a s on propagation experiments be tween roc ke t and ground. Quantitative es timates indicate that the leaking fu e l is a very e ffecti ve attaching agent. Some solid ·fue l rockets also s how similar e ffects .