Electron densities in theFregion of the ionosphere from rocket measurements: 1. Methods of analysis

A method is described for analyzing dispersion records from long-range missiles in terms of equivalent electron-density and electron-content profiles above a fixed location. This method takes account of varying horizontal gradients in electron density and the varying local zenith angle of the ray path as a function of range time and height in the ionosphere. Refraction has been considered for both Faraday rotation and range-error measurements, and correction factors are included in the program. Comparisons made between Faraday rotation and range-error measurements and between Faraday rotation measurements at two locations demonstrated the validity of the reduction techniques.