Electron densities in theFregion of the ionosphere from rocket measurements: 2. Results of analysis

Electron-density distributions in the ionosphere derived from propagation measurements made during seven long-range missile flights are given. These results are compared with measurements derived from variable-frequency pulse soundings and with satellite and rocket measurements described by others. The vertical electron-density gradient was found to vary within quite a large range, being lowest for two firings that took place shortly after sunset and greatest for the one early-morning firing. The equilibrium electron-density variation with height was found to be consistent with the assumption of a Chapman layer, of varying scale height, based on a recent model of the neutral atmosphere derived from satellite retardation measurements.