Project RAM, launched by a three-stage rocket, aims to investigate the communications blackouts that impact spacecraft during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. These blackouts, also referred to as radio blackouts, ionization blackouts, or reentry blackouts, occur due to an envelope of ionized air surrounding the craft, generated by the heat from atmospheric compression. This ionized air disrupts radio signals. For the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft, these communications blackouts could last several minutes.
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| RAM project launch cover with Velvatone cachet, postmarked at Wallops Island on April 10, 1964. Project RAM was launched by 3-stage rocket to study the radio communication blackout during re-entry. |
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| RAM project launch cover postmarked at Wallops Island on April 10, 1964. |
