When did the Space Shuttle often experience a communications blackout? Did NASA do anything about it?
LOS – Loss of Signal – Very common occurance in the space program. It occurs when the capsule (shuttle) cannot receive radio communication from ground control. Apollo flights behind the moon and every re entry. Obviously the moon blocks the radio signal and Apollo 8 was tedious since it would be the first time that humans were both out of sight and sound of earth. The early Mercury flights were tedious during re entry, as well as Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle. As the spacecraft re enters the atmosphere, it heats up, and ionizes tha air around it. This ionization sets up a temporary “Faraday Cage”. (Same effect that stops radio signals in a metal building and protects you from lightning in your car) AOS (acquisition of Signal) returns after this phase passes.
