Radar Altimeters


In the context of aerospace engineering, radar altimeters, also known as radio altimeters, are electronic devices used on aircraft to measure the altitude above the ground level during the flight. They work by emitting radio waves downwards and then measuring the time it takes for the signal to bounce back after hitting the ground surface. The speed of the radio wave is known, so the time it takes to return can be used to calculate the distance travelled, and hence the altitude of the aircraft. Radar altimeters are crucial for safe landing procedures, especially in poor visibility conditions, as they provide accurate altitude readings close to the ground. They are also used in terrain-following radar allowing aircraft to fly at a constant altitude above the ground level. In space exploration, radar altimeters are used in spacecraft for determining the altitude above the planetary surfaces.


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