Radio Altimeter
In the context of aerospace engineering, a Radio Altimeter is a specialized radar system used to determine the altitude of an aircraft or spacecraft above the ground level. It operates by emitting radio waves downwards and measuring the time it takes for the signal to bounce back after hitting the ground surface. The system then calculates the altitude based on the speed of light and the time delay of the returned signal. Radio Altimeters are crucial for safe landing procedures, especially in poor visibility conditions, as they provide accurate and immediate altitude readings. They are also used in terrain-following radar systems for low-level flight in military aircraft. The system's accuracy is not affected by the aircraft's speed, attitude, or the barometric pressure, unlike other types of altimeters. However, its readings can be influenced by the terrain's roughness and radio wave reflections from obstacles.
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