SPACE & AEROSPACE MEDICINE REENTRY PHYSICS & TERMINOLOGY

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blackout

1. A fade-out of radio communications due to environmental factors such as ionospheric disturbances or a plasma sheath surrounding a reentry vehicle.
   
      • REENTRY PHYSICS AND TERMINOLOGY



2. A condition in which vision is temporarily obscured by blackness, accompanied by a dullness of certain other senses, brought on by decreased blood pressure in the head and a consequent lack of oxygen. It may occur, for example, as a result of being exposed to high g-forces in an airplane or spacecraft (see anti-g suit).
   
      • SPACE AND AEROSPACE MEDICINE