Communications through a Plasma

Hi
Can someone out there please help or suggest references
I am carrying out a short feasibility study regarding Jupiter's moon
Io. Io has an atmosphere of plasma containing Sulphur and Oxygen
ions.
Since Io is in Jupiter's magnetosphere the ions will circulate around
the magnetic field lines. Calculating the resulting cyclotron
frequency shows that it is far removed from the communications
frequency link.

What will be the effect of the Plasma on data communication:-
a) Between probes on the Io surface
b) Between an orbiter around Io and a probe on the Io surface

All comments welcome

Thanks

On 27 May 2007 16:43:51 -0700, Harvey
wrote:

Hi
Can someone out there please help or suggest references
I am carrying out a short feasibility study regarding Jupiter's moon
Io. Io has an atmosphere of plasma containing Sulphur and Oxygen
ions.
Since Io is in Jupiter's magnetosphere the ions will circulate around
the magnetic field lines. Calculating the resulting cyclotron
frequency shows that it is far removed from the communications
frequency link.

What will be the effect of the Plasma on data communication:-
a) Between probes on the Io surface
b) Between an orbiter around Io and a probe on the Io surface

All comments welcome

Thanks
Far removed? Which way? Just my opinion but I believe you need the
plasma frequency above the radio frequency. In that case it would
probably pass the radio band. RF above the plasma frequency may get
attenuated. (You said all comments welcome).
John Polasek