Аннотация:The current state of research on measuring the electron concentration in low-temperature plasmain the vicinity of a strong shock wave, which simulates the conditions of the descend spacecraft entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, is considered. Various physicochemical processes leading to the formation of low-temperature plasma both ahead of the shock wave front and in the shock-heated gas are analyzed. A critical review of various plasma diagnostic methods is made, and their advantages and disadvantages are noted. Numerous experimental data on measuring the electron concentration in various shock-heated gases in various conditions are analyzed.