Motion of deformable planets and stability of their stationary rotations

A mechanical system consisting from N deformable spheres interacting according to the law of gravity is considered as a model of planetary system. Deformations of the viscoelastic spheres are described according to the model of the theory of elasticity of small deformations, the Kelvin-Voigt model of viscous forces, and occur under the action of gravitational fields and fields of centrifugal forces. Approximate equations describing motions of the centers of mass of the spheres and their rotations relative to the centers of mass are constructed by the method of separation of motions on the basis of solving quasistatic problems of the theory of viscoelasticity with allowance made for smallness of sphere deformations. Using the first integral of conservation of the angular momentum of the system relative to its center of mass, the expression for the changed potential energy is obtained with the use of the Routh method. An investigation of stationary rotations is carried out, and it is shown that all of them are unstable, if the number of planets is more than two.     

Zero-gravity simulation of liquids in contact with a solid surface

This experimental study concerns the behaviour of liquid spheres in contact with finite solid surfaces, in simulated microgravity conditions by immersion in a liquid of equal density. The liquid spheres are submitted to axial forced oscillations provoked at the contact solid-liquid. The shapes, frequency and amplitude of the liquid sphere oscillations are determined as functions of the sphere and solid-liquid surface dimensions, of the forced oscillations characteristics and of the liquid viscosity. Some conclusions can be drawn from these results about crystal growth in space.     

Controlling spacecraft by means of solar radiation

The possibility of using solar sails in Earth orbit is investigated. The characteristic parameters of a solar sail consisting of six spheres attached by mutually orthogonal long rods are estimated.     

不同密度比球体入水空泡流体动力特性研究

基于实验与数值计算相结合的方法,针对不同密度比的疏水性球体开展了垂直入水空泡形态及水下流体动力特性研究。建立了基于高速摄像法的小型航行体入水实验系统,并进行了入水空泡高速录像观察。基于VOF方法和动网格技术建立了考虑表面润湿性的回转体入水数值模拟方法。通过与实验结果对比,验证了数值方法的准确性和有效性。基于对实验与数值结果的分析,总结了疏水性球体的入水空泡及水冠发展随密度比与入水冲击速度的变化规律,对比了不同密度比球体在水下空泡夹断前后的流体动力系数。结果表明:随着入水冲击速度的增加,球体动能加大,入水空泡和水冠尺度增大,并从准静态闭合空泡逐渐发展为深闭合及面闭合空泡,临界速度随着密度比的增加而减小。此外,空泡夹断后会形成上下两股高速射流,射流的进一步运动加速了水面及球体附近空泡的溃灭。在流体动力特性方面,球体带空泡航行阶段的时均流体动力系数随密度比的增加而减小,而随入水冲击速度的变化较小,同时空泡夹断会造成流体动力较大波动。     

Is interstellar archeology possible?

Searching for signatures of cosmic-scale archeological artifacts such as Dyson spheres is an interesting alternative to conventional radio SETI. Uncovering such an artifact does not require the intentional transmission of a signal on the part of the original civilization. This type of search is called interstellar archeology or sometimes cosmic archeology. A variety of interstellar archeology signatures is discussed including non-natural planetary atmospheric constituents, stellar doping, Dyson spheres, as well as signatures of stellar, and galactic-scale engineering. The concept of a Fermi bubble due to interstellar migration is reviewed in the discussion of galactic signatures. These potential interstellar archeological signatures are classified using the Kardashev scale. A modified Drake equation is introduced. With few exceptions interstellar archeological signatures are clouded and beyond current technological capabilities. However SETI for so-called cultural transmissions and planetary atmosphere signatures are within reach.     

Footprints of alien technology

If alien civilizations do, or did, exist, their technology will impact their environment. Some consideration has been given to the detection of large-scale astro-engineering, such as Dyson spheres. However, a very advanced technology might leave more subtle footprints requiring sophisticated scientific methods to uncover. We must not overlook the possibility that alien technology has impacted our immediate astronomical environment, even Earth itself, but probably a very long time ago. This raises the question of what traces, if anything, might remain today. I shall consider the possibilities of biological, geological and physical traces, and suggest ways that we might search for them.     

着陆作用下月尘激扬的三维离散元分析

基于模拟月尘的细观颗粒形状,采用刚性圆球单元重叠法建立了4种典型不规则模拟月尘颗粒的三维几何模型.根据月尘所处环境和颗粒间接触特性,建立了月尘离散元接触力学模型.通过三轴压缩实验离散元模拟的结果和模拟月尘的实际三轴压缩实验数据的对比,确定模拟月尘颗粒的三维离散元模型参数.采用建立的模型和获得的参数,进行了圆盘模拟体着陆...     

Eternity in six hours: Intergalactic spreading of intelligent life and sharpening the Fermi paradox

The Fermi paradox is the discrepancy between the strong likelihood of alien intelligent life emerging (under a wide variety of assumptions) and the absence of any visible evidence for such emergence. In this paper, we extend the Fermi paradox to not only life in this galaxy, but to other galaxies as well. We do this by demonstrating that travelling between galaxies – indeed even launching a colonisation project for the entire reachable universe – is a relatively simple task for a star-spanning civilisation, requiring modest amounts of energy and resources. We start by demonstrating that humanity itself could likely accomplish such a colonisation project in the foreseeable future, should we want to. Given certain technological assumptions, such as improved automation, the task of constructing Dyson spheres, designing replicating probes, and launching them at distant galaxies, become quite feasible. We extensively analyse the dynamics of such a project, including issues of deceleration and collision with particles in space. Using similar methods, there are millions of galaxies that could have reached us by now. This results in a considerable sharpening of the Fermi paradox.     

空间超高速撞击碎片云前端速度的预测模型

文章利用一组二级轻气炮发射2017-T4 铝质球形弹丸撞击6061-T6单层铝板的地面试验数据,通过选择适当的函数模型,采用多元函数拟合的方法,得到了碎片云前端速度与靶板厚度、弹丸直径和弹丸速度关系的三元二阶多项式模型。再用另外一组数据对该模型进行检验,验证了其对碎片云前端速度具有较好的预测效果。将以上两组数据同样用于建立“无量纲化”模型进行碎片云前端速度预测,并与前述多项式模型的预测结果进行比较发现,该多项式模型预测的方均根误差及平均相对误差均明显优于“无量纲化”模型。该多项式模型可用于预测空间碎片撞击航天器产生的碎片云的前端速度,有助于航天器的空间碎片防护设计。     

A strategic “viewfinder” for SETI research

One of the most important reasons why unsuccessful results have been obtained so far by the SETI Project is due to the fact that no sure targets to aim at have been available up-to the present state of research. All-sky surveys, even if very accurate and complete, might result to be time-consuming. SETI needs at least one effective “viewfinder” in order that a true targeted research is carried out with a possible success. The best foundation to get this can be identified with the search for the evidence of extraterrestrial astro-engineering activity in form of the Dyson spheres predicted by theory. The existence of such stellar objects can be ascertained by finding the evidence of two main signatures in stars of solar spectral type: infrared excess and anomalous light curves due to transiting artificial objects. These are probably the most powerful viewfinders in order to allow SETI techniques for intelligent signal search to be aimed at more appropriate targets. This paper is not intended to be a research paper but rather a review paper whose goal is not to present calculations and/or operational research but rather to be a research proposal for a more focused research in SETI just using Dyson Spheres as crucial markers.     

Analytical and numerical re-entry analysis of simple-shaped objects

The application of SCARAB (spacecraft atmospheric re-entry and aerothermal break-up) to several re-entry objects within the last years has shown the need of fast methods and easy-to use guidelines for a first assessment of the survival probability for these objects or parts of them. Such methods and guidelines will be also very helpful during the design process of a satellite in order to decide, whether a controlled re-entry had to be foreseen at the end of the lifetime, or an uncontrolled re-entry would be acceptable.Within current studies HTG has developed analytical and numerical methods to analyze the demise of simple-shaped objects like spheres, boxes, and cylinders. In addition, the SCARAB software system has been used to evaluate the shielding effects of concentric shells.This paper presents the analytical and numerical models used within the study and the results which have been achieved, including demise ranges for several object/material combinations. The SCARAB results for shielding effects are presented as well.     

改进的SEREP缩聚法在航天器结构动力学模型修正中的应用

模型缩聚是基于频率响应的模型修正的基础,准确的模型缩聚才能保证模型修正的正确性。针对目前的模型缩聚方法对于航天器结构在中高频段不能准确反映模型动力学特性的问题,提出改进的SEREP缩聚方法:以结构的模态分析为基础,通过加入扩展的主自由度增加缩聚模型对应的线性子空间的维数。经实际航天器结构算例证明,在使用改进的SEREP缩聚方法后,缩聚模型的特征值和频率响应的精度得到提高,可以准确反映结构的动力学特性。     

基于双谐振棋盘式超表面的宽带RCS缩减技术

为实现宽频带的雷达散射截面（RCS）缩减效果，提出一种基于棋盘式超表面的RCS缩减技术，可达到宽带RCS缩减且极化不敏感的效果。介绍了提高RCS缩减带宽的原则，设计了X波段的棋盘式超表面，通过电磁散射对消技术，电磁波经超表面反射后分散向不同的方向，实现了异常反射从而降低RCS。与普通棋盘式超表面不同，为了克服一般超表面都有的相位收敛问题，提出了双谐振棋盘式超表面，即用两种谐振频率不同的结构组成双谐振单元结构，使单元具有均匀相位差的频段得以拓宽，从而扩展了超表面的缩减带宽，实现了10 dB缩减带宽达到8 GHz~14.5 GHz且极化不敏感的效果，通过仿真证明双谐振棋盘式超表面可以实现宽频率范围的RCS缩减效果，且极化不敏感。     

航天器舷窗玻璃超高速撞击损伤与M/OD撞击风险评估

用北京卫星环境工程研究所的18mm口径二级轻气炮(TLGG)和20 J激光驱动微小飞片装置(LDFF-20)对用作航天器舷窗玻璃的熔融石英玻璃的超高速撞击损伤特性进行了实验研究和分析.其中,TLGG发射的球形铝弹丸直径分别为1 mm和3 mm,速度2～6.5 km/s;LDFF-20发射的圆柱形飞片厚度7 μm,直径1 mm,速度1～8.3 km/s.撞击结果为:对12 mm厚的熔融石英玻璃,直径为3mm的弹丸甚至在2.8 km/s的低速下就将其穿透,而直径为1 mm的弹丸在6.5km/s的高速下没有穿透,这说明弹丸直径对撞击损伤特性有很强的影响;LDFF-20发射的微小飞片的撞击仅在玻璃表面产生很浅的凹坑,没有裂纹产生,但微小飞片的累积撞击损伤明显地降低了玻璃的透光性.实验初步获得了侵彻深度PC、侵彻直径D1与弹丸撞击速度Vp、弹丸质量Mp之间的经验关系.依据实验结果和目前的微流星体/空间碎片(M/OD)环境工程模型,建议对于高度为400 km、轨道倾角42°、寿命为3年的典型航天器,其舷窗玻璃的临界安全(非穿透)厚度至少为12mm.     

Optimization of the Flight of a Spacecraft with a Solar Sail from the Earth to Mars with a Perturbation Maneuver near Venus

The trajectories of the fastest flight of a spacecraft (SC) with a solar sail from the Earth's sphere of activity to the Martian sphere of activity including the section of a perturbation maneuver near Venus are investigated. The planetary spheres of activity are assumed to be point-like; i.e., the maneuver section and the initial and final positions of the SC coincide with the corresponding positions of the planets. The initial velocity of the SC is assumed to be equal to the Earth's velocity, so that no leveling of the velocities of the SC and Mars in the final point of the flight is required. The perturbation maneuver is considered as a jump of the heliocentric velocity of the SC at the point of its contact with Venus, which does not change the magnitude of its Venus-centric velocity. The orbits of planets are assumed to be circular and coplanar; the SC trajectory lies at the plane of these orbits. The sail is planar with a specularly reflecting surface. The trajectories of optimum flights are determined as a result of solving the boundary value problem of the Pontryagin maximum principle. The families of solutions to this problem depending on the initial angular positions of Venus and Mars are constructed by the method of continuation over a parameter.     

不同喷气结构对航行体高速入水冲击的影响研究

开展了不同头部喷气结构对高速入水航行体降载作用影响的数值模拟研究。结果表明,对于不同等直径喷嘴,相同喷气量下航行体入水空泡形态及压力分布发展过程接近,降载效果基本相同。与无喷气时相比,最大入水最大冲击力和压力可分别降低92%和98%。收缩型喷嘴形成的附体空泡保护层明显小于等直径方案,降载效果削弱。喷嘴扩张较小时头部喷气降载和减阻效果略低于等直径方案,随喷嘴出口扩张比增大,其效果降低。     

基于相位梯度的超宽带RCS减缩超表面设计

针对雷达散射截面（radar cross section, RCS）减缩带宽受限的问题,提出了一种具有超宽带RCS减缩性能的相位梯度超表面（phase gradient metasurfaces, PGMs）。宽带反射型PGMs单元由1个十字形和3个方形环组成,PGMs整体结构由4个一维PGMs子阵按照顺序旋转排布方式组成。一方面,一维PGMs子阵使垂直入射的电磁波发生异常反射,实现了超宽带RCS减缩;另一方面,顺序旋转排布方式使反射电磁波向四周均匀扩散且PGMs体现出极化不敏感特性。仿真与测试结果表明：与同等尺寸金属相比,所设计的PGMs在10.2~28.96GHz频带内RCS减缩值超过10dB,最大减缩可以达到34.66dB,相对带宽达到了95.81%,比文献中1个十字形和两个方形环组成的PGMs结构的RCS减缩相对带宽提高了17.8%,这为飞机,舰船等隐身技术提供了新的设计和方法。     

多孔材料在整流罩内中高频降噪的应用与优化研究

基于JCA模型，采用有限元仿真和声学试验获取了三聚氰胺泡沫和吸音棉的声学参数，采用统计能量分析（SEA）方法建立了某卫星-整流罩的系统级模型。通过与混响室试验结果进行对比，验证了模型的正确性；并通过仿真和试验获取了两种材料对整流罩内噪声环境的降噪效果，分析了厚度、敷设率和敷设位置对降噪效果的影响。结果表明，采用结合Biot理论的SEA方法能有效预测整流罩内中高频噪声环境及多孔材料降噪效果；总降噪量与厚度、敷设率和敷设位置关系紧密，采用多孔材料降噪时应综合考虑以上因素。     

高超声速飞行器激波控制减阻技术

针对高超声速飞行器巨大的激波阻力，采用数值方法研究了由钝头体、气动杆和侧向喷流构成的组合模型的减阻性能。侧向喷流将弓形激波推离气动杆，组合模型的再附激波明显弱于传统气动杆模型，其阻力系数比气动杆模型低了33.52%，从而验证了本文组合模型优异的减阻效率。进行了组合模型的影响因素分析，随侧向喷流总压比和气动杆的长度的增加，再附激波强度减弱，减阻效率升高，但减阻效率的变化速率逐渐减小。随喷口位置向下游移动，再附激波逐渐增强，减阻效率降低，且减阻效率的变化速率逐渐增加。此外本文还研究了以上参数对流场结构及钝头体压力峰值位置的影响。     

有限元仿真模型V&V技术研究

仿真模型建模过程存在多种误差输入，将引起仿真预测结果的不精确性。采用仿真模型V&V（Verification and Validation,验证与确认）技术，进行仿真模型的建模误差分析与控制。利用物理试验数据进行仿真模型的精度评估，基于模型修正算法进行仿真建模参数的自动修正，提升仿真和试验结果的一致性，帮助设计师基于精确的仿真模型进行产品的虚拟性能预示，提升仿真技术在产品研制流程中的地位和作用。阐述了模型V&V的概念和流程，对模型V&V的关键技术和原理进行了详细论述,以NASA Rotor37转子验模为例进行了V&V案例说明。