Effect of vapor condensation on ascending performance of stratospheric airship

This paper reports a numerical investigation on the effects of water vapor condensing inside the air bag of a stratospheric airship on its ascending performance. The kinetic and thermal model considering vapor condensation was established, based on which a computer program was written in Fortran. The simulation results show that the vapor condensation remarkably affects the kinetic and thermal characteristics of the stratospheric airship in the ascent process. During the ascent process below 11 km, a large amount of latent heat is released when the water vapor in the air inside the air bag of the stratospheric airship condenses, which results in the increase of the temperature and the reduction of the weight of the air in the air bag, causing the airship to speed up, the accelerated expansion of the helium, and the decrease of the helium temperature in the helium bag. When the flight altitude is higher than 11 km, the effect of vapor condensation on the kinetic and thermal characteristics of the stratospheric airship is negligible because vapor is virtually nonexistent in the air.     

Delineation of possible influence of solar variability and galactic cosmic rays on terrestrial climate parameters

The present paper has investigated the associations of solar activity (SA), represented by total solar irradiance (TSI), galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and terrestrial climate parameters in particular the global cloudiness and global surface temperature. To that end, we have analysed thirty five years (1983–2018) data of these parameters and have applied the Granger-causality test in order to assess whether there is any potential predictability power of one indicator to the other. The correlations among the involved parameters are tested using Vector Auto Regression (VAR) model and variance decomposition method. As a result of the above analysis, we have found that the TSI is an important factor and has contributed about 8.77 ± 0.42% in the cosmic ray intensity variations. In case of cloud cover variations, the other three parameters (TSI, cosmic ray and global surface temperature) have played a significant role. Further, the TSI changes have contributed 1.68 ± 0.03% fluctuations in the variance of the cloud cover while the cosmic ray intensity and global surface temperature have contributed about 4.89 ± 0.08% and 10.87 ± 1.41% respectively. In case of the global surface temperature anomaly both TSI and cloud covers have contributed about 5.07 ± 0.47% and 14.42 ± 2.13% fluctuations respectively. Additionally, we have also assessed the impact of internal climate oscillations like multivariate ENSO index (MEI), north Atlantic oscillations (NAO) and quasi biennial oscillations (QBO) on cloud cover variations. The contribution of these internal oscillations e.g. ENSO, NAO and QBO in cloud cover variation were reported as 7.48 ± 1.02%, 5.51 ± 0.16% and 1.36 ± 0.43% respectively.     

蒙皮热辐射特性对平流层浮空器氦气温度影响

分析了平流层球形超压浮空器在运行高度所受的各种环境辐射,研究浮空器处于热平衡状态时辐射传热、对流换热的作用规律,建立了浮空器的热平衡模型,分析太阳辐射、地面反照、地面辐射等环境辐照因素对浮空器全天各个时刻蒙皮材料和内部氦气平均温度影响,对比了吸收率、发射率和吸收发射比等辐射参数对浮空器热性能的影响.分析结果表明:具有低吸收发射比的蒙皮材料具有较好的热控效果;对于吸收发射比相同的蒙皮材料,具备低吸收率特性的蒙皮材料热控效果更为明显,更适用于长航时平流层超压浮空器.分析结果对浮空器蒙皮材料选择和总体设计具有指导意义.     

Quantifying barystatic sea-level change from satellite altimetry,GRACE and Argo observations over 2005–2016

Time-varying spherical harmonic coefficients determined from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data provide a valuable source of information about the water mass exchange that is the main contributor to the Earth’s gravity field changes within a period of less than several hundred years. Moreover, by measuring seawater temperature and salinity at different layers of ocean depth, Argo floats help to measure the steric component of global mean sea level (GMSL). In this study, we quantify the rate of barystatic sea-level change using both GRACE RL05 and RL06 monthly gravity field models and compare the results with estimates achieved from a GMSL budget closure approach. Our satellite altimetry-based results show a trend of 3.90 ± 0.14 mm yr⁻¹ for the GMSL rise. About 35% or 1.29 ± 0.07 mm yr⁻¹ of this rate is caused by the thermosteric contribution, while the remainder is mainly due to the barystatic contribution. Our results confirm that the choice of decorrelation filters does not play a significant role in quantifying the global barystatic sea-level change, and spatial filtering may not be needed. GRACE RL05 and RL06 solutions result in the barystatic sea-level change trends of 2.19 ± 0.13 mm yr⁻¹ and 2.25 ± 0.16 mm yr⁻¹, respectively. Accordingly, the residual trend, defined as the difference between the altimetry-derived GMSL and sum of the steric and barystatic components, amounts to 0.51 ± 0.51 and 0.45 ± 0.44 mm yr⁻¹ for RL05 and RL06-based barystatic sea-level changes, respectively, over January 2005 to December 2016. The exclusion of the halosteric component results in a lower residual trend of about 0.36 ± 0.46 mm yr⁻¹ over the same period, which suggests a sea-level budget closed within the uncertainty. This could be a confirmation on a high level of salinity bias particularly after about 2015. Moreover, considering the assumption that the GRACE-based barystatic component includes all mass change signals, the rather large residual trend could be attributed to an additional contribution from the deep ocean, where salinity and temperature cannot be monitored by the current observing systems. The errors from various sources, including the model-based Glacial Isostatic Adjustment signal, independent estimation of geocenter motion that are not quantified in the GRACE solutions, as well as the uncertainty of the second degree of zonal spherical harmonic coefficients, are other possible contributors to the residual trend.     

基于Kriging模型的浮空器氦气昼夜温差最优化

分析浮空器氦气昼夜温差时通常将整个囊体蒙皮涂层设置为同一种材料,分析材料的吸收率与发射率对氦气昼夜温差的影响。为进一步减小氦气昼夜温差,提出了将囊体分为迎光面和背光面,迎光面采用吸收率低的材料,背光面采用发射率高的材料。建立了囊体热力学模型,采用Kriging模型对囊体不同部位的材料特性进行优化,其基本思想是将囊体划分为48个部分,采用拉丁超立方体方法进行抽样,进行热力学分析得到样本的响应,以此建立Kriging近似模型。经过该方法优化后发现,氦气的昼夜温差减小到28.6 K,比传统的分析减少7.7%。      

A gas management system for an ultra long duration Titan blimp

This paper presents analyses, designs and experimental results for the gas management system of a hydrogen-filled blimp capable of flying in the lower atmosphere of Titan for a period of 1 year or more. The engineering strategy has two basic elements: first, to minimize leakage rates from the blimp envelope and ballonets; and second, to provide auxiliary subsystems to mitigate the life-limiting effects resulting from those leaks. Leak minimization is achieved through use of cryogenically compatible balloon materials and adhesives, and selection of ballonet geometries that minimize pinhole generation via folding and material fatigue. Hydrogen loss to the environment through leaks in the blimp envelope is compensated by producing new hydrogen through chemical processing of atmospheric methane. Nitrogen leaked into the blimp from the ballonets is removed by a carbon absorption system and periodically vented to the atmosphere. Data is presented on the measured leak rate from a full scale (13 m long) prototype blimp envelope and on the performance of a low mass, low power prototype device that generates hydrogen from methane. These results are factored in to an overall system design that quantifies the mass and power requirements for a minimum 1 year operational lifetime.     

碳基高导热材料及其在航天器上的应用

在分析航天器对于高导热材料的需求及应用特点的基础上,将碳基导热材料分为高导热石墨扩热板和高导热柔性石墨膜,总结了其在航天器上的典型应用场景.高导热柔性石墨膜可用于复杂结构等温化设计、柔性热传输等,高导热石墨扩热板可用于大功率元器件或设备扩热与传输.针对现有柔性导热材料柔韧性差、尺寸小、厚度薄等应用瓶颈,采用固相发泡技术...     

Integrity of sulfur concrete subjected to simulated lunar temperature cycles

In view of potential application as a construction material on the lunar surface the mechanical integrity of sulfur concrete was evaluated after being subjected to simulated temperature cycles. Here, small cubes of sulfur concrete were repeatedly cycled between room (20 °C) and liquid nitrogen (−191 °C) temperatures after which they, and non-cycled cubes, were evaluated by compression testing. The compression strength of the non-cycled samples averaged ∼35 MPa (5076 psi) before failing whereas the cycled samples fractured at about 7 MPa (1015 psi). Microscopic examination of the fracture surfaces from the cycled samples showed clear de-bonding of the sulfur from the aggregate whereas it was seen adhering in those non-cycled. Based on a simple analysis it was concluded that the large strength discrepancy between cycled and non-cycled samples is due to differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the materials constituting the concrete.     

考虑倍率的平流层飞艇储能电池建模与分析

准确掌握储能电池的实际电量是确保平流层飞艇实现长航时飞行的关键因素之一。首先，建立了平流层飞艇能源系统仿真模型，对能量输入和消耗进行动态分析。随后，对储能电池进行不同电流倍率的充放电测试，采用多项式拟合的方法，根据测试数据建立了储能电池充放电过程中荷电状态(SOC)、剩余放电时间(RDT)、剩余充电时间(RCT)的分析模型。最后，结合能源系统能量输入、消耗模型和储能电池模型进行飞行模拟仿真，获取各部分变化数据，与已有试验数据进行量化对比分析。结果表明:所构建储能电池模型在SOC、RDT、RCT的计算误差分别小于3%、1.5%、1.5%，能够准确反映电池工作过程中SOC、RDT、RCT的变化，可为平流层飞艇平台制定优化的飞行策略提供量化支撑。      

PM2.5/PM10 ratio characteristics over urban sites of India

The PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ are defined as mass concentration of particles having aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 and 10 µm respectively) is one of the important parameters in understanding the severity of the fine mode surface particulate matter pollution. The present study characterises PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio estimates from eight Indian urban sites with varying levels of urbanization. Five years (2015–2019) of collocated PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and meteorological (ambient temperature, relative humidity (RH), and wind speed) measurements are used to understand the spatial and temporal variability in the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio at different scales and to investigate its relationship with meteorological parameters. Over the study sites, the seasonal mean PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio varied between 0.31 ± 0.08 (mean ± standard deviation) and 0.65 ± 0.13. Seasonally, the highest PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio was observed during winter and post-monsoon seasons. Sites in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) exhibited higher PM levels (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) and higher PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios than the corresponding values recorded at other sites. The seasonal mean PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio estimated (over the study sites) using MERRA-2 (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2) ranged between 0.25 ± 0.08 and 0.77 ± 0.16, and exhibited consistent overestimation (when compared to values derived from measurements) during winter and pre-monsoon seasons. Grossly, the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio exhibited a weak association with meteorological parameters. Interestingly, despite variations in geography, population, anthropogenic activities and PM concentrations across seasons and sites, the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio showed low variability.     

平流层飞艇热力学验证温度测量方法研究

平流层飞艇的热力学分析是平流层飞艇关键技术之一。针对热力学分析的工程验证及模型完善,提出了适合于平流层飞艇的艇囊内气体及囊体表面的温度测量方法,包括采集点的分布,传感器的选型,数据传输和处理及数据准确性评价等。经过两次平流层飞艇的缩比飞行试验,对比同艇发放的探空仪采集的温度数据,验证了该方法测量到的数据的准确性。     

Characterization of the semi-annual-oscillation in mesospheric temperatures at low-latitudes

Novel measurements of the seasonal variability in mesospheric temperature at low-latitudes have been obtained from Maui, Hawaii (20.8°N, 156.2°W) during a 25-month period from October 2001 to January 2004. Independent observations of the OH (6, 2) Meinel band (peak height ∼87 km) and the O₂ (0–1) atmospheric band emission (∼94 km) were made using the CEDAR Mesospheric Temperature Mapper. The data revealed a coherent oscillation in emission intensity and rotational temperature with a well-defined periodicity of 181 ± 7 days. The amplitude of this oscillation was determined to be ∼5–6 K in temperature and ∼8–9% in intensity for both the OH and O₂ data sets. In addition, a strong asymmetry in the shape of the oscillation was also observed with the spring maximum significantly larger than the fall peak. These data provide new evidence in support of a semi-annual-oscillation in mesospheric temperature (and airglow emission intensities) and help quantify its seasonal characteristics.     

Experimental and numerical simulation of super-pressure balloon apex section: Mechanical behavior in realistic flight conditions

In order to predict the flight parameters and to improve the life time of long duration super-pressure balloon, a research program on modelization and experimental simulation of the balloon envelope mechanical behavior is carried out.The balloon is a 10 m diameter type made with multilayer polymeric films and tapes. A facility was developed to measure, via a stereo-correlation system, the 3D displacement and the in plane solicitation strain of a 1.5 m diameter balloon envelope part in realistic flight conditions, i.e. pressure, temperature and loading at the sample boundaries. A time dependant non-linear Maxwell model of the polymeric material behavior was identified from uniaxial creep and relaxation tests and implemented in a Finite Elements code, simulating the sample tested in the facility. The Poisson ratio of the transparent and supple balloon film has been measured with an image correlation system.Experimental results are obtained both at room and in cold conditions (−60 °C) for various values of differential pressure.Vertical displacement and in plane 2D strain of apex part deduced from the numerical modeling are compared to experimental results.     

Ground-based measurement of strato–mesospheric CO by a FTIR spectrometer over Poker Flat,Alaska

Upper atmospheric CO above 24 km has been observed over Poker Flat (147°W, 65°N, altitude 0.61 km), Alaska using ground-based solar absorption infrared spectroscopy. This is the first reported detection of stratospheric–mesospheric CO using this method from the ground. The results clearly indicate that there is a seasonal variation of the CO profile with enhanced abundances in spring while remaining low from May onwards.The Poker Flat Research Range is one of the many measurement sites that constitute the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). The method used in this work, estimating the CO partial column abundances above the middle stratosphere, can be applied to spectra observed using FTIR spectrometry at many other NDSC sites. This suggests the availability of this established technique as a new method for CO measurements in the upper atmosphere.     

The Kumtag meteorite strewn field

The Kumtag meteorite strewn field was found in the Kumtag desert, 132 km south of Hami city in the Xinjiang province, China. It is an ellipse of 2.5 × 7.9 km, with a long axis extending along the northeast-southwest direction. The largest individual meteorite of the strewn field weighs about 10 kg; the smallest individual has a mass of only 27 g. In total, more than 100 individuals with a total mass of more than 180 kg were collected. The location and the distribution of the fragments suggest that the Kumtag meteoroid entered the atmosphere in the direction Northeast-Southwest. All meteorites collected in this strewn field are samples from the same unique meteorite shower. The Kumtag meteorite is an H5 ordinary chondrite with a shock stage S2, and a weathering grade W2. The cosmic ray exposure age of Kumtag is 6.7 ± 0.8 Ma, which is rather typical for H chondrites and which indicates that Kumtag was derived from the massive impact event on its parent body ~7 Ma ago. A significant amount of He has been lost during certain unknown processe(s) before the Kumtag meteorite was ejected from its parent body.     

试验设备检漏技术

以中国3200m^3大型空间环境模拟器为基础论述了环模试验设备的检漏技术，目的是为大型试验设备的检漏提供一些有益的思路和方法。文章重点分析了氦质谱检漏仪法，并从理论和实践的基础上对其最小可检灵敏度进行了分析。最后文章对环模试验设备的总体检漏方案进行了论述。     

Height-latitude structure of stationary planetary waves in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere

Daily UK Met Office stratospheric assimilated data for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, accumulated for the period from 2004 to 2012 and pressure range of 1000–0.1 hPa, are used in this paper. The paper presents and thoroughly discusses spatial–temporal distributions of stationary planetary wave (SPW) amplitudes and phases, calculated on the basis of geopotential height, temperature, zonal and meridional wind data for zonal wave numbers 1 and 2 (SPW1 and SPW2). The climatological planetary wave amplitudes and phases are calculated by extracting waves from three types of data: daily, monthly mean and climatological monthly mean. It has been established that magnitude of amplitudes and height-latitude distribution of amplitudes of SPW1 and SPW2 depend on data processing method for all parameters. It has also been established that height-latitude distribution amplitudes and phases significantly differ for geopotential height, temperature, zonal and meridional wind and depend on wave number and hemisphere. However, height-latitude distributions of phases are little different from each other for the used methods of data processing.     

A general calculation method to specify center-of-buoyancy for the stratospheric airship with multiple gas cells

As the lighter-than-air (LTA) flight vehicle, the stratospheric airship is a desirable platform to provide communication and surveillance services. During the ascent from sea-level to the mission altitude, the volume of the lifting gas may change significantly, which will result in the change of the center-of-buoyancy (CB). A general calculation method is developed to specify CB for the stratospheric airship with a double-ellipsoid hull and an arbitrary number of the gas cells. The cross-section-integral (CSI) method is used as a basic calculation scenario to specify CB. Considering the complexity in determining the boundary between the helium and air in the gas cell, a searching algorithm is put forward and the specification of CB can be conducted by the iterative calculation. As an important application, the stable condition of the pitch angle is analyzed when the change of CB is involved. Under different initial configurations, the stable pitch angle of the stratospheric airship during the ascent is specified and compared, which shows the advantages of the multi-gas-cell configuration. The results of this paper may provide an important reference for the engineering application of the stratospheric airship.     

Analysis of long-endurance station-keeping flight scenarios for stratospheric airships in the presence of thermal effects

The ability to achieve long-endurance station-keeping flights makes stratospheric airships desirable platforms for the provision of communication and surveillance services. To maintain long-endurance flights, it is necessary to consider the problem of energy consumption. In this paper, we discuss long-endurance flight scenarios of stratospheric airships in the presence of thermal effects. The balance between buoyancy and gravity is influenced by thermal effects during the diurnal cycle. We perform a theoretical analysis based on the helium’s mass, pressure differential, and altitude as the main factors. To verify the effectiveness of the control over the pressure differential and the altitude, three long-endurance flight scenarios are proposed and compared. Then, the corresponding optimization problems are constructed to determine the energy-minimum flight. Finally, further efforts are made to reduce energy consumption. The realization and limitations of two strategies for improvement are analyzed. A comparison with other scenarios shows the effectiveness of energy conservation. The study in this paper thus provides a reference for station-keeping applications of stratospheric airships.