Large-scale irregularities of the winter polar topside ionosphere according to data from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Swarm</Emphasis> satellites

An analysis of the electron density measurements (Ne) along the flyby trajectories over the high-latitude region of the Northern Hemisphere under winter conditions in 2014 and 2016 has shown that the main large-scale structure observed by Swarm satellites is the tongue of ionization (TOI). At the maximum of the solar cycle (F_10.7 = 160), the average value of Ne in the TOI region at an altitude of 500 km was 8 × 10⁴ cm^–3. Two years later, at F_10.7 = 100, Ne ~ 5 × 10⁴ cm^–3 and Ne ~2.5 × 10⁴ cm^–3 were observed at altitudes of 470 and 530 km, respectively. During the dominance of the azimuthal component of the interplanetary magnetic field, the TOI has been observed mainly on the dawn or dusk side depending on the sign of B _y . Simultaneous observations of the convective plasma drift velocity in the polar cap show the transpolar flow drift to the dawn (B_y < 0) or dusk side (B _y < 0). Observations and numerical simulation of the Ne distribution have confirmed the significant role of the electric field of the magnetospheric convection in the generation of large-scale irregularities in the polar ionosphere.     

Dynamics of electron fluxes in the slot between radiation belts in November–December 2014 according to data of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vernov</Emphasis> satellite

The variations in the spatial structure and time in electron fluxes with E = 235–300 keV in the slot region (2 < L < 3) between the radiation belts in the period of November 1, 2014 through December 8, 2014 during weak and moderate geomagnetic disturbances (Kp < 4, Dst >–60 nT) are analyzed based on the data of the RELEC complex on board the Vernov satellite (the height and inclination of the orbit are from 640 to 830 km and 98.4°, respectively). Irregular increases in the fluxes of such electrons and formation of a local maximum at L ~ 2.2–3.0 were observed. It has been shown that the intensity of this maximum is inversely proportional to the L value and grows with an increase in the geomagnetic activity level. New features discovered for the first time in the dynamics of radiation belt electrons manifest in the variations in the local structure and dynamics of fluxes of subrelativistic electrons in the slot region.     

Heating and acceleration of charged particles during magnetic dipolarizations

In this paper, we analyzed the thermal and energy characteristics of the plasma components observed during the magnetic dipolarizations in the near tail by the Cluster satellites. It was previously found that the first dipolarization the ratio of proton and electron temperatures (T _p/T _e) was ~6–7. At the time of the observation of the first dipolarization front T _p/T _e decreases by up to ~3–4. The minimum value T _p/T _e (~2.0) is observed behind the front during the turbulent dipolarization phase. Decreases in T _p/T _e observed at this time are associated with an increase in T _e, whereas the proton temperature either decreases or remains unchanged. Decreases of the value T _p/T _e during the magnetic dipolarizations coincide with increase in wave activity in the wide frequency band up to electron gyrofrequency f _ce. High-frequency modes can resonantly interact with electrons causing their heating. The acceleration of ions with different masses up to energies of several hundred kiloelectron-volts is also observed during dipolarizations. In this case, the index of the energy spectrum decreases (a fraction of energetic ions increases) during the enhancement of low-frequency electromagnetic fluctuations at frequencies that correspond to the gyrofrequency of this ion component. Thus, we can conclude that the processes of the interaction between waves and particles play an important role in increasing the energy of plasma particles during magnetic dipolarizations.     

Large-size space debris flyby in low earth orbits

the analysis of NORAD catalogue of space objects executed with respect to the overall sizes of upper-stages and last stages of carrier rockets allows the classification of 5 groups of large-size space debris (LSSD). These groups are defined according to the proximity of orbital inclinations of the involved objects. The orbits within a group have various values of deviations in the Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (RAAN). It is proposed to use the RAANs deviations' evolution portrait to clarify the orbital planes’ relative spatial distribution in a group so that the RAAN deviations should be calculated with respect to the concrete precessing orbital plane of the concrete object. In case of the first three groups (inclinations i = 71°, i = 74°, i = 81°) the straight lines of the RAAN relative deviations almost do not intersect each other. So the simple, successive flyby of group’s elements is effective, but the significant value of total ΔV is required to form drift orbits. In case of the fifth group (Sun-synchronous orbits) these straight lines chaotically intersect each other for many times due to the noticeable differences in values of semi-major axes and orbital inclinations. The intersections’ existence makes it possible to create such a flyby sequence for LSSD group when the orbit of one LSSD object simultaneously serves as the drift orbit to attain another LSSD object. This flyby scheme requiring less ΔV was called “diagonal.” The RAANs deviations’ evolution portrait built for the fourth group (to be studied in the paper) contains both types of lines, so the simultaneous combination of diagonal and successive flyby schemes is possible. The value of total ΔV and temporal costs were calculated to cover all the elements of the 4th group. The article is also enriched by the results obtained for the flyby problem solution in case of all the five mentioned LSSD groups. The general recommendations are given concerned with the required reserve of total ΔV and with amount of detachable de-orbiting units onboard the maneuvering platform and onboard the refueling vehicle.     

Fine structure of the interplanetary shock front according to measurements of the ion flux of the solar wind with high time resolution

According to the data of the BMSW/SPEKTR-R instrument, which measured the density and velocity of solar wind plasma with a record time resolution, up to ~3 ×10^–2 s, the structure of the front of interplanetary shocks has been investigated. The results of these first investigations were compared with the results of studying the structure of the bow shocks obtained in previous years. A comparison has shown that the quasi-stationary (averaged over the rapid oscillations) distribution of plasma behind the interplanetary shock front was significantly more inhomogeneous than that behind the bow-shock front, i.e., in the magnetosheath. It has also been shown that, to determine the size of internal structures of the fronts of quasi-perpendicular (θ_BN > 45°) shocks, one could use the magnetic field magnitude, the proton density, and the proton flux of the solar wind on almost equal terms. A comparison of low Mach (М _А < 2), low beta (β₁ < 1) fronts of interplanetary and bow shocks has shown that the dispersion of oblique magnetosonic waves plays an essential role in their formation.     

Effect of reflected ions on the formation of the structure of interplanetary quasi-perpendicular shocks for Mach numbers lower than the first critical mach number

Based on the data of the BMSW instrument installed on the of SPEKTR-R spacecraft, as well as according to the data of instruments of the WIND spacecraft, etc., using two examples, the paper has studied the role of ions reflected from the front and associated structural features of quasi-perpendicular interplanetary shocks (IS) with the Alfvén Mach number М _A lower than the first critical Mach number М _c1 . It has been shown that BSs with the finite parameter 0.1 < β₁ < 1 contain a small fraction of reflected protons, which play a significant role in forming the front structure (β₁ is the ratio of gas-to-magnetic pressure before the shock front). In particular, in the case of a perpendicular shock recorded on August 24, 2013 (the angle between the magnetic field direction and the normal to the front θ_Bn ≈ 85°), an IS with a small Mach number (М_A ≈ 1.4) and small β₁ ≈ 0.2 is shown that the interactions of reflected ions with inflowing solar wind may result in the collisionless heating of ions in front of and behind it. The case of the oblique (θ_Bn = 63°) IS on April 19, 2014 with a small Mach number (М ^A ≈ 1.2) and small β₁ ≈ 0.5 has been investigated. It has been found that, before the front, there is a sequence of trains of magnetosonic waves, the amplitude of which decreases to zero upon increasing their distance from the front. The mechanism of their formation is associated with the development of instability caused by the ions reflected from the front.     

On Saturn’s rotation relative to a center of mass under the action of the gravitational moments of the Sun and Jupiter

Saturn’s rotation relative to a center of mass is considered within an elliptic restricted three-body problem. It is assumed that Saturn is a solid under the action of gravity of the Sun and Jupiter. The motions of Saturn and Jupiter are considered elliptic with small eccentricities e_S and e_J, respectively; the mean motion of Jupiter n_J is also small. We obtain the averaged Hamiltonian function for a small parameter of ε = n_J and integrals of evolution equations. The main effects of the influence of Jupiter on Saturn’s rotation are described: (α) the evolution of the constant parameters of regular precession for the angular momentum vector I₂; (β) the occurrence of new libration zones of oscillations I₂ near the plane of the celestial equator parallel to the plane of the Jupiter’s orbit; (γ) the occurrence of additional unstable equilibria of vector I₂ at the points of the north and south poles of the celestial sphere and, as a result, the existence of homoclinic trajectories; and (δ) the existence of periodic trajectories with arbitrarily large periods near the homoclinic trajectory. It is shown that the effects of (β), (γ), and (δ) are caused by the eccentricity e of the Jupiter’s orbit and are practically independent of Jupiter’s mass (within satellite approximation).     

Regularization of the Perturbed Spatial Restricted Three-Body Problem by <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Transformations

Equations of motion for the perturbed circular restricted three-body problem have been regularized in canonical variables in a moving coordinate system. Two different L-matrices of the fourth order are used in the regularization. Conditions for generalized symplecticity of the constructed transform have been checked. In the unperturbed case, the regular equations have a polynomial structure. The regular equations have been numerically integrated using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method. The results of numerical experiments are given for the Earth–Moon system parameters taking into account the perturbation of the Sun for different L-matrices.     

Fine structure of interplanetary shock fronts from the data of the BMSW instrument of the PLASMA-F experiment

The paper is concerned with studying the thickness of fronts of 38 interplanetary shocks detected by the BMSW instrument, which is a part of the scientific payload of the SPEKTR-R spacecraft, which was launched into a highly elliptical orbit in 2011. The main parameters of the interplanetary shocks have been calculated as follows: the ratio of thermal pressure to magnetic pressure before the front β, the angle between the shock front normal and the undisturbed magnetic field θ_Bn, the ratio of the shock propagation velocity to the magnetosonic velocity in the undisturbed region M_ms, and the shock front velocity relative to the Earth. It has been shown that the front thickness determined from the plasma parameters approximately matches the front thickness obtained from the magnetic field measurements and lies between 0.5 and 5 proton inertial lengths. In some events, the oscillations have been observed (upstream and downstream of the shock) in plasma parameters and in the magnetic field data. The length has been found to be between 0.5 and 6 proton inertial lengths for the preceding oscillations and between 0.5 and 10 proton inertial lengths for the following oscillations. The average value of the proton inertial length is 62 km.     

Families of periodic solutions in three-dimensional restricted three-body problem

Planar orbits of three-dimensional restricted circular three-body problem are considered as a special case of three-dimensional orbits, and the second-order monodromy matrices M (in coordinate z and velocity v _z ) are calculated for them. Semi-trace s of matrix M determines vertical stability of an orbit. If |s| ≤ 1, then transformation of the subspace (z, v _z ) in the neighborhood of solution for the period is reduced to deformation and a rotation through angle φ, cosφ = s. If the angle ? can be rationally expressed through 2π,φ = 2π·p/q, where p and q are integer, then a planar orbit generates the families of three-dimensional periodic solutions that have a period larger by a factor of q (second kind Poincareé periodic solutions). Directions of continuation in the subspace (z, v _z ) are determined by matrix M. If |s| < 1, we have two new families, while only one exists at resonances 1: 1 (s = 1) and 2: 1 (s = ?1). In the course of motion along the family of three-dimensional periodic solutions, a transition is possible from one family of planar solutions to another one, sometimes previously unknown family of planar solutions.     

Quasiperiodic oscillations of the sub-mHz band in near-sun plasma according to the coherent radio occultation data

In 2013 and 2015, investigations of the internal solar wind were carried out using the method of two-frequency radio sounding by signals from the Mars Express European spacecraft. The values of the S- and X-bands’ frequency and the differential frequency were registered with a sampling rate of 1s at the American and European networks of ground-based tracking stations. The spatial distribution of the frequency fluctuation’s level has been studied. It has been shown that the intensity of frequency fluctuation considerably decreases at high heliolatitudes. In some radio sounding sessions, quasiperiodic oscillations of sub-mHz band have been observed in the temporal spectra of frequency fluctuations; they are supposed to be associated with the density inhomogeneities, the sizes of which are close to the turbulence outer scale.     

Plasma flow disturbances in the magnetospheric plasma sheet during substorm activations

We have considered variations in fields and particle fluxes in the near-Earth plasma sheet on the THEMIS-D satellite together with the auroral dynamics in the satellite-conjugate ionospheric part during two substorm activations on December 19, 2014 with K _p = 2. The satellite was at ~8.5R_E and MLT = 21.8 in the outer region of captured energetic particles with isotropic ion fluxes near the convection boundary of electrons with an energy of ~10 keV. During substorm activations, the satellite recorded energetic particle injections and magnetic field oscillations with a period of ~90 s. In the satellite-conjugate ionospheric part, the activations were preceded by wavelike disturbances of auroral brightness along the southern azimuthal arc. In the expansion phase of activations, large-scale vortex structures appeared in the structure of auroras. The sudden enhancements of auroral activity (brightening of arcs, auroral breakup, and appearance of NS forms) coincided with moments of local magnetic field dipolarization and an increase in the amplitude Pi2 of pulsations of the B_z component of the magnetic field on the satellite. Approximately 30–50 s before these moments, the magnetosphere was characterized by an increased rate of plasma flow in the radial direction, which initiated the formation of plasma vortices. The auroral activation delays relative to the times when plasma vortices appear in the magnetosphere decreased with decreasing latitude of the satellite projection. The plasma vortices in the magnetosphere are assumed to be responsible for the observed auroral vortex structures and the manifestation of the hybrid vortex instability (or shear flow ballooning instability) that develops in the equatorial magnetospheric plane in the presence of a shear plasma flow in the region of strong pressure gradients in the Earthward direction.     

Observations of corotating solar wind structures at radio sounding by signals of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosetta</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mars Express</Emphasis> spacecraft

In the implementation of the space projects Rosetta and Mars Express, a large-scale series of experiments has been carried out on radio sounding circumsolar plasma by decimeter (S-band) and centimeter (X-band) signals of the Rosetta comet probe (from October 3 to October 31, 2010) and the Mars Express satellite of Mars (from December 25, 2010 to March 27, 2011). It was found that in the phase of ingress the spacecraft behind the Sun, the intensity of the frequency fluctuations increases in accordance with a power function whose argument is the solar offset distance of radio ray path, and when the spacecraft is removed from the Sun (the egress phase), frequency fluctuations are reduced. Periodic strong increases in the fluctuation level, exceeding by a factor of 3–12 the background values of this value determined by the regular radial dependences, are imposed on the regular dependences. It was found that increasing the fluctuations of radio waves alternates with the periodicity m × T or n × T, where m = 1/2, n = 1, аnd T is the synodic period of the Sun’s rotation (T ≈ 27 days). It was shown that the corotating structures associated with the interaction regions of different speed fluxes are formed in the area of solar wind acceleration and at distances of 6–20 solar radii already have a quasi-stationary character.     

Statistical investigation of Heliospheric conditions resulting in magnetic storms: 2

This work is a continuation of investigation [1] of the behavior of the solar wind’s and interplanetary magnetic field’s parameters near the onset of geomagnetic storms for various types of solar wind streams. The data of the OMNI base for the 1976–2000 period are used in the analysis. The types of solar wind streams were determined, and the times of beginning (onsets) of magnetic storms were distributed in solar wind types as follows: CIR (121 storms), Sheath (22 storms), MC (113 storms), and “uncertain type” (367 storms). The growth of variations (hourly standard deviations) of the density and IMF magnitude was observed 5–10 hours before the onset only in the Sheath. For the CIR-, Sheath-and MC-induced storms the dependence between the minimum of the IMF B _z-component and the minimum of the D _st -index, as well as the dependence between the electric field E _y of solar wind and the minimum of the D _st -index are steeper than those for the “uncertain” solar wind type. The steepest D _st vs. B _z dependence is observed in the Sheath, and the steepest D _st vs. E _y dependence is observed in the MC.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luna-5</Emphasis> (1965): Some Results of a Failed Mission to the Moon

Luna-5 was the second Soviet spacecraft to reach the Moon. During the first decade of space exploration of the Moon, the Luna probe series was the main part of the Soviet scientific program. The tasks of the Luna-5 probe launched to the Moon in May 1965 were to land softly on the lunar surface, take photos, and study the surface. Before the Luna-5 landing, the prospective coordinates of the landing site were telegraphed to observatories so that they would observe the event. However, during its descent, the braking engine failed and the probe crash landed at 22 h 13 min on May 12, 1965. Later, new supposed coordinates of the impact were reported. All the experiments were undoubtedly lost; nevertheless, successive television images of the failed landing made at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory (AbAO) of the Georgian Academy of Sciences can be considered a specific scientific result of the mission. In the images, a changeable object was detected near the large Lansberg crater; for obscure secrecy reasons, almost nothing was reported to specialists about this object. It has been identified as a small, gradually spreading impact cloud. An analysis of the reprocessed images taken at the AbAO has revealed the exact coordinates of the Luna-5 impact for the first time to be 1.35° S, 25.48° W, which differ substantially the calculation data published earlier. Some properties of the regolith at the Luna-5 impact site are compared to the results of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) related to the region near the south pole of the Moon and reported in 2010.     

Geochronology and monitoring of cosmic rays for accumulating cosmogenic isotopes <Superscript>53</Superscript>Mn and <Superscript>10</Superscript>Be in terrestrial rocks

The paper is devoted to discussing the method of measuring the accumulation of radioactive isotopes ⁵³Mn (with a half-life T = 3.7 million years) and ¹⁰Be (T = 2.5 million years) in iron-bearing rocks. Knowledge of the dynamics of the accumulation of these isotopes would allow us to estimate the variations in the intensity of cosmic rays, periods of glaciations and geological changes, as well as climatic processes on the Earth in retrospect of 0.1–10 million years. For an operative study of a large number of samples, it has been proposed to use a low-cost neutron activation method with the implementation of the ⁵³Mn(n, γ)⁵⁴Mn reaction in a slow neutron reactor. As has been shown, using the 10Be isotope together with ⁵³Mn makes it possible to simultaneously determine both the cosmic-ray fluxes and the shielding time of the corresponding region from cosmic radiation. To obtain the reliable data on cosmic rays, it has been proposed to study rock samples from the lunar surface.     

Determination of the density and percentage of metal oxides in the lunar soil based on radar data

Results of laboratory measurements of the dielectric characteristics of lunar soil samples returned to the Earth by the Luna and Apollo missions have been analyzed. The feasibility of determining the density of the upper cover of the Moon from the permittivity, which is restored as a result of solving the inverse problem of radiolocation, has been discussed. A formula has been proposed for approximating the frequency dependence of the loss tangent for the regolith and bedrock. Relationships have been deduced for estimating the percentage of metal oxides in the lunar soil.     

Experiments with the DAKON-M convection sensor

We have described an express technique for processing the results of experiments with a DAKON-M convection sensor on board the Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011. The technique uses a certain rule to compare the sensor measurements with the calculated data on the quasistatic component of microacceleration at the point of installation. The sensor experiments have been conducted during shuttle docking and undocking, when low-frequency microaccelerations on the ISS were significant. The microaccelerations have been calculated using measurement data of the MAMS low-frequency accelerometer installed in the Lab module and the telemetry data on the ISS rotational motion. This has made it possible to convert the MAMS measurement data to the DAKON-M convection sensor installation point. A comparison of sensor readings with calculated microaccelerations has revealed fairly good agreement between them.     

Ionization losses of the Earth’s radiation belt protons according to the radial diffusion theory

Using modern models of the plasmasphere and exosphere, radial profiles of the rates of ionization losses of protons with μ = 0.3–10 keV/nT (μ is the first adiabatic invariant) of the Earth’s radiation belts (ERBs) have been constructed. To calculate Coulomb losses of protons, we used the ISEE-1 satellite data at L = 3–9 and CRRES satellite data at L ≤ 3 (L is the McIlwain parameter). The relation of contributions of Coulomb losses and charge exchange in the rate of ionization losses of protons has been considered. We have discovered the effect of subtracting Coulomb losses from charge exchange of ERB protons for small μ and L, which can imitate a local particle source. It has been demonstrated that, with decreasing L, the rate of ionization losses of ERB protons decreases as a whole. The radial dependence of this rate only has a negative gradient in the narrow range (ΔL ~ 0.5) in the region of the plasmapause and only for protons with μ > 1.2 keV/nT.     

Reconstruction of spacecraft rotational motion using a Kalman filter

Quasi-static microaccelerations of four satellites of the Foton series (nos. 11, 12, M-2, M-3) were monitored as follows. First, according to measurements of onboard sensors obtained in a certain time interval, spacecraft rotational motion was reconstructed in this interval. Then, along the found motion, microacceleration at a given onboard point was calculated according to the known formula as a function of time. The motion was reconstructed by the least squares method using the solutions to the equations of satellite rotational motion. The time intervals in which these equations make reconstruction possible were from one to five orbital revolutions. This length is increased with the modulus of the satellite angular velocity. To get an idea on microaccelerations and satellite motion during an entire flight, the motion was reconstructed in several tens of such intervals. This paper proposes a method for motion reconstruction suitable for an interval of arbitrary length. The method is based on the Kalman filter. We preliminary describe a new version of the method for reconstructing uncontrolled satellite rotational motion from magnetic measurements using the least squares method, which is essentially used to construct the Kalman filter. The results of comparison of both methods are presented using the data obtained on a flight of the Foton M-3.