Venus: The Atmosphere,Climate, Surface,Interior and Near-Space Environment of an Earth-Like Planet

This is a review of current knowledge about Earth’s nearest planetary neighbour and near twin, Venus. Such knowledge has recently been extended by the European Venus Express and the Japanese Akatsuki spacecraft in orbit around the planet; these missions and their achievements are concisely described in the first part of the review, along with a summary of previous Venus observations. The scientific discussions which follow are divided into three main sections: on the surface and interior; the atmosphere and climate; and the thermosphere, exosphere and magnetosphere. These reports are intended to provide an overview for the general reader, and also an introduction to the more detailed topical surveys in the following articles in this issue, where full references to original material may be found.     

Satellite navigation services. Galileo: introduction

In its conclusions of 17 March 1998 on the European Commission's communication ‘Towards a Trans-European Positioning and Navigation Network — including a European strategy for Global Satellite Navigation Systems (GNSS)’, the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers requested the Commission to present recommendations on the future European approach to global satellite navigation.     

Aeronautics — a pioneer in European integration

As the first trans-national European industry, aeronautics has been a pioneer in European integration. The European aeronautics business is now a leading player on the world stage contributing to Europe's standing in the global market. Aeronautics creates employment and advances the cutting-edge technology sector in Europe — in education, business and defence matters. Taking its responsibility for the environment seriously, Europe sets the pace for environmental standards in international aeronautics. After all, air travel has become more convenient, practical and affordable — to the benefit of all citizens.     

News from AECMA: industry support for the European research area and vision

At the Aeronautics Days 2001 in Hamburg, 29–31 January 2001, Research Commissioner Busquin presented the report ‘European Aeronautics: A Vision for 2020’, developed by the Group of Personalities that he had formed. The report is a main contribution to the implementation of the Commissioner's European Research Area initiative.     

Overall presentation of the ENHANCE project

The Euopean project, ENHANCE, coordinated by EADS Airbus, is a large, single and cohesive R&D initiative in the field Concurrent Engineering aimed at improving European Aeronautical industry competitiveness. It addressed the joint call ‘Concurrent Engineering in Aeronautics’ issued by the European Commission. The project duration is 3 years. ENHANCE started in February 1999. Its total budget is 38.2 million, half funded by the European Commission. ENHANCE first results are presented here.     

EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR THE NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SPACE PLASMAS

The Cluster mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) will allow, for the first time three-dimensional measurements in key regions of the Earth's magnetosphere to be carried out. The European Numerical Simulation Network (ENSN) aims at providing a theoretical support to the mission. We describe the achievements of the ENSN during its first period of activity 1991–1994, during which the network was funded by the European Union. In particular, the ENSN has set up (i) thematic Working Groups on the prime scientific goals of the mission, (ii) a code development Working Group to develop numerical simulation codes specifically adapted to studying magnetospheric boundaries and the corresponding scale mixing, and (iii) software models of Cluster instruments to test in a numerical simulation what the set of four instruments will measure.     

EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation of 17 European States. Its primary objective is to establish, maintain and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites. EUMETSAT's initial system is based on the Meteosat satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).     

欧洲一体化进程中的重大危机与解决机制

欧洲一体化是人类历史上第一个以国家联盟为基础的区域一体化国际组织,它不仅在实现欧洲和平、推动欧洲经济和社会发展方面具有重要意义,而且对世界经济和政治产生了深远的影响。欧洲一体化进程并非一帆风顺,出现过一些重大危机,但每次危机都被化解。正确处理建设中的危机与危机中建设之间的关系,原则性与灵活性相结合,以动态目标推动欧洲一体化进程,集团性和开放性相结合的整合机制,构建一个不可逆转的一体化框架体制,形成了欧洲一体化进程中化解危机的有效机制。     

VLF Studies During TLE Occurrences in Europe: A Summary of New Findings

The paper reviews the past few years’ European efforts for characterising the effects of TLEs, in particular sprites and elves, on the lower ionosphere. A mostly experimental approach was applied for the analysis of data collected during the EuroSprite campaigns by optical cameras, very low frequency (VLF, 3–30?kHz) receivers and lightning detection systems. The new findings of these multi-instrumental studies can be summarised as follows: 1) A close relationship between sprites and early VLF perturbations was established which constitutes evidence of upper D-region electron density changes in association with sprites. 2) VLF backscatter from the sprite-affected regions exists but it occurs rarely. 3) Long-delayed sprites were present in a large percentage, contrary to previous reports; they occurred in relation to long-lasting continuing currents that contribute to the build-up of sprite-causative quasi-electrostatic fields. 4) Intracloud lightning was found to be the key-factor which determines the sprite morphological features. 5) A new subcategory of VLF events was discovered, termed early/slow, characterised by long onset durations from 100?ms up to ～2?s. The slow onsets, which were attributed to a gradual ionisation build-up, are driven by a dense sequence of intracloud electromagnetic pulses that accompany the sprite-causative discharge. 6) A D-region chemical model was applied to simulate the measured recovery phases of the early VLF perturbations. This led to estimates about the mean altitude and electron density enhancements of the sprite-related ionospheric perturbations. 7) Early VLF events were identified for the first time to occur in association with elves, providing evidence that corroborates theoretical predictions on lower-ionospheric ionisation production by lightning-emitted electromagnetic pulses.     

AVENUE: a platform for testing new concepts,the building block of a european ATM system

Faced with the urgent need to facilitate the next generation of Air Traffic Management systems and to alleviate the insufficient interoperability of its components, standardisation and validation activities have to be promoted. The AVENUE project brings to the public domain a set of interfaces and an ATC data dictionary defined by consensus of all stake-holders. The project goes on to prove the correctness of an architecture for open validation platforms with a first instance based at the Eurocontrol Experimental Centre which was built with existing ATC components provided by key European ATC players. This will constitute a solid basis for validation activities in the European Commission 5th Framework Programme and in other R&D programmes.     

Succesful R&T forum for SMEs to link up with major aeronautic players

The Aeronautics Days 2001 were welcomed by SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) as the conference offered an opportunity for them to meet major European aerospace companies, gather information about European research programmes and to network with other European SMEs.The AeroSME Project coordinated several of the conference activities, aimed at supporting SMEs which, over recent years, have faced strong challenges in a rapidly changing supply chain.     

The Confederation of European Aerospace Societies — CEAS supporting people in aerospace

The aerospace societies of 8 European countries — France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The United Kingdom - ten years ago formed a Confederation to help member societies and their 25 000 individual members through collaborative efforts: ‘Confederation of European Aerospace Societies’ - CEAS. What is its history? What are its objectives? What is its present status and perspectives for the future? At the time of European mergers in aerospace industry, is the CEAS an opportunity for Europe?     

Introduction to the S-300 wave experiment onboard GEOS

The wave experiment on GEOS-1 is a cooperative enterprise involving six different European Institutes. The principle of this complex experiment is described, and the sensitivities attained for measuring electric and magnetic fields in the frequency range DC — 80 kHz are presented.     

EGNOS: project status overview

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) is being developed in Europe to provide GPS and GLONASS satellite-based augmentation services to aviation, maritime and land users. EGNOS is a major element of the European Satellite Navigation Programme which is jointly being implemented by the European Union, the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUROCONTROL.     

CASA joins EADS

The global position of EADS is strengthened; a focal point of European aerospace consolidation is created; Spain leads military transport aircraft activities; and EADS is open to further partnerships all over the world.     

Quality workshop with the Czech aerospace industry

The Association of Aviation Manufacturers in the Czech Republic, AAM CR, the European Association of Aerospace Industries, AECMA, and the European Commission held a workshop on quality in Aerospace in Prague in March 2000. The workshop focussed strongly on practical examples and issues of quality systems and aimed at supporting further integration of the Czech aerospace industries into the European aerospace industry structure.     

Two young scientists have won the Pratt & Whitney/EREA awards

The Pratt & Whitney/EREA Awards have been given to two young European scientists for the outstanding quality of their research. Doctor Aniello Riccio, from the CIRA (Italy), won the first Prize (8000) and Doctor Jouke Hijlkema, a Dutch scientist working at ONERA (France) won the second Prize (2000).     

Taxation of aviation fuel — an aerospace manufacturing industry view

The European aerospace manufacturing industry, represented by AECMA, considers that the recommendations in the European Commission Communication ‘Taxation of Aircraft Fuel’ would not be the best way to address the environmental impact of aviation. The recommended actions would provide minimal reduction in emissions, while putting the European aviation industry at a competitive and economic disadvantage. An international assessment of other measures would provide greater benefits.     

蓝紫色的回忆之旅

6年前一直对于普罗旺斯有着一股美好的憧憬,于是一次买了三本彼得·梅尔所描述的一年四季的普罗旺斯旅游散文集,彼得笔下的普罗旺斯似乎远远超出了一个地域性的代名词,普罗旺斯同时也是一种生活的态度和形式,居住在普罗旺斯的人民像是被自然宠坏了得小孩儿,生活的逍遥自得,其乐融融。他们似乎已经跳跃了都市的繁华的浮躁,抛弃了朝九晚五都市的尘嚣。远离凡尘的当地人民似乎在无形中透露着一种天时地利赋予他们的自傲感。     

中欧枢纽机场航班协同放行需求与对策研究

随着中欧之间航空运输量的不断增加,中欧几个主要枢纽机场之间互飞的航班量增长迅速,从欧洲空中交通流量管理系统发展的经验来看,协调枢纽机场航班放行时间可以显著地减少空域拥挤,减少航班延误,提高航班的正常性和可预测性.尝试从分析中国北京首都机场等几大枢纽机场中欧之间航班飞行流量、起降时刻出发,从减少中国枢纽机场拥挤的角度分析中欧协同放行的必要性,从航班和机场信息共享、协同放行机制等角度分析其可行性,以期望为进一步加强中欧航空合作打下基础.由于时间和数据限制,研究无法从欧洲空管角度做出类似的分析.