A simulation study on the mode conversion process from slow Z-mode to LO mode by the tunneling effect and variations of beaming angle

For a particular angle of incidence wave, it is possible for a slow Z-mode wave incident on an inhomogeneous plasma slab to be converted into an LO mode wave. But for another wave normal angle of the incident wave, it has been considered impossible, since an evanescence region exists between two mode branches. In this case we expect that the mode conversion takes place through the tunneling effect. We investigate the effect of the spatial scale of the density gradient on the mode conversion efficiency in an inhomogeneous plasma where the mode conversion can occur only by the tunneling effect. We use the computer simulation solving Maxwell’s equations and the motion of a cold electron fluid. By considering the steepness of the density gradient, the simulation results show the efficient mode conversion could be expected even in the case that the mismatch of the refractive indexes prevents the close coupling of plasma waves. Also, we show for these cases the beaming angle does not correspond to Jones’ formula. This effect leads to the angles larger and smaller than the angle estimated by the formula. This type of mode conversion process becomes important in a case where the different plasmas form a discontinuity at their contact boundary.     

Tropopause analysis over the Iranian region using GPS radio occultation data

Near-tropopause phenomena like upper level fronts and cyclones, penetrative cumulus convection and mesoscale mechanisms of exchange make important contributions to the mixing processes in the atmosphere. Spatio-temporal monitoring of the tropopause height, temperature and pressure is an appropriate tool to show the running processes in the atmosphere. In this study, GPS radio occultation data is used to investigate the tropopause height fluctuations and the relation between the stratosphere–troposphere exchange and the aforementioned phenomena over the Iranian region. The paper shows how the position of the sub-tropical jet has changed with time, using GPS radio occultation observations. The tropopause height changes latitudinally, and three different bimodal probability distribution functions are observed. The results also show that the mixing region in the south of Iran is associated with the subtropical jet in winter. However, this region shifts north of Iran due to changes in the position of the subtropical jet during the summer. Consistency of the mixing region from the radio occultation data and the total ozone of TOMS over the Iranian region is also observed.     

Simultaneous spacecraft attitude and orbit estimation using magnetic field vector measurements

Based on magnetometer measurements only, three-axis attitude, rate, and orbit estimation are successfully achieved. A single Augmented Dynamics Extended Kalman Filter (ADEKF) is configured by combining the spacecraft nonlinear attitude dynamics and quaternion kinematics with orbital mechanics. The filter design is adopted for three-axis stabilized spacecraft in low Earth orbits where the aerodynamic drag is the dominant source of disturbances in addition to the spacecraft magnetic residuals. To reduce the computational burden, another Interlaced Extended Kalman Filter (IEKF) is developed to uncouple the attitude/rate from the orbit dynamics. Both filters are implemented using the magnetometer measurements and their corresponding time derivatives. As a part of EgyptSat-1 flight scenario, detumbling and standby modes are used for performance testing of the ADEKF. The concept of local observability is applied to the basic filter and the stability is investigated by incorporating extensive Monte Carlo simulations with uniformly distributed initial conditions. The filter shows the capability of estimating the attitude better than 5 deg and rate of order 0.03 deg/s in each axis. In orbit estimation, the filter is capable of estimating the position with accuracy less than 8 km and velocity upto 5 m/s in each axis.     

Bifurcation in a 3-DOF Airfoil with Cubic Structural Nonlinearity

Limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) as well as nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of a 3-DOF aeroelastic airfoil motion with cubic restoring moments in the pitch degree of freedom are investigated.Aeroelastic equations of an airfoil with control surface in an incompressible potential flow are presented in the time domain.The harmonic balance (HB) method is utilized to calculate the LCO frequency and amplitude for the airfoil.Also the semi-analytical method has revealed the presence of stable and unstable limit cycles,along with stability reversal in the neighborhood of a Hopf bifurcation.The system response is determined by numerically integrating the governing equations using a standard Runge-Kutta algorithm and the obtained results are compared with the HB method.Also the results by the third order HB (HB3) method for control surface are consistent with the other numerical solution.Finally,by combining the numerical and the HB methods,types of bifurcation,be it supercritical,subcritical,or divergent flutter area are identified.     

A deorbiter CubeSat for active orbital debris removal

This paper introduces a mission concept for active removal of orbital debris based on the utilization of the CubeSat form factor. The CubeSat is deployed from a carrier spacecraft, known as a mothership, and is equipped with orbital and attitude control actuators to attach to the target debris, stabilize its attitude, and subsequently move the debris to a lower orbit where atmospheric drag is high enough for the bodies to burn up. The mass and orbit altitude of debris objects that are within the realms of the CubeSat’s propulsion capabilities are identified. The attitude control schemes for the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission are specified. The objective of the deorbiting maneuver is to decrease the semi-major axis of the debris orbit, at the fastest rate, from its initial value to a final value of about 6471?km (i.e., 100?km above Earth considering a circular orbit) via a continuous low-thrust orbital transfer. Two case studies are investigated to verify the performance of the deorbiter CubeSat during the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission. The baseline target debris used in the study are the decommissioned KOMPSAT-1 satellite and the Pegasus rocket body. The results show that the deorbiting times for the target debris are reduced significantly, from several decades to one or two years.     

Lineament mapping and fractal analysis using SPOT-ASTER satellite imagery for evaluating the severity of slope weathering process

The present study describes a remote sensing approach for preparing lineament map that subsequently indicates the influence of lineament density in the severity of weathering development. In this study, SPOT-5 data, the integration of SPOT-ASTER and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were used and processed. The existence of an active fault system in the south of Mashhad city, NE Iran and presence of schistose rocks in this area result in the development of numerous lineament features. This region was selected for this research. Lineament features including fractures, bedding plane, cleavage, shear zones and schistosity were mapped in the study area. The results indicate that the highest concentration of lineaments occurred in the central-western and south-eastern parts of the study area, which coincide with metamorphic outcrops and NW-SE trending fault system. A comparison of lineament statistical analysis and field survey demonstrated that the structural discontinuities have a significant effect on forming and distribution of weathering profiles. It was observed that increasing the number, length and density of structural discontinuities led to strong severity in weathering, which can produce deep residual soils susceptible to landslide occurrence. The remote sensing approach developed in this study can be applicable for preparing lineament maps and evaluating the severity of weathering development in other active fault zones around the world.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of threedimensional vortex structures of a pitching airfoil at a transitional Reynolds number

This research examines the vortex behaviors and aerodynamic forces in dynamic stall phenomena at a transitional Reynolds number(Re = 90000) using experimental and numerical approaches.Periodic sinusoidal pitching motion at two different reduced frequencies is used to achieve the dynamic stall of a NACA 0012 airfoil.Several leading edge vortices form and detach in the dynamic stall stage.The flow then quickly transitions to a full separation zone in the stall stage when the angle of attack starts to decrease.There is discrepancy between the phaseaveraged and instantaneous flow field in that the small flow structures increased with angle of attack, which is a characteristic of the flow field at the transitional Reynolds number.The interaction between the streamwise vortices in the three-dimensional numerical results and the leading edge vortex are the main contribution to the turbulent flow.In addition, the leading edge vortex that supplies vortex lift is more stable at higher reduced frequency, which decreases the lift fluctuation in the dynamic stall stage.The leading edge vortex at higher reduced frequency is strong enough to stabilize the flow, even when the airfoil is in the down-stroke phase.     

Concurrent image-based visual servoing with adaptive zooming for non-cooperative rendezvous maneuvers

An image-based servo controller for the guidance of a spacecraft during non-cooperative rendezvous is presented in this paper. The controller directly utilizes the visual features from image frames of a target spacecraft for computing both attitude and orbital maneuvers concurrently. The utilization of adaptive optics, such as zooming cameras, is also addressed through developing an invariant-image servo controller. The controller allows for performing rendezvous maneuvers independently from the adjustments of the camera focal length, improving the performance and versatility of maneuvers. The stability of the proposed control scheme is proven analytically in the invariant space, and its viability is explored through numerical simulations.     

Effects of dust polarity and nonextensive electrons on the dust-ion acoustic solitons and double layers in earth atmosphere

Propagation of dustion acoustic solitary waves (DIASWs) and double layers is discussed in earth atmosphere, using the Sagdeev potential method. The best model for distribution function of electrons in earth atmosphere is found by fitting available data on different distribution functions. The nonextensive function with parameter $q=0.58$ provides the best fit on observations. Thus we analyze the propagation of localized waves in an unmagnetized plasma containing nonextensive electrons, inertial ions, and negatively/positively charged stationary dust. It is found that both compressive and rarefactive solitons as well as double layers exist depending on the sign (and the value) of dust polarity. Characters of propagated waves are described using the presented model.     

Sea level trend over Malaysian seas from multi-mission satellite altimetry and vertical land motion corrected tidal data

Rise in sea levels is one of the disastrous effects of climate change. A relatively small increase in sea level could affect natural coastal systems. In a study of long-term changes in sea level and measurements of postglacial rebound, monitoring vertical land motion (VLM) is of crucial interest. This study presents an approach to estimate precise sea level trends based on a combination of multi-sensor techniques in the Malaysian region over 19?years. In this study, satellite altimeters (SALT) were used to derive absolute sea levels (ASLs). Tide gauge (TG) stations along the coast of Malaysia were utilised to derive the rate of relative sea levels using sea level changes and VLMs. To obtain ASL at TGs, VLM at these stations were computed using Global Positioning System (GPS), Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS InSAR), and SALT minus TG. The computed VLMs mostly show similarities in signs rather than magnitude. The findings from the multi-sensor techniques showed that regional sea level trends ranged from 2.65?±?0.86?mm/yr to 6.03?±?0.79?mm/yr for chosen sub-areas, with an overall mean of 4.47?±?0.71?mm/yr and overall subsidence. This information is expected to be valuable for a wide variety of climatic applications and for studying environmental issues related to flooding and global warming in Malaysia.