Viscoelastic behaviour of pumpkin balloons

The lobes of the NASA ULDB pumpkin-shaped super-pressure balloons are made of a thin polymeric film that shows considerable time-dependent behaviour. A nonlinear viscoelastic model based on experimental measurements has been recently established for this film. This paper presents a simulation of the viscoelastic behaviour of ULDB balloons with the finite element software ABAQUS. First, the standard viscoelastic modelling capabilities available in ABAQUS are examined, but are found of limited accuracy even for the case of simple uniaxial creep tests on ULDB films. Then, a nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model is implemented by means of a user-defined subroutine. This approach is verified by means of biaxial creep experiments on pressurized cylinders and is found to be accurate provided that the film anisotropy is also included in the model. A preliminary set of predictions for a single lobe of a ULDB is presented at the end of the paper. It indicates that time-dependent effects in a balloon structure can lead to significant stress redistribution and large increases in the transverse strains in the lobes.     

Optimization of entry-vehicle shapes during conceptual design

During the conceptual design of a re-entry vehicle, the vehicle shape and geometry can be varied and its impact on performance can be evaluated. In this study, the shape optimization of two classes of vehicles has been studied: a capsule and a winged vehicle. Their aerodynamic characteristics were analyzed using local-inclination methods, automatically selected per vehicle segment. Entry trajectories down to Mach 3 were calculated assuming trimmed conditions. For the winged vehicle, which has both a body flap and elevons, a guidance algorithm to track a reference heat-rate was used. Multi-objective particle swarm optimization was used to optimize the shape using objectives related to mass, volume and range. The optimizations show a large variation in vehicle performance over the explored parameter space. Areas of very strong non-linearity are observed in the direct neighborhood of the two-dimensional Pareto fronts. This indicates the need for robust exploration of the influence of vehicle shapes on system performance during engineering trade-offs, which are performed during conceptual design. A number of important aspects of the influence of vehicle behavior on the Pareto fronts are observed and discussed. There is a nearly complete convergence to narrow-wing solutions for the winged vehicle. Also, it is found that imposing pitch-stability for the winged vehicle at all angles of attack results in vehicle shapes which require upward control surface deflections during the majority of the entry.     

Conceptual study and key technology development for Mars Aeroflyby sample collection

Conceptual study of Mars Aeroflyby Sample Collection (MASC) is conducted as a part of the next Mars exploration mission currently entertained in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In the mission scenario, an atmospheric entry vehicle is flown into the Martian atmosphere, collects the Martian dust particles as well as atmospheric gases during the guided hypersonic flight, exits the Martian atmosphere, and is inserted into a parking orbit from which a return system departs for the earth to deliver the dust and gas samples. In order to accomplish a controlled flight and a successful orbit insertion, aeroassist orbit transfer technologies are introduced into the guidance and control system. System analysis is conducted to assess the feasibility and to make a conceptual design, finding that the MASC system is feasible at the minimum system mass of 600 kg approximately. The aerogel, which is one of the candidates for the dust sample collector, is assessed by arcjet heating tests to examine its behavior when exposed to high-temperature gases, as well as by particle impingement tests to evaluate its dust capturing capability.     

Physical mechanism of the vertical electric field generation over active tectonic faults

The concept of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) provides an explanation of the existence of a vertical atmospheric electric field and coupling between the ground and ionosphere. Presently, ionospheric physics pays more attention to electric fields and coupling processes in the polar and auroral regions, whereas in other areas the potential difference between the ground and ionosphere usually is not taken into account. Regional processes exist, however, that are able to significantly affect the GEC parameters and through modification of the ionospheric potential to create plasma density irregularities of different scales within the ionosphere. One such source of ionosphere modification is air ionization in the vicinity of active tectonic faults, which takes place due to increased radon emanation. This paper considers the process of local modification of the GEC and corresponding ionospheric variability due to tectonic activity.     

Cosmic ray studies at Moussala – Past,present and future

We review the main activities carried out at Moussala peak (2925 m above sea level, 42°11′N, 23°35′E) station in Bulgaria, connected with cosmic ray investigations during the last five decades. Several important results obtained at the station are reported. The detector design and corresponding methodological studies of the presently operational devices are shown as well, precisely the Cherenkov light telescope, lead free neutron monitor and muon telescope. The scientific potential of the existing complex is discussed.     

导弹撞地概率对参数选择的影响

研究了巡航导弹的撞地概率和系统参数选择的关系问题。首先在考虑了地形随机输入和低空风随机干扰共同作用的情况下，推导了撞地概率的计算方法。其次以导弹主要参数（ａ２４和Ｋｈ）的选择为例，在给定条件下求出了它们和撞地概率的关系曲线，并分析了它们对撞地概率的影响。研究结果表明，协调选择ａ２４和Ｋｈ等参数，能有效降低撞地概率，提高巡航导弹的作战效能。     

GPS 测量大气折射模型研究

在精密ＧＰＳ测量中,大气折射改正误差是最大的误差源之一。研究大气折射理论,建立更加符合实际的模型,推导精确的改正公式,已成为ＧＰＳ测量研究中最重要的课题之一。文章对大气层折射理论进行了深入研究,建立了新的大气层模型,推导出了新的更精确的折射改正公式     

大气臭氧地基遥感反演的退卷积方法

本文提出了一种大气臭氧地基遥感信息处理的新方法,它利用非线性退卷积方法和等效仪器函数提高光谱分辨率,利用非线性最小二乘法进行大气臭氧反演计算,可以显着提高大气臭氧遥感的可探测高度和精度。      

用固体吸附/分光光度法同时监测空气中的肼、一甲肼和偏二甲肼

介绍了用一甲肼浓缩采样采集空气中三肼混合气体,用分光光度法分别测出肼、一甲肼和偏二甲肼各组分的含量。测定结果通过标准气验证,相对误差小于１７％,各组份回收率均大于８０％。本方法适用于空气中低浓度三肼废气的测定。     

卫星光学遥感器光谱波段选择的影响因素

文章详细阐述了大气对太阳辐射在可见光 -近红外段的吸收作用和散射作用 ,并总结了可见光 -近红外波段常用的大气窗口及其透射率 ,最后 ,分析了可见光、近红外、短波红外的波段选择问题