Robotic Instrument for Grinding Rocks Into Thin Sections (GRITS)

We have developed a rock grinding and polishing mechanism for in situ planetary exploration based on abrasive disks, called Grinding Rocks Into Thin Sections (GRITS). Performance characteristics and design considerations of GRITS are presented. GRITS was developed as part of a broader effort to develop an in situ automated rock thin section (ISARTS) instrument. The objective of IS-ARTS was to develop an instrument capable of producing petrographic rock thin sections on a planetary science spacecraft. GRITS may also be useful to other planetary science missions with in situ instruments in which rock surface preparation are necessary.     

Effects of DC and AC electric and magnetic fields on people andanimals

The calculation of field intensity is briefly reviewed. The effects of DC fields and fields from 60-Hz and three-phase power lines are discussed. Measurement of the field under a 12-kV distribution line is described. The insignificant nature of most exposure is emphasized     

Numerical simulations of shock/boundary layer interactions using time-dependent modeling techniques: A survey of recent results

Supersonic or hypersonic flows within and around flight vehicles inevitably involve interactions of strong shock waves with boundary layers. Flows within inlet/isolator configurations, and flows induced by control surface deflections are some examples. Such interactions are time dependent in nature and are often subject to low-frequency, large-scale motion that induces local pressure and heating loads. With recent increases in available computer power, it has now become possible to simulate such interactions at experimentally relevant Reynolds numbers using time-dependent techniques, such as direct numerical simulation (DNS), large-eddy simulation (LES), and hybrid large-eddy simulation/Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (LES–RANS) methods. This paper will survey some recent work in this area and will describe insights in shock/boundary layer interaction physics gained by using these high-fidelity methods. Attention will be focused on studies that compare directly with experimental data at the same (or nearly the same) Reynolds number. Challenges in the application of these techniques to even more complicated high-speed flow fields are also outlined.     

A lunar L2-Farside exploration and science mission concept with the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and a teleoperated lander/rover

A novel concept is presented in this paper for a human mission to the lunar L2 (Lagrange) point that would be a proving ground for future exploration missions to deep space while also overseeing scientifically important investigations. In an L2 halo orbit above the lunar farside, the astronauts aboard the Orion Crew Vehicle would travel 15% farther from Earth than did the Apollo astronauts and spend almost three times longer in deep space. Such a mission would serve as a first step beyond low Earth orbit and prove out operational spaceflight capabilities such as life support, communication, high speed re-entry, and radiation protection prior to more difficult human exploration missions. On this proposed mission, the crew would teleoperate landers/rovers on the unexplored lunar farside, which would obtain samples from the geologically interesting farside and deploy a low radio frequency telescope. Sampling the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the oldest impact basins in the solar system, is a key science objective of the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Observations at low radio frequencies to track the effects of the Universe’s first stars/galaxies on the intergalactic medium are a priority of the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Such telerobotic oversight would also demonstrate capability for human and robotic cooperation on future, more complex deep space missions such as exploring Mars.     

Formation of the Outer Planets

Models of the origins of gas giant planets and ‘ice’ giant planets are discussed and related to formation theories of both smaller objects (terrestrial planets) and larger bodies (stars). The most detailed models of planetary formation are based upon observations of our own Solar System, of young stars and their environments, and of extrasolar planets. Stars form from the collapse, and sometimes fragmentation, of molecular cloud cores. Terrestrial planets are formed within disks around young stars via the accumulation of small dust grains into larger and larger bodies until the planetary orbits become well enough separated that the configuration is stable for the lifetime of the system. Uranus and Neptune almost certainly formed via a bottom-up (terrestrial planet-like) mechanism; such a mechanism is also the most likely origin scenario for Saturn and Jupiter.     

Automatic Controller for a Sweeping Microwave Receiver

The Automatic System Controller (ASC) is a very simple automatic data processing system designed to provide unattended operation of the R-31 receiver, a sweeping microwave receiver. With the receiver set to operate in the scanning mode, its video output is processed by the ASC, which recognizes by thresholding the presence of a signal in the receiver pass band. When the threshold is exceeded, a receiver sweep stop is actuated, an appropriate receiver mode is selected, and an on-site tape recorder is turned on. To enhance signal acquisition, the ASC provides noise leveling gain control, the gating of undesirable signals, and useful aids for an operator attending the receiver.     

Evidence for Amodal Representations after Bimodal Learning: Integration of Haptic-Visual Layouts into a Common Spatial Image

Abstract

Participants learned circular layouts of six objects presented haptically or visually, then indicated the direction from a start target to an end target of the same or different modality (intramodal versus intermodal). When objects from the two modalities were learned separately, superior performance for intramodal trials indicated a cost of switching between modalities. When a bimodal layout intermixing modalities was learned, intra- and intermodal trials did not differ reliably. These findings indicate that a spatial image, independent of input modality, can be formed when inputs are spatially and temporally congruent, but not when modalities are temporally segregated in learning.     

A photoionization method for estimating BLR “size” in quasars

We describe an alternate way to estimate Broad Line Region (BLR) radii for type-1 AGN based on determination of physical conditions in the BLR under the assumption that the line emitting gas is photoionized by a central continuum source. We derive “diagnostic” intensity ratios involving UV lines Aliiiλ$\lambda$1860, Siiii]λ$\lambda$1892 and Civλ$\lambda$1549 which enable us to compute the ionizing photon flux, and hence BLR radius from the ionization parameter definition. We compare our estimates of BLR radii with values independently obtained from reverberation monitoring of Hβ$\beta$ and, in a few cases, of C ivλ$\lambda$1549. We analyze the interpretation of the photoionization estimates in the 4D eigenvector 1 context, and discuss in some detail the case of 3C 390.3. For this object we are able to provide not only the ionizing photon flux, but also an estimate of density and ionization parameter from the measured diagnostic ratios. We also compare black hole masses obtained from this method with values derived from widely-applied correlations between mass, line broadening and luminosity. Good agreement is found for both radius and black hole mass comparisons.     

Human navigation ability: Tests of the encoding-error model of path integration

This paper tests the generality and implications of an encoding-error model (Fujita et al. 1993) of humans' ability to keep track of their position in space in the absence of visual cues (i.e., by nonvisual path integration). The model proposes that when people undergo nonvisually guided travel, they encode the distances and turns that they experience, and their errors reflect systematic inaccuracies in the encoding process. Thus when people try to return to the origin of travel, they base their response on mis-encoded values of the outbound distances and turns. The two experiments reported here addressed three issues related to the model: (i) whether path integration is context-dependent and if so, how rapidly it adapts to recently experienced distances and turns; (ii) whether effects of experience can be specifically attributed to changes in the encoding process, and if so, what changes; and (iii) whether the encoding process represents distances and turns in the individual paths without considering their spatial relationship to one another (i.e., an object-centered representation). Testing these issues allows us to evaluate and develop the model.Subjects who were blindfolded or had restricted vision were led through two legs of a triangle and the turn between, then tried to return to the origin. Paths varied in whether experienced legs and turns were small or large (Experiment 1) and in variability of return and outbound course (Experiment 2). Response turn, distance and course were determined. The assumption of immutable encoding functions was not supported; encoding processes were context dependent, although they did not adapt within a block of trials. Although effects of experience could be accounted for by the model, the affected parameters were not always as predicted, and in some cases additional parameters were necessary. Results of manipulating variability in return course were consistent with the model's assumption of object-centered representation.     

In-Flight Simulators

The Flight Dynamics Laboratory (FDL) has sponsored and managed the development and use of several generations of in-flight simulators during the last thirty years. These vehicles were designed and fabricated, and are operated by the Flight Research Department of Calspan Corporation, Buffalo, New York. These unique aircraft have been used to develop control laws and control systems, to evaluate new aircraft before first flight, to provide specialized training for test pilots, to perform essential flight research in flying and handling qualities, and to develop and validate the military specifications for handling qualitites of piloted airplanes. As aircraft and control systems have become more complex and capable, systems integration issues have required more and more effort and resources.