Co2 and Climate: a Geologist's View

Climate is discussed as an integral part of System Earth, determined by a complex interplay of numerous geological, biological and solar processes. The historical and geological record of changing climate and atmospheric CO₂ pressure does not support the current popular vision that this greenhouse gas is the dominant climate controlling agent. When empirically ante post tested against past global climate changes, the forecasts of the climate models mainly based on forcing by atmospheric CO₂ are not borne out. On the other hand, recent studies show that solar variability rather than changing CO₂ pressure is an important, probably the dominant climate forcing factor.     

Comment on Poher's note on European electronuclear OTV

This Note is a comment on a previous Note by C. Poher on European Electronuclear OTV, the simplified analysis of which appears to be unduly optimistic.     

HED Meteorites and Their Relationship to the Geology of Vesta and the Dawn Mission

Howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites, thought to be derived from 4 Vesta, provide the best sampling available for any differentiated asteroid. However, deviations in oxygen isotopic composition from a common mass-fractionation line suggest that a few eucrite-like meteorites are from other bodies, or that Vesta was not completely homogenized during differentiation. The petrology and geochemistry of HEDs provide insights into igneous processes that produced a crust composed of basalts, gabbros, and ultramafic cumulate rocks. Although most HED magmas were fractionated, it is unresolved whether some eucrites may have been primary melts. The geochemistry of HEDs indicates that bulk Vesta is depleted in volatile elements and is relatively reduced, but has chondritic refractory element abundances. The compositions of HEDs may favor a magma ocean model, but inconsistencies remain. Geochronology indicates that Vesta accreted and differentiated within the first several million years of solar system history, that magmatism continued over a span of ??10 Myr, and that its thermal history extended for perhaps 100 Myr. The protracted cooling history is probably responsible for thermal metamorphism of most HEDs. Impact chronology indicates that Vesta experienced many significant collisions, including during the late heavy bombardment. The age of the huge south pole crater is controversial, but it probably ejected Vestoids and many HEDs. Continued impacts produced a regolith composed of eucrite and diogenite fragments containing only minor exotic materials. HED meteorites serve as ground truth for orbital spectroscopic and chemical analyses by the Dawn spacecraft, and their properties are critical for instrument calibration and interpretation of Vesta??s geologic history.     

Comparison of nuclear and solar power plants with turboelectric generators for application in space

The aim of the analysis is to determine and to compare the specific mass of nuclear and solar power plants for application in space depending on technological data as well as on data subject to the mission.On the basis of the known theory of Ruppe and Blumenberg[1–3], nuclear power plants with turboelectric generators as well as solar-thermal power plants with parabolic or spheric mirrors are being analysed. The following thermodynamic processes are applied: the Rankine process, the Brayton process and—as an ideal comparative process—the Carnot process. An important parameter of the analysis for nuclear power plants is the net electric power, for the solar-thermal power plant the distance to the sun is of importance.     

Space transportation system: Upper stage possibilities

This study is concerned with STS upper stages; in particular, the question of reusability vs expendability is addressed.The main result is: reusability seems to be of economic advantage in the lower performance requirement field, and expendability seems to be the more attractive in the case of high performance requirement. The boundary between “low” and “high” performance requirement can be well defined, and is of course dependent upon the technology applied.Whereas single-stage conventional chemical rocket upper stages compatible with STS are the main focal point of this study, several less conventional possibilities are identified. So a second major result is, that in spite of many years of study by competent authors the field is not yet fully understood.Finally: Study method and some of the results are applicable to the more general question of optimum OTV design.     

Generic Integrated Maintenance Diagnostics

Maintenance Support for a weapon system involves both preventive and corrective maintenance actions. Preventive maintenance is normally associated with mechanical equipment, and requires prognostic maintenance techniques to predict failures before they occur. Corrective maintenance is more closely associated with electronic equipment, and requires diagnostic maintenance techniques to detect and isolate failures after they occur. To pursue a systems approach to weapon system maintenance using both prognostics and diagnostics, the Air Force has initiated a program entitled, ``Generic Integrated Maintenance Diagnostics (GIMADs)'. This paper provides insight into the GIMADS program at Aeronautical Systems Division.     

High and low thrust acceleration

For rocket transfers between coplanar circular orbits various areas of flight mechanical interest are outlined, depending upon thrust acceleration. Optimum thrust direction has been assumed. All information presented has been derived from analytical approximations.     

Launch vehicles to low-Earth orbit

The author examines figures for various designs of space launchers, including launch costs and development costs, in order to facilitate an informed choice between expendable, partially reusable and fully reusable launchers.