Simulation-based evaluation of a cold atom interferometry gradiometer concept for gravity field recovery

The prospects of future satellite gravimetry missions to sustain a continuous and improved observation of the gravitational field have stimulated studies of new concepts of space inertial sensors with potentially improved precision and stability. This is in particular the case for cold-atom interferometry (CAI) gradiometry which is the object of this paper. The performance of a specific CAI gradiometer design is studied here in terms of quality of the recovered gravity field through a closed-loop numerical simulation of the measurement and processing workflow. First we show that mapping the time-variable field on a monthly basis would require a noise level below $5\text{mE}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. The mission scenarios are therefore focused on the static field, like GOCE. Second, the stringent requirement on the angular velocity of a one-arm gradiometer, which must not exceed ${10}^{-6}$?rad/s, leads to two possible modes of operation of the CAI gradiometer: the nadir and the quasi-inertial mode. In the nadir mode, which corresponds to the usual Earth-pointing satellite attitude, only the gradient $V_{\mathit{yy}}$, along the cross-track direction, is measured. In the quasi-inertial mode, the satellite attitude is approximately constant in the inertial reference frame and the 3 diagonal gradients $V_{\mathit{xx}}\text{,}{V}_{\mathit{yy}}$ and $V_{\mathit{zz}}$ are measured. Both modes are successively simulated for a 239?km altitude orbit and the error on the recovered gravity models eventually compared to GOCE solutions. We conclude that for the specific CAI gradiometer design assumed in this paper, only the quasi-inertial mode scenario would be able to significantly outperform GOCE results at the cost of technically challenging requirements on the orbit and attitude control.     

Creating Habitable Zones, at all Scales, from Planets to Mud Micro-Habitats, on Earth and on Mars

The factors that create a habitable planet are considered at all scales, from planetary inventories to micro-habitats in soft sediments and intangibles such as habitat linkage. The possibility of habitability first comes about during accretion, as a product of the processes of impact and volatile inventory history. To create habitability water is essential, not only for life but to aid the continual tectonic reworking and erosion that supply key redox contrasts and biochemical substrates to sustain habitability. Mud or soft sediment may be a biochemical prerequisite, to provide accessible substrate and protection. Once life begins, the habitat is widened by the activity of life, both by its management of the greenhouse and by partitioning reductants (e.g. dead organic matter) and oxidants (including waste products). Potential Martian habitats are discussed: by comparison with Earth there are many potential environmental settings on Mars in which life may once have occurred, or may even continue to exist. The long-term evolution of habitability in the Solar System is considered.     

Oxidation Properties in CO2 of Inconel Alloy 600 Coated by Simultaneous Aluminizing-Chromizing Process

IN 600 alloy was coated with two different types of coatings, Cr-modified aluminide coating this is called aluminizing-chromizing and Y-doped chromium modified aluminide coating this is called aluminizing-chromizing-yttriumizing. Diffusion coating was carried at 1 050 ℃ for 8 h under Ar atmosphere by simultaneous aluminizing-chromizing process and by simultaneous aluminizing-chromizing- yttriumizing. Cyclic oxidation tests were conducted on the uncoated and on the coated Inconel 600 alloy in the temperature range 800- 1 000 ℃ in CO2 for 100 h at 10 h cycle.The results showed that the oxidation kinetics for uncoated Inconel 600 alloy in CO2 is parabolic and the phases present are NiO, (Fe, Cr)2O3 , NiFe2O4 and NiCrO4. The oxidation kinetics for both coated systems in CO2 was found to be parabolic and the value of kP for both coated systems were found to be lower than that for uncoated Inconel 600 alloy. Oxide phases that formed on coated systems are Al2O3 and NiCrO4. The role of yttrium can be attributed to its ability to improve the adherence of the oxide scale.     

Water, Life, and Planetary Geodynamical Evolution

In our search for life on other planets over the past decades, we have come to understand that the solid terrestrial planets provide much more than merely a substrate on which life may develop. Large-scale exchange of heat and volatile species between planetary interiors and hydrospheres/atmospheres, as well as the presence of a magnetic field, are important factors contributing to the habitability of a planet. This chapter reviews these processes, their mutual interactions, and the role life plays in regulating or modulating them.