Space–Time Structure of Energetic Electron Precipitations according to the Data of Balloon Observations and Polar Satellite Measurements on February 1–6, 2015

Cosmic Research - The results of an analysis of the space–time characteristics and dynamics of precipitations of magnetospheric electrons with energies in the range from 0.1 to 0.7 MeV are...     

A novel framework for liquid propellant engine’s cooling system design by sensitivity analysis based on RSM and multi-objective optimization using PSO

One of the challenges of combustion chamber and nozzle design in a Liquid Propellant Engine (LPE) is to predict the behavior and performance of the cooling system. Therefore, while designing, the optimization of the cooling system is always of great importance. This paper presents the multi-objective optimization of the LPE’s cooling system. To this end, a novel framework has been developed, resulting from the application of the Response Surface Method (RSM) and the correlation coefficients matrix, sensitivity analysis and the The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). based on this method, the input variables, constraints, objective functions, and their surfaces were identified. In terms of multi-optimization algorithms, RSM and PSO are utilized to get global optimum. In conclusion, the methodology capability is to optimize the LPE’s cooling system, 6 percentage increase in total heat transfer and 7 bar decrease cooling system pressure loss, which resulted in a 1.2-seconds increase in the specific impulse of the engine.     

Computational Research of the Main Rotor Hover and Vertical Descent States Based on the Nonlinear Blade Vortex Model

The research is conducted of aerodynamic performance of the Mi-8 helicopter main rotor in the hover state and the vertical descent state, including vortex ring states (VRSs). Total and distributed aerodynamic performance, wake patterns, and main rotor flow patterns are calculated. The findings and results were compared with those provided by other researchers.     

Comparison of vertical E × B drift velocities and ground-based magnetometer observations of DELTA H in the low latitude under geomagnetically disturbed conditions

In the present work, we analyzed the daytime vertical E × B drift velocities obtained from Jicamarca Unattended Long-term Ionosphere Atmosphere (JULIA) radar and ΔH component of geomagnetic field measured as the difference between the magnitudes of the horizontal (H) components between two magnetometers deployed at two different locations Jicamarca, and Piura in Peru for 22 geomagnetically disturbed events in which either SC has occurred or Dst_max < ?50 nT during the period 2006–2011. The ΔH component of geomagnetic field is measured as the differences in the magnitudes of horizontal H component between magnetometer placed directly on the magnetic equator and one displaced 6–9° away. It will provide a direct measure of the daytime electrojet current, due to the eastward electric field. This will in turn gives the magnitude of vertical E × B drift velocity in the F region. A positive correlation exists between peak values of daytime vertical E × B drift velocity and peak value of ΔH for the three consecutive days of the events. It was observed that 45% of the events have daytime vertical E × B drift velocity peak in the magnitude range 10–20 m/s and 20–30 m/s and 20% have peak ΔH in the magnitude range 50–60 nT and 80–90 nT. It was observed that the time of occurrence of the peak value of both the vertical E × B drift velocity and the ΔH have a maximum (40%) probability in the same time range 11:00–13:00 LT. We also investigated the correlation between E × B drift velocity and D_st index and the correlation between delta H and D_st index. A strong positive correlation is found between E × B drift and D_st index as well as between delta H and D_st Index. Three different techniques of data analysis – linear, polynomial (order 2), and polynomial (order 3) regression analysis were considered. The regression parameters in all the three cases were calculated using the Least Square Method (LSM), using the daytime vertical E × B drift velocity and ΔH. A formula was developed which indicates the relationship between daytime vertical E × B drift velocity and ΔH, for the disturbed periods. The E × B drift velocity was then evaluated using the formulae thus found for the three regression analysis and validated for the ‘disturbed periods’ of 3 selected events. The E × B drift velocities estimated by the three regression analysis have a fairly good agreement with JULIA radar observed values under different seasons and solar activity conditions. Root Mean Square (RMS) errors calculated for each case suggest that polynomial (order 3) regression analysis provides a better agreement with the observations from among the three.     

Role of Equatorial Anomaly in Earthquake time precursive features: A few strong events over West Pacific zone

The earthquake (EQ) time coupling processes between equator-low-mid latitude ionosphere are complex due to inherent dynamical status of each latitudinal zone and qualified geomagnetic roles working in the system. In an attempt to identify such process, the paper presents temporal and latitudinal variations of ionization density (foF₂) covering 45°N to 35°S, during a number of earthquake events (M?>?5.5). The approaches adopted for extraction of features by the earthquake induced preparatory processes are discussed in the paper through identification of parameters like the ‘EQ time modification in density gradient’ defined by δ?=?(foF_{2 max}???foF_{2 min})∕τ_mm, where τ_mm – time span (in days) between EQ modified density maximum and minimum, and the Earthquake time Equatorial Anomaly, i.e. EEA, one of the most significant phenomenon which develops even during night time irrespective of epicenter position. Based on the observations, the paper presents the seismic time coupling dynamics through anomaly like manifestations between equator, low and mid latitude ionosphere bringing in the global Total Electron Content (TEC) features as supporting indices.     

Daytime VHF amplitude scintillations recorded at an Indian low-latitude station,Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E) during 1997–2003

In this research, it is presented the daytime amplitude scintillations recorded at VHF frequency (244 MHz) at an Indian low-latitude station, Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E) during seven continuous years (1997–2003). Contrary to the nighttime scintillation seasonal trends, the occurrence of daytime scintillations maximizes during summer followed by winter and the equinox seasons. The fade depths, scintillation indices and the patch durations of daytime scintillations are meager when compared with their nighttime counterparts. A co-located digital high frequency (HF) ionosonde radar confirms the presence of sporadic (Es) layers when daytime scintillations are observed. The presence of daytime scintillations is evident when the critical frequency of the Es-layer (foEs) is ≥4 MHz and Es-layers are characterized by a highly diffuse range spread Es echoes as can be seen on ionograms. It is surmised that the gradient drift instability (GDI) seems to be the possible mechanism for the generation of these daytime scintillations. It is quite likely that the spread Es-F-layer coupling is done through polarization electric fields (Ep) that develop inside the destabilized patches of sporadic E layers, which are mapped up to the F region along the field lines as to initiate the daytime scintillations through the GDI mechanism. Further, the presence of additional stratification of ionosphere F-layer, popularly known as the F3-layer, is observed on ionograms once the Es-layers and daytime scintillations are ceased.     

Simulation of a Rocket Engine Nozzle Discharge Coefficient

Multiparameter studies of the discharge coefficient dependence on the nozzle geometry and the presence of a condensed phase in combustion products were performed. The simulation results obtained satisfactorily agree with the well-known generalized data. The modern computational fluid dynamics methods were shown to be able to refine the generalized empirical relations.     

Optical Design for a Cubesat: Unobscured Telescope,Using Freeform Mirrors and a Curved Detector

The possibility of constructing an optical scheme of a telescope for a small satellite based on mirrors with freeform surfaces and a curved photodetector is considered. It is shown that the use of a new element base allows the effective area of the main mirror to be maximized and the field of view up to 9.4 times to be increased in comparison with the classical scheme of the Ritchey–Chretien scheme in ensuring the high image quality.     

Regolith X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) Aboard the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission

The Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) is the student collaboration experiment proposed and built by an MIT-Harvard team, launched aboard NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. REXIS complements the scientific investigations of other OSIRIS-REx instruments by determining the relative abundances of key elements present on the asteroid’s surface by measuring the X-ray fluorescence spectrum (stimulated by the natural solar X-ray flux) over the range of energies 0.5 to 7 keV. REXIS consists of two components: a main imaging spectrometer with a coded aperture mask and a separate solar X-ray monitor to account for the Sun’s variability. In addition to element abundance ratios (relative to Si) pinpointing the asteroid’s most likely meteorite association, REXIS also maps elemental abundance variability across the asteroid’s surface using the asteroid’s rotation as well as the spacecraft’s orbital motion. Image reconstruction at the highest resolution is facilitated by the coded aperture mask. Through this operation, REXIS will be the first application of X-ray coded aperture imaging to planetary surface mapping, making this student-built instrument a pathfinder toward future planetary exploration. To date, 60 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels have been involved with the REXIS project, with the hands-on experience translating to a dozen Master’s and Ph.D. theses and other student publications.     

Advanced Pulsed Plasma Thrusters and Their Application as a Part of Small Spacecraft Propulsion Systems

The paper presents the research results of the effect of a capacitor energy storage device configuration on the specific characteristics of advanced modern propulsion systems based on the ablative pulsed plasma thrusters (APPT). These thrusters are designed to perform specific tasks within the small spacecrafts with the onboard power capacity up to 200 W.