Equilibrium positions on stationary orbits and planetary principal inertia axis orientations for the Solar System

We present a qualitative analysis in a phase space to determine the longitudinal equilibrium positions on the planetary stationary orbits by applying an analytical model that considers linear gravitational perturbations. We discuss how these longitudes are related with the orientation of the planetary principal inertia axes with respect to their Prime Meridians, and then we use this determination to derive their positions with respect to the International Celestial Reference Frame. Finally, a numerical analysis of the non-linear effects of the gravitational fields on the equilibrium point locations is developed and their correlation with gravity field anomalies shown.     

Zero dynamics-based design of damping networks for switching converters

A new design technique of the input filter damping network for dc-to-dc switching converters of buck type is presented. This technique is derived by means of zero dynamics analysis of the switching converter and yields equivalent results to those obtained using the classical approach based on minimizing the filter output impedance. The new method can be applied in converters of buck type with two inductors, boost with two inductors and dual SEPIC. Simulation and experimental results corresponding to a boost converter with two inductors illustrate the procedure.     

Policy for robust space-based earth science,technology and applications

Satellite remote sensing technology has contributed to the transformation of multiple earth science domains, putting space observations at the forefront of innovation in earth science. With new satellite missions being launched every year, new types of earth science data are being incorporated into science models and decision-making systems in a broad array of organizations. Policy guidance can influence the degree to which user needs influence mission design and when, and ensure that satellite missions serve both the scientific and user communities without becoming unfocused and overly expensive. By considering the needs of the user community early on in the mission-design process, agencies can ensure that satellites meet the needs of multiple constituencies. This paper describes the mission development process in NASA and ESA and compares and contrasts the successes and challenges faced by these agencies as they try to balance science and applications within their missions.     

Neutrino flares from black hole coronae

We present a model for neutrino flares in accreting black holes based on the injection of a non-thermal population of relativistic particles in a magnetized corona. The most important products of hadronic and photohadronic interactions at high energies are pions. Charged pions decay into muons and neutrinos; muons also decay yielding neutrinos. Taking into account these effects, coupled transport equations are solved for all species of particles and the neutrino production is estimated for the case of accreting galactic black holes.     

Comportement thermique de ballons pressurises stratospheriques et flux infrarouge tellurique

Pumpkin shaped pressurized balloons (214m³) were launched from Pretoria during September 1978, to perform long duration flights at 95 mb level.On board instrumentation provided information on the general state of the balloon.A thermal model was carefully worked out so that the gas temperature could be related to thermal environment conditions, in which IR earth radiation is found.A balloon trajectory was established permitting the cross-checking of the information thus obtained with that provided by the METEOSAT satellite.The similar results observed enable the researcher to improve his knowledge of this balloon type's behaviour and, to a certain extent, the behaviour of the vehicle itself enables him to gather information on thermal environment conditions, especially IR earth radiation, at flight level.     

Optimal control in the east/west station-keeping manoeuvres for geostationary satellites

This paper addresses the optimal computation in terms of fuel consumption of the sequentially required tangential correction manoeuvres to control geostationary satellites within the longitude band. In fact, by using optimal control techniques, the Sun pointing perigee strategy (which only determines the best time of the day for the tangential manoeuvres) is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem with inequality constraints so that the proposed approach provides an optimal way to determine the remaining parameters for the station keeping, i.e., the time interval between successive corrections and the value for the eccentricity control to totally optimize the computation. Furthermore, by minimizing a cost function derived for the total manoeuvres sizes required in a year, a numerical simulation is performed to illustrate this approach. The computation shows how geostationary mission lifetimes may be extended up to half a year or more.

Resumen

En este papel se trata el cálculo óptimo en términos de consumo de fuel de las maniobras tangenciales periódicas necesarias para controlar satélites geoestacionarios dentro de la banda en longitud. En concreto, utilizando técnicas de control optimal, la estrategia perigeo hacia el Sol (que solo determina la mejor hora del día para las maniobras tangenciales) se formula como un problema de programación no lineal con constreñimientos, de tal forma que el tratamiento propuesto proporciona una forma óptima de determinar los parámetros restantes para el mantenimiento en estación, esto es, el intervalo de tiempo entre dos correciones sucesivas y el valor para el control de excentricidad para optimizar totalmente el cálculo. Además, mediante la minimización de una función de coste obtenida para todas las maniobras necesarias en un año, se realiza una simulación numérica para ilustrar esta metodología. Los cálculos muestran cómo se puede extender el tiempo de vida de una misión geostacionaria hasta medio año o más.