Learning ‘smaller, faster, cheaper’ from the Applied Physics laboratory

By demonstrating the ability to build ‘smaller, faster, and cheaper’ space devices, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has played a key role in influencing NASA's current Discovery program. The APL Space Department was founded by Richard B. Kershner. This article examines the key elements of Kershner's leadership and management philosophy through the Transit satellite program and the Delta series spacecraft.     

Manifestations of sudden commencement of a severe magnetic storm of November 20, 2003, in generation of an SC pulse, <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript>SC</Subscript> pulsations,and spatial modulation of the auroral brightness

The results of investigation of the geomagnetic and auroral response to the commencement of a severe magnetic storm of November 20, 2003, are presented. It is established that the onset of SC led to the brightening of the auroral arc in the dusk sector for 2–3 min with its extent to the east with a velocity of 10–20 km/s and to displacement poleward with a velocity of 1.0 km/s. Furtheron, the fast auroral expansions of short duration (5 min) to the pole up to 2–4°were observed, repeating every 5–10 min during 40 min, which led to the spatial modulation of the brightness of the glow and to generation of P_SC pulsations with similar periods of oscillations. The broadening of aurora poleward had a steplike character, with generation of new arcs poleward of previous ones 5 arcs per 1.5 min. The modulation of brightness of the glow and P_SC were observed against the background of intensification of a two-cell DP2 type current system and were accompanied by multiple turnings of the IMF B_z from south to north and back. It is assumed that the source of P_SC pulsations was a modulation of the intensity of the DP2 ionosphere currents as a result of variations of the magnetosphere convection level.Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2004, pp. 608–615.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Baishev, Borisov, Velichko, Solovyev, Yumoto.     

FAA如何报告、定位、缓解和解决影响空中交通管制的无线电频率干扰

一、介绍联邦航空局频谱管理办公室专门建立了针对影响国家空域系统(NAS)运行,包括影响全球定位系统(GPS)的干扰事件进行报告和调查的程序。空管设施人员收到飞行员的报告后,RFI调查程序随即     

NEO scientific and policy developments, 1995–2000

Scientific and policy developments in the field of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) since the UN NEO conference in 1995 are briefly outlined. Some areas of research and discovery have exhibited considerable progress while others have languished. In particular, facilities in the southern hemisphere for discovery and tracking of NEOs are inadequate. Suggestions are made both at the scientific and technical levels as well as at the policy level to provide coordinated and coherent progress in developing a long-term approach to NEO hazard mitigation. The next step should be the establishment of a panel of international scientific experts on the subject.     

Nanosatellites and micro systems technology — capabilities, limitations and applications

In recent years Micro Systems Technology (MST) was introduced to manufacture miniaturized components for satellite subsystems, like small sensors, valves, micromotors, antennas and many more. These components can be used to build a new class of satellites weighing considerably less than 10 kg, with the capabilities comparable to present microsatellites. With the possibility of cheap mass production of such nanosatellites new applications become possible. However, the construction of very small satellites is connected with problems concerning launch, orbit control and, deorbiting. Furthermore the reduction of size creates certain limits for power consumption, data rates and optical resolutions which have to be carefully considered.     

Threats, risks, and sustainability—Answers from space: Results of the ESPI conference

An initiative was undertaken by the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) on 10–11 December 2007 to shed new light on the various threats to long-term sustainability on Earth using an interdisciplinary approach. The main objective of this conference was to analyse how space could be a tool for prediction, management or mitigation of threats and risks in six sectors (environment, security, mobility, knowledge, resources and energy) defined by ESPI as the main areas for sustainability. For each sector, one (non-space) speaker from a think-tank covering the respective sector and two speakers from the space sector exchanged views and ideas in order to identify common needs for action to ensure sustainability in the field. Such a dialogue between sector specialist and space experts permitted a detailed examination of the way space has become a crucial tool in solving a variety of today's problems. It also identified areas where space applications could better respond to sectoral and future challenges.