Buffering Fuzzy Maps in GIS

In this paper, we show how standard GIS operations like the complement, union, intersection, and buffering of maps can be made more flexible by using fuzzy set theory. In particular, we present a variety of algorithms for operations on fuzzy raster maps, focusing on buffer operations for such maps. Furthermore, we show how widely-available special-purpose hardware (in particular, z-buffering in graphics hardware) can be used for supporting buffer operations in fuzzy geographic information systems (GIS).     

A knowledge-based architecture for planning military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

One of the most important objectives of military intelligence is to warn of potential or immediate threats. This paper investigates several related research issues. First, what kinds of data can military space provide, with which to watch, monitor, and analyze hostile forces? Second, what operational mechanisms can work to integrate military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance? Third, how can a system architecture in support of intelligence operations be implemented for decision support and knowledge management? The paper investigates how research work can contribute a system concept with military space applications to national defense and security. It investigates the use of a geographical information system as a system platform for integrating the spatial database, attribute database, rule base, case base and knowledge repository as a knowledge-based decision support system. A hypothetical case showing how the system is implemented is presented.     

Efficiency in SETI

While modern SETI experiments are often highly sensitive, reaching detection limits of 10^?25 W/m² Hz in the radio, interstellar distances imply that if extraterrestrial societies are using isotropic or broad-beamed transmitters, the power requirements for their emissions are enormous. Indeed, isotropic transmissions to the entire Galaxy, sufficiently intense to be detectable by our current searches, would consume power comparable to the stellar insolation of an Earth-size planet.In this paper we consider how knowledge can be traded for power, and how, and to what degree, astronomical accuracy can reduce the energy costs of a comprehensive transmission program by putative extraterrestrials. Indeed, an exploration of how far this trade-off might be taken suggests that extraterrestrial transmitting strategies of civilizations only modestly more advanced than our own would be, as are our SETI receiving experiments, inexpensive enough to allow multiple efforts. We explore the consequences this supposition has for our SETI listening experiments.     

Is high resolution possible aboard minisatellites?

To achieve the size reductions needed to lower the costs of space imaging, every part of a satellite (telescope, detector, digitization, image compression, memory, telemetry, and of course satellite platform) has to be improved. With regard to the instrument, new dimensioning rules, new optical designs, and new detection systems allow significant gains. Better balance between detector and optics modulation transfer function (MTF) performances can be achieved. Though the involved solutions raise the question of signal level, the latter can be solved with the use of TDI (Time Delay and Integration) detection. The instrumental choices, the optical system under investigation and how the above techniques are allowed for in the next generation SPOT satellites development studies led by CNES will be presented in this paper, showing how they can achieve the goal of weight reductions.     

International Space Station as a base camp for exploration beyond low Earth orbit

The idea for using the International Space Station (ISS) as a platform for exploration has matured in the past few years and the concept continues to gain momentum. ISS provides a robust infrastructure which can be used to test systems and capabilities needed for missions to the Moon, Mars, asteroids and other potential destinations. International cooperation is a critical enabler and ISS has already demonstrated successful management of a large multi-national technical endeavor. Systems and resources needed for expeditions can be aggregated and thoroughly tested at ISS before departure thus providing wide operational flexibility and the best assurance of mission success. A small part of ISS called an Exploration Platform (ISS-EP) can be placed in cislunar space providing immediate benefits and flexibility for future exploration missions.We will show how ISS and the ISS-EP can be used to reduce risk and improve the operational flexibility for missions beyond low Earth orbit. Life support systems and other technologies developed for ISS can be evolved and adapted to the ISS-EP and other exploration spacecrafts. New technology, such as electric propulsion and advanced life support systems can be tested and proven at ISS as part of an incremental development program. Commercial companies who are introducing transportation and other services will benefit with opportunities to contribute to the mission since ISS will serve as a focal point for the commercialization of low earth orbit services. Finally, we will show how the use of ISS provides immediate benefits to the scientific community because its capabilities are available today and certain critical aspects of exploration missions can be simulated.     

The socioeconomic benefits of Earth science and applications research: reducing the risks and costs of natural disasters in the USA

A wealth of satellite data has provided information on weather and climate phenomena for the past 40 years. Within this period, however, the heavy human and economic costs of natural disasters have increased considerably. Using hurricanes, droughts, floods and earthquakes which occurred in the USA as examples, this article describes how Earth science can be applied to such situations to predict or mitigate their effects. The economic value of providing such information is discussed, as are the issues that can affect how successful its provision will be.     

Improving Africa’s benefit from space applications: The European-African partnership

There is little overview of how space applications are utilized by African actors and how cooperation between Africa and Europe is organized and conducted. This article aims briefly to provide such an overview and concretely to make recommendations for institutional actors in European-African partnerships on the use of space applications for sustainable development. The Africa-EU partnership is analysed from a political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal standpoint and respective policy recommendations are drafted on this basis. No other continent can benefit more from space applications than Africa. It will be partnerships like the one between Europe and Africa that will be crucial for realizing this great potential.     

一种通用的信号调理板卡的设计

测试系统中常见的被测信号有:直流电压信号、交流电压信号和直流电流信号,而这些不同类型的被测信号之间往往又是浮地信号,这给地面测试带来了很大的麻烦。本文分别针对上述不同类型的浮地被测信号,详细介绍了如何将这些信号前后端隔离,并且调理成适于A/D采集模件测量的方法。该方案的引入可有效的简化测试设备,降低测试成本。     

A method of controlling asteroid collision with the Earth

The planet Earth has endured unwelcome “visitations” of space rocks many times. NASA and agencies of other nations have proposed concepts on how asteroids, in possible collision with planet Earth, can be diverted. These methods range from impulsive techniques using explosives, conventional and nuclear, to the slow nudging action of a spacecraft with powerful thrust. A methods not described elsewhere in any research, as far as the author knows, is presented in this paper. The methods of electrostatics will be employed to show how the new deflection concept can be developed to avoid asteroid collision with Earth.     

Red Hat Linux 9．0中的NAT设计与实现

Internet为Linux的发展提供了坚实的物质基础，作为开放式操作系统的代表，Linux在信息化建设中具有不可替代的位置。文章介绍了NAT技术的定义、用途、工作原理和在Linux-2．4环境下实现NAT的方法，讨论了NAT技术的不足之处，指出其不能适用的范围，从而有效的解决了IP地址严重不足的问题。     

Public opinion and SETI: a mathematical approach?

Since the goals of SETI concern eventually all humanity, public opinion about SETI is crucially important. Formation of public opinion can be modeled with the aid of stochastic equations. This method, developed by specialists in statistical physics and poorly known by sociologists and the SETI community, gives new insight into the old problem of how to influence public opinion. A popular introduction to this method and some suggestions of how to apply it to SETI will be given.     

Human roles in future space operations.

Mankind has evolved in the biosphere from essentially another animal to the level that his industries and societies are powerful components of the life-cycles of Earth. Terrestrial industrial experience can be extended to the use of matter from the Moon and other non-terrestrial sources to create permanent habitats and industry in space. Space stations in low Earth orbit and small bases on the Moon can be the foci of early space industries for learning how to grow in space with local resources. Several near term and long range research topics appropriate to permanent human occupancy of space are reviewed.     

Framing holes within a loop hierarchy

We investigate the relation between nontrivial spatial concepts such as holes and string loops from a qualitative spatial reasoning perspective. In particular, we concentrate on a family of puzzles dealing with this kind of objects and explain how a loop formed in a string shows a similar behavior to a hole in an object, at least regarding the qualitative constraints it imposes on the solution of the puzzle. Unlike regular holes, however, we describe how string loops can be dynamically created and destroyed depending on the actions on the string. Furthermore, under a Knowledge Representation point of view, we provide a formalization that allows the different puzzle states to be described in terms of string crossings and loops, together with the actions that can be executed for a state transition and the complex effects they cause on the state representation. This implies the consideration of a formal representation of the side effects of actions that create or destroy string loops and the soundness of this representation with respect to the more general representation of string states in knot theory.     

月球探测器轨道设计与地面观测弧

本文研究月球探测器轨道设计方法及与地面观测弧的关系。主要研究地月直接转移轨道和定相环形转移轨道。通过建立Ｂ平面用迭代方法得到满足要求的月球卫星轨道，并认为定相环形转移轨道的测控优于直接转移轨道。     

互惠写作小组在写作教学中的运用

培养良好的写作能力是大学英语教学的目标之一，但由于种种原因，写作教学一直滞后，并且通常是作业的形式。写作教学应如何开展，写作教学中应怎样体现交际的原则，怎样体现写作的过程性，本文通过实证研究初步显示，互惠写作小组有助于激发学生的兴趣，提高学生写作时的读者意识，丰富文章内容，提高写作技能，同时还有助于培养学生的合作精神。     

A systems engineering environment for integrated satellite development

Space mission implementation faces a very dynamic environment with fast-paced information technology advancement and shrinking space budgets. A more focused use of decreasing public investments in space requires a cost reduction over their entire life cycle, up to the end of the useful life of a spacecraft. The anticipation of cost, schedule, risk and performance requirements from all over the product life cycle to the early stages of product development is generally recognised as a necessary condition to reduce life cycle cost. In order to cope with the intrinsic functional complexity of space products, such requirements engineering activity must be performed in a structured way within a systems engineering approach. This paper aims to describe how Cradle, a commercial systems engineering environment software package, can be used for integrated satellite development, taking into consideration functional and life cycle process requirements. Cradle has requirements management, system modelling, performance modelling, configuration management and document generation capabilities integrated in the same environment. Also, the paper provides some examples of application and highlights how Cradle can enhance the satellite development related activities performed by the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE).     

用碳纤维复合材料制造轻型空间光学镜面

用碳纤维复合材料可以制造轻型空间光学镜面结构 ,如哈勃类空间望远镜的镜面或高带宽广播通信卫星的天线反射器等。文章根据国外几十年成型工艺的经验 ,概要介绍了空间光学镜面的要求 ,阐明了利用碳纤维复合材料通过选材设计、工艺技术控制等来满足这些要求。     

Mining Spatial Associations with Limited Sensory Information

Abstract

Human navigation in an unknown environment requires an understanding of the spatial relationships of the terrain. For example, a soldier who is on a reconnaissance mission in a new city needs to “know” the spatial layout of the surroundings with high confidence. Oftentimes, this understanding must be acquired within a very short amount of time and with limited sensory inputs. The soldier would benefit from a digital avatar that draws inferences about the spatial layout of the city based on an initial set of observations and guides the soldier either in further exploring the environment or in making decisions based on these inferences. In this paper, we present and evaluate an inductive approach to learning spatial associations using sensory data that is available from the simulation environment of a computer game, Unreal Tournament. We study two kinds of spatial relationships between nodes on a level of a game map: nodes that are placed near each other to satisfy some spatial requirement and nodes that are placed near each other to satisfy the design preferences of a level architect. We show that we can infer both kinds of relationships using an association rule mining algorithm. Furthermore, we show how to use an ontology to distinguish between these relationships in order to discover different types of spatial arrangements on a specific map. We discuss how the inferred associations can be used to control an avatar that makes recommendations for navigating unexplored areas on a map. We conclude with some thoughts on the applicability of our methods to scenarios in the real world, beyond the simulation environment of a game, and on how the learned associations can be represented and queried by a simple question-answer type system.     

Transforming space dreams into realities : Hopes for the 1990s

A member of the Cal Space group convened to study ways of capitalizing on the past 20 years of investment in space, Philip R. Harris here outlines how he believes the US space effort can be galvanized to meet the challenges of the next decade. A new space ethos must be fostered within the national culture by broadening popular involvement in space enterprise. NASA should also be reformed to give it more independence and initiative. This calls for transformational leadership, committed to creating and communicating the vision of change.     

振动试验夹具边界效应的动力学分析

振动试验夹具的边界效应是影响振动试验模拟精度的主要因素之一。忽略试验件与试验夹具之间的动力学作用,应用振动台的基础激励来模拟实际的振动环境,其结果的有效性依赖于工作状态的振动边界和试验状态的振动边界在多大程度上满足无限大阻抗输入模型假设。文章提出了一种分析夹具边界效应的有效方法,该方法来源于结构动力学分析的子结构方法,将包含夹具在内的试验系统的动力学特性表述为子结构动力学特征参数描述的标准特征值问题,通过特征频率与振型的比较,评价夹具的边界效应。数值模拟展示了分析过程,并验证了该方法的实用性。