Parameterization of surface temperature retrieval for remote sensing experiments

A simple parameterization has been developed for determining the actual surface temperature from the effective brightness temperature measured radiometrically in the 11 μm window region. This algorithm allows the computation of atmospheric correction without performing detailed radiative transfer calculations. Correction due to atmospheric water vapor is represented in terms of the integrated water vapor burden. Correction due to variation of surface emittance is represented in terms of its deviation from unity. Parameteric representation has also been developed for simultaneous variation of both parameters. The parameterization is based on model calculations performed with a line-by-line radiative transfer program. Sensitivity of the retrieved surface temperature to uncertainties of water vapor burden and surface emittance have also been examined.     

法向发身率测量仪

本文给出了在大气温度下测量物质表面法向发射率的原理、装置结构及测试结果。这个装置是由黑体,样品腔和辐射计(接收元件)构成。法向发射率是由在相同温度下样品产生的热电势EMF与黑体产生的热电势EMFo之比来度量的。最后,对误差进行了讨论。     

某上面级银锌电池热控设计

对某上面级供电系统采用的5块单体数量、放电电流均存在差异的银锌电池进行热控设计,以保证其工作参数稳定.首先用真空绝热量热法获得了1块典型电池的热容量及其不同放电电流下的热功耗变化规律;然后,测量过程中采取有效的漏热控制措施并精确测量系统的实际漏热量,以确定系统漏热对测量精度的影响;最终在测量分析的基础上,采用不同红外发...     

Design, performance, and experiment capabilities of the AGHF: ESA''s advanced gradient furnace for spacelab

AGHF is a Bridgman Furnace Facility for directional solidification experiments in microgravity environment with very well controlled heater temperatures up to 1400°C. A laboratory model and an engineering model exist, the flight model will be built at the end of 1991. The furnace uses heater elements made of W-Re wire wound on a solid TZM heat diffuser, diffuser temperature control by Pt/PtRh thermocouples to ±0.2 K, and a water cooled cooling zone regulated by a thermostatic valve to ±0.3 K. AGHF experiments use front loaded cartridges, which can use conductive coupling to the cooling zone by a liquid metal ring or radiative cooling. The laboratory model furnace, mounted in a dedicated vacuum chamber with peripherals controlled by a commercial computer, was intensively tested up to 1400°C, as specified for the AGHF by ESA, and at 1500°C in a life test under a technology development programme of ESA. Notable laboratory model results are gradients of 95 K/cm in solid Ni of 18 mm dia, with conductive cooling zone coupling by liquid metal, and 70 K/cm with radiative cooling in ZrO₂. EM test are not yet complete, but first tests indicate similar or better results, especially of gradient constancy vs pulling stroke over 140 mm. The first heater model sustained 400 h at 1000°C, 800 h at 1300°C, and 400 h at 1500°C.     

Cyanobacterial emergence at 2.8 gya and greenhouse feedbacks

Apparent cyanobacterial emergence at about 2.8 Gya coincides with the negative excursion in the organic carbon isotope record, which is the first strong evidence for the presence of atmospheric methane. The existence of weathering feedbacks in the carbonate-silicate cycle suggests that atmospheric and oceanic CO2 concentrations would have been high prior to the presence of a methane greenhouse (and thus the ocean would have had high bicarbonate concentrations). With the onset of a methane greenhouse, carbon dioxide concentrations would decrease. Bicarbonate has been proposed as the preferred reductant that preceded water for oxygenic photosynthesis in a bacterial photosynthetic precursor to cyanobacteria; with the drop of carbon dioxide level, Archean cyanobacteria emerged using water as a reductant instead of bicarbonate (Dismukes et al., 2001). Our thermodynamic calculations, with regard to this scenario, give at least a tenfold drop in aqueous CO2 levels with the onset of a methane-dominated greenhouse, assuming surface temperatures of about 60 degrees C and a drop in the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide from about 1 to 0.1 bars. The buildup of atmospheric methane could have been triggered by the boost in oceanic organic productivity that arose from the emergence of pre-cyanobacterial oxygenic phototrophy at about 2.8-3.0 Gya; high temperatures may have precluded an earlier emergence. A greenhouse transition timescale on the order of 50-100 million years is consistent with results from modeling the carbonate-silicate cycle. This is an alternative hypothesis to proposals of a tectonic driver for this apparent greenhouse transition.     

The carbonate-silicate cycle and CO2/climate feedbacks on tidally locked terrestrial planets

Atmospheric gaseous constituents play an important role in determining the surface temperatures and habitability of a planet. Using a global climate model and a parameterization of the carbonate-silicate cycle, we explored the effect of the location of the substellar point on the atmospheric CO(2) concentration and temperatures of a tidally locked terrestrial planet, using the present Earth continental distribution as an example. We found that the substellar point's location relative to the continents is an important factor in determining weathering and the equilibrium atmospheric CO(2) level. Placing the substellar point over the Atlantic Ocean results in an atmospheric CO(2) concentration of 7 ppmv and a global mean surface air temperature of 247 K, making ～30% of the planet's surface habitable, whereas placing it over the Pacific Ocean results in a CO(2) concentration of 60,311 ppmv and a global temperature of 282 K, making ～55% of the surface habitable.     

利用HJ-1B星热红外遥感图像研究城市热岛效应

文章针对中国HJ-1B("环境一号"B)星热红外数据特点,以现有单通道地表温度反演算法为基础,开展HJ-1B星热红外数据的地表温度反演算法研究,并利用HJ-1B星热红外遥感温度图像研究北京热岛效应,对北京城区热岛在空间上的分布及其可能的成因作了相应分析。结果表明:随着城市化的发展,北京市热岛效应日益严重,地表温度分布与归一化植被指数(NDVI)相关性明显,文章得到的HJ-1B星热红外地表温度反演方法可以很好的用于城市热岛效应的监测分析。     

热控涂层红外发射率对GEO卫星蓄电池温度波动的影响

在东方红一3卫星平台的基础上,将合理简化后的南蓄电池舱作为热分析模型。根据影响蓄电池温度波动的机理,提出服务舱舱板内表面常用热控涂层（白漆、镀铝膜、碳蒙皮）的5种组合方案,并量化分析了热控涂层红外发射率对蓄电池温度波动的影响。分析结果表明：降低蓄电池舱舱板内表面热控涂层红外发射率,尤其是降低蓄电池安装舱板表面的热控涂层红外发射率,可有效减小蓄电池温度波动幅度。与基准方案相比,最优组合方案能使蓄电池温度波动幅度降低50％。     

Cosmic ray impact on extrasolar earth-like planets in close-in habitable zones

Because of their different origins, cosmic rays can be subdivided into galactic cosmic rays and solar/stellar cosmic rays. The flux of cosmic rays to planetary surfaces is mainly determined by two planetary parameters: the atmospheric density and the strength of the internal magnetic moment. If a planet exhibits an extended magnetosphere, its surface will be protected from high-energy cosmic ray particles. We show that close-in extrasolar planets in the habitable zone of M stars are synchronously rotating with their host star because of the tidal interaction. For gravitationally locked planets the rotation period is equal to the orbital period, which is much longer than the rotation period expected for planets not subject to tidal locking. This results in a relatively small magnetic moment. We found that an Earth-like extrasolar planet, tidally locked in an orbit of 0.2 AU around an M star of 0.5 solar masses, has a rotation rate of 2% of that of the Earth. This results in a magnetic moment of less than 15% of the Earth's current magnetic moment. Therefore, close-in extrasolar planets seem not to be protected by extended Earth-like magnetospheres, and cosmic rays can reach almost the whole surface area of the upper atmosphere. Primary cosmic ray particles that interact with the atmosphere generate secondary energetic particles, a so-called cosmic ray shower. Some of the secondary particles can reach the surface of terrestrial planets when the surface pressure of the atmosphere is on the order of 1 bar or less. We propose that, depending on atmospheric pressure, biological systems on the surface of Earth-like extrasolar planets at close-in orbital distances can be strongly influenced by secondary cosmic rays.     

Habitable zone limits for dry planets

Most discussion of habitable planets has focused on Earth-like planets with globally abundant liquid water. For an "aqua planet" like Earth, the surface freezes if far from its sun, and the water vapor greenhouse effect runs away if too close. Here we show that "land planets" (desert worlds with limited surface water) have wider habitable zones than aqua planets. For planets at the inner edge of the habitable zone, a land planet has two advantages over an aqua planet: (i) the tropics can emit longwave radiation at rates above the traditional runaway limit because the air is unsaturated and (ii) the dry air creates a dry stratosphere that limits hydrogen escape. At the outer limits of the habitable zone, the land planet better resists global freezing because there is less water for clouds, snow, and ice. Here we describe a series of numerical experiments using a simple three-dimensional global climate model for Earth-sized planets. Other things (CO(2), rotation rate, surface pressure) unchanged, we found that liquid water remains stable at the poles of a low-obliquity land planet until net insolation exceeds 415 W/m(2) (170% that of modern Earth), compared to 330 W/m(2) (135%) for the aqua planet. At the outer limits, we found that a low-obliquity land planet freezes at 77%, while the aqua planet freezes at 90%. High-obliquity land and aqua planets freeze at 58% and 72%, respectively, with the poles offering the last refuge. We show that it is possible that, as the Sun brightens, an aqua planet like Earth can lose most of its hydrogen and become a land planet without first passing through a sterilizing runaway greenhouse. It is possible that Venus was a habitable land planet as recently as 1 billion years ago.     

月球坑内空间环境热流的分布研究

文章推导获得了月面阳光矢量和月球坑内探测器表面关系的表达式,采用蒙特卡罗法数值计算探测器各表面的辐射热流,分析了月球坑内环境辐射热流的分布特征。讨论了月面纬度、月球坑尺寸、月面发射率等参数对探测器表面热流的影响。计算表明:月面纬度增加及月球坑坑口半径的减小均会导致某些时刻阳光无法照射到坑底,从而与其他工况有较大的计算差别,两参数对探测器各面热流的影响规律不同;月面发射率对探测器表面热流的影响作用较大,增加月面发射率能明显降低探测器某些表面的辐射热流。     

Bistatic radar as a tool for earth investigation using small satellites

Bistatic radar is a facility for the Earth remote sensing, which uses large spatial diversity between its transmitter and receiver. Nomogram method is proposed to determine the radar's parameters. Analysis of the nomograms has shown that modern onboard radio facilities allow to obtain spatial resolution of about 100 m at the wavelength λ = 3 cm for LEO satellite (H = 350 km). Experiments of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth near the radioshadow zone were provided using telecommunication link “MIR” orbital station — GEO satellite at wavelength λ = 32 cm. For the first time in practice of bistatic radiolocation of the Earth from space reflected signal in radioshadow zone was observed.The analysis of experimental results verified the developed radiophysical model with the value of sea water conductivity σ = 7.0 mo/m and absorption coefficient due to atmospheric oxygen χ = 0.0096±0.0024 dB/km.     

On the utilization of ENVISAT AATSR data for geological/hydrological applications

ENVISAT AATSR data over the Indian subcontinent have been procured from ESA and preprocessed with DESCW and BEAM 2.2 software for extraction of our area of interest. Two intensive test sites have been chosen, including a part of the Himalayan region and the Sundarban Delta. Calibration of AATSR thermal IR data for surface temperature modelling has been attempted over the Sundarban Delta region. Later, the surface temperature maps have been utilized to generate the momentary and daily evapotranspiration patterns over the area of interest which have been further used for broad land use/crop classifications. A simplified model suggested by Soer [Estimation of regional evapotranspiration and soil moisture conditions using remotely sensed crop surface temperatures, Remote Sensing of Environment 9 (1980) 27–45] has been used to estimate evapotranspiration over the area of interest. The results match with the earlier observation in this region. Further processing of AATSR data has been performed over the Himalayan region to extract two minor faults across the main thrust belts.     

ESA's Biopan 1--"Vitamin" experiment preliminary results

The purpose of “Vitamin” experiment is to study the efficiency of protective substances on three biological acellular systems aqueous solutions exposed to cosmic radiation in space. The first system “LDL”is a low density lipoprotein. The second is “E2-TeBG complexe” in which estradiol (E2) is bound to its plasmatic carrier protein, testosterone-estradiol binding globulin (TeBG). The third is “pBR 322”, a plasmid. “Vitamin” experiment was accomodated in the Biopan which had been mounted on the outer surface of a Foton retrievable satellite. The experiment was exposed to space environment during 15 days. A stable temperature of about 20 °C was maintained throughout the flight. “Vitamin” experiment preliminary results are presented and discussed.     

Aerobraking at Venus: A science and technology enabler

Venus remains one of the great unexplored planets in our solar system, with key questions remaining on the evolution of its atmosphere and climate, its volatile cycles, and the thermal and magmatic evolution of its surface. One potential approach toward answering these questions is to fly a reconnaissance mission that uses a multi-mode radar in a near-circular, low-altitude orbit of ∼400 km and 60–70° inclination. This type of mission profile results in a total mission delta-V of ∼4.4 km/s. Aerobraking could provide a significant portion, potentially up to half, of this energy transfer, thereby permitting more mass to be allocated to the spacecraft and science payload or facilitating the use of smaller, cheaper launch vehicles.Aerobraking at Venus also provides additional science benefits through the measurement of upper atmospheric density (recovered from accelerometer data) and temperature values, especially near the terminator where temperature changes are abrupt and constant pressure levels drop dramatically in altitude from day to night.Scientifically rich, Venus is also an ideal location for implementing aerobraking techniques. Its thick lower atmosphere and slow planet rotation result in relatively more predictable atmospheric densities than Mars. The upper atmosphere (aerobraking altitudes) of Venus has a density variation of 8% compared to Mars' 30% variability. In general, most aerobraking missions try to minimize the duration of the aerobraking phase to keep costs down. These short phases have limited margin to account for contingencies. It is the stable and predictive nature of Venus' atmosphere that provides safer aerobraking opportunities.The nature of aerobraking at Venus provides ideal opportunities to demonstrate aerobraking enhancements and techniques yet to be used at Mars, such as flying a temperature corridor (versus a heat-rate corridor) and using a thermal-response surface algorithm and autonomous aerobraking, shifting many daily ground activities to onboard the spacecraft. A defined aerobraking temperature corridor, based on spacecraft component maximum temperatures, can be employed on a spacecraft specifically designed for aerobraking, and will predict subsequent aerobraking orbits and prescribe apoapsis propulsive maneuvers to maintain the spacecraft within its specified temperature limits. A spacecraft specifically designed for aerobraking in the Venus environment can provide a cost-effective platform for achieving these expanded science and technology goals.This paper discusses the scientific merits of a low-altitude, near-circular orbit at Venus, highlights the differences in aerobraking at Venus versus Mars, and presents design data using a flight system specifically designed for an aerobraking mission at Venus. Using aerobraking to achieve a low altitude orbit at Venus may pave the way for various technology demonstrations, such as autonomous aerobraking techniques and/or new science measurements like a multi-mode, synthetic aperture radar capable of altimetry and radiometry with performance that is significantly more capable than Magellan.     

Nitrogen fixation on early Mars and other terrestrial planets: experimental demonstration of abiotic fixation reactions to nitrite and nitrate

Understanding the abiotic fixation of nitrogen is critical to understanding planetary evolution and the potential origin of life on terrestrial planets. Nitrogen, an essential biochemical element, is certainly necessary for life as we know it to arise. The loss of atmospheric nitrogen can result in an incapacity to sustain liquid water and impact planetary habitability and hydrological processes that shape the surface. However, our current understanding of how such fixation may occur is almost entirely theoretical. This work experimentally examines the chemistry, in both gas and aqueous phases, that would occur from the formation of NO and CO by the shock heating of a model carbon dioxide/nitrogen atmosphere such as is currently thought to exist on early terrestrial planets. The results show that two pathways exist for the abiotic fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere into the crust: one via HNO and another via NO(2). Fixation via HNO, which requires liquid water, could represent fixation on a planet with liquid water (and hence would also be a source of nitrogen for the origin of life). The pathway via NO(2) does not require liquid water and shows that fixation could occur even when liquid water has been lost from a planet's surface (for example, continuing to remove nitrogen through NO(2) reaction with ice, adsorbed water, etc.).     

Future earth observation missions for oceanographic applications: Indian perspectives

Significant progress has been achieved in India in demonstrating the utility of remote sensing data for various oceanographic applications during the last one decade. Among these, techniques have been developed for retrieval of ocean surface waves, winds, wave forecast model, internal waves, sea surface temperature and chlorophyll pigments. Encouraged from these results as well as for meeting the specific and increasing data requirements on an assured basis by oceanographers, India is making concerted efforts for developing and launching state-of-the-art indigenous satellites for ocean applications in the coming years.

The first in the series of ocean satellites planned for launch is Oceansat-1 (IRS-P4) by early 1999. Oceansat-1 carries on-board an Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) and a Multi-frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR). OCM will have 8 narrow spectral bands operating in visible and near- infrared bands (402–885 nm) with a spatial resolution of 360 m and swath of 1420 km. The MSMR with its all weather capability is configured to have measurements at 4 frequencies viz., 6.6, 10.65, 18 & 21 GHz in dual polarisation mode with a spatial resolution of 120, 80, 40 & 40 km, respectively with an overall swath of 1360 km. The Oceansat-1 with repetitivity of once in two days will provide global data for retrieval of various oceanographic and meteorological parameters such as chlorophyll (primary productivity), sea surface temperature and wind speed, besides a host of other parameters of relevance to meteorology.

A full fledged satellite for ocean applications known as Oceansat-2 (IRS-P7) is also planned for launch during 2002. This satellite with payload mix of microwave (Scatterometer, Altimeter & Passive Microwave Radiometer), Thermal (TIR) and Optical (OCM) sensors, will provide greater in-sight into the global understanding of ocean dynamics/resources. This mission is expected to provide a complete set of oceanographic measurements, which are useful for providing operational oceanographic services.

Efforts are also on towards development of missions having multi-frequency, multipolarisation and multi-look angle microwave payloads including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and advanced millimeter wave sounders, besides development of imaging spectrometers by 2005.

A well-knit plan has been initiated in India for utilisation of planned Oceansat data. Important efforts initiated in this direction include SATellite Coastal and Oceanographic Research and Ocean Information Services, which are being carried out on an integrated basis aiming at providing services to the down stream users. The paper highlights these efforts in India towards providing an operational ocean information services in the coming years.     

金星大气环境模拟设备及试验技术综述

金星作为地球的姊妹星,具有极大的科学探索价值。鉴于金星环境的复杂性,了解金星内部只能通过着陆探测与漂浮探测方式进行,而金星大气环境模拟试验是未来开展金星着陆、漂浮探测器研制的基础。文章首先梳理出金星近表面环境模拟的关键技术,包括微量气体的精确测量与控制,高温、高压环境下的气体温度及压力控制与测量;之后综述了国内外金星大气环境模拟系统的研究现状,着重介绍了国外进行的金星大气环境模拟试验;继而在分析金星探测任务对环境模拟具体要求的基础上,对我国开展金星大气环境模拟试验研究提出建议。     

空间激光通信系统中的信道纠错编码技术

由于空间激光通信系统的信道状态和链路捕获跟踪的不确定性,多种形式的信道纠错编码技术正被广泛发展研究。结合空间激光通信链路中误码性能的主要影响因素,分别选择合适的编码方案进行分析。通过仿真实验可知,对于在大气结构参数为1.5×10~(-14) m~(-2/3)、风速为20 m/s的空地激光链路的环境下,在系统数据速率为2 Gbit/s、要求误码率为10~(-6)时,LDPC码结合交织码相对未编码系统有3 dB的等效编码增益,LT码相对未编码系统有3.8 dB的等效编码增益。提供了一种能快速生成、扩展和校验的编码和交织实现方法,以抵抗大气湍流的快速变化对系统性能产生的影响。     

ΔDsat,a QB50 CubeSat mission to study rarefied-gas drag modelling

A CubeSat mission to study the impact of flow incidence angle, surface material and surface roughness on gas–surface interactions on spacecraft in low Earth orbits has been designed. To accomplish this scientific goal the CubeSat deploys a variable geometry aerofoil capable of exposing different surfaces to the flow at different incident angles. By using the on-board GPS measurements and an orbit determination technique the drag experienced by the CubeSat can be estimated. The CubeSat has been designed to be part of the QB50 mission, and hence it carries a sensor that can take in-situ measurements of the atmosphere. This is then used to estimate the atmospheric density and hence to extract information on the drag coefficient. To minimise any bias present in the measurement chain a differential approach is used. Therefore no absolute drag coefficients are estimated, instead, ratios of drag coefficients are computed. This allows direct comparisons of the drag coefficients of different materials, different surface roughness or different incident angles. Simulations indicate that this CubeSat mission will be able to obtain drag coefficient ratios with an uncertainty level of less than 5%.