Large aerial bursts: an important class of terrestrial accretionary events

Large aerial bursts similar to the 1908 Tunguska bolide but much larger in magnitude have surely been responsible for many catastrophic events in the history of the Earth. Because aerial bursts produce shallow (or even negligible) craters, their existence is difficult to document in the geological record. Even aerial bursts as small as Tunguska deposit enough energy to melt approximately 1mm of dry soil. Silica-rich glass formed in such melts has the potential to survive in the soil for many Ma, thus a potential indicator of large aerial bursts is glass that was formed as thick regions within silicate melt sheets. The layered tektites from Southeast Asia and the Libyan desert glass may have formed by a combination of sedimentation and downslope flow of silicate melt heated by radiation from large aerial bursts. The alternative, formation of layered tektites as crater ejecta, cannot account for observations such as uniformly high 10Be contents, the orientation of the magnetic remanence field, and the absence of splash-form (e.g., teardrop or dumbbell) tektites in regions where layered tektites are common. The largest asteroids or comets make craters no matter what their strength. Recent reviews suggest that, for events in the energy range up to 10(19)-10(20) J (about two orders of magnitude larger than the Meteor Crater impact), aerial bursts are more likely than cratering events, and the layered tektites of Southeast Asia imply the existence of aerial bursts one to two orders of magnitude larger still.     

Impacts and evolution: future prospects

The discipline of astrobiology includes the dynamics of biological evolution. One of the major ways that the cosmos influences life is through the catastrophic environmental disruptions caused when comets and asteroids collide with a planet. We now recognize that such impacts have caused mass extinctions and played a major role in determining the evolution of life on Earth. The time-averaged impact flux as a function of projectile energy can be derived from lunar cratering statistics as well as the current population of near Earth asteroids (NEAs). Effects of impacts of various energies can be modeled, using data from historic impacts [such as the Cretaceous-Tertiary (KT) impactor 65 million years ago] and the observed 1994 bombardment of Jupiter by fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. It is of particular interest to find from such models that the terrestrial environment is highly vulnerable to perturbation from impacts, so that even such a small event as the KT impact (by a projectile 10-15 km in diameter) can lead to a mass extinction. Similar considerations allow us to model the effects of still smaller (and much more likely) impacts, down to the size of the asteroid that exploded over Tunguska in 1908 (energy approximately 10 megatons). Combining the impact flux with estimates of environmental and ecological effects reveals that the greatest contemporary hazard is associated with impactors near 1 million megatons in energy (approximately 2 km in diameter for an asteroid). The current impact hazard is significant relative to other natural hazards, and arguments can be developed to illuminate a variety of public policy issues. The first priority in any plan for defense against impactors is to survey the population of Earth-crossing NEAs and project their orbits forward in time. This is the purpose of the Spaceguard Survey, which has already found more than half of the NEAs >1 km in diameter. If there is an NEA on a collision course with Earth, it can be discovered and the impact predicted with decades or more of warning. It is then possible to consider how to deflect or disrupt the NEA. Unlike other natural hazards, the impact risk can be largely eliminated, given sufficient advanced knowledge to take action against the threatening projectile.     

A comparison of polarization jet characteristics at the greatly separated stations Yakutsk and Podkamennaya Tunguska

Characteristics of the polarization jet (PJ) are considered on the basis of measurements made in 1989–1992 at the ionospheric stations Yakutsk (L = 3.0, λ = 129.6°) and Podkamennaya Tunguska (L = 3.0, λ = 90.0°) separated in longitude. Using the data of these stations, the result obtained earlier (that the formation of PJ during disturbances in the near-midnight sector occurs at the expansion phase of a substorm) is confirmed. At isolated magnetic disturbances with AE > 500 nT in the 11:00–16:00 UT interval, the PJ band covers an MLT sector of 3 h between the Yakutsk and Podkamennaya Tunguska stations. The time of the PJ beginning at the Podkamennaya Tunguska station for the majority of events is 45–60 min behind the PJ beginning at the Yakutsk station. This corresponds to the westward motion of a PJ source with a velocity of ～3 MLT h per hour.     

复合材料壳体与喷管的卡环连接结构研究

较详细地对复合材料壳体与喷管卡环连接结构进行了有限元应力,应变分析,对卡环,接头及倒锥等多体接触问题进行研究;对“Ｉ”型及“Ｌ”型卡环结构分别进行了计算和比较,并给出计算结果及结果分析。     

Stability of a ring of connected satellites

The motion of a large number of artificial satellites connected in a ring one after another by tethers of variable length is considered. Every satellite is supposed to have a control system programmed according to some tether tension law as a function of the distance between tethered satellites. The effect of the tension control law on the stability of stationary rotation of this ring is investigated. The final stability condition includes two requirements: 1) the nominal tether tension should be less than a definite limit equal, up to numerical coefficient, to one satellite weight divided by the number of satellites; 2) tether tension should decrease (or remain constant) with the increase of the distance between tethered satellites. In dynamics the artificial rings of this kind are much like their natural prototype—meteor rings. On the other hand, the investigation of the artificial rings contributes to developing an unexpected view upon meteor rings, suggesting a model of an imaginary equivalent string.     

On dynamics of a plasma ring rotating in the magnetic field of a central body: Magneto-gyroscopic waves. Problems of stability and quantization

Based on a mathematical model described in [1], some new aspects of the dynamics of a thin planar plasma ring rotating in the magnetic field of a central body are considered. The dipole field is considered assuming that the dipole has a small eccentricity, and the dipole axis is inclined at a small angle to the central body’s axis of rotation. Emphasis is placed on the problem of stability of the ring’s stationary rotation. Unlike [1], the disturbed motion is considered which has a character of eddy magneto-gyroscopic waves. The original mathematical model is reduced to a system of finite-difference equations whose asymptotic analytical solution is obtained. It is demonstrated that some “elite” rings characterized by integral quantum numbers are long-living, while “lethal” or unstable rings (antirings) are associated with half-integer quantum numbers. As a result, an evolutionally rife rotating ring of magnetized plasma turns out to be stratified into a large number of narrow elite rings separated by gaps whose positions correspond to antirings. The regions of possible existence of elite rings in near-central body space are considered. Quantum numbers determining elite eigenvalues of the mean sector velocity (normalized in a certain manner) of a ring coincide with the quantum numbers appearing in the solution to the Schrödinger equation for a hydrogen atom. Perturbations of elite orbits corresponding to these quantum numbers satisfy the de Brogli quantum-mechanical condition. This is one more illustration of the isomorphism of quantization in microcosm and macrocosm.     

液体火箭发动机涡轮泵机械密封磨损机理研究

对比分析了机械密封静环端面原始表面和磨损表面形貌,得到了磨损形式和内外径磨损差异;仿真分析了密封端面接触应力及温度场,分析了转速、介质压力等条件对端面接触应力和温度场的影响;探明了端面接触应力和温度变化对磨损性能的影响,阐述了机械密封的磨损机理。     

星载TWTA备份环开关切换的遗传算法研究

通信卫星在轨运行时,行波管放大器发生故障,如何准确快速切换到备份放大器是卫星运营商十分关注的问题。文章提出了一种基于遗传算法的星载功率放大器的备份环开关切换方案,通过编码将开关及其位置信息融入染色体中,根据设计的适应度值计算来判断染色体即开关切换方案的优劣,采用选择-交叉-变异的循环来模拟生物种群的繁殖、竞争、淘汰、平...     

European space governance: The outlook

For the third year in a row, the Paris-based French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), and the Secure World Foundation (SWF) joined together to organise their annual space conference. The event took place in Brussels on 13 September 2011, under the banner “European space governance: the outlook”. This report summarises the main outputs of this event.     

Stationary Motions of a Homogeneous Meteor Ring in the Gravitational Field of a Center

The problem of studying a ring in the gravitational field of a center arose after the discovery of Saturn's rings by Galileo and subsequent discovery of the rings of other planets of the Solar System. Modern theoretical investigations of the existence and stability of planetary rings are mostly related to studies of plane differentially rotating discs [1]. As opposed to this line of research, this paper follows the approach established in classical works [2–4].     

Seismo-Ionospheric Variations during Strong Earthquakes Based on the Example of the 2010 Earthquake in Chile

Seismo-ionospheric variations during the strong earthquake on February 27, 2010 in Chile have been considered. An analysis of the ionospheric state has been performed using measurements based on a GPS satellite navigation system. The results of processing have shown that the decrease in the electron concentration on February 24, 2010 relative to the preceding day was from 24 to 35%. It has also been noted that, 3 days prior to the seismic event, a substantial drop in the rate of change of in the total electron content was observed near the epicenter zone for 1.5 h. It has been shown that, directly before the earthquake, instantaneous variations in the rate of change in the electron content by an order of value that exceeds normal background behavior was observed.     

一种用于星载系统可靠性评测的软件故障注入工具

随着计算机应用的日益广泛和复杂,很多传统的故障注入技术及工具已经在很多领域面临着新的挑战.本文详细介绍了由本课题组自主研究开发的一种用于评测星载系统可靠性的软件故障注入工具(SFIOS),该故障注入工具针对星载系统这一特殊对象而开发,采用包括时间、空间、事件在内的多种故障触发方式,不仅能通过软件的方式随时随地注入接近实际的星载故障,而且操作简单,不需要修改星载系统的应用任务,对星载系统影响较小。实验结果表明,采用该故障注入工具评测星载系统可靠性的具有较多的优点和潜力。     

燃气源控制气流热效应数值模拟研究

为了解迷宫形导热套环与流体之间的热交换对控制气流温度及压力的影响,采用整体求解法求解控制气流与多层套环之间的耦合传热问题。为确保计算结果在物理上的真实性,采用“假密度法”求解以温度T为求解变量的能量方程。计算得到了控制气流参量随时间的变化情况以及迷宫形多层导热套环的温度在不同时间点的分布情况,结果表明流场的三维复杂结构使得每个小孔射流与各层套环的传热情况都不同,流体与固体区域之间的换热量随时间变化,其中内套环和中套环对流体的吸热量随时间的增长而急速下降,从而导致控制气体的温度和压力都随时间而逐渐增大。计算所得的控制气流温度和压力与试验测量值的变化趋势相同,验证了计算方法的有效性。     

橡胶"O"形密封圈结构参数和失效准则研究

利用大变形、接触的非线性有限元理论建立了某固体火箭发动机密封结构的二维轴对称模型,用有限元软件计算出该结构在工作状态下的变形和应力。通过计算可知,在橡胶“O”形密封圈与上下法兰接触的位置产生最大的接触压应力,在密封槽槽口转角位置产生最大的剪切应力。对密封性能的各结构参数进行了分析,讨论了上下法兰张开间隙、初始压缩率、密封槽槽口及槽底倒角半径、密封槽宽、密封圈材料等典型参数的影响:上下法兰张开间隙、密封圈的初始压缩率对最大接触压应力的影响较大,而密封槽槽口和槽底处倒角半径对剪切应力影响明显。三维壳体结构的有限元分析结果表明,上下法兰在内压作用下产生不均匀的张开间隙,体现了三维结构的特点。不均匀的张开间隙与二维轴对称结果对比可知,以最小间隙作为设计间隙,二维轴对称分析模型可取代三维模型来分析该结构的密封性能。最后,确定了“O”形圈密封结构的最大接触应力和剪切应力失效准则。     

一种超薄反作用飞轮的大面积磁悬浮结构分析

为提高轴向磁通反作用飞轮的轴向刚度和寿命,结合轴向磁通飞轮的结构,提出一种超薄、大面积磁悬浮的反作用飞轮。重点分析该飞轮的大面积磁悬浮结构,从磁环的宽度、磁环的充磁方向、磁环间距、铁芯厚度和磁悬浮刚度五个方面展开研究。通过有限元仿真可以发现：随磁环宽度的增加,定子对转子的斥力是先增大后减小;定子内外环磁化方向相反时比相同时能得到更大的斥力;在内外环磁化方向相反时,内外环磁钢间距越小,定子对转子斥力越大;磁悬浮部分铁芯厚度的减小对定转子间的斥力的影响极其有限,但对降低飞轮重量具有重要意义;磁悬浮的刚度与转子偏离中心的距离近似成正比。     

Adiabatic invariants of the solar system and exo-planet systems and soliton-like disturbances of Alfvenic plasma proto-ring

Some new results are presented concerning quantization of observed parameters of the Solar System and exo-planet systems, as well as some functions of these parameters. General adiabatic invariants are introduced including (for the Solar System) orbital quantum numbers of planets and quantum numbers characterizing their proper rotation (spin). The quantization of parameters relating to satellite and exo-planetary systems is considered. Some arguments are presented about the influence of nonlinear disturbances of Alfvenic plasma proto-ring of the type of Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) and Russell-Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) solitons on formation of elite rings and their evolution with conservation of corresponding invariants. A mechanical model is synthesized that describes nonlinear FK soliton type disturbances of magnetized plasma.     

空间含镀层薄膜天线应力均匀化分析与验证

针对空间大尺度含镀层薄膜天线建模中尚未涉及镀层对应力均匀性影响的问题,以及双轴张拉试验装置施加拉力不均、薄膜平面度不足的问题,开展了空间含镀层薄膜天线应力均匀化研究。首先,进行了含镀层薄膜单元的力学建模,用经典层合板理论推导了含镀层薄膜区域的力学特性参数(杨氏模量和泊松比);其次,为了获得建模所必需的薄膜基底和镀层两个组分的力学特性参数,开展了均载薄膜双轴张拉试验,分别测得了镀层和薄膜的杨氏模量和泊松比;然后,在力学建模的基础上,分析了平面薄膜天线设计参数对应力均匀性的影响,得出了薄膜面积、厚度、边荷载、薄膜材料对应力均匀性的影响规律;以薄膜内应力标准差最小为优化目标,对空间大尺度含镀层薄膜天线进行了优化设计,使优化后的薄膜内应力标准差减小为优化前的4.6%;最后,对蠕变抑制效果进行了仿真校验,优化后的薄膜结构工作10年时蠕变导致的位移减小为优化前的27.6%,优化设计对空间大尺度薄膜的蠕变起到了有效的抑制作用。     

自由基型端羟基聚丁二烯反应活性的差异

通过红外、化学滴定和力学性能随时间的变化曲线,对比了2批力学性能差异较大的Ⅰ型自由基型端羟基聚丁二烯(HTPB)反应活性,并采用低温、常温的粘流曲线、玻璃化转变温度、密度等方法对结果进行了分析。结果表明,自由基型HTPB的3种循环结构单元顺式1,4结构、反式1,4结构和1,2结构的相对含量相当,而3种羟基类型α-乙烯基伯羟基、反式烯丙基伯羟基、顺式烯丙基伯羟基相对含量也相同,自由基型HTPB不存在反应活性的差异。     

固体发动机可靠性设计面临的问题及其解决方法

针对可靠性设计没有数据导致可靠度无法计算的困难,提出放弃可靠度而使用事件流分析来控制产品可靠性的方法,该方法将产品主事件分解为一系列的事件,任何一个事件都可以分为应力(L)、应构(G)、应变(B)和传递(D)4个要素,每个要素都可以提出一些可测量的工作控制指标,只要能够确保每个工作控制指标符合设计意图,就能控制产品不出现故障。根据这种观点,提出了发动机可靠性设计的事件流分析技术,先按照事件发生顺序一步步地分析产品工作中会发生的各种事件,每个事件都用LGBD的结构展开,然后分析监测每个要素需要的测量参数,以及控制每个要素需要的设计参数,从而确定完备的工作控制指标体系,并确定可靠性试验方案。该方法放弃了可靠性模型,代之以事件流模型,为可靠性设计提供一种全新方法。     

Increasing global awareness of space activities: World Space Week 2001

This report describes the background to and rationale for World Space Week, now an annual event aiming to increase public awareness of the benefits of peaceful space use and to act as an educational tool for the young. Examples of typical activities in a variety of countries are presented. The report concludes with recommendations—such as rescheduling existing events to the period of World Space Week—to make the event even more successful.