Structural health management technologies for inflatable/deployable structures: Integrating sensing and self-healing

Inflatable/deployable structures are under consideration as habitats for future Lunar surface science operations. The use of non-traditional structural materials combined with the need to maintain a safe working environment for extended periods in a harsh environment has led to the consideration of an integrated structural health management system for future habitats, to ensure their integrity. This article describes recent efforts to develop prototype sensing technologies and new self-healing materials that address the unique requirements of habitats comprised mainly of soft goods. A new approach to detecting impact damage is discussed, using addressable flexible capacitive sensing elements and thin film electronics in a matrixed array. Also, the use of passive wireless sensor tags for distributed sensing is discussed, wherein the need for on-board power through batteries or hardwired interconnects is eliminated. Finally, the development of a novel, microencapuslated self-healing elastomer with applications for inflatable/deployable habitats is reviewed.     

Observations of the Acceleration of Polar Solar Wind Near Solar Maximum

In a previous paper (Tappin et al., 1999) we used cross-correlation analysis of high-cadence observations with the LASCO coronagraphs to trace the acceleration of the solar wind at low latitudes. In this paper we present a similar analysis carried out over the North pole of the Sun. The observations which were made in March 2000 with the C3 coronagraph show low bulk flow speeds (comparable to or lower than those seen at the equator in early 1998). We observe the acceleration continuing to the edge of the C3 field of view at about 30 R _⊙. We also observe, as at low latitude, a high-speed tail but now reaching out well beyond 2000 km s⁻¹. We do not see a clear signature of a fast polar bulk flow. We therefore conclude that at this phase of the solar cycle, any fast bulk flow occupies only a small part of the line of sight and is therefore overwhelmed by the denser slow solar wind in these observations. We also show that the fast component is consistent with observed solar wind speeds at 1 AU. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Trust and decision-making: An empirical platform (CCP 204)

The trust literature emphasizes trust in automation, thus neglecting the interpersonal aspects of how distributed personnel develop trust. Interpersonal trust represents the willingness of individuals to accept vulnerabilities from the actions of others. Vulnerability is a critical aspect of trust research, yet few studies have manipulated vulnerability. Non-verbal cues may have an influence on the trust process, suggesting that features of collaborative tools may influence how individuals build trust. The present study will implement a 3 x 4 mixed design. Participants will select a convoy route based on: * 1) graphical displays of enemy zones and historical Improvised Explosive Device (lED) occurrences; * 2) route parameters (e.g., fuel required); and * 3) information from a local expert. Vulnerability will be manipulated by altering the frequency of TEDs and the location of red forces to create low, moderate, and high vulnerability conditions (within subjects factor). Information from local experts will be presented via one of four conditions: * 1) audio/video with low emotion; * 2) audio/video with high emotion; ,, 3) audio only; and * 4) chat (between subjects factor). Findings from this research will support the development of new collaborative tools for the Command and Control (C2) domain.     

The impact of dust grains on fast fly-by spacecraft: Momentum multiplication,measurements and theory

Energy partitioning during the very high impact speed encountered in a cometary fly-by mission causes a target mass expulsion which leads to a momentum impulse on the target exceeding that of the incident momentum. Theoretical and computational studies are required to provide a basis for predictions of the response at Halley encounter, since experimental data from acceleration of microspheres extends currently only to some 10 kms^?1. Such data obtained from the 2 MV Canterbury microparticle accelerator is presented: this demonstrates a target momentum enhancement E which can be approximated by a form E = 1+(V/V_o)^β. Over the range 1 to 8 kms^?1 the relationship is satisfied by V_o = 2 kms^?1 and β = 2. Theoretical considerations of energy partitioning lead to constraints on the extrapolation of this functional dependence to very high velocities and the transition to β ≤ 1 is shown to apply. Results are examined and their significance to impact sensing and spacecraft deceleration discussed. An enhancement of momentum nearer to 12±3 at 69 kms^?1 is anticipated for non-penetrating particles, from the ballistic pendulum data, but the ES data indicates a figure considerably higher.     

Mass loading of planetary magnetospheres by rocky satellites—I: Production of rocky ejecta

Recent hypervelocity studies have been conducted which simulate the collision of interplanetary dust with rocky planetary satellite surfaces. Preliminary flux-mass distributions of micron and submicron ejecta from these hypervelocity impact studies have been determined. Several models of the flux-mass distribution of primary interplanetary dust are used to determine ratios of satellite surface ejecta and primary meteoroid flux-mass distributions. The results are used in a second model to determine the ejecta spatial mass densities near the surface of the satellite.     

RAPID – The Imaging Energetic Particle Spectrometer on Cluster

The RAPID spectrometer (Research with Adaptive Particle Imaging Detectors) for the Cluster mission is an advanced particle detector for the analysis of suprathermal plasma distributions in the energy range from 20–400 keV for electrons, 40 keV–1500 keV (4000 keV) for hydrogen, and 10 keV nucl^-1–1500 keV (4000 keV) for heavier ions. Novel detector concepts in combination with pin-hole acceptance allow the measurement of angular distributions over a range of 180° in polar angle for either species. Identification of the ionic component (particle mass A) is based on a two-dimensional analysis of the particle's velocity and energy. Electrons are identified by the well-known energy-range relationship. Details of the detection techniques and in-orbit operations are described. Scientific objectives of this investigation are highlighted by the discussion of selected critical issues in geospace.     

Processes leading to plasma losses into the high-latitude atmosphere

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