Solar flux and its variations

We present data on the solar irradiance as derived from a number of sources. An attempt was made to bring these data onto a uniform scale. The results are presented in Table IV and Figure 6. Summation of fluxes at all wavelengths yields a figure of 1357.826 W m^-2 for the solar constant. Estimates are made of the solar flux variations due to flares, active regions (slowly varying component), solar rotation and the 11-year cycle.Solar activity does not produce a significant variation in the value of the solar constant. Nevertheless, variations in the X-ray and extreme ultraviolet portions of the solar flux may be several orders of magnitude during solar activity, especially at times of major flares. It is well established that these short wavelength flux enhancements cause significant changes in the terrestrial ionosphere.     

R Coronae Borealis Pulsations

The Cepheid-like pulsations of some of the R CrB stars should in principle make it possible to determine their masses and hence to place constraints on possible evolution scenarios. We briefly review the evidence for these pulsations and discuss the problem of how these low-mass, hydrogen-deficient carbon stars could have evolved to their present position in the H-R diagram. Linear and nonlinear pulsation calculations are reviewed. It is found that for these large luminosity to mass ratio (L/M) stars a region of pulsation instability extends considerably hotter than for normal high luminosity Cepheids. The envelopes of these models are so nonadiabatic that the identification of modes becomes very difficult since there is frequently no clearly defined nodal structure. For the most extreme L/M cases it is found that the models are unstable in the sense that they appear on the verge of ejecting the outer layers.     

Generation of experimental plasma parameter maps around the baffle aperture of a Kaufman (UK-25) ion thruster

The plasma produced by a Kaufman (UK-25) ion thruster possesses four distinct regions. The interaction of two of these regions, the coupling and discharge plasmas, is important for thruster design and efficiency, since it controls the production of the primary electrons responsible for most of the ionisation in the thruster. This paper details the measurement and analysis techniques used to obtain two-dimensional experimental plasma parameter maps across a plasma double layer in the baffle aperture region of this type of ion thruster. This plasma-interaction region was mapped experimentally using Langmuir probes.The Langmuir probe data were collected and analysed to produce maps of plasma potential, Maxwellian and primary electron energy and number density. Detailed static magnetic field measurements using Hall-effect probes were also obtained. A number of derived plasma parameter maps were then made possible, such as electron pressure. The application of the analysis techniques used here allowed ion thruster plasma property maps to be constructed of a spatial extent and resolution previously unseen. Two-dimensional maps of the spatial location of primary electrons are presented, as effected by applied magnetic field changes, along with the detection of regions showing depletion of primary electron energies.     

Development of the RFBB “Bargouzine” concept for Ariane-5 evolution

This paper presents the study of a concept of Ariane-5 evolution by means of replacement of two solid-propellant boosters EAP with two liquid-propellant reusable fly-back boosters (RFBBs) called “Bargouzine”. The main design feature of the reference RFBB is LOX/LH2 propellant, the canard aerodynamic configuration with delta wings and rocket engines derived from Vulcain-2 identical to that of the central core except for the nozzle length. After separation RFBBs return back by use of air breathing engines mounted in the aft part and then landing on a runway.The aim of the study is a more detailed investigation of critical technology issues concerning reliability, re-usability and maintenance requirements. The study was performed in three main phases: system trade-off, technical consolidation, and programmatic synthesis. The system trade-off includes comparative analysis of two systems with three and four engines on each RFBB and determination of the necessary thrust level taking into account thrust reservation for emergency situations. Besides, this phase contains trade-off on booster aerodynamic configurations and abort scenario analysis.The second phase includes studying of controllability during the ascent phase and separation, thermo-mechanical design, development of ground interfaces and attachment means, and turbojets engine analysis taking into account reusability.     

Interplanetary transfer of photosynthesis: an experimental demonstration of a selective dispersal filter in planetary island biogeography

We launched a cryptoendolithic habitat, made of a gneissic impactite inoculated with Chroococcidiopsis sp., into Earth orbit. After orbiting the Earth for 16 days, the rock entered the Earth's atmosphere and was recovered in Kazakhstan. The heat of entry ablated and heated the rock to a temperature well above the upper temperature limit for life to below the depth at which light levels are insufficient for photosynthetic organisms ( approximately 5 mm), thus killing all of its photosynthetic inhabitants. This experiment shows that atmospheric transit acts as a strong biogeographical dispersal filter to the interplanetary transfer of photosynthesis. Following atmospheric entry we found that a transparent, glassy fusion crust had formed on the outside of the rock. Re-inoculated Chroococcidiopsis grew preferentially under the fusion crust in the relatively unaltered gneiss beneath. Organisms under the fusion grew approximately twice as fast as the organisms on the control rock. Thus, the biologically destructive effects of atmospheric transit can generate entirely novel and improved endolithic habitats for organisms on the destination planetary body that survive the dispersal filter. The experiment advances our understanding of how island biogeography works on the interplanetary scale.     

ENA Imaging of the Inner Heliosheath—Preparing for the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX)

The Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft recently crossed the termination shock and are currently sending back groundbreaking and detailed observations at two locations in the inner heliosheath. Complementary global observations will soon be provided by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer—IBEX, which measures energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) produced via charge exchange with energetic protons in this region. While several data sets from instruments on other spacecraft have provided tantalizing observations that might be heliosheath ENAs, none has definitively shown that they are observing this source. In contrast, IBEX has been specifically designed and developed to make all-sky observations of inner heliosheath ENAs with very high sensitivity and signal to noise. These observations will provide the critical global perspective required to understand the three-dimensional heliospheric interaction with the Circum-Heliospheric Interstellar Medium (CHISM). This paper, written prior to the launch of IBEX, reviews previous observations and provides background on this important new mission.     

A simulation study for anticipated accuracy of lunar gravity field model by SELENE tracking data

Results of numerical simulations are presented to examine the global gravity field recovery capability of the Japanese lunar exploration project SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) which will be launched in 2007. New characteristics of the SELENE lunar gravimetry include 4-way satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking of main orbiter and differential VLBI tracking of two small free-flier satellites. It is shown that the proposed satellite constellation will provide the first truly global satellite tracking data coverage. The expected results from these data are; (1) drastic reduction in far-side gravity error, (2) estimation of many gravity coefficients by the observation, not by a priori information, and (3) one order of magnitude improvement over existing gravity models for low-degree field.     

CUTTING TEMPERATURE OF CBN TOOLS WHEN MACHINING STEEL OF MEDIUM HARDNESS

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A lunar L2-Farside exploration and science mission concept with the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and a teleoperated lander/rover

A novel concept is presented in this paper for a human mission to the lunar L2 (Lagrange) point that would be a proving ground for future exploration missions to deep space while also overseeing scientifically important investigations. In an L2 halo orbit above the lunar farside, the astronauts aboard the Orion Crew Vehicle would travel 15% farther from Earth than did the Apollo astronauts and spend almost three times longer in deep space. Such a mission would serve as a first step beyond low Earth orbit and prove out operational spaceflight capabilities such as life support, communication, high speed re-entry, and radiation protection prior to more difficult human exploration missions. On this proposed mission, the crew would teleoperate landers/rovers on the unexplored lunar farside, which would obtain samples from the geologically interesting farside and deploy a low radio frequency telescope. Sampling the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the oldest impact basins in the solar system, is a key science objective of the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Observations at low radio frequencies to track the effects of the Universe’s first stars/galaxies on the intergalactic medium are a priority of the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Such telerobotic oversight would also demonstrate capability for human and robotic cooperation on future, more complex deep space missions such as exploring Mars.