A balloon tracking system that uses the VHF omidirectional range (VOR) network

The VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) system is a primary navigational aid to aircraft in the United States. Although the quantity of stations in the United States exceeds that of other areas, VOR stations are found all over the world. An inexpensive balloon navigational package that uses the existing VOR system has been developed. It employs the principle of triangulation between stations to yield position information. The station selection can be changed by telemetry command during the balloon flight in order to maximize triangulation accuracy and to minimize effects of weak signals. The VOR radials are part of the telemetry transmitted from the balloon package. Preliminary results from several flights in Palestine, Texas indicate that this system may be a viable backup or substitute for the OMEGA system commonly used. Typical accuracy of the down point prediction has been ± 1 mile.     

NICMOS: A second generation infrared instrument for the hubble space telescope

NICMOS (the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer) is a second generation scientific instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Three cryogenic cameras with 256x256 HgCdTe arrays provide diffraction limited imaging throughout the 0.8 – 2.5 μm spectral region. Grisms in one of the cameras produces multi-object spectroscopy for all objects in the field. Coronagraphic and polarization capabilities round out the NICMOS modes of operation. Scheduled for launch on the second HST maintenance mission in 1997, NICMOS has a five year on-orbit cryogenic lifetime.     

Recent experimental measurements of space platform charging at LEO altitudes

The estimation of the extent of electrical charging of space platforms at low earth orbit (LEO) altitudes has been a subject of interest for a number of years. Early estimates based on theoretical current-voltage relationships of Langmuir and Blodgett and Parker and Murphy predicted a wide range of possible electrical potentials for a platform being actively charged at LEO altitudes. The experimental success of early electron beam experiments suggested that the early theories were incomplete. This has led to the development of space experiments specifically designed to study the degree of electrical charging resulting from electron beam emission, and also supplementary experiments to determine the current voltage relationship of large structures biassed to high voltages in the LEO environment. The paper will discuss some of the results of vehicle electrical potential from recent sounding rocket experiments involving charging of a space platform by both electron beam emission, and by the application of differential bias between elements of the platform.     

线性摩擦焊技术介绍

线性摩擦焊原理 线性摩擦焊是摩擦焊的一种.在焊接压力作用下,其中一个焊件相对另一个焊件沿直线方向以一定的振幅和频率作直线往复运动,利用摩擦生热加热待焊接部件的表面,当摩擦表面达到粘塑性状态时,迅速停止摩擦运动,并施加顶锻力,完成焊接,整体叶盘的制造就采用了这种焊接方法.我们以整体叶轮为例,首先叶盘和叶轮全部精加工成型,叶片的榫头平面在摩擦压力的作用下,以一定的振幅和频率,沿轮盘的叶片凸座作往复的直线摩擦运动,当摩擦表面温度升高达到粘塑性状态时,迅速停止运动并施加顶锻力,完成焊接.     

Standardized coordinate systems for solar image data

The current state of describing the coordinates of solar image data is chaotic, and does not take into account the most recent developments in the coordinate systems for astronomy in general, especially as related to FITS files. A set of formal systems for describing the coordinates of solar image data is proposed. These systems build on current practice in applying coordinates to solar image data. Both heliographic and heliocentric coordinates are discussed. A distinction is also drawn between heliocentric and helioprojective coordinates, where the latter takes the observer's exact geometry into account. The extension of these coordinate systems to observations made from non-terrestial viewpoints, such as STEREO and Solar Probe, is discussed. A formal system for incorporation of these coordinates into FITS files, based on the FITS World Coordinate System, is described.     

Overview of the effects of neutral gas releases on high-voltage sounding rocket platforms

Four recent sounding rocket experiments demonstrate that the release of neutral gas from both positively and negatively charged vehicles returns the vehicle potential to near the plasma potential. Early active experiment payloads, CHARGE-2 and SPEAR-1, observed enhanced currents from/to the vehicles during unplanned attitude thruster firings. The follow-on CHARGE-2B and SPEAR-3 payloads directly measured the changes to the vehicle potential caused by both planned argon and unplanned nitrogen releases. The gas releases from positively charged CHARGE-2B consistently reduced the potential to 20–50 V, whereas the gas releases from negatively charged SPEAR-3 brought the potential to between −200 and −500 V. The difference in grounding levels for positively and negatively charged payloads suggests that the gas responsible for grounding is near the vehicle, within a small fraction of the sheath size.     

Professional environment for knowledge workers: employers'responsibilities

Knowledge workers, including engineers and computer professionals, are recognized as being among the most valuable assets of high-technology employers. The employers' responsibilities in establishing and maintaining a mutually rewarding relationship are discussed. The value of adequate facilities, tools, and support personnel for ensuring competitive productivity by knowledge workers is considered. The employers' responsibility for assisting knowledge workers in avoiding technical obsolescence through programs to maintain technical competence is examined. The total compensation package is discussed along with alternate career paths to be made available. The responsibility of the employer to maintain high moral and ethical standards is stressed