Phase gradient autofocus-a robust tool for high resolution SARphase correction

The phase gradient autofocus (PGA) technique for phase error correction of spotlight mode synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is examined carefully in the context of four fundamental signal processing steps that constitute the algorithm. We demonstrate that excellent results over a wide variety of scene content, and phase error function structure are obtained if and only if all of these steps are included in the processing. Finally, we show that the computational demands of the fun PGA algorithm do not represent a large fraction of the total image formation problem, when mid to large size images are involved     

Concept of solenoidally stabilized reflector dishes in space

The idea of stabilizing the shape of a reflector dish for a space-based radiotelescope by an extensive magnetic field is considered. We outline a construction where the axes of rotational symmetry of the dish lie on the axes of rotational symmetry of a large circular solenoid. Its magnetic field produces a stabilizing pressure by acting on a distribution of dipole moment on the dish. In cosmic regions where the gravity gradient is smaller than the solar radiation pressure, large receiver apertures and large area-to-mass ratios of the dish are attainable. The latter might lead to a higher shape accuracy of the reflecting surface compared to the truss frame stabilization. We calculate the distribution of dipole moment that gives a parabolic surface in the approximation of no dish elasticity and no magnetic dish-dish interaction. A disadvantage is the relative large mass of the solenoid. However, we find that it can be about three times smaller in diameter than the dish.     

Assessment of Space Station design and operation through Bioastronautics.

The paper reviews the main elements and major issues affecting human productivity and discusses some selected factors which might not be sufficiently identified and/or considered from the Bioastronautics point of view at the present stage of planning Space Station design and operation.     

Coronal interconnection of two active regions observed in 3.5–5.5 keV X-rays

Using HXIS data, we have studied further development of the coronal arch extending towards SE above the active region (AR) No.17255 in November 1980. The disappearance of that arch was followed by the appearance of another arch-like structure towards SW. We have studied the development of the new structure and classified it as an arch interconnecting AR 17255 with AR 17251, which was ～30° to the west. We estimate physical characteristics of this interconnection and compare them with Skylab data and the earlier arches.     

Implementation of a semianalytic satellite theory with recovery of short period terms

First order averaging is applied to the artificial satellite problem to obtain the averaged orbit which includes the secular, long and medium period effects of the oblateness of the Earth and the third body perturbations of the moon and sun. Perturbation theory is then used to recover the short period effects due to J₂, the moon, and sun. The perturbation analysis is carried out by means of Lie series and is developed through the first order. Optimization of the resulting short period series was then accomplished in several steps: first all separate algebraic coefficients were precalculated and stored; then all redundant SIN/COS calls were eliminated; next all repetition of numeric and algebraic coefficients were precalculated in pairs; application of the distributive principle allowed a significant reduction in additions and multiplications; finally trigonometric identities were used to further reduce the SIN/COS computations. The result of this optimization along with an interpolator for the averaged equations of motion results in a computer program which requires only $\text{1}\text{6}$ the CPU time (with no loss in accuracy) of the original non-optimized test program.     

The optimal distribution of search effort: existence, uniquenessand the minimax solution

The detection search problem, one of distributing limited resources so as to maximize the detection probability in the single-try search for a concealed target with known probability density, is analyzed. Under fairly general assumptions, the optimal search density uniquely exists when the detection index is governed by the law of diminishing returns and another simple regularity condition. Numerical procedure based on the bisection method, which is guaranteed to converge if the solution uniquely exists, may be used to solve for the optimal search density and the associated Lagrange multiplier. When it is not possible to confidently estimate the target a priori probability density, the minimax solution guarantees a positive detection probability at the expense of degradation in performance     

Unique radiobiological aspects of high-LET radiation.

Since the beg inning of manned space flight the potentially unique radiobiological properties of the heavy ions of the cosmic radiation had been, apart from possible interactions of radiation effects with biological effects of weightlessness, of major concern with respect to the assessment of radiation hazards in manned space flight. Radiobiological findings obtained from space flight experiments and ground based experiments with densely ionizing radiation are discussed, which suggest qualitative differences between the radiobiological mechanisms of sparsely ionizing and densely ionizing radiation. These findings comprise the observation of a long lateral range of radiobiological effectiveness around tracks of single heavy ions, the observation of micro lesions induced in biological targets by the penetration of heavy ions, the nonadditivity of radiobiological effects from sparsely and densely ionizing radiation, the different kinetics for the expression of late effects induced by sparsely or densely ionizing radiation, and the observation of a reversed dose rate effect for early and late effects induced by densely ionizing radiation. These findings bear on the radiation protection standards to be installed for a general public in manned space flight and on the design of experiments, which intend to contribute to their specification.     

Effects of microgravity and hypergravity on the cell: investigations on Paramecium tetraurelia.

Previous space CYTOS experiments have shown that space flights resulted in an increase in growth of Paramecia cultures. Microgravity is the major factor responsible of this response: indeed the stimulatory effect disappeared in inflight cultures placed on a 1 g centrifuge aboard the Spacelab. On the other hand, exposure to different levels of hypergravity on Earth resulted in an opposite response, i.e. to a reduced cell growth rate. A possible mechanism of microgravity on paramecia is discussed.     

Properties of electrophoretic fractions of human embryonic kidney cells separated on Space Shuttle flight STS-8.

Suspensions of cultured primary human embryonic kidney cells were subjected to continuous flow electrophoresis on Space Shuttle flight STS-8. The objectives of the experiments were to obtain electrophoretically separated fractions of the original cell populations and to test these fractions for the amount and kind of urokinase (a kidney plasminogen activator that is used medically for digesting blood clots), the morphologies of cells in the individual fractions, and their cellular electrophoretic mobilities after separation and subsequent proliferation. Individual fractions were successfully cultured after return from orbit, and they were found to differ substantially from one another and from the starting sample with respect to all of these properties.     

Transport phenomena and crystal growth of the GeSe-Xenon system for different gravitational conditions

Previous chemical vapor transport experiments of the GeSe-GeI₄ system performed under reduced gravity conditions /1/ yielded crystals of considerably improved surface and bulk morphology. In addition, the mass transport rates observed in microgravity environment were significantly greater than predicted. A quantitative thermodynamic analysis of the solid-gas phase reactions of the GeSe-GeI₄ system revealed the multi-component, multi-reaction nature of the vapor phase /2/. Continued transport studies on ground of the GeSe-GeI₄ system in the presence of inert gases provided experimental evidence for the existence of a boundary layer /2/ and its thickness dependence on GeI₄ pressure in closed tube systems. Systematic transport rate measurements for different orientations of the density gradient relative to the gravity vector demonstrated the effects of ampoule inclination on mass flux /3/. Based on a computational model for simultaneous chemical vapor transport, sublimation, and Stefan flow /3/, the excellent agreement of predicted with ground-based experimental mass transport rates over wide pressure ranges /3/ confirmed the validity of the model and the discrepancy between observed and expected transport rates of the GeSe-GeI₄ system in microgravity.