Economy of modular low-technology launch vehicles

The paper comprises an assessment of the design and the economics of so-called “low-cost” simple modular launch vehicles. It is shown that the performance is very marginal and that the cost per launch cannot compete with technically more advanced fully reusable vehicles. Especially a private-funded development cannot be amortized economically in case of an expendable launch vehicle.     

Synthesis Techniques for a Class of SSB-AM-PM Signals

This paper develops synthesis techniques for a particular type of single-sideband sinusoidal carrier which is phase modulated by a subcarrier. Mathematical expressions for signal efficiency, sensitivity of design to parameter variation, and ratio of peak to average power are derived and incorporated in a computer program. Given the desired power ratios for modulated signal components, the program solves for the corresponding modulation parameters and evaluates signal efficiency, design sensitivity, and peak to average power ratio. A sample signal design is presented for clarity.     

Calculation of Probability of Detection with Target Scintillation

This paper presents a computational method for the calculation of probability of detection using measured radar target cross-section data. The described method can also be used for probability of detection calculations when the radar target cross section follows a specified probability density function. Using the computational procedure of the paper, a number of curves are generated which can be used for probability of detection calculations with exponential and Gaussian radar target cross-section distributions. The results obtained using theoretical distributions are compared with the corresponding results using actual target cross-section measurements. The results of computer runs are compared to the corresponding values in the literature where available.     

质量管理在中国香港的应用(英文)

香港工商企业的质量管理大部分都采用西方的质量管理概念。每当范畴扩展到建立人的优质思想和意识时,便遇到不少困难,基于上述问题,作者进行了一系列的研究,希望了解‘文化’与‘优质管理’之间的关系,并将中国的优良文化传统应用于现代质量管理之中。研究结果显示,‘管理哲学’是重要的一环,而我国的哲学极为丰富,作者借此文章,希望引起更多中国人在这方面的兴趣,从而进行更深入地研究和推广。     

Aerodynamics of smart flap under ground effect

Aerodynamic characteristics of two-dimensional smart flap under the ground effect have been assessed by a numerical simulation. In this process, a pressure-based implicit procedure to solve Navier–Stokes equations on a nonorthogonal mesh with collocated finite volume formulation is used. The boundedness criteria for this procedure are determined from the Normalized Variable Diagram (NVD) scheme. The procedure incorporates the k–ε eddy–viscosity turbulence model. Cantilever beam with uniformly varying load with roller support at the free end is considered for the configuration of the smart flap. The method is first validated against experimental data. Then, the algorithm is applied for turbulent aerodynamic flows around airfoil with smart and conventional flaps for different attack angle, flap angle and ground clearance where the results of two flaps are compared. The comparisons show that the quality of the solution is considerable.     

Dynamics and de-spin control of massive target by single tethered space tug

This paper investigates the dynamics and de-spin control of a massive target by a single tethered space tug in the post-capture phase. The dynamic model of the tethered system is derived and simplified to a dimensionless form. Further, a decoupled PD controller is proposed, and the local stability of the controller is analyzed by linearization technique. Parametric studies of the dynamics and de-spin control of a massive target are conducted to characterize the dynamic process of de-spin with the proposed control law. It is shown that the massive target can be de-span by a single and small space tug with limited thrust within finite time. The thrust tangent with the tether de-spins the target while the thrust normal to the tether prevents the tether from winding up the target. The tether length has a positive contribution to the de-spin of a target. The longer tether leads to a faster de-spin process.     

Day-to-day variability of equatorial anomaly in GPS-TEC during low solar activity period

The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) in the northern hemispheric equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest region is investigated by using dual-frequency signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS) acquired from Rajkot (Geog. Lat. 22.29°N, Geog. Long. 70.74°E; Geom. Lat. 14.21°N, Geom. Long. 144.90°E), India. The day-to-day variability of EIA characteristics is examined during low solar activity period (F10.7∼83 sfu). It is found that the daily maximum TEC at EIA crest exhibits a day-to-day and strong semi-annual variability. The seasonal anomaly and equinoctial asymmetry in TEC at EIA is found non-existent and weaker, respectively. We found a moderate and positive correlation of daily magnitude of crest, Ic with daily F10.7 and EUV fluxes with a correlation coefficient of 0.43 and 0.33, respectively indicating an existence of a short-term relation between TEC at EIA and the solar radiation even during low solar activity period. The correlation of daily Ic with Dst index is also moderate (r = −0.35), whereas no correlation is found with the daily Kp index (r = 0.14) respectively. We found that the magnitude of EIA crest is moderately correlated with solar flux in all seasons except winter where it is weakly related (0.27). The magnitude of EIA crest is also found highly related with EEJ strength in spring (r = 0.69) and summer (r = 0.65) than autumn (0.5) and winter (r = 0.47), though EEJ is stronger in autumn than spring.     

Fe/O Ratios in Interplanetary Shock Accelerated Particles

It is widely accepted that diffusive shock acceleration is an important process in the heliosphere, in particular in producing the energetic particles associated with interplanetary shocks driven by coronal mass ejections. In its simplest formulation shock acceleration is expected to accelerate ions with higher mass to charge ratios less efficiently than those with lower mass to charge. Thus it is anticipated that the Fe/O ratio in shock-accelerated ion populations will decrease with increasing energy above some energy. We examine the circumstances of five interplanetary shocks that have been reported to have associated populations in which Fe/O increases with increasing energy. In each event, the situation is complex, with particle contributions from other sources in addition to the shock. Furthermore, we show that the Fe/O ratio in shock-accelerated ions can decrease even when the shock is traveling through an Fe-rich ambient ion population. Thus, although shock acceleration of an Fe-rich suprathermal population has been proposed to explain large Fe-rich solar particle events, we find no support for this proposal in these observations.     

Intrinsic time scale for reconnection on the dayside magnetopause

Recently much attention has been focused on the transient behavior of the magnetopause in response to pressure pulses and southward fluctuations of the interplanetary magnetic field. We examine the motion of the magnetopause behind the foreshock and conclude that this motion is affected by foreshock pressure variations but not by fluctuations in the direction of the magnetic field. Neither magnetopause erosion nor flux transfer event occurrence is controlled by the foreshock. On the contrary, flux transfer events occur at times of steady IMF and thier quasi-periodic behavior is controlled by the magnetopause or the magnetosphere and is not driven by the external boundary conditions. Since flux transfer events are clearly due to reconnection, this observation implies that the IMF must be southward some time perhaps as long as 7 minutes before flux transfer begins.     

Hectometric and kilometric solar radio emission observed from satellites in August 1972

Type II, III, and continuum solar radio events, as well as intense terrestrial magnetospheric radio emissions, were observed at low frequencies (10 MHz to 30 kHz) by the IMP-6 satellite during the period of high solar activity in August 1972. This review covers briefly the unique direction finding capability of the experiment, as well as a detailed chronology of the low frequency radio events, and, where possible, their association with both groundbased radio observations and solar flares. The attempted observation of solar bursts in the presence of intense magnetospheric noise may, as illustrated, lead to erroneous results in the absence of directional information. The problem of assigning an electron density scale and its influence on determining burst trajectories is reviewed. However, for the disturbed conditions existing during the period in question, we feel that such trajectories cannot be determined accurately by this method. In conclusion, the capabilities, limitations, and observing programs of present and future satellite experiments are briefly discussed.