Current status and future plans for the general antiparticle spectrometer (GAPS)

We discuss current progress and future plans for the general antiparticle spectrometer experiment (GAPS). GAPS detects antideuterons through the X-rays and pions emitted during the deexcitation of exotic atoms formed when the antideuterons are slowed down and stopped in targets. GAPS provides an exceptionally sensitive means to detect cosmic-ray antideuterons. Cosmic-ray antideuterons can provide indirect evidence for the existence of dark matter in such form as neutralinos or Kaluza–Klein particles. We describe results of accelerator testing of GAPS prototypes, tentative design concepts for a flight GAPS detector, and near-term plans for flying a GAPS prototype on a balloon.     

Utility of proposed sensors for coastal engineering studies

The needs of coastal engineering are different from open ocean monitoring or fisheries potential monitoring. A high resolution of 20 meters is essential for identifying several processes that are taking place and influences the coast. A case of application of Landsat MSS to evaluate littoral process highlights the needs for improved spatial resolution. Nevertheless Landsat MSS data for 1981 and 1982 showed that the extent of accretion and erosion that has taken place during this period. Some problems to be addressed for marine remote sensing are mainly regarding the need for insitu data. These aspects are mentioned.     

A high quality low state observation of Cir X-1

Cir X-1 was extremely faint when we observed it with EXOSAT. The light curve clearly shows the source in two states; a faint variable state and a very faint but more constant state. The spectrum is very complicated but clearly shows the existence of an iron line.     

Automatic Target Recognition: Some Considerations

Machine analysis of aerial reconnaissance data is desirable. New acquisition techniques, equipment, and sensors, plus a growing demand for rapidly obtained, accurate information necessitate machine performance of tasks presently accomplished by observers and interpreters. Many of these tasks can be described as pattern recognition or information processing functions. This paper discusses significant problems encountered when attempting to identify objects or regions automatically from aerial photography. Problems include sensor distortions, variations in target environment, and concepts of design and ?teaching? of an actual device. Operational requirements such as processing speed and flexibility restrict the types of solutions available. Approaches to target recognition with relative merits and shortcomings are presented; these include shape correlation, feature extraction, and image quantization. The effect of mission requirements on system parameters is discussed. A bibliography is included.     

The RadioAstron project: Measurements and analysis of basic parameters of space telescope in flight in 2011–2013

The results of a large number of the antenna radiometric measurements at bands of 92, 18, 6.2, 1.35, and 1.7-1.2 cm are presented by the data of the standard telemetry system of the Spektr-R spacecraft. Both special sessions of calibration object observations in the mode of a single space radio telescope (SRT) operation and numerous observations of researched sources in the mode of the ground-space interferometer were used. The obtained results agree with the first results of Kardashev et al. (2013), i.e., within 10–15% at bands of 92, 18, and 6.2 cm and 20–25% at the band of 1.35 cm. In the main, the measurements for the eight subbands at wavelengths of 1.7-1.2 cm indicate a monotonic increase in the spectral system equivalent flux density (SEFD) of noise radiation with a frequency consistent with the calculated estimates for the discussed model. The sensitivity of the ground-space interferometer for the five subbands at wavelengths from 1.35 to 1.7 cm can be higher by a factor of 1.5, and for the three subbands from 1.35 to 1.2 cm lower by a factor of 1.5 than at the band of 1.35 cm. The SRT contribution to the interferometer sensitivity proportional to the square root of SEFD is close to the design one at the bands of 92 and 18 cm and decreases the design sensitivity approximately by a factor of 1.5 and 2 at the bands of 6.2 and 1.35 cm, respectively. These differences of implemented values from the design ones were not significantly affected the scientific program implementation.     

Solar UV radiation variations and their stratospheric and climatic effects

NIMBUS-7 SBUV measurements of the short-term solar UV variations caused by solar rotation and active-region evolution have determined the amplitude and wavelength dependence for the active-region component of solar UV variations. Intermediate-term variations lasting several months are associated with rounds of major new active regions. The UV flux stays near the peak value during the current solar cycle variation for more than two years and peaks about two years later than the sunspot number. NIMBUS-7 measurements have observed the concurrent stratospheric ozone variations caused by solar UV variations. There is now no doubt that solar UV variations are an important cause of short- and long-term stratospheric variations, but the strength of the coupling to the troposphere and to climate has not yet been proven.     

Interpretation of data on laser sensing of aerosol atmosphere from space

A single-frequency lidar, using aerosol scattering as an informative component, is the simplest and reliable facility for remote sensing of the atmosphere. The information on vertical distribution of atmospheric aerosol which can be obtained using such a lidar is necessary for investigating the physics of atmospheric processes and forecast of optical state of the atmosphere. At the same time, the interpretation of data on single-frequency sounding is associated with some difficulties of fundamental character, mainly due to insufficient software of the experiment. Under such conditions the problems of optimal processing of lidar returns aiming at extracting the useful information on aerosol are of great importance, especially if one takes into account the hindering effects of atmospheric background and optical noises. This paper presents a statistical approach to this problem, and the possibilities of single-frequency sounding from space are analyzed.     

Martian jumping rover equipped with electroactive polymer actuators: A preliminary study

This paper presents results of a preliminary study of feasibility for the application of electroactive polymer (EAP) based actuators to a robotic locomotion system, intended by the European Space Agency (ESA) to operate on the surface of Mars. The system is conceived as an elastic spherical rover, exploiting wind propulsion for surface motion, while adopting an active mechanism for vertical jumping over obstacles. The use of polymeric electromechanical devices is envisaged in order to provide actuation to such a jumping mechanism. Among the available EAP technologies, new contractile linear actuators based on dielectric elastomers arc proposed in this study as suitable devices and two potential solutions concerning their use are designed, modeled, and evaluated via numerical simulations. The best solution reveals interesting simulated performances, enabling jumping of obstacle heights corresponding to more than 7% of the diameter of the rover     

An empirical model of electron density for low and middle latitudes below 200 km

Our empirical model of electron density (n_e) for quiet and weakly disturbed geomagnetic conditions (Kp not greater 4) takes account of comparative analysis of existing models and of experimental data obtained by rockets and incoherent scatter radar. The model describes the n_e distribution in the 80 to 200 km height range at low and middle latitudes, and to some extent, in the subauroral region. It is presented in analytical form thus allowing one to calculate electron density profiles for any time. The electron density distribution at 140 km depends on the season (day of the year) and on the solar zenith angle. Profile variations during the day are for one season shown. Different from other models, ours specifies the variations during sunrise and sunset and reflects the particular profile shape at night admitting the occurrence of an intermediate layer.     

Soft X-ray characteristics of white dwarfs observed by EXOSAT

EXOSAT has observed 19 hot white dwarfs with alleged strong soft X-ray emission. Positive detection of a large fraction of this sample was obtained, among these practically all hot DA dwarfs. High-resolution spectral data, acquired with the 500 1/mm grating spectrometer, indicates no traces of He in the atmosphere of HZ43, i.e. n(He)/n(H) ? 10^?5 at a photospheric temperature of 60000 K (log g = 8). In contrast, the hot DA1 dwarf Feige 24 shows the presence of an appreciable He-abundance (n(He)/n(H) ? 10^?3); however no simple homogeneously mixed H/He atmosphere can explain the observed spectral shape.