The Motion of Coaxial Bodies of Varying Composition on the Active Leg of Descent

The motion of a spacecraft (SC) with double rotation and variable mass on the active leg of its descent is considered. The SC consists of two coaxial bodies. The coaxial scheme is used for gyroscopic stabilization of the SC longitudinal axis by the method of partial spin-up. The equations of spatial motion of coaxial bodies of varying composition are derived and approximate solutions for the angles of spatial orientation are found. The condition of decreasing amplitude of nutation oscillations is obtained, which allows the estimation of efficiency of the stabilization by partial spin-up. The errors in the magnitude and direction of the vector of braking thrust are also determined.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2005, pp. 224–232.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Aslanov, Doroshin, Kruglov.     

Organization of cytoskeleton during differentiation of gravisensitive root sites under clinorotation.

Key role in cell gravisensing is attributed to the actin cytoskeleton which acts as a mediator in signaling reactions, including graviperception. Despite of increased attention to the actin cytoskeleton, major gaps in our understanding of its functioning in plant gravisensing still remain. To fill these gaps, we propose a novel approach focused on the investigation of actin involvement in the development of columella cells and cells in the transition zone of roots submitted to clinorotation. Both statocytes and cells in the transition zone represent the postmitotic cells which take origin in root meristems and are specified into graviperceptive (root cap) and gravireacting (transition zone) root tissues. The aim of the research was to investigate and compare the microfilament arrangements in root cap statocytes and peripheral root tissues (epidermis and cortex cells) in the transition zone and to find out how the actin cytoskeleton is involved in their specification under clinostat conditions. So far, our experiments have shown that under clinorotation the cytoplasmic microfilament network in the cortex cells in the transition zone is significantly enhanced. It is suggested that more abundant cytoplasmic microfilaments could strengthen the cortical actin cytoskeleton arranged parallel with the cortical microtubules, which are found to be partially disorganized in this area. Due to microtubule disorganization, the functioning of cellulose-synthesizing machinery and proper deposition of cell wall might be affected and could cause the alterations in the growth mode. But, in our case growth of the cells in the transition zone under clinorotation was rather stable. Due to our opinion, general stability of cell growth under clinorotation is promoted by mutual functional interrelation between actin and tubulin cytoskeletons. It is suggested that a strengthened cortical actin cytoskeleton restricts the cell growth instead of disorganized microtubules.     

Neuritogenesis: a model for space radiation effects on the central nervous system.

Pivotal to the astronauts' functional integrity and survival during long space flights are the strategies to deal with space radiations. The majority of the cellular studies in this area emphasize simple endpoints such as growth related events which, although useful to understand the nature of primary cell injury, have poor predictive value for extrapolation to more complex tissues such as the central nervous system (CNS). In order to assess the radiation damage on neural cell populations, we developed an in vitro model in which neuronal differentiation, neurite extension, and synaptogenesis occur under controlled conditions. The model exploits chick embryo neural explants to study the effects of radiations on neuritogenesis. In addition, neurobiological problems associated with long-term space flights are discussed.     

Relaxation of electron and proton radiation belts of the earth after strong magnetic storms

During strong magnetic storms in July and November of 2004 the fluxes of trapped particles (protons and electrons of MeV energies) in the Earth’s radiation belts have increased by orders of magnitude and then decreased remaining on an enhanced level for several months. These enhancements allowed us to study the processes of relaxation of the radiation belts. Measurements of energetic particles by low-altitude satellites Coronas-F and Servis-1 have shown that predictions of the theory about the rate of pitch-angle diffusion are not always correct, giving both overestimated and underestimated values for the lifetime of energetic particles.     

The Detection Performance of the Siebert and Dicke-Fix CFAR Radar Detectors

The Siebert and the Dicke-fix CFAR radar detectors, used to maintain a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) in radar receivers under very similar circumstances, are considered. The Siebert detector represents the maximum-likelihood detection procedure for a signal in Gaussian noise of unknown power level, whereas the Dicke-fix makes use of a bandpass limiter to normalize the input and thus ensure a constant false alarm rate. The detection performance of the two detectors is determined and a comparison shows that over a wide range of parameters, the Dicke-fix introduces a loss which is approximately 1 B larger than for the Siebert detector.     

The observation of the galactic anticenter region by the balloon borne gamma-ray telescope Natalya-I

This paper presents the results of measurements of gamma radiation with energies above 5 MeV, from the galactic anticenter region. The balloon-borne gamma ray telescope “Natalya-I”, was launched on 6 November, 1980 from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research's Balloon Facility (Hyderabad, India) and reached ceiling altitude of 35 km. The results on the accelerator calibration of the telescope, using a “tagged” gamma ray beam are also presented.     

Summary of radiation dosimetry results on U.S. and Soviet manned spacecraft.

Measurements of the radiation environment aboard U.S. and Soviet manned spacecraft are reviewed and summarized. Data obtained mostly from passive and some active radiation detectors now exist for the case of low Earth-orbit missions. Major uncertainties still exist for space exposure in high altitude, high inclination, geostationary orbits, in connection with solar effects and that of shielding. Data from active detectors flown in Spacelabs 1 and 2 suggest that a variety of phenomena must be understood before the effects of long-term exposure at the space-station type of orbit and shielding can be properly assessed.     

INMARSAT integrity channels for global navigation satellite systems

The transmission of integrity information using a signal format compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS) and relayed through a geostationary satellite repeater, which will be critical in achieving high integrity and availability of global navigation by satellite is discussed. The inclusion of navigation repeaters designed to fulfil this function, the next generation of INMARSAT spacecraft, INMARSAT-3 is examined. The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) integrity channel (GIC) will employ pseudorandom codes in the same family as, but distinct from, the codes reserved by GPS. The data format of the basic integrity channel is designed to convey user range error information for 24 to 40 satellites. A closed-loop timing compensation technique will be used at the uplinking Earth station, to make the signal's clock and carrier Doppler variations identical to those that would result from an onboard signal source. Therefore, the INMARSAT-3 satellites will increase the number of useful navigation satellites available to any user, and can also function as sources of precise timing. There is also a possibility that wide area differential corrections can be carried on the same signal     

Neutron stars: Classification and evolution

The general aproach is considered which describs the evolution of neutron stars in terms of their interaction with surrounding matter. All possible states of neutron stars are classified from this point of view. Classification and evolution of binaries contaning neutron stars are also considered.