Modelling of Geomagnetic Storm Effects in the Ionosphere of East Asia

This paper presents simulated results of the ionospheric behavior during few geomagnetic storms,which were occurred in the different seasons. The numerical model for ionosphere-plasmasphere coupling was used to interpret the observed variation of ionosphere structure. Reasons why the positive storms are dominant in the winter whereas the negative ones are dominant in the summer season present the special interest for the mid-latitude ionosphere. A theoretical analysis of the processes controlling the ionospheric response to the geomagnetic storms has showed a good agreement between the simulated results and measurements, as well as the crucial role of the neutral composition variations to fit the calculated and the observed ionospheric parameters.      

Magnetism, iron minerals, and life on Mars

A short critical review is provided on two questions linking magnetism and possible early life on Mars: (1) Did Mars have an Earth-like internal magnetic field, and, if so, during which period and was it a requisite for life? (2) Is there a connection between iron minerals in the martian regolith and life? We also discuss the possible astrobiological implications of magnetic measurements at the surface of Mars using two proposed instruments. A magnetic remanence device based on magnetic field measurements can be used to identify Noachian age rocks and lightning impacts. A contact magnetic susceptibility probe can be used to investigate weathering rinds on martian rocks and identify meteorites among the small regolith rocks. Both materials are considered possible specific niches for microorganisms and, thus, potential astrobiological targets. Experimental results on analogues are presented to support the suitability of such in situ measurements.     

RBCC引射/亚燃模态过渡点选择

以RBCC推进系统为动力的飞行器设计流程出发,建立了考虑发动机工作的限制条件的引射和亚燃模态性能评估方法,研究了不同燃料条件下发动机引射和亚燃模态下比冲和推力系数随飞行弹道的变化规律,提出了基于比冲最优、推力变化最小的模态过渡点选择方法;结合某一具体飞行任务的典型弹道,获得了在飞行马赫数为2.6±0.1、飞行高度为11.7～12.9 km范围内进行引射/亚燃模态过渡最佳的结论.     

从“捕食者”看高空长航时察打一体化无人机的特点

从“捕食者”A到B再到C,“捕食者”无人机实现了从纯粹的侦察无人机向兼具侦察和攻击能力的察打一体无人机的进化。本文通过对“捕食者”的相关介绍．揭示了察打一体无人机的主要特点。     

Al2O3/Al复合材料低频扭转振动攻丝研究

分析了低频扭转振动攻丝降低攻丝扭矩的机理,进行了干切状态下振动攻丝和连续攻丝的攻丝扭矩和丝锥使用寿命对比试验,并对振动攻丝中切削液的影响进行了试验.结果表明,在干切状态下,振动攻丝能够显著降低攻丝扭矩、提高丝锥使用寿命.     

W波段机载断续频率调制连续波成像雷达

按照断续调频连续波（FMICW）原理,已经研制出一台具有用于稳定和扫描的转向支架的94GHz成像雷达,它作为机载测试台用以评估雷达辅助导航和引导算法。直升机机载飞行试验的初步结果给出了所选择的特征（包括跑道）和其周围环境之间用计算机和飞行员人工引导两种情况下的充分比较。特征提取和匹配算法已经证实了该系统比GPS更准确。     

Cosmic radiation exposure of biological test systems during the EXPOSE-E mission

In the frame of the EXPOSE-E mission on the Columbus external payload facility EuTEF on board the International Space Station, passive thermoluminescence dosimeters were applied to measure the radiation exposure of biological samples. The detectors were located either as stacks next to biological specimens to determine the depth dose distribution or beneath the sample carriers to determine the dose levels for maximum shielding. The maximum mission dose measured in the upper layer of the depth dose part of the experiment amounted to 238±10 mGy, which relates to an average dose rate of 408±16 μGy/d. In these stacks of about 8?mm height, the dose decreased by 5-12% with depth. The maximum dose measured beneath the sample carriers was 215±16 mGy, which amounts to an average dose rate of 368±27 μGy/d. These values are close to those assessed for the interior of the Columbus module and demonstrate the high shielding of the biological experiments within the EXPOSE-E facility. Besides the shielding by the EXPOSE-E hardware itself, additional shielding was experienced by the external structures adjacent to EXPOSE-E, such as EuTEF and Columbus. This led to a dose gradient over the entire exposure area, from 215±16 mGy for the lowest to 121±6 mGy for maximum shielding. Hence, the doses perceived by the biological samples inside EXPOSE-E varied by 70% (from lowest to highest dose). As a consequence of the high shielding, the biological samples were predominantly exposed to galactic cosmic heavy ions, while electrons and a significant fraction of protons of the radiation belts and solar wind did not reach the samples.     

Time profile of cosmic radiation exposure during the EXPOSE-E mission: the R3DE instrument

The aim of this paper is to present the time profile of cosmic radiation exposure obtained by the Radiation Risk Radiometer-Dosimeter during the EXPOSE-E mission in the European Technology Exposure Facility on the International Space Station's Columbus module. Another aim is to make the obtained results available to other EXPOSE-E teams for use in their data analysis. Radiation Risk Radiometer-Dosimeter is a low-mass and small-dimension automatic device that measures solar radiation in four channels and cosmic ionizing radiation as well. The main results of the present study include the following: (1) three different radiation sources were detected and quantified-galactic cosmic rays (GCR), energetic protons from the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region of the inner radiation belt, and energetic electrons from the outer radiation belt (ORB); (2) the highest daily averaged absorbed dose rate of 426 μGy d(-1) came from SAA protons; (3) GCR delivered a much smaller daily absorbed dose rate of 91.1 μGy d(-1), and the ORB source delivered only 8.6 μGy d(-1). The analysis of the UV and temperature data is a subject of another article (Schuster et al., 2012 ).     

An astrophysical view of Earth-based metabolic biosignature gases

Microbial life on Earth uses a wide range of chemical and energetic resources from diverse habitats. An outcome of this microbial diversity is an extensive and varied list of metabolic byproducts. We review key points of Earth-based microbial metabolism that are useful to the astrophysical search for biosignature gases on exoplanets, including a list of primary and secondary metabolism gas byproducts. Beyond the canonical, unique-to-life biosignature gases on Earth (O(2), O(3), and N(2)O), the list of metabolic byproducts includes gases that might be associated with biosignature gases in appropriate exoplanetary environments. This review aims to serve as a starting point for future astrophysical biosignature gas research.