Tetrahedral satellite formation: Geomagnetic measurements exchange and interpolation

This note presents a study of a four-satellite tetrahedral formation to collect, process, and exchange multipoint measurements of geomagnetic field in a near-polar orbit. The study is conducted as a series of numerical experiments based on simulated spacecraft orbits and corresponding geomagnetic field models output. The four satellites are assumed to move in near-circular orbits specifically chosen to maintain the tetrahedron quality. The satellites exchange their simulated magnetometers readings and the collected multipoint measurements are processed on board of any of them thus creating an instantaneous interpolated map of the geomagnetic field in the interior of the tetrahedron. Interpolation is carried out with the use of Kriging algorithms, known in geostatistics for capturing spatial correlation of the data and taking into account statistical properties of the interpolated variables. We propose a concept of a servicing formation, and analyze interpolation accuracy for different formation sizes. It is then discussed how the processed multipoint measurements can be provided as a service to other nearby satellites. Finally, we show that using the existing COTS magnetometers it is possible to obtain real-time interpolation data, which are more precise at a given point and time than a conventional onboard magnetic field model, thus ensuring better attitude determination routines performance in the serviced spacecraft.     

The Long-Term Evolution of the Atmosphere of Venus: Processes and Feedback Mechanisms

Space Science Reviews - The BepiColombo Environment Radiation Monitor (BERM) on board the European Space Agency’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), is designed to measure the radiation...     

Subsurface Water Oceans on Icy Satellites: Chemical Composition and Exchange Processes

The state of knowledge about the structure and composition of icy satellite interiors has been significantly extended by combining direct measurements from spacecraft, laboratory experiments, and theoretical modeling. The existence of potentially habitable liquid water reservoirs on icy satellites is dependent on the radiogenic heating of the rock component, additional contributions such as the dissipation of tidal energy, the efficiency of heat transfer to the surface, and the presence of substances that deplete the freezing point of liquid water. This review summarizes the chemical evolution of subsurface liquid water oceans, taking into account a number of chemical processes occuring in aqueous environments and partly related to material exchange with the deep interior. Of interest are processes occuring at the transitions from the liquid water layer to the ice layers above and below, involving the possible formation of clathrate hydrates and high-pressure ices on large icy satellites. In contrast, water-rock exchange is important for the chemical evolution of the liquid water layer if the latter is in contact with ocean floor rock on small satellites. The composition of oceanic floor deposits depends on ambient physical conditions and ocean chemistry, and their evolutions through time. In turn, physical properties of the ocean floor affect the circulation of oceanic water and related thermal effects due to tidally-induced porous flow and aqueous alteration of ocean floor rock.     

S. W. Bougher,D. M. Hunten,and R. J. Phillips (eds.) Venus II - Geology,Geophysics, Atmosphere,and Solar Wind Environment

Space Science Reviews -     

Development of the RFBB “Bargouzine” concept for Ariane-5 evolution

This paper presents the study of a concept of Ariane-5 evolution by means of replacement of two solid-propellant boosters EAP with two liquid-propellant reusable fly-back boosters (RFBBs) called “Bargouzine”. The main design feature of the reference RFBB is LOX/LH2 propellant, the canard aerodynamic configuration with delta wings and rocket engines derived from Vulcain-2 identical to that of the central core except for the nozzle length. After separation RFBBs return back by use of air breathing engines mounted in the aft part and then landing on a runway.The aim of the study is a more detailed investigation of critical technology issues concerning reliability, re-usability and maintenance requirements. The study was performed in three main phases: system trade-off, technical consolidation, and programmatic synthesis. The system trade-off includes comparative analysis of two systems with three and four engines on each RFBB and determination of the necessary thrust level taking into account thrust reservation for emergency situations. Besides, this phase contains trade-off on booster aerodynamic configurations and abort scenario analysis.The second phase includes studying of controllability during the ascent phase and separation, thermo-mechanical design, development of ground interfaces and attachment means, and turbojets engine analysis taking into account reusability.     

俄罗斯应用天文研究所月球历表研究现状

空间探测需要越来越高精度的观测和历表支持。俄罗斯科学院应用天文研究所研发了满足精度要求的月球历表EPM-ERA,它与同期的法国INPOP历表和美国DE历表比较,精度方面有微小差距。分析了进一步提高历表精度的方法。然而EPM-ERA仅仅依赖于法国和美国台站提供的月球激光测距LLR数据,为了克服这个限制,应用天文研究所在推进俄罗斯西伯利亚阿尔塔伊LLR地面站的重建任务,以改善LLR测站分布的几何构型。俄罗斯的月球-全球和月球-资源探月计划为改进月球历表提供了机会,参与了多次国际深空探测的俄罗斯VLBI网"QUASAR"也将参与这些俄罗斯月球探测计划的精密测轨跟踪。     

Viscosity effects on weak irregular reflection of shock waves in steady flow

The viscosity effects on weak shock wave reflection are investigated with the Navier–Stokes and DSMC flow solvers. It is shown that the viscosity plays a crucial role in the vicinity of three-shock intersection. Instead of a singular triple point, in viscous flow there is a smooth three shock transition zone, where one-dimensional shock jump relations cannot be applied. At the flow parameters corresponding to the von Neumann reflection, when no inviscid three-shock solution exists, the computations predict an irregular shock-wave configuration similar to that observed previously in experiments. The existence of a viscous zone in the region of shock-wave interaction allows a continuous transition from the parameters behind the Mach stem to the parameters behind the reflected shock, which is impossible in the inviscid three-shock theory. Results of numerical simulations agree qualitatively with the conclusions of the approximate viscous theory, which describes the flow in the vicinity of the three-shock intersection.     

保证飞行器可靠性的一个方法

 研究了在飞机器设计和试验研究阶段保证结构可靠性的问题 ,提出了在地面及飞行试验阶段合理选择试验策略和确定试验规模的具体方法 ,并给出了算例。用本文方法所获得的分析结果可以作为飞行器的不同试验阶段可靠性、安全系数与试验规模的一种综合评定     

Methods and measurements to assess physical and geochemical conditions at the surface of Europa

An international effort dedicated to the science exploration of Jupiter system planned by ESA and NASA in the beginning of the next decade includes in-depth science investigation of Europa. In parallel to EJSM (Europa-Jupiter System Mission) Russia plans a Laplace-Europa Lander mission, which will include another orbiter and the surface element: Europa Lander. In-situ methods on the lander provide the only direct way to assess environmental conditions, and to perform the search for signatures of life. A critical advantage of such in situ analysis is the possibility to enhance concentration and detection limits and to provide ground truth for orbital measurements. The science mission of the lander is biological, geophysical, chemical, and environmental characterizations of the Europa surface. This review is dedicated to methods and strategies of geophysical and environmental measurements to be performed at the surface of Europa, and their significance for the biological assessment, basing on the concept of a relatively large softly landed module, allowing to probe a shallow subsurface. Many of the discussed methods were presented on the workshop “Europa Lander: Science Goals and Experiments” held in Moscow in February 2009. Methods and instruments are grouped into geophysical package, means of access to the subsurface, methods of chemical and structural characterization, and methods to assess physical conditions on the surface.