A review of the technical development of concorde

The technical problems encountered during the development and certification of Concorde are reviewed. The topics covered are mainly associated with aerodynamics, but other areas are discussed where they interact with the aerodynamic design or if there were conditions peculiar to supersonic transportation which had to be considered.     

The magnetohydrodynamic development of two-ribbon flares or a five-finger theory for solar flares

A semi-analytical model for the electrodynamic development of two-ribbon flares is presented. A current filament above a bipolar active region starts rising according to the model of Van Tend and Kuperus. Due to this motion large induced electric fields arise at a magnetic neutral line far below the filament, resulting in and associated with magnetic reconnection and the formation of a current sheet. The interaction of this current sheet with the original current filament, the background magnetic field and the boundary layer of the photosphere determine the further electrodynamic development of the flare. The model predicts the energy release, the time of maximum, the height of the energy source and other quantities reasonably well.     

Performance evaluation of track initiation in dense targetenvironments

This paper describes an analysis of track initiation performance in very high target density environments. The analysis of tracking performance performed previously by S. Mori et al. (1992) yielded very simple expressions to predict average track purity in terms of tracking parameters. These results were, however, obtained mainly for the track continuation phase in which tracks are more or less well established. We extend these results to the track initiation phase     

Balloon-borne far-infrared spectrophotometry of the galactic center region

Far-infrared observations of the Galactic Center have been carried through with the MPE Im balloon-borne telescope “Golden Dragon”. The measurements are composed of photometric scanning (33–95 μm) of the inner 4′×4′ and low resolution spectroscopy (δ^ν = 10 cm^?1) of the center and of a position approximately 1.5′ to the north. A Mars spectrum has been obtained for calibration. The spatial resolution of the photometry map is increased using the Maximum Entropy Method and the resulting map is compared to other observations in the same and other spectral regions. A clear asymmetry in the ring-like structure around the center indicates the presence of noncircular motions. The shape of the spectra is fairly smooth with at least no prominent dust features. A simple modelling shows a drastic increase of column density within 2 pc from the center and a modest drop over the next 3 pc to the north.     

A plan for compilation of experimental data on drifts for IRI

Methods for constructing a dynamical part of the IRI model are described.     

A comparison of the dust properties in recent periodic comets

Measurements of the thermal emission from the cometary dust coma can be used to derive the rate of dust production from the nucleus as well as the size distribution of absorbing grains. More than ten short-period comets have now been observed in the infrared over a wide range in heliocentric distance. Dust production rates are derived for these comets based on theoretical models of the thermal emission from small absorbing grains and calculations of dust grain velocities. The mean size and albedo of the dust grains is similar in these comets, with the exception of Comet Crommelin, which seems to have had larger, darker grains.     

Eutectic solidification of Al-Cu alloys influenced by convection

Directional solidification of eutectic Al-Cu alloys has been studied to demonstrate the influence of both impurity concentration and convective conditions. The λ/R relations show that higher iron concentration and intensive stirring coarsen the microstructure. The formation and growth of new iron-containing phases at the solidification front restrict impurity influence. Kinetic data follow a dependence λ.Rⁿ=const with n-value close to 0,5.     

Sporadic emission of ultra high energy gamma rays from crab pulsar

In a further study of sporadic emission from pulsars we find evidence for short lived intense emission from the Crab pulsar.     

The wells air turbine for wave energy conversion

The wave energy devices currently in operation in the United Kingdom and India and those that are to be built in Europe are based on the principle of the oscillating water-air column. In these devices the pneumatic energy of the oscillating air column is converted to mechanical energy of rotation by a Wells turbine. A monoplane (single plane) Wells turbine can absorb only a certain maximum pneumatic pressure amplitude due to tip speed limitations. For wave energy devices which produce large amplitudes of pneumatic pressure a biplane Wells turbine with or without guide vanes can be used. The prediction methods currently available and parameters controlling the aerodynamic performance of the Wells turbines are reviewed. Some novel techniques to improve the performance of Wells turbine are suggested.     

Utilization of space shuttle external tank materials by melting and powder metallurgy

The Crucible Melt Extraction Process was demonstrated to convert scraps of aluminum alloy 2219, used in the Space Shuttle External Tank, into fibers. The cast fibers were then consolidated by cold welding. The X-ray diffraction test of the cast fibers was done to examine the crystallinity and oxide content of the fibers. The compressive stress-strain behavior of the consolidated materials was also examined. Two conceptual schemes which would adapt the as-developed Crucible Melt Extraction Process to the microgravity condition in space were finally proposed.