The Dynamics of a Satellite-Gyrostat with a Single Nonzero Component of the Vector of Gyrostatic Moment

The dynamics of a satellite-gyrostat moving in the central Newtonian force field along a circular orbit is studied. In the particular case when the vector of gyrostatic moment is parallel to one of the satellite’s principal central axes of inertia, all the equilibrium states are determined. For each equilibrium orientation, sufficient conditions of stability are obtained as a result of the analysis of the generalized energy integral, and necessary conditions of stability are determined as a result of analysis of the linearized equations of motion. The evolution of regions of validity for the conditions of stability of equilibrium positions are studied in detail depending on the parameters of the problem. All the bifurcation values of the parameters at which qualitative changes of the regions of stability take place are determined.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 4, 2005, pp. 283–294.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sarychev, Mirer, Degtyarev.     

A Three-Dimensional Simulation of Collisional-Interchange-Instability in the Equatorial-Low-Latitude Ionosphere

We present a three-dimensional simulation of collisional-interchange-instability in the equatorial-low-latitude F region of ionosphere. The instability is responsible for the generation of large plasma density depletion or bubble. General 3D potential and continuity equations are derived to simulate the phenomena. To understand the linear aspect of the instability, the general 3D linear growth rate is derived using 3D potential equation. The linear growth characteristics are compared with earlier field-aligned-integrated growth analyses. The numerical simulation of bubble in the 3D spherical polar geometry is finally presented. Distinct evolution characteristics of bubble in 3D and 2D simulation are further discussed.     

SMES benefit analysis using a production cost model for Puget Soundapplication

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is an emerging technology that is expected to provide a means of storing electrical energy for use during peak demand periods. Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has estimated benefits and costs associated with the use of SMES technology and has provided insight into the overall future potential of SMES in the service area of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and on systems that connect and exchange power with BPA     

The future of military standards. A focus on electronics

The growing perception that with cutbacks in the military and the changing international economic environment, the military must rely on commercial industries in order to afford the next generation of high-performance and high-reliability military systems is discussed. One issue associated with the question of whether an industrial base for the military can be provided and maintained without major changes in the operation of both the government and commercial industry is examined, namely, whether commercial standards can effectively supplant military standards and still provide high performance and reliability for military missions     

Spectroscopic diagnostics for CDS and SUMER

The CDS and SUMER instruments will make extensive use of spectroscopic diagnostics to determine the physical parameters of the solar transition region and corona. A great deal of effort is going into the development of these techniques to ensure that they are accurate. This requires interfacing solar analysis programs with the best available atomic data calculations. Recent developments in this work will be presented, with specific examples of useful spectral line ratios.     

Processing of nutritious, safe and acceptable foods from CELSS candidate crops.

A controlled ecological life-support system (CELSS) is required to sustain life for long-duration space missions. The challenge is preparing a wide variety of tasty, familiar, and nutritious foods from CELSS candidate crops under space environmental conditions. Conventional food processing technologies will have to be modified to adapt to the space environment. Extrusion is one of the processes being examined as a means of converting raw plant biomass into familiar foods. A nutrition-improved pasta has been developed using cowpea as a replacement for a portion of the durum semolina. A freeze-drying system that simulates the space conditions has also been developed. Other technologies that would fulfill the requirements of a CELSS will also be addressed.     

Adverse effects of microgravity on the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum.

Bacteria that contain magnetosomes display magnetotaxis and align themselves to the earth's magnetic field. When magnetotactic bacteria were first isolated several decades ago it was presumed that geomagnetic orientation allowed magnetotactic bacteria to orient themselves downward towards sediments where the habitat is favorable to their growth and metabolism. As more species of magnetotactic bacteria have been isolated and studied, differences in magnetotactic responses have been observed which suggested that the primary role of magnetosomes might simply be to enhance a microorganism's response to gravity. To resolve if gravity influences magnetotactic behavior in bacteria, Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum was used to examine magnetotaxis in the absence of gravity. Experiments to compare the orientation of bacteria to north- or south-pole magnets were conducted in normal gravity and in the microgravity environments aboard the Space Shuttle and Space Station MIR. In each of the microgravity situations studied, bacteria were impaired in their ability to orient to magnets and the failure to exhibit magnetotaxis appeared to be a function of the loss of magnetosomes. The disappearance of aggregated magnetosomes seemed to correlate with a general loss of cellular integrity in microgravity.