Radiation-driven diskons: An overview

The current status of the theory of a new astrophysical phenomenon, aradiation-driven diskon, is outlined.The cyclotron radiation pressure around sufficiently hot, strongly magnetized white dwarfs and neutron stars is shown to be able to drive a wind from the photosphere and support a plasma envelope in the closed part of the magnetosphere. The magnetohydrostatic configuration of an optically thin, radiatively supported plasma envelope is determined. It consists of an equatorial disk in the region where the cyclotron radiation force exceeds the local force of gravity and a closed shell near the equilibrium surface where the radiation pressure equals gravity. The effects of finite optical depth on the behaviour of the magnetospheric plasma and the influence of the envelope on the observed radiation are discussed.Classes of magnetic degenerate stars are pointed out in which radiation-driven diskons may be found. The best candidates are two individual stars, the strongly magnetized white dwarfs GD 229 and PG 1031+234. Both exhibit broad and deep depressions in the ultraviolet which are explained as a result of cyclotron scattering by an optically thick radiation-driven envelope in the inhomogeneous magnetic field of the star. We predict a temporal and spectral variability of these features due to non-stationary plasma motions in the envelope.     

Dynamics and structure of ion clouds in the ionosphere from multifrequency doppler sounding

The evolution of a barium ion cloud formed in the MR-20 rocket experiment in the low-latitude ionosphere is considered using data of Doppler multifrequency sounding.     

FINDER, a system providing complex decision support for commercialtransport replanning operations

Decision-aid systems, likely to appear in future aircraft generations, could play a central role in the cockpit thanks to the broad spectrum of functionalities and decision support facilities they will offer to the crew. As part of such systems, the exploratory FINDER mock-up is a knowledge-based system (KBS) designed to help crew members continually optimize their flight plan by suggesting solutions considering exhaustive information related to flight context, either on pilot request or upon external information occurrence. The successful evaluation by AIR FRANCE pilots of that first mock-up dedicated to diversion procedure on pilot request has led to the current development of an enhanced system with nominal Enroute operations and real-time capabilities. Nominal Enroute operations concern the optimization with respect to an evolutive constraining or favouring environment (due to weather, traffic or regulated areas, ETOPS constraints). This study paves the way for a future Flight Assistant System concept which is already under investigation and may take place in SEXTANT Avionique's future development steps     

Peculiarities of Estimating the Aircraft Performance Characteristics of the Rocket-and-Space Facilities under Conditions of Fuzzy Data

One possible method is considered of deriving the well-posed (in the sense of A.N. Tikhonov) solutions to the problems of estimating the aircraft performance characteristics. The method is based on the results of measurements of the state parameters and geophysical conditions of the employment of the rocket-and-space facilities under conditions of uncertainty of the a priori data on measurement errors.     

Optimum Steady State Position, Velocity, and Acceleration Estimation Using Noisy Sampled Position Data

A one-dimensional tracking filter based on the Kalman filtering techniques for tracking of a dynamic target such as an aircraft is discussed. The target is assumed to be moving with constant acceleration and is acted upon by a plant noise which perturbs its constant acceleration motion. The plant noise accounts for maneuvers and/or other random factors. Analytical results for estimating optimum steady state position, velocity, and acceleration of the target are obtained.     

Multiband echo tomography of Sco X-1

We present preliminary results of a simultaneous X-ray/optical campaign of the prototypical LMXB Sco X-1 at 1–10 Hz time resolution. Lightcurves of the high excitation Bowen/HeII emission lines and a red continuum at λ_c  6000 Å were obtained through narrow interference filters with ULTRACAM, and these were cross-correlated with simultaneous RXTE X-ray lightcurves. We find evidence for correlated variability, in particular when Sco X-1 enters the Flaring branch. The Bowen/HeII lightcurves lag the X-ray lightcurves with a light travel time which is consistent with reprocessing in the companion star while the continuum lightcurves have shorter delays consistent with reprocessing in the accretion disc.     

A technique for estimating the probability of radiation-stimulated failures of integrated microcircuits in low-intensity radiation fields: Application to the Spektr-R spacecraft

In developing radio-electronic devices (RED) of spacecraft operating in the fields of ionizing radiation in space, one of the most important problems is the correct estimation of their radiation tolerance. The “weakest link” in the element base of onboard microelectronic devices under radiation effect is the integrated microcircuits (IMC), especially of large scale (LSI) and very large scale (VLSI) degree of integration. The main characteristic of IMC, which is taken into account when making decisions on using some particular type of IMC in the onboard RED, is the probability of non-failure operation (NFO) at the end of the spacecraft’s lifetime. It should be noted that, until now, the NFO has been calculated only from the reliability characteristics, disregarding the radiation effect. This paper presents the so-called “reliability” approach to determination of radiation tolerance of IMC, which allows one to estimate the probability of non-failure operation of various types of IMC with due account of radiation-stimulated dose failures. The described technique is applied to RED onboard the Spektr-R spacecraft to be launched in 2007.     

Ionospheric wave processes during HF heating experiments

Effects of ionospheric modification produced by powerful high frequency radio waves are studied using the method of field-aligned scattering of diagnostic HF radio signals. Observations of scattered HF signals have been made by the Doppler spectrum method. Analysis of the experimental data shows the appearance of quasiperiodic variations in Doppler frequency shift f_d, with periods 30–60 s during the heating cycles. Powerful HF waves are assumed to excite the Alfvén resonator generating oscillations of the magnetic field lines in the heated region and giving rise to f_d artificial variations and magnetic pulsations. In the case of continuous action of the powerful HF transmitter ionospheric waves are sometimes observed with periods 12–25 min, typical of medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbances.     

Monitoring power supply current and using a neural network routineto diagnose circuit faults

As a circuit is tested, the current drawn from a power supply can vary as different functions are invoked by the test. The current draw can be plotted against time, showing a characteristic trace for the test performed. Sensors in the ATS power supply can be used to monitor the current flow during test execution. Defective components can be classified using a Neural Network according to the pattern of variation from the “trace” of a good card. This can be performed as a background function, with the network gaining in accuracy over time. This paper discusses the Neural Network Routine for diagnosing circuit faults using monitored power supply current