Optimum Processing of Unequally Spaced Radar Pulse Trains for Clutter Rejection

A train of radar pulses from one resolution cell can be processed coherently to reject echoes from external clutter and detect targets moving radially with respect to the clutter. Optimum methods of signal processing are defined for systems in which the interpulse spacings are multiply staggered to avoid target blind speeds. Likelihood ratio tests are developed for systems in which the target Doppler frequency is known a priori and for systems employing a bank of filters to cover the target Doppler band. To implement such tests, the N pulses in the train are added with complex weights and the amplitude of the sum compared with a detection threshold. The set of weights which maximizes the average signal-to-clutter ratio is also computed for a single-filter system with unknown target Doppler frequency. When the clutter autocorrelation function is exponential, the clutter covariance matrix can be inverted analytically. This latter result is useful for comparing different interpulse-spacing codes for a particular system application.     

Compression Creep Behavior of High Volume Fraction of SiC Particles Reinforced Al Composite Fabricated by Pressureless Infiltration

The compression creep deformation of the high volume fraction of SiC particles reinforced Al-Mg-Si composite fabricated by pressure-less infiltration was investigated. The experimental results show that the creep stress exponents are very high at temperatures of 673 K, 723 K and 773 K, and if taking the threshold stress into account, the true stress exponent of minimum creep strain rate is still approximately 5, although the volume fraction of reinforcements is very high. The creep strain rate in the high volume fraction rein- forced aluminum alloy matrix composites is controlled by matrix lattice diffusion. It is found that the creep-strengthening effect of high volume fraction of silicon carbide particles is significant, although the particles do not form effective obstacles to dislocation motion.     

Numerical simulation of the solar granulation

The solar granulation has been simulated by numerical solution of the multidimensional, time-dependent, nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations applied to the solar atmosphere. Granules may be explained as buoyantly rising bubbles created at the level where T = 8000 K, and which have collapsed into vortex rings. The calculation is in quantitative agreement with observations and has a number of implications for solar physics and convection theory.     

Remote sounding of atmospheric gravity waves with satellite limb and nadir techniques

Recent advances in satellite techniques hold great potential for mapping global gravity wave (GW) processes at various altitudes. Poor understanding of small-scale GWs has been a major limitation to numerical climate and weather models for making reliable forecasts. Observations of short-scale features have important implication for validating and improving future high-resolution numerical models. This paper summarizes recent GW observations and sensitivities from several satellite instruments, including MLS, AMSU-A, AIRS, GPS, and CLAES. It is shown in an example that mountain waves with horizontal wavelengths as short as 30 km now can be observed by AIRS, reflecting the superior horizontal resolution in these modern satellite instruments. Our studies show that MLS, AMSU-A and AIRS observations reveal similar GW characteristics, with the observed variances correlated well with background winds. As a complementary technique, limb sounding instruments like CRISTA, CLAES, and GPS can detect GWs with better vertical but poorer horizontal resolutions. To resolve different parts of the broad GW spectrum, both satellite limb and nadir observing techniques are needed, and a better understanding of GW complexities requires joint analyses of these data and dedicated high-resolution model simulations.     

Preliminary analysis of shuttle multispectral radiometer data for Southern Egypt

The Shuttle Multispectral Infrared Radiometer (SMIRR) is a spectroradiometer covering the region from 0.5 to 2.5 μm in 10 channels that acquired data from spots 100 m in diameter along the subspacecraft ground track. It was flown aboard the second flight of the space shuttle Columbia, November 12–14, 1981. Data collected during orbit 16 over southern Egypt show that carbonate rocks, kaolinite, and possibly montmorillonite can be identified by their SMIRR spectral signatures and limited knowledge of the lithologic units present. Detailed analysis of SMIRR data for this area indicates that calcite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite rocks give rise to absorption features that result in characteristic 10 channel spectra.     

Policy for robust space-based earth science,technology and applications

Satellite remote sensing technology has contributed to the transformation of multiple earth science domains, putting space observations at the forefront of innovation in earth science. With new satellite missions being launched every year, new types of earth science data are being incorporated into science models and decision-making systems in a broad array of organizations. Policy guidance can influence the degree to which user needs influence mission design and when, and ensure that satellite missions serve both the scientific and user communities without becoming unfocused and overly expensive. By considering the needs of the user community early on in the mission-design process, agencies can ensure that satellites meet the needs of multiple constituencies. This paper describes the mission development process in NASA and ESA and compares and contrasts the successes and challenges faced by these agencies as they try to balance science and applications within their missions.     

Heavy ion contributions to organ dose equivalent for the 1977 galactic cosmic ray spectrum

Estimates of organ dose equivalents for the skin, eye lens, blood forming organs, central nervous system, and heart of female astronauts from exposures to the 1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic radiation spectrum for various shielding geometries involving simple spheres and locations within the Space Transportation System (space shuttle) and the International Space Station (ISS) are made using the HZETRN 2010 space radiation transport code. The dose equivalent contributions are broken down by charge groups in order to better understand the sources of the exposures to these organs. For thin shields, contributions from ions heavier than alpha particles comprise at least half of the organ dose equivalent. For thick shields, such as the ISS locations, heavy ions contribute less than 30% and in some cases less than 10% of the organ dose equivalent. Secondary neutron production contributions in thick shields also tend to be as large, or larger, than the heavy ion contributions to the organ dose equivalents.     

Wake vortex encounter severity for rotorcraft in final approach

The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) predicts that European air traffic may nearly triple by 2020. The growth in air traffic is already an increasing problem with capacity at some airports becoming limited due to congestion. This could be alleviated by providing additional passenger capacity at hubs through the introduction of rotorcraft using new IFR procedures and operating simultaneously but independently of the fixed-wing traffic. These Simultaneous Non-Interfering Operations (SNIOps) will be enabled by a ‘reconfiguration’ of the airspace, taking advantage of new navigational and air traffic management systems. SNIOp's raise critical safety questions for rotorcraft wake vortex encounters (WVE's) and will require consideration of the longitudinal and lateral aircraft separation and the locations of the rotorcraft FATO's (Final Approach and Take-Off areas). This paper presents analysis from work carried out as part of the Framework 6 project ‘OPTIMAL’ including the development of predictive methodology and analysis for rotorcraft WVE's, using a severity rating scale. In particular, scenarios are considered where the rotorcraft is following precision glideslopes of up to 12° in both good and degraded visual conditions. Handling qualities criteria have already been found to be well suited to investigating severity of an encounter. Within this framework, draft boundaries are proposed for assessing the severity of an encounter. Furthermore, the results have shown a pilot may be able to recover from an encounter, but the question of whether the required navigational precision would be compromised and a go-around required is also addressed.     

International verification arrangements : Choosing the right approach

A proposal for an international satellite monitoring agency (ISMA) to verify arms control agreements was first made by France in 1978, and has been received enthusiastically, although not by the superpowers. The technologies available for verification are proliferating, and many countries feel they can make a useful contribution. The authors examine the impact an ISMA would actually have on international security and arms control, and propose several alternative avenues for international participation in verification.