Wind asymmetries in massive stars

We are in the process of surveying the linear polarization in luminous, early-type stars. We here report on new observations of the B [e] stars S 18 and R 50, and of the Luminous Blue Variables HR Car, R 143, and HD 160529. Together with previously published data, these observations provide clear evidence for the presence of intrinsic polarization in 1 B[e] star (HD 34664) and in 5 LBVs ( Car, P Cyg, R 127, AG Car, and HR Car). The data indicate that anisotropic stellar winds are a common occurrence among massive stars in these particular evolutionary stages. For such stars, mass-loss rates estimated using the assumption of a spherical, homogeneous and stationary outflow may be in error.     

Radiative and hybrid cooling of infrared space telescopes

The designs of cold space telescopes, cryogenic and radiatively cooled, are similar in most elements and both benefit from orbits distant from the Earth. In particular such orbits allow the anti-sunward side of radiatively-cooled spacecraft to be used to provide large cooling radiators for the individual radiation shields. Designs incorporating these features have predictedT _tel near 20 K. The attainability of such temperatures is supported by limited practical experience (IRAS, COBE). Supplementary cooling systems (cryogens, mechanical coolers) can be advantageously combined with radiative cooling in hybrid designs to provide robustness against deterioration and yet lower temperatures for detectors, instruments, and even the whole telescope. The possibility of such major additional gains is illustrated by the Very Cold Telescope option under study forEdison, which should offerT _tel5 K for a little extra mechanical cooling capacity.     

Human productivity in space and systems costs

Human productivity during assembly operations in-orbit is dependent on limits set by fatigue, metabolic rates, learning, and assembly techniques. In order to quantify these effects, tests were conducted in the NASA MSFC Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, in the NASA KC-135 in parabolic flight, and in space with the EASE program during the Shuttle Atlantis mission 61-B. A separate program attempted to relate productivity to system costs. Because of the surprisingly high productivity which had been demonstrated in orbit, it was shown that assembly operations would have only a small effect on system costs at the present level of launch costs. The results of these continuing studies have been reported in a recent paper(1). They will be briefly summarized here and the results updated to include additional cost elements and to examine the effects of reductions in transportation costs, resulting from advances in technology and from increased demand, on system costs. It is shown that, as launch costs are reduced, the assembly costs could become an increasingly important component of the total system costs.     

Analysis of Multimodal Systems

The estimation of a multimodal linear system whose mode-to-mode transitions are described by a finite-state Markov chain is described. The problem has application in studying separation standards in an air traffic control environment. An optimal solution is formulated which is computationally infeasible. A suboptimal estimator is then derived which closely approximates the optimal estimator. An example is presented to illustrate the technique.     

Discrete-time observability and estimability analysis for bearings-only target motion analysis

Observability in the context of bearings-only tracking (BOT) is still the subject of important literature. Different from previous approaches, where continuous-time analysis was considered, our approach relies on discrete-time analysis. It is then shown that this allows us to use directly and efficiently the simple formalisms of linear algebra. Using the direct approach, observability analysis is essentially reduced to basic considerations about subspace dimensions. Even if this approach is conceptually quite direct, it becomes more and more complex as the source-encounter scenario complexity increases. For complex scenarios, the dual approach may present some advantages essentially due to the direct use of multilinear algebra. New results about BOT observability for maneuvering sources are thus obtained. Observability analysis is then extended to unknown instants of source velocity changes. Even if observability analysis provides thorough insights about the algebraic structure of the BOT problem, the optimization of the observer maneuvers is essentially a control problem. Basic algebraic considerations prove that a relevant cost functional for this control problem is the determinant of the Fisher information matrix (FIM). So, a large part of this work is devoted to the analysis of this cost functional. Using multilinear algebra, general approximations of this functional are given. In order to involve only directly estimable parameters, the source bearing-rates are examined. Using these approximations, a general framework for optimizing the observer trajectory is derived which allow us to approximate the optimal sequence of controls. It is worth stressing that our approach does not require the knowledge of the source trajectory parameters and is still valid for a maneuvering source.     

Instability and unsteadiness of aircraft wake vortices

This paper presents a review of theoretical and experimental results on stability and other unsteady properties of aircraft wakes. The basic mechanisms responsible for the propagation and the amplification of perturbation along vortices, namely the Kelvin waves and the cooperative instabilities, are first detailed. These two generic unsteady mechanisms are described by considering asymptotic linear stability analysis of model flows such as vortex filaments or Lamb–Oseen vortices. Extension of the linear analysis to more representative flows, using a biglobal stability approach, is also described. Experimental results obtained using LDV, hot wire and PIV in wind tunnels are presented and they are commented upon the light of theory.     

A New Mathematical Formulation for Strapdown Inertial Navigation

A differential equation is developed for the orientation vector relating the body frame to a chosen reference frame. The time derivative of this vector is the sum of the inertially measurable angular velocity vector and of the inertially nonmeasurable noncommutativity rate vector. It is precisely this noncommutativity rate vector that causes the computational problems when numerically integrating the direction cosine matrix. The orientation vector formulation allows the noncommutativity contribution to be isolated and, therefore, treated separately and advantageously. An orientation vector mechanization is presented for a strap down inertial system. Further, an example is given of the applica tion of this formulation to a typical rigid body rotation problem.     

固体火箭发动机寿命预估的一种考虑

利用弹性－粘弹性对应原理，分析长期贮存固体推进剂药柱由环境温度变化引起的热应力，计算药柱损伤，并对发动机寿命进行预估。理论分析和算法具有普遍性，可供工程设计参考。     

Medium PRF set selection using evolutionary algorithms

This paper presents a new and novel method of selecting multiple pulse repetition frequency (PRF) sets for use in medium PRF pulsed-Doppler radars. Evolutionary algorithms are used to minimise the blind areas in the range/Doppler space. The evolutionary algorithm allows optimal solutions to be generated quickly, far faster than with exhaustive searches, and is fully automatic, unlike existing techniques. The evolved solutions compare very favorably against the results of both an exhaustive search and existing published PRF set selection methods. This evolutionary approach to generation of PRF sets is a major advance in medium PRF radar design.     

Susceptibility of DS/FH,M, Binary DPSK to Partial and Full Band Barrage Jamming

Spread spectrum signaling schemes have been proposed to counter unfriendly, electrical jamming threats. In order to establish their effectiveness, such schemes must be analyzed. This work takes a step in this direction by developing the susceptibility equation, or equivalently, the probability of error, of a direct sequence/frequency hopped (DS/FH), binary differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) system when subjected to a barrage jamming signal. Specific system models are established for the receiving system as well as for the jamming signal and the spread spectrum techniques. Both partial and full band jamming strategies are considered. Graphical results are presented with the conclusions summarizing the spread spectrum effectiveness and the deficiencies of the FH processing gain definition.