Experimental and theoretical modeling of laser propulsion

Some schemes of laser propulsive systems are discussed. The question concerned with a body acceleration due to series of air blast waves generated by laser sparks is studied. For this purpose the numerical solutions of gasdynamic equations are found under appropriate initial conditions corresponding to the real ones. Radiative losses and spatial effects at the nozzle exit are taken into account. Theoretical results presented as coupling coefficients (equivalent to reciprocal thrust cost realizing under periodical pulse laser operation) are compared with the experiment. Using conical and parabolic nozzles irradiated by pulsed CO₂ laser the thrust cost about 2000 W/N is achieved which is close to the minimum possible one for the air blast wave-nozzle wall interaction. The main characteristics of laser propulsive jet are presented. Experimental results on recoil momentum transfered to solids under their evaporation by the pulsed CO₂-laser are presented as well. The question of plasma shielding effects on the momentum transfer under the vapour optical breakdown conditions is touched on.     

Two-State Feedback Loop Adaptive Arrays for Pulsed Interference Signals

A two-state feedback loop is presented which increases the effectiveness of an adaptive array in the presence of pulsed interference signals. In the case of the two-state feedback loop, one state permits the maximum adpative response, consistent with the loop stability, and is activated in the presence of an interfering pulse. During the other state, which is activated when the interfering pulse is off, the weights are frozen at the values reached at the end of the last interfering pulse and are maintained until the next disturbance occurs. It is shown that an adaptive array with the proposed two-state loops steers permanent minima in the direction of the interfering signals, irrespective of their duty cycle. The performance of a communication system protected by such an adaptive array improves significantly over one protected by a conventional adaptive array.     

Dust hazard near Halley Comet in case of the VEGA project

The motion of dust particles near Halley Comet is studied and the probability of dust impacts with the spacecraft in case of the VEGA (Venus-Halley)- project is determined. The formation of a crater due to a particle impact with the dust shield is considered and the necessity for using a dual-sheet bumper shield is substantiated. The thickness of a front sheet that plays a role of the particle evaporator is estimated theoretically. The numerical experiment is carried out that simulates the dynamics of collision and evaporation of a particle. Three factors causing perforations of the rear sheet are discussed, i.e. dust penetrated through holes in the front sheet, gas jets and spall fragments of the front-sheet. The consideration of these factors makes it possible to estimate basic parameters of the dual-sheet bumper shield. Flexural vibrations of the front sheet under action of the reverse gaseous jet from the rear sheet are discussed that can affect essentially the shield strength. The perturbing effect of the dust and gas fluxes on the spacecraft is studied.     

Dusty cometary atmospheres

This paper summarizes our present understanding of the physical processes controlling the dust and gas production of cometary nuclei and the evolution of the dusty gas flow in the inner coma. Special emphasis is being made to compile a self-consistent set of governing equations describing the accelerating dusty gas flow in a cometary atmosphere.     

NICMOS: A second generation infrared instrument for the hubble space telescope

NICMOS (the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer) is a second generation scientific instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Three cryogenic cameras with 256x256 HgCdTe arrays provide diffraction limited imaging throughout the 0.8 – 2.5 μm spectral region. Grisms in one of the cameras produces multi-object spectroscopy for all objects in the field. Coronagraphic and polarization capabilities round out the NICMOS modes of operation. Scheduled for launch on the second HST maintenance mission in 1997, NICMOS has a five year on-orbit cryogenic lifetime.     

Effects of the geomagnetic storm on October 29–31, 2003, on mid-latitude short-wave radio paths (the data of Doppler measurements)

We present the results of spectral analysis of a signal of oblique sounding of the ionosphere. This signal was received at the Doppler phase-angle measuring facility of Kazan University during the geomagnetic storm on October 29–31, 2003. On various short-wave (SW) radio paths, intense variations of Doppler frequency shift were observed. These variations exceeded variations observed on days without geomagnetic disturbances by an order of magnitude (and by two orders of magnitude during some short periods). Relatively short periods (1–3.5 min) are predominant on these days in variations of the Doppler frequency shift. It should be noted that, while for weak geomagnetic disturbances the response in the form of distortions of SW signal parameters was observed, as a rule, only for the paths coming from high-latitude regions, in the given case the effect was observed for all radio paths.Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2004, pp. 640–644.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Bochkarev, Petrova, Teplov.     

Optimal guidance for acceleration constrained missile andmaneuvering target

Explicit formulas of optimal guidance laws for an acceleration-constrained, arbitrary-order missile and maneuvering target are derived. These formulas are given in terms of the transfer function and acceleration constraint of the missile and the transfer function/shaping filter of the target. Optimal full-state feedback guidance law is synthesized against a target performing a barrel roll maneuver, and compared with the performance of proportional navigation (PN) for minimum and nonminimum phase missile. Simulation of a third-order missile shows the relative gain from using the full-order guidance law     

Enhancement of VLF-ducts under the action of high power radio wave on the ionospheric F-region

Wave effects are discussed pointing to improvement of whistler propagation in the ionosphere illuminated by a powerful radio wave. The large scale irregularities (ducts) responsible for these effects are formed in the illuminated ionospheric region by the process of electron heating by the fields of the pump wave and excited plasma oscillations. These irregularities may also be created in the ionosphere and plasmasphere by fluxes of suprathermal electrons accelerated by the plasma turbulence in the reflection region of the pump wave.     

Light elements and their isotopes in SNC meteorites and the Martian atmosphere

Nitrogen isotopes have played an important part in the acceptance of the hypothesis that SNC meteorites derive from Mars. As a result, these meteorites can be investigated for their carbon, sulphur, and hydrogen systematics with a view to learning something about the environmental conditions on the planet. Important aspects of the role of carbon, present in the form of carbon dioxide as an atmospheric gas and leading to the formation of carbonates by weathering or hydrothermal activity, can be established. The presence of indigenous organics is an intriguing possibility. A variety of new or emerging techniques which could improve our understanding of SNC meteorites and might be applied to a returned Martian sample are discussed.     

Systematic Approach for Classification of Modern Surveillance Radar Systems

Inherent search volume is proposed as a tool for systematic comparison of modern phased-array surveillance radar systems. The advantage of the inherent search volume over the existing approaches based on single-scan and cumulative probability of detection is that the inherent search volume depends only on the unadjustable parameters of the radar. A comparison algorithm based on the inherent search volume criterion is presented.