A comparison of semi-empirical models in the lower thermosphere

Semi-empirical models are derived predominantly from satellite-borne observations. The nature of these observations restricts the applicability of the models mainly to the atmospheric regions sampled, i.e. the upper thermosphere. Current models are only capable of reproducing a zero-order approximation of the structure of the lower thermosphere. Based on selected examples, the progress in atmospheric research since CIRA-72 as well as the continuing deficiencies are demonstrated.     

The Venus ionosphere

Physical properties of the Venus ionosphere obtained by experiments on the US Pioneer Venus and the Soviet Venera missions are presented in the form of models suitable for inclusion in the Venus International Reference Atmosphere. The models comprise electron density (from 120 km), electron and ion temperatures, and relative ion abundance in the altitude range from 150 km to 1000 km for solar zenith angles from 0° to 180°. In addition, information on ion transport velocities, ionopause altitudes, and magnetic field characteristics of the Venus ionosphere, are presented in tabular or graphical form. Also discussed is the solar control of the physical properties of the Venus ionosphere.     

Kalman filter mechanization for INS airstart

A strapdown mechanization and associated Kalman filter are developed to provide both ground align and airstart capabilities for inertial navigation systems (INSs) using Doppler velocity and position fixes, while not requiring an initial heading estimate. Position update during coarse mode is possible by defining sine and cosine of wander angle as filter states and modeling the position error in geographic frame while integrating velocity in the wander frame. INS Global Positioning System (GPS) differential position due to GPS antenna moment arm can aid heading convergence during hover turns in helicopter applications. Azimuth error state in the fine mode of the filter is defined as wander angle error to provide continuous estimation of navigational states, as well as inertial/aiding sensor errors, across the coarse-to-fine mode transition. Though motivated by a tactical helicopter application, the design can be applied to other vehicles. Advantages over conventional systems in addition to the airstart capability include robustness and versatility in handling many different operational conditions     

Radiation chemistry of the hippocampal brain slice.

The in vitro hippocampal brain slice is a 0.4 mm thick neural network that can be used to study brain responses to radiation and related injuries. This preparation is unique in that it responds to ionizing radiation within minutes after exposure without complications from changes in vascularity, blood flow, blood pressure, etc. Electrophysiological studies have shown that x- and gamma-rays alter synaptic transmission and spike generation, elements of normal brain activity. To evaluate the role of hydroxyl free radicals (OH) in these changes, slices were exposed to dilute H2O2 solutions. EPR spin trapping experiments verified that OH is produced. Neural responses, while similar, were not identical to those due to radiation, possibly because of a different distribution of OH. Although H2O2 is freely diffusible, it produces OH at specific sites where, e.g. iron reduces it. In contrast, x- and gamma-rays produce OH more uniformly throughout the tissue. H2O2 may provide a better model for high-LET radiation where yields of radical products of water radiolysis are decreased and peroxide reactions predominate.     

Travelling heater growth of GaSb under reduced gravity during the first spacelab-mission

Single crystals of binary III-V-semiconductors, e.g. GaAs or InP, are important basic materials for optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED's and lasers. Device production needs highly perfect substrate crystals with low defect densities and homogeneous dopant distributions. In our experiment we applied the Travelling-Heater-Method to grow the III-V compound GaSb. The aim of this research project was to improve the crystal quality by investigating convective transport phenomena and the origins of dopant inhomogeneities under earth and space conditions. Earth grown crystals show strong dopant variations mainly due to convective flow phenomena. The preliminary result of our SPACELAB 1 experiment reveals an increase of dopant homogeneity in the space grown crystal because of the absence of natural convection under reduced gravity.     

Mesospheric ozone densities deduced from solar occultation measurements

Quartz-UV occultation measurements by the satellite Interkosmos-16 have been used to calculate ozone densities at altitudes between 50 and 90 km for the period August to October 1976. Below 65 km densities agree well with the Krueger-Minzner-model. Mesopause densities have been studied in some detail. A certain percentage of the profiles show close correlation with the model of Shimazaki and Laird (with a pronounced minimum below the mesopause) while others fit better to the Park and London model (no minimum). This variability of the ozone density may be caused by different processes in the photo-chemistry of ozone. Two possible causes, the temperature dependent rate coefficients and the odd hydrogen processes are discussed in greater detail.     

Simultaneous dual wavelength observations of an impulsive microwave burst using the V.L.A.

Simultaneous observations of a microwave burst at 2 and 6 cm wavelengths were carried out with the Very Large Array (VLA). The 6 cm burst source is located close to a magnetic neutral line, presumably near the top of a flaring loop, while the 2 cm emission originates from the footpoints of the loop. It is concluded that the 6 cm emission is dominated by gyrosynchrotron radiation of the thermal electrons in the bulk heated plasma at a temperature of ～ 4 × 10⁷ K, while the 2 cm emission is due to nonthermal particles released and accelerated during the flare process. From the observed low degree of polarization and the lack of the 2 cm source cospatiality with the 6 cm source a magnetic field of 200–350 G and δ ? 4 are estimated in the flare energy release site. A DC electric field flare model is invoked to explain the long delay between the peaks at the two wavelengths. From the delay, the strength of the electric field is estimated to be 0.2–4 μ statvolt cm^?1 in the flaring region.     

Extraction of mineral elements from inedible wastes of biological components of a life-support system and their utilization for plant nutrition.

Two methods of extracting mineral elements from otherwise deadlock products of a life-support system are presented. We describe first optimum conditions for recovering elements by water extraction from dry wastes of plants, biomass ash, and solid human wastes after passing them through the catalytic furnace; and, second, we describe acid extracts of biogenous elements by 1N and 2N HNO3 from these products. Ways to use the extracts of elements in plant nutrition are considered in order to increase the extent to which the mineral loop of a life-support system can be closed.     

Communicating across the solar system

The technological advances of the Space Age have enabled us to project our senses through complex instruments to the edge of the Solar System and beyond. The link back to Earth by the communication channel has provided us with a wealth of information. The vast improvement in communication capability, by a factor of 10¹⁸, from the launching of the first earth satellites to the capacity of the Voyager telecommunications link across the Solar System, is symbolic of both our technical prowess and our cultural development. The combination of data rate and extreme distance at the Voyager 2 encounters with Uranus and Neptune in 1986 and 1989 will require the ground network to perform an engineering feat of unequalled magnitude. This paper describes the engineering challenge of communicating with spacecraft at the limits of the Solar System and the engineering responses to that challenge.     

Galileo probe battery system

NASA's pair of Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter on 7 December 1995. The Probe descended into the upper Jovian atmosphere, performing its planned sequence of scientific measurements of the properties of that medium for about an hour. This Probe has been the most ambitious planetary entry vehicle to date. It evolved over several years of planning and construction, its launch was postponed many times, for a variety of reasons; and it required more than 6 years of travel after launch to reach the planet. Its electrical power was provided by a primary Li-SO₂ battery, supplemented with two thermal batteries (CaCrO₄-Ca) used for firing pyrotechnic initiators during the atmospheric entry. These power sources were designed to be robust, to assure they would perform their intended function after surviving several years in space. This paper discusses the final production, qualification, and the systems testing of these batteries prior to and following launch. Their excellent performance at Jupiter confirmed their life enhancement design features