Cascaded detector for multiple high-PRF pulse Doppler radars

A postdetection design methodology for a multiple high-pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) pulse Doppler radar has been developed. The postdetection processor consists of an M out of N detector where range and target ambiguities are resolved, followed by a square-law detector which enhances the minimum signal-to-noise (S/N) power-ratio per pulse burst performance. For given probabilities of false alarm and detection, formulas are derived from which the three thresholds associated with the cascaded detector can be found. Fundamental tradeoffs between the minimum S/N required, number of ghosts, and the number of operations (NOPs) that the cascaded detector must perform are identified. It is shown that the NOPs and the number of ghosts increase and the minimum S/N required decreases as the binary M out of N detector passes more detections to the square-law detector     

Solar Irradiance Variability Since 1978

Since November 1978 a set of total solar irradiance (TSI) measurements from space is available, yielding a time series of more than 25 years. Presently, there are three TSI composites available, called PMOD, ACRIM and IRMB, which are all constructed from the same original data, but use different procedures to correct for sensitivity changes. The PMOD composite is the only one which also corrects the early HF data for degradation. The results from the detailed analysis of the VIRGO radiometry allow a good understanding of the effects influencing the long-term behaviour of classical radiometers in space. Thus, a re-analysis of the behaviour of HF/NIMBUS-7 and ACRIM-I/SMM was indicated. For the former the situation is complicated by the fact that there are no in-flight means to determine changes due to exposure to solar radiation by comparison with a less exposed radiometer on the same spacecraft. The geometry and optical property of the cavity of HF is, however, very similar to the PMO6-type radiometers, so the behaviour of the PMO6V radiometers on VIRGO can be used as a model. ACRIM-I had to be revised mainly due to a henceforth undetected early increase and a more detailed analysis of its degradation. The results are not only important for solar radiometry from space, but they also provide a more reliable TSI during cycle 21. The differences between the revised PMOD composite and the ACRIM and IRMB are discussed by comparison with a TSI reconstruction from Kitt-Peak magnetograms. As the PMOD composite is the only one which has reliable data for cycle 21, the behaviour of the three solar cycles can now be compared and the similarities and differences discussed.     

Alfvénic Electron Acceleration in Aurora Occurs in Global Alfvén Resonosphere Region

Auroral emission caused by electron precipitation (Hardy et al., 1987, J. Geophys. Res. 92, 12275–12294) is powered by magnetospheric driving processes. It is not yet fully understood how the energy transfer mechanisms are responsible for the electron precipitation. It has been proposed (Hasegawa, 1976, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 5083–5090) that Alfvén waves coming from the magnetosphere play some role in powering the aurora (Wygant et al., 2000, J. Geophys. Res. 105, 18675–18692, Keiling et al., 2003, Science 299, 383–386). Alfvén-wave-induced electron acceleration is shown to be confined in a rather narrow radial distance range of 4–5 R _E (Earth radii) and its importance, relative to other electron acceleration mechanisms, depends strongly on the magnetic disturbance level so that it represents 10% of all electron precipitation power during quiet conditions and increased to 40% during disturbed conditions. Our observations suggest that an electron Landau resonance mechanism operating in the “Alfvén resonosphere” is responsible for the energy transfer.     

Fe/O Ratios in Interplanetary Shock Accelerated Particles

It is widely accepted that diffusive shock acceleration is an important process in the heliosphere, in particular in producing the energetic particles associated with interplanetary shocks driven by coronal mass ejections. In its simplest formulation shock acceleration is expected to accelerate ions with higher mass to charge ratios less efficiently than those with lower mass to charge. Thus it is anticipated that the Fe/O ratio in shock-accelerated ion populations will decrease with increasing energy above some energy. We examine the circumstances of five interplanetary shocks that have been reported to have associated populations in which Fe/O increases with increasing energy. In each event, the situation is complex, with particle contributions from other sources in addition to the shock. Furthermore, we show that the Fe/O ratio in shock-accelerated ions can decrease even when the shock is traveling through an Fe-rich ambient ion population. Thus, although shock acceleration of an Fe-rich suprathermal population has been proposed to explain large Fe-rich solar particle events, we find no support for this proposal in these observations.     

Time-Delay Integration Imaging with ICON’s Far-Ultraviolet Imager

A Time-Delay Integration (TDI) image acquisition and processing system has been developed to capture ICON’s Far Ultraviolet (FUV) Spectrographic Imager data. The TDI system is designed to provide variable-range motion-compensated imaging of Earth’s nightside ionospheric limb and sub-limb scenes viewed from Low Earth Orbit in the 135.6 nm emission of oxygen with an integration time of 12 seconds. As a pre-requisite of the motion compensation the TDI system is also designed to provide corrections for optical distortions generated by the FUV Imager’s optical assembly. On the dayside the TDI system is used to process 135.6 nm and 157.0 nm wavelength altitude profiles simultaneously. We present the TDI system’s design methodology and implementation as an FPGA module with an emphasis on minimization of on-board data throughput and telemetry. We also present the methods and results of testing the TDI system in simulation and with Engineering Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) to validate its performance.

     

Introduction

Space Science Reviews -     

Rocket berthing to an asteroid: Design problems

The results of research in a process of a probe rocket berthing to an asteroid are presented. Control laws were obtained as solutions of three problems, namely berthing considering transient processes in a rocket engine, fastest berthing with regard to fuel consumption and berthing in a scheduled time considering fuel consumption. A program trajectory obtained at solving of the first problem is suitable for mathematical modeling of berthing with the feedback control law and stabilization of angular motion. The solutions of the problems are reduced to simple formulas for controlling parameters calculation in the corresponding structures of control laws. The results can be applied in designing promising space vehicles intended for berthing to other space objects.     

A Cosmic-ray Composition Controlled by Volatility and a/q Ratio. snr Shock Acceleration of gas and Dust

The composition of Galactic Cosmic Ray Sources (GCRS) shows the following features: (i) an enhancement of the refractory elements relative to the volatile ones, and (ii) an enhancement of the heavier volatile elements relative to the lighter ones; this mass dependence should reflect a mass-to-charge (A/Q) dependence of the acceleration efficiency; among the refractory elements, there is only a very weak enhancement of heavier species, or none at all. We consider it fortuitous that the GCRS composition resembles that of the solar corona, which is biased according to first ionization potential. In a companion paper by Ellison et al. (1998, this issue), this GCRS composition is interpreted in terms of a supernova shock wave acceleration of interstellar and/or circumstellar (e.g., 22Ne-rich Wolf-Rayet wind) gas phase and especially dust grain material. These two papers summarize and complement the content of two papers that recently appeared in Astrophys. J. (Meyer et al., 1997; Ellison et al., 1997). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Survival of microorganisms in space: A review

Spores of $\text{Bacillus subtilis}$ were exposed to selected factors of space (vacuum, solar UV radiation, heavy ions of cosmic radiation), and their response was studied after recovery. These investigations were supplemented by ground-based studies under simulated space conditions. The vacuum of space did not inactivate the spores. However, vacuum-induced structural changes in the DNA, and probably in the proteins, caused a supersensitivity to solar UV radiation. This phenomenon is caused by the production of specific photoproducts in DNA and protein, which cannot be removed by normal cellular repair processes. In vegetative bacterial cells, exposed to vacuum, cell dehydration led to damage of the cell membrane, which could be partly repaired during subsequent incubation. The high local effectiveness of the cosmic heavy ions further decreases the chance that spores can survive for any length of time in space. Nonetheless, a spore travelling through space and protected from ultraviolet radiation could possibly survive an interplanetary journey. Such a situation favors panspermia as a possible explanation for the origin of life.     

Spherical accretion of massive black holes: A model for galactic nuclei

The possibility of explaining the continuous emission of active galactic nuclei in the frame of a model of spherical accretion onto a massive black hole is discussed. Cool inhomogeneities (T 10⁴°K) within the accretion flow could be responsible for the broad line emission if half of the accreting matter is in the dense phase. A crucial test of this hypothesis is the expected correlation between the ratio of the luminosity in lines to the total luminosity and the hardness of the continuous spectrum.