On the Optimum Stabilization of a Satellite

The problem of stabilizing a tumbling satellite prior to attitude control is discussed. The method of Hamilton-Jacobi theory is used to derive an explicit closed-loop control law for the problem.     

Characterization of Cosmic Materials in the Laboratory

One of the main objectives of modern astrophysics is the characterisation of properties and evolution of materials present in space. Production, processing and analysis of cosmic dust analogues in the laboratory represents a powerful tool to interpret astronomical observations and to contribute to the solution of puzzling problems which are so far unsolved. In the present paper we summarize recent results obtained in our laboratory on carbon-based and silicate materials able to simulate various types of cosmic grains. The laboratory data are applied to discuss the nature of spectral features observed in the interstellar medium and in comets. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Iridium(R) aeronautical satellite communications

The ever-increasing demand to stay in touch, to be able to communicate anywhere and anytime, has created a market for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications services such as the Iridium system. The Iridium satellite communications network is being developed to support the needs of the passenger, the cabin crew and the flight crew for: aeronautical public correspondence (APC); aeronautical administrative communications (AAC); aeronautical operational control (AOC); and air traffic services (ATS)     

Cometary Materials: Progress Toward Understanding the Composition in the Outer Solar Nebula

A major objective of the workshop was to learn about the chemical composition, physical structure, and thermodynamic conditions of the outer parts of the solar nebula where comets formed. Here we sum up what we have learned from years of research about the molecular constituents of comet comae primarily from in situ measurements of Comet 1P/Halley and remote sensing of Comets 1P/Halley, Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1), and Hyakutake (C/1996 B2). These three bright comets are presumably captured Oort cloud comets. We summarize the analyses of these data to predict the composition of comet nuclei and project them further to the composition, structure, and thermodynamic conditions in the nebula. Near-future comet missions are directed toward less active short-period Jupiter-family comets. Thus, future analyses will afford a better understanding of the diversity of these two major groups of comets and their respective regions of origin in the solar or presolar nebula. We conclude with recommendations for determining critical data needed to aid in further analyses. Results of the workshop provide new guidelines and constraints for modeling the solar nebula. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

RF band high resolution sounding of building structures and works

A subsurface radar using a multi-frequency signal has been developed. It is designated for surveying building structures and works. The characteristic feature of this device is the possibility of obtaining sounding plane radio images featuring a high resolution attaining 1…2 cm. The main applications of this device includes the survey of building structures to reveal their heterogeneities and defects and the investigation of premises to detect bugging devices     

SAR image formation via semiparametric spectral estimation

A new algorithm, referred to as the SPAR (Semiparametric) algorithm, is presented herein for target feature extraction and complex image formation via synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The algorithm is based on a flexible data model that models each target scatterer as a two-dimensional (2-D) complex sinusoid with arbitrary unknown amplitude and constant phase in cross-range and with constant amplitude and phase in range. By attempting to deal with one corner reflector, such as one dihedral or trihedral, at a time, the algorithm can be used to effectively mitigate the artifacts in the SAR images due to the flexible data model. Another advantage of SPAR is that it can be used to obtain initial conditions needed by other parametric target feature extraction methods to reduce the total amount of computations needed. Both numerical and experimental examples are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm     

Dynamic tests with a switched reluctance motor drive

Starting and reversing times of less than 40 ms, torque ripple below ten percent and operational speeds over 5000 1/min. (rpm) can be achieved with our 6/4 prototype switched reluctance motor drive. The drive efficiency approaches 80 percent but it is currently limited by high switching frequency. Peak currents of 50 A are needed in the 4.2 kW machine. Experimental results of the prototype switched reluctance machine are shown     

Detection of interference/jamming and spoofing in a DGPS-aidedinertial system

Previous research at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has resulted in the design of a differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) aided INS-based (inertial navigation system) precision landing system (PLS) capable of meeting the FAA precision requirements for instrument landings. The susceptibility of DGPS transmissions to both intentional and nonintentional interference/jamming and spoofing must be addressed before DGPS may be safely used as a major component of such a critical navigational device. This research applies multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) techniques to the problem of detecting and identifying interference/jamming and spoofing in the DGPS signal. Such an MMAE is composed of a bank of parallel filters, each hypothesizing a different failure status, along with an evaluation of the current probability of each hypothesis being correct, to form a probability-weighted average state estimate as an output. For interference/jamming degradation represented as increased measurement noise variance, simulation results show that, because of the good failure detection and isolation (FDI) performance using MMAE, the blended navigation performance is essentially that of a single extended Kalman filter (EKF) artificially informed of the actual interference noise variance. However, a standard MMAE is completely unable to detect spoofing failures (modeled as a bias or ramp offset signal directly added to the measurement). This work describes a moving-bank pseudoresidual MMAE (PRMMAE) to detect and identify such spoofing. Using the PRMMAE algorithm, spoofing is very effectively detected and isolated; the resulting navigation performance is equivalent to that of an EKF operating in an environment without spoofing     

Atomic Physics for Atmospheric Composition Measurements

The atomic physics relevant to the interpretation of solar spectra produced by plasmas at temperatures ≳ 105 K are discussed. Methods for determining relative abundance ratios are presented and examples provided from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer on board SOHO. In particular, the Fe/Si ratio in the corona is found to be close to photospheric; the Mg/Ne ratio in the transition region is found to vary by an order of magnitude in different solar features. The Mg/Ne ratios in supergranule cell centres and the network are separated for the first time, although no significant differences are found. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.