Solar wind governing the response of Venusian atmosphere and ionosphere

The ionosphere of Venus is primarily formed by photoionization of a gaseous blanket around Venus. The impact ionization by energetic solar charged particles also plays an important role in the variability of Venusian ionospheric ion, electron density and their temperature profiles. The microscopic variations in the solar wind velocity, particle flux and orientations of frozen-in interplanetary magnetic field determine the solar wind interaction with the Venusian ionosphere. The ion and electron density profiles obtained by Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Pioneer Venus Entry Probes have been analysed in the light of simultaneous solar wind velocity and particle flux. Marked changes in height profiles of ion, electron densities and their temperatures have been found to correlate with the simultaneous changes in the solar wind velocity and particle flux. It is shown that the solar wind plays a more important role in controlling the physical properties and behavior of daytime as well as nighttime ionosphere of Venus, whereas the solar xuv sustains the primary ionization process.     

A simplified D-region ion chemistry scheme and its possible use for IRI lower ionosphere modelling

Ion composition of the D region is principally characterized by the existence of two distinct regions of predominant molecular ions and predominant cluster ions, separated from each other by a rather sharp ‘transition height’, which is proposed to be included in the IRI as an additional parameter, supplementing the electron density models. It is possible to predict the position of this ‘transition height’ at a given place and time with the aid of a simplified ion chemistry scheme which is shown to be satisfactorily compatible with experimental ion composition data available in the literature. Our suggested method of this prediction makes use of the (IRI or experimental) electron density profile at the location and season in question, together with an effective clustering rate coeeficient calculated from corresponding temperature and density profiles taken from a suitable reference model of the neutral atmosphere.     

An evaluation of Jacchia and MSIS 90 atmospheric models with CBERS data

“CBERS” (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) was put into orbit on 14^th of October 1999. The atmospheric drag is the major non-gravitational perturbation affecting the control of ground track. As accuracy requirements increase, greater reliance is placed on the empirical techniques. During the initial operational phase of CBERS, the solar activity is almost at its peak. This phenomenon has provided an opportunity to carry out an evaluation of the atmospheric density models. The study puts emphasis on two commonly used atmospheric density models viz. Jacchia and Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSIS). The analysis is based on the decay histories of CBERS to choose the accurate density model. Density models used for orbit propagation are usually derived empirically from actual flight data. Brief synopsis of some of the models is presented along with some of the density tables and orbit solutions of CBERS. Typical plots of density are presented. The study indicated that the drag estimation is relatively precise using MSIS based models. Among them MSIS-90 density model is observed to be a better compromise in terms of accuracy, flexibility and computational aspects. The analysis would be useful in mitigating the impact of solar activity on orbit prediction and maintenance.     

Optimum Angle Demodulation with Saturation Nonlinearity in the Modulator

The problem of optimum demodulation of PM and FM signals when the phase modulator employed in the transmitter of the communication system exhibits saturation effects is studied. Quasi-optimum receivers with zero and finite lag are designed by making use of the state variable techniques. Performance results are presented graphically for a class of message signals, and it turns out that the effect of saturation in the phase modulator on the average performance of the system is essentially to reduce the modulation index.     

Technical and legal issues surrounding space debris—India''s position in the UN

This article briefly presents the historical background, as seen by ISRO and India, to the growing problem of space debris. It describes the technical aspects of ISRO's activities in the field of space debris, and the grey areas in technical understanding, which may impede legal discussions. Analysis of the cost and technical aspects of reorbiting satellites from geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) is detailed, since this is an important area for India and other developing countries. The article also briefly describes ISRO's views of the applicability and relevance of the existing space treaties to a possible future legal regime for space debris. Debates are currently taking place in the UN and other multilateral fora on the subject of space debris and the situation is dynamic. The main aim of this article is to inform readers of ISRO's and India's position in the UN on the subject of space debris, in terms of its technical, political and legal aspects. Certain issues of importance from the legal point of view, though not of immediate urgency, are also discussed.     

Segmentation of Thermographic Sequences in Frequency Modulated Thermal Wave Imaging for NDE of GFRP

Image processing techniques have become highly essential to improve the data usefulness of the raw images obtained for infrared non-destructive evaluation(NDE).The identification of defective regions from a thermogram has been a common problem in the field of NDE.Image segmentation is one of the promising approaches to identify defective regions from thermogram.In the present work,segmentation approach based on clustering is employed.In this image patterns are organized into clusters or groups considering the relationship among these.The method involves finding the centroids of the regions and formation of clusters around each centroid.Thresholding is applied to improve accuracy in formation of clusters.Double thresholding method is adapted to retrieve the shape of defect and to improve the possible diagnosis capabilities of system for NDE applications.The proposed method is investigated with frequency modulated thermal wave imaging(FMTWI)over glass fiber reinforced polymers(GFRP).The GFRP sample consists of square shaped Teflon inserts of different dimensions placed at various depths.A comparative study of the proposed novel segmentation scheme and existing segmentation methods is conducted.     

Bifurcation analysis of ion-acoustic waves for Schrödinger equation in nonextensive Solar wind plasma

Bifurcation analysis of ion-acoustic wave (IAWs) solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) is explored for the first time in an electron-ion (e-i) magnetized solar wind plasma. The existence of ion-acoustic (IA) periodic, superperiodic, kink, antikink, compressive and rarefactive solitary wave solutions are revealed. Special values of Solar wind plasma parameters at a normalized distance from the Sun are considered for numerical simulation. The IA wave solutions are derived analytically. These solutions are analyzed numerically considering the influence of parameters, namely, wave number (k), velocity (V) of traveling wave and nonextensive parameter (q). Computational simulation reveals that only IA periodic wave grows in amplitude as waves moves from the Sun.     

Space applications for input pulse shaping filter

A pulse-shaping technique superior to various other existing pulse shaping techniques has been suggested. A practical way of implementing the scheme has been discussed and the results found to be encouraging. New spike suppression (SS). Window function has also been suggested for obtaining low side lobe levels and to suppress spikes in phase shift keying spectrums that exists at high bit rate data transmission. The characteristics such as low side lobe levels and spike elimination have been achieved using new techniques that are essential for space applications     

Flux emergence,flux imbalance,magnetic free energy and solar flares

Emergence of complex magnetic flux in the solar active regions lead to several observational effects such as a change in sunspot area and flux embalance in photospheric magnetograms. The flux emergence also results in twisted magnetic field lines that add to free energy content. The magnetic field configuration of these active regions relax to near potential-field configuration after energy release through solar flares and coronal mass ejections. In this paper, we study the relation of flare productivity of active regions with their evolution of magnetic flux emergence, flux imbalance and free energy content. We use the sunspot area and number for flux emergence study as they contain most of the concentrated magnetic flux in the active region. The magnetic flux imbalance and the free energy are estimated using the HMI/SDO magnetograms and Virial theorem method. We find that the active regions that undergo large changes in sunspot area are most flare productive. The active regions become flary when the free energy content exceeds 50% of the total energy. Although, the flary active regions show magnetic flux imbalance, it is hard to predict flare activity based on this parameter alone.