The STEREO IMPACT Boom

An essential component of the STEREO IMPACT investigation is its nearly 6 m long boom that provides several of the instruments with a sufficiently clean magnetic environment and minimally restricted fields of view, while having the required rigidity to ensure the spacecraft pointing accuracy for the STEREO imaging investigations. Details of the customized telescoping IMPACT Boom design, construction and testing are described in this review. The successful completion and verification of the IMPACT Booms represents a demonstration of the use of Stacers as motive forces for rigid boom deployment.     

Towards a Global Unified Model of Europa’s Tenuous Atmosphere

Despite the numerous modeling efforts of the past, our knowledge on the radiation-induced physical and chemical processes in Europa’s tenuous atmosphere and on the exchange of material between the moon’s surface and Jupiter’s magnetosphere remains limited. In lack of an adequate number of in situ observations, the existence of a wide variety of models based on different scenarios and considerations has resulted in a fragmentary understanding of the interactions of the magnetospheric ion population with both the moon’s icy surface and neutral gas envelope. Models show large discrepancy in the source and loss rates of the different constituents as well as in the determination of the spatial distribution of the atmosphere and its variation with time. The existence of several models based on very different approaches highlights the need of a detailed comparison among them with the final goal of developing a unified model of Europa’s tenuous atmosphere. The availability to the science community of such a model could be of particular interest in view of the planning of the future mission observations (e.g., ESA’s JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, and NASA’s Europa Clipper mission). We review the existing models of Europa’s tenuous atmosphere and discuss each of their derived characteristics of the neutral environment. We also discuss discrepancies among different models and the assumptions of the plasma environment in the vicinity of Europa. A summary of the existing observations of both the neutral and the plasma environments at Europa is also presented. The characteristics of a global unified model of the tenuous atmosphere are, then, discussed. Finally, we identify needed future experimental work in laboratories and propose some suitable observation strategies for upcoming missions.     

The NASA Astrobiology Roadmap

The NASA Astrobiology Roadmap provides guidance for research and technology development across the NASA enterprises that encompass the space, Earth, and biological sciences. The ongoing development of astrobiology roadmaps embodies the contributions of diverse scientists and technologists from government, universities, and private institutions. The Roadmap addresses three basic questions: How does life begin and evolve, does life exist elsewhere in the universe, and what is the future of life on Earth and beyond? Seven Science Goals outline the following key domains of investigation: understanding the nature and distribution of habitable environments in the universe, exploring for habitable environments and life in our own solar system, understanding the emergence of life, determining how early life on Earth interacted and evolved with its changing environment, understanding the evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limits of life, determining the principles that will shape life in the future, and recognizing signatures of life on other worlds and on early Earth. For each of these goals, Science Objectives outline more specific high-priority efforts for the next 3-5 years. These 18 objectives are being integrated with NASA strategic planning.     

Doppler scintillation measurements of the heliospheric current sheet and coronal streamers close to the Sun

Prominent enhancements in Doppler scintillation lasting a fraction of a day (solar source several degrees wide) and overlying the neutral line represent the signature of the heliospheric current sheet and the apparent interplanetary manifestation of coronal streamers near the Sun. This first detection of coronal streamers in radio scintillation measurements provides the link betweenin situ measurements of the spatial wavenumber spectrum of electron density fluctuations beyond 0.3 AU and earlier measurements deduced from radio scintillation and scattering observations inside 0.3 AU. Significant differences between the density spectra of fast streams and slow solar wind associated with the heliospheric current sheet near the Sun reinforce the emerging picture that high- and low-speed flows are organized by the large-scale solar magnetic field, and that while the contrast between solar wind properties of the two flows is highest near the Sun, it undergoes substantial erosion in the ecliptic plane as the solar wind expands.     

Rocket borne electron accelerator results pertaining to the beam plasma discharge

Three flights of rocket borne electron accelerators have yielded some results concerning the Beam Plasma Discharge (BPD). The first flight, E||B, from Churchill carrying an accelerator of 2 and 4 keV electrons, produced a spectrum of whistler mode waves which was identical with that produced in a large vacuum chamber, and which we know to be an indicator of BPD. The second, Echo V, launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, carrying an accelerator of 25–35 keV electrons, produced wave emissions at 3–3.5 MHz observed on the ground. Our interpretation is that BPD was not or was weakly produced. In the third flight, NB³-II launched from Churchill with an accelerator of 2, 4 and 8 keV electrons, wave emissions well above the ambient plasma frequency were observed from a separated payload, but very close to the beam, and are interpreted as demonstrating BPD.     

Fundamental Unsolved Problems in Astrophysics

There is given a list and discussion of what are arguably the top 20 unsolved problems in astrophysics today. The list ranges from particle physics to cosmology. Possible resolutions are noted, but without judgement. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the discussed problems is that they are closely interrelated. This opens the prospect that a solution to one or a few may lead to a significantly better understanding of modern astrophysics.     

Dimensional fundamental constants and their application in astronomy

A discussion is given of the role of dimensional fundamental constants in gravitational and particle physics. It is concluded that such constants can most usefully be interpreted as representing asymptotic states. This interpretation is in agreement with the widespread use of dimensional analysis in astronomy, and implies that angular momentum can be expected to vary like the mass squared in the astronomical limit of large masses.     

Cometary dynamics

The modern theory of cometary dynamics is based on Oort's hypothesis that the solar system is surrounded by a spherically symmetric cloud of 10¹¹ to 10¹² comets extending out to interstellar distances. Dynamical modeling and analysis of cometary motion have confirmed the ability of the Oort hypothesis to explain the observed distribution of energies for the long-period comet orbits. The motion of comets in the Oort cloud is controlled by perturbations from random passing stars, interstellar clouds, and the galactic gravitational field. Additionally, comets which enter the planetary region are perturbed by the major planets and by nongravitational forces resulting from jetting of volatiles on the surfaces of the cometary nuclei. The current Oort cloud is estimated to have a radius of 6 to 8 × 10⁴ AU, and to contain some 2 × 10¹² comets with a total mass of 7 to 8 Earth masses. Evidence has begun to accumulate for the existence of a massive inner Oort cloud extending from just beyond the orbit of Neptune to 10⁴ AU or more, with a population up to 100 times that of the outer Oort cloud. This inner cloud may serve as a reservoir to replenish the outer cloud as comets are stripped away by the various perturbers, and may also provide a more efficient source for the short-period comets. Recent suggestions of an unseen solar companion star or a tenth planet orbiting in the inner cloud and causing periodic comet showers on the Earth are likely unfounded. The formation site of the comets in the Oort cloud was likely the extended nebula accretion disc reaching from about 15 to 500 AU from the forming protosun. Comets which escape from the Oort cloud contribute to the flux of interstellar comets, though capture of interstellar comets by the solar system is extremely unlikely. The existence of Oort clouds around other main sequence stars has been suggested by the detection by the IRAS spacecraft of cool dust shells around about 10% of nearby stars.     

Investigation Into Cost-Effective Propulsion System Options for Small Satellites

The paper summarizes research into cost-effective propulsion system options for small satellites. Research into the primary cost drivers for propulsion systems is discussed and a process for resolving them is advanced. From this analysis, a new paradigm for understanding the total cost of propulsion systems is defined that encompasses nine dimensions – mass, volume, time, power, system price, integration, logistics, safety and technical risk. This paradigm is used to characterize all near-term propulsion technology options. From this effort, hybrid rockets emerges as a promising but underdeveloped technology with great potential for cost-effective application. A dedicated research program was completed to characterize this potential. This research demonstrated that hybrid rockets offer a safe, reliable upper stage option that is a versatile, cost-effective alternative to solid rocket motors. Finally, an innovative technique was derived to parametrically combine the diverse cost dimensions into a useful, quantifiable figure of merit for mission and research planning. Overall, it is shown that the most cost-effective solution is found by weighing all options along the nine dimensions of the cost paradigm within the context of a specific mission.     

Preliminary validation of computational procedures for a new atmospheric ionizing radiation (AIR) model.

A new computational procedure to determine particle fluxes in the Earth's atmosphere is presented. The primary cosmic ray spectrum has been modeled through an analysis of simultaneous proton and helium measurements made on high altitude balloon flights and spacecraft. An improved global fit to the data was achieved through applying a unique technique utilizing the Fokker-Plank equation with a non-linear rigidity-dependent diffusion coefficient. The propagation of primary particles through the Earth's atmosphere is calculated with a three-dimensional Monte Carlo transport program called FLUKA. Primary protons and helium nuclei (alphas) are generated within the rigidity range of 0.5 GV-20 TV uniform in cos2 theta. For a given location, primaries above the effective cutoff rigidity are transported through the atmosphere. Alpha particles are initially transported with a separate package called HEAVY to simulate fragmentation. This package interfaces with FLUKA to provide interaction starting points for each nucleon originating from a helium nucleus. Results from this calculation are presented and compared to measurements.