Measurements of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere during tropical cyclones using the GPS radio occultation technique

Water vapour transport to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere by deep convective storms affects the radiation balance of the atmosphere and has been proposed as an important component of climate change. The aim of the work presented here is to understand if the GPS radio occultation technique is useful for characterization of this process. Our assessment addresses the question if severe storms leave a significant signature in radio occultation profiles in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere. Radio occultation data from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) were analyzed, focusing on two particular tropical cyclones with completely different characteristics, the hurricane Bertha, which formed in the Atlantic Basin during July 2008 and reached a maximum intensity of Category 3, and the typhoon Hondo, which formed in the south Indian Ocean during 2008 reaching a maximum intensity of Category 4. The result is positive, suggesting that the bending angle of a GPS radio occultation signal contains interesting information on the atmosphere around the tropopause, but not any information regarding the water vapour. The maximum percentage anomaly of bending angle between 14 and 18 km of altitude during tropical cyclones is typically larger than the annual mean by 5–15% and it can reach 20% for extreme cases. The results are discussed in connection to the GPS radio occultation receiver which will be part of the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) payload on the International Space Station.     

Cosmic dosimetry using TLD aboard spacecrafts of the "Cosmos" series

Thermoluminescent (TL) detectors were used for dosimetric investigations on the outer surface as well as inside Soviet spacecrafts of the "Cosmos" series. At the outer surface, ultrathin TL detectors, based on CaF2-PTFE and LiF, were arranged in special stacks and exposed to unshielded cosmic radiation. The strong decrease of dose within a few mg/cm2 demonstrates that weakly penetrating radiation is dominating in the radiation field under investigation. On the basis of glow curve analysis of LiF thermoluminescent detectors it could be shown, that the high doses are caused by electrons.     

ICMEs in the Inner Heliosphere: Origin, Evolution and Propagation Effects

This report assesses the current status of research relating the origin at the Sun, the evolution through the inner heliosphere and the effects on the inner heliosphere of the interplanetary counterparts of coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). The signatures of ICMEs measured by in-situ spacecraft are determined both by the physical processes associated with their origin in the low corona, as observed by space-borne coronagraphs, and by the physical processes occurring as the ICMEs propagate out through the inner heliosphere, interacting with the ambient solar wind. The solar and in-situ observations are discussed as are efforts to model the evolution of ICMEs from the Sun out to 1 AU.     

The Response of the Middle Atmosphere to Solar Cycle Forcing in the Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere

This paper studies the response of the middle atmosphere to the 11-year solar cycle. The study is based on numerical simulations with the Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere (HAMMONIA), a chemistry climate model that resolves the atmosphere from the Earth’s surface up to about 250 km. Results presented here are obtained in two multi-year time-slice runs for solar maximum and minimum conditions, respectively. The magnitude of the simulated annual and zonal mean stratospheric response in temperature and ozone corresponds well to observations. The dynamical model response is studied for northern hemisphere winter. Here, the zonal mean wind change differs substantially from observations. The statistical significance of the model’s dynamical response is, however, poor for most regions of the atmosphere. Finally, we discuss several issues that render the evaluation of model results with available analyses of observational data of the stratosphere and mesosphere difficult. This includes the possibility that the atmospheric response to solar variability may depend strongly on longitude.     

Navigation sensors and systems in GNSS degraded and denied environments

Position, velocity, and timing(PVT) signals from the Global Positioning System(GPS)are used throughout the world but the availability and reliability of these signals in all environments has become a subject of concern for both civilian and military applications. This presentation summarizes recent advances in navigation sensor technology, including GPS, inertial, and other navigation aids that address these concerns. Also addressed are developments in sensor integration technology with several examples described, including the Bluefin-21 system mechanization.     

The ORGANIC experiment on EXPOSE-R on the ISS: Flight sample preparation and ground control spectroscopy

In March of 2009, the ORGANIC experiment integrated into the European multi-user facility EXPOSE-R, containing experiments dedicated to Astrobiology, was mounted through Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) externally on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment exposed organic samples of astronomical interest for a duration of 97 weeks (∼22 months) to the space environment. The samples that were returned to Earth in spring 2011, received a total UV radiation dose during their exposure including direct solar irradiation of >2500 h, exceeding the limits of laboratory simulations. We report flight sample preparation and pre-flight ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) characterization of the ORGANIC samples, which include 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and three fullerenes. The corresponding time-dependent ground control monitoring experiments for ORGANIC measured over ∼19 months are presented and the results anticipated upon return of the samples are discussed. We present the first UV–Vis spectrum of solid circobiphenyl (C₃₈H₁₆). Further, we present the first published UV–Vis spectra of diphenanthro[9,10-b′,10′-d]thiophene (C₂₈H₁₆S), dinaphtho[8,1,2-abc,2′,1′,8′-klm]coronene (C₃₆H₁₆), tetrabenzo[de,no,st,c′d′]heptacene (C₄₂H₂₂), and dibenzo[jk,a′b′]octacene (C₄₀H₂₂) in solid phase and in solution. The results of the ORGANIC experiment are expected to enhance our knowledge of the evolution and degradation of large carbon-containing molecules in space environments.     

Complex impedance studies of lithium iodine batteries

Complex impedance spectra of conductivity cells containing iodine-poly-2-vinylpiridine cathode material has been taken by two- and four-probe techniques. The impedance spectra contain a current-independent bulk resistance in series with a current-dependent interfacial resistance. The current-dependent interfacial resistance has the characteristics expected of a charge-transfer resistance. Electronically blocked (lithium-lithium iodide) electrodes give the same result as nonblocked (stainless steel) electrodes. This is exactly what would be expected if the medium were an ionic conductor. Complex impedance spectra of lithium-iodine batteries show additional structure, as might be expected, but are consistent with results from the conductivity cells     

Life sciences

Space life sciences research activities are reviewed for the year. Highlights of animal studies were the first long-term flight of an animal enclosure module and an avian development facility on STS-108. Plant research efforts focused on a biomass production system for eventual use on the International Space Station (ISS), the PESTO experiment on ISS, and screening of several salad crop varieties for potential use in space. Health-related studies included the Martian Radiation Environment Experiment (MARIE) on the Mars Odyssey mission, presentation of results from NASA's Biomolecular Physics and Chemistry Program, and research related to human liver cell function in space through an agreement with StelSys. In industry and academia, a memorandum of understanding was signed between NASA and the biotechnology industry to enhance communication between NASA and the industry, expand commercial biotechnology space research and development, and expand formal and informal education of industry and the public regarding biotechnology and space research. NASA selected Purdue University to lead an NSCORT for advanced life support research to develop technologies to enable long-duration planetary mission and sustain human space colonies.     

Global monitoring of tropospheric water vapor with GPS radio occultation aboard CHAMP

The global positioning system radio occultation (GPS RO) technique provides a powerful tool for atmospheric sounding which requires no calibration, is not affected by clouds, aerosols or precipitation, and provides an almost uniform global coverage. The paper deals with application of GPS RO measurements from CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) for the retrieval of tropospheric water vapor profiles. CHAMP RO data are available since 2001 with up to 200 high resolution atmospheric profiles per day. We introduce a new direct method for water vapor retrieval from GPS RO data. Additionally, a 1Dvar algorithm is used for this purpose. The so derived CHAMP water vapor profiles are validated with radiosonde data on a global scale. Here, both methods come to statistically comparable results revealing a negative bias of less than 0.1 g/kg and a standard deviation of less than 1 g/kg specific humidity in the mid troposphere. Potentials of CHAMP RO retrievals for monitoring the mean tropospheric water vapor distribution on a global scale are presented.     

Microgravity research and user support in the Space Station era: The Microgravity User Support Centre

Future space systems, such as Columbus, the planned European contribution to the International Space Station, offer ample possibilities for microgravity research and application. These new opportunities require adequate user support on ground and novel operational concepts in order to ensure an effective utilization. Extensive experience in microgravity user support has been accumulated at DFVLR during the past Spacelab 1 and D1 missions. Based on this work, a Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) has been built and is active for the forthcoming EURECA-A1 and D2 missions, to form an integrated support centre for the disciplines life sciences and material sciences in the Space Station era. The objective of the user support at MUSC is to achieve:

• easy access to space experiments for scientific and commercial users,

• efficient preparation of experiments,

• optimum use of valuable microgravity experimentation time,

• cost reduction by concentration of experience.

This is implemented by embedding the MUSC in an active scientific environment in both disciplines, such that users can share the experience gained by professional personnel. In this way, the Space Station system is operated along the lines established on ground for the utilization of large international research facilities, such as accelerators or astronomical observatories. In addition, concepts are developed to apply advanced telescience principles for Space Station operations.