Reverse-Bias Second Breakdown of High-Power Darlington Transistors

The reverse-bias second breakdown (RBSB) characteristics of high power Darlington transistors are discussed. The Darlingtons investigated are rated at 400 V maximum voltage and 100 A maximum current. Devices with and without speed-up diodes (connected between the bases of the input and output transistors) were studied. A nondestructive system for characterizing the RBSB behavior of these devices is described. The RBSB behavior was found to vary unpredictably with varying reverse base current magnitude. It was also found that the RBSB behavior of the Darlingtons was a function of the forward base current magnitude. This is in marked contrast to what has been found for discrete devices. The presence of a speed-up diode also influenced the RBSB behavior of these devices.     

Changes in the micro-structure of the vestibular apparatus of tadpoles (Rana temporaria) developed in simulated weightlessness

The vestibular apparatus of tadpoles (Rana temporaria) exposed to simulated weightlessness was examined by electron microscopy. Extended exposure to simulated weightlessness is followed by significant alterations in the sensory epithelia and also in the otolith membrane. Large vacuoles, filled with necrobiotic mitochondria and fragments of endoplasmic reticulum, were concentrated in the region where an otolith membrane covers the hair cells but were mostly absent in zones of the epithelia with undifferentiated cells. The number of otoconia in the otolith membrane was diminished. The results were compared with data from space flight experiments and some concordance was noted. The possible connection between some unusual behavior of the tadpoles after weightlessness simulation and the structural alterations in the gravitational sensors was discussed.     

Absorbers seen near the Venus cloud tops from pioneer Venus

Spin-scan images from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter UV Spectrometer and the Cloud Photopolarimeter provide a set of planetary contrast measurements in the wavelength range 1990A to 3650A and phase angles from 33°–130°. The planet is darkest at the point where the UVS line of sight penetrates perpendicular to the cloud tops: thus the absorbing material responsible must be deep in the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide absorption can explain the amount of contrast seen between 2000A and 3200A. At the longer wavelengths, the persistence of contrast requires another absorber which is deeper in the atmosphere and strongly associated with the location of the SO₂. Part of the observed contrast is due to the high-lying haze discovered from Pioneer Venus polarimetry. The correlation between planetary contrast and polarization does not support large scale clearing or major vertical motions of the cloud tops as the sole cause of the observed contrast. However, a scheme in which absorbers subject to photochemical destruction are mixed upward into the cloud top region provides a consistent explanation for the origin of these markings.     

Aerospace Capability and Systems Analysis Applied to Urban Problems?Some Views from a Social Scientist

Much has been written about the development of a general systems theory for application to civil problems, but very little documentation exists in the sense of case studies of large-scale programs implemented using the systems approach. The Model Urban Neighborhood Demonstration Program, operating in an inner-city poverty neighborhood in Baltimore, offers some lessons in this regard. With the present state of the art, the techniques of systems analysis are most effective at the subsystem level, and the necessary funding and development time should be afforded to extend their usefulness in the civil order. Existing aerospace companies provide an operating institutional base, with extenasive resources, that can be beneficially translated to solving problems in the public order.     

The Berkeley parasitic SETI program

Parasitic programs for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), carried out concurrently with conventional radio astronomical observing programs, can be an attractive and cost-effective means of exploring the large multidimensional search space intrinsic to this effort. We describe a microprocessor-based automated SETI acquisition system which searches for and records spectra of narrowband signals in the IF band of an observatory receiver. Data taken with this system over 35 days at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory at 1612 MHz are discussed. Out of approximately 10⁵ spectra processed during this period, 4000 were identified by the system as containing narrowband signals and were recorded. Subsequent analysis indicates that over 3900 of these are due to local RF contamination. The remainder are undergoing further investigation.     

The university of wyoming's small scientific balloon program

Over 500 small scientific balloons have been launched by the University of Wyoming's Atmospheric physics Group from 26 locations over the globe in a study of stratospheric aerosol physics and chemistry which began in 1971. These flights have led to a basic understanding of the evolution of sulfurous gases, injected into the stratosphere by major volcanic eruptions, into sulfuric acid aerosol droplets. The recent use of new, thin film balloon technology, to reduce cost and simplify launch techniques, has been a major advantage to the program.     

Three Years of Progress in Integrated Diagnostics

In 1983 the NSIA sponsored the first Integrated Diagnostics National Conference. The major finding from this Conference was the lack of integration of those technologies which are part of the diagnostic process. Since that time, much has been done to implement the concept of integrated diagnostics. The NSIA has produced a baseline report on the implementation of the concept. This was followed by a series of Service programs aimed at implementation. The Office of the Secretary of Defense considers solutions to the diagnostic problem to be one of its major R&D goals. This paper discusses the progress made during the last three years on the implementation of integrated diagnostics. The paper also discusses the author's ideas on where the program is going.     

Hard X-ray emission from the recurrent transient A0535+26 during its 1980 high-intensity outburst

The transient X-ray pulsar A0535+26 was observed on October 4, 1980 during a high level intensity outburst with a balloon borne hard X-ray detector. High statistical quality source spectra were determined up to 100 keV. Both blackbody and Wien laws fit well the data. Pulse phase spectroscopy shows variation of temperature index between 7.5 and 8.5 keV in the off source spectra and between 7.4 and 10.5 keV in the off pulse spectra. The time averaged luminosity above 30 keV is 8×10³⁶ erg/s.     

Suboptimal Control of Satellite Momenta in a Noisy Environment

The body rate dynamics of a spin-stabilized satellite are perturbed by white noise. We consider the optimal control of body rates and fuel consumption. The corresponding deterministic problem is solved using calculus of variation. The stochastic problem is then solved to obtain a suboptimal controller in closed form.     

Factors Relating to the Application of Radioisotopes to Circulatory Support Systems

Radioisotope power supplies for heart assist devices and total replacements are being developed. In a radioisotopically powered artificial heart, heat from the decay of radioisotopes would be converted to fluid power to operate a blood pump. Radioisotope power sources offer the advantages of being completely implantable and having a relatively long life. Initial efforts have been directed toward developing conceptual designs of radioisotope heat engines, evaluating candidate radioisotopes fuel forms, and studying the radiation doses to be expected from the various fuel forms. Conceptual design studies indicate that a power supply capable of meeting the specifications of a circulatory support system can be developed. The most promising fuel is plutonium-238. Radiation does not appear to be a problem.