Modelling and observing Jovian electron propagation times in the inner heliosphere

The propagation of Jovian electrons in interplanetary space was modelled by solving the relevant transport equation numerically through the use of stochastic differential equations. This approach allows us to calculate, for the first time, the propagation time of Jovian electrons from the Jovian magnetosphere to Earth. Using observed quiet-time increases of electron intensities at Earth, we also derive values for this quantity. Comparing the modelled and observed propagation times we can gauge the magnitude of the transport parameters sufficiently to place a limit on the 6 MeV Jovian electron flux reaching Earth. We also investigate how the modelled propagation time, and corresponding Jovian electron flux, varies with the well-known ∼13 month periodicity in the magnetic connectivity of Earth and Jupiter. The results show that the Jovian electron intensity varies by a factor of ∼10 during this cycle of magnetic connectivity.     

Testing the three-dimensional IRI-SIRMUP-P mapping of the ionosphere for disturbed periods

This paper describes the three-dimensional (3-D) electron density mapping of the ionosphere given as output by the assimilative IRI-SIRMUP-P (ISP) model for three different geomagnetic storms. Results of the 3-D model are shown by comparing the electron density profiles given by the model with the ones measured at two testing ionospheric stations: Roquetes (40.8°N, 0.5°E), Spain, and San Vito (40.6°N, 17.8°E), Italy. The reference ionospheric stations from which the autoscaled foF2 and M(3000)F2 data as well as the real-time vertical electron density profiles are assimilated by the ISP model are those of El Arenosillo (37.1°N, 353.3°E), Spain, Rome (41.8°N, 12.5°E), and Gibilmanna (37.9°N, 14.0°E), Italy. Overall, the representation of the ionosphere made by the ISP model is better than the climatological representation made by only the IRI-URSI and the IRI-CCIR models. However, there are few cases for which the assimilation of the autoscaled data from the reference stations causes either a strong underestimation or a strong overestimation of the real conditions of the ionosphere, which is in these cases better represented by only the IRI-URSI model. This ISP misrepresentation is mainly due to the fact that the reference ionospheric stations covering the region mapped by the model turn out to be few, especially for disturbed periods when the ionosphere is very variable both in time and in space and hence a larger number of stations would be required. The inclusion of new additional reference ionospheric stations could surely smooth out this concern.     

Seasonally steady planetary disturbances in the troposphere and stratosphere as seen in 30 years of NCEP reanalysis data

Zonal velocity and temperature daily global reanalysis data of 30 years are used to search seasonally steady planetary disturbances in the middle troposphere (400 hPa) and middle stratosphere (10 hPa). Significant wavenumber 1, 2 and 3 modes are found. Constant phase lines of zonal velocity 1 modes exhibit significant inclination angles with respect to the meridians. The winter hemisphere generally shows a more significant presence of structures. The Northern Hemisphere (NH) exhibits all over the year a larger amount of structures and more intense amplitudes than the Southern Hemisphere (SH). Middle latitudes exhibit the most significant cases and low latitudes the least significant ones. Longitudinally oriented land–sea transitions at ±$\pm$65° and −35° latitudes appear to play a significant role for the presence of steady planetary modes. The stratosphere exhibits a much simpler picture than the troposphere. Large scale structures with respectively NE–SW (NH) and NW–SE (SH) tilts in the observed temperature and zonal velocity constant phase lines recall the quasi-stationary Rossby wave trains that favor the poleward transport of angular momentum.     

Design and performance of a vacuum-UV simulator for material testing under space conditions

This paper describes the construction and performance of a VUV-simulator that has been designed to study degradation of materials under space conditions. It is part of the Complex Irradiation Facility at DLR in Bremen, Germany, that has been built for testing of material under irradiation in the complete UV-range as well as under proton and electron irradiation. Presently available UV-sources used for material tests do not allow the irradiation with wavelengths smaller than about 115 nm where common Deuterium lamps show an intensity cut-off. The VUV-simulator generates radiation by excitation of a gas-flow with an electron beam. The intensity of the radiation can be varied by manipulating the gas-flow and/or the electron beam.     

月球精确软着陆最优标称轨迹在轨制导方法

为实现在月球表面期望的着陆点进行精确软着陆（PPL）,且满足燃耗最优性要求,基于提出的LIDAR目标点在轨自主选定的月球精确软着陆方案,对月球PPL最优标称轨迹在轨快速规划制导方法进行研究。首先针对月球PPL三维球体非线性轨道动力学模型,采用Legendre Gauss Lobatto伪光谱方法将轨迹优化的最优控制问题转化为非线性规划问题（NLP）,再利用SQP优化算法求解月球PPL最优标称轨迹,最后通过遗传算法对优化结果进行验证,并提出应用遗传算法提供SQP在轨规划初值数据库的方案。仿真结果表明了最优标称轨迹在轨规划方法的快速性和有效性。     

对接口匹配的航天器双主动最优交会研究

研究了两航天器协同轨道机动（双主动）完成近距离交会任务的最优控制问题。在考虑航天器姿态变化、对接口位置及路径约束的情况下,构建了完整的6自由度、26状态的双主动最优交会数学模型。利用高斯伪谱法分别将燃料总消耗最少和交会时间最短两种最优问题离散为大型非线性规划问题,而后应用SNOPT软件包进行了求解。在此基础上通过大量数值计算分析总结了不同初始参数对最小燃料消耗和最短交会时间的影响规律,并与主被动交会形式进行了对比。结果表明,当两航天器质量接近时,双主动交会通常可明显减少燃料消耗,或缩短交会时间;而当质量差距较大时,双主动最优交会逐渐退化为主被动最优交会。     

In situ analysis of Europa ices by short-range melting probes

A key aspect for understanding the astrobiological potential of planets and moons in the Solar system is the analysis of material embedded in or underneath icy layers on the surface. In particular in case of the icy crust of Jupiters moon Europa such investigation would be of greatest interest. For a Europa lander to be launched in the 2020–2030 timeframe, we propose to use a simplified instrumented melting probe which is able to access and sample depths of a few meters without the necessity of heavy and complicated drilling equipment.     

喷油器瞬态两相流动的建模方法

为了研究柴油机喷油器内部的气穴现象,采用一种新的方法建模并进行瞬态两相流动的数值模拟. 首先求解针阀开启时刻的稳态流场,然后导入自编的程序进行瞬态流场的计算. 自编程序是基于Fluent提供的用户自定义函数,用于控制模型边界条件,分析针阀受力情况和计算其运动速度. 初始计算条件来自稳态流场,每一步瞬态计算都依赖之前流场的计算结果. 这种建模方法保证了数值模拟的连贯性和真实性,确定喷油器初始条件就可以完整地计算喷油过程,得到每一时刻喷油器内部的压力分布和两相流分布等数据. 研究结果表明,这种新的建模方法是可行和有效的,其数值模拟结果和实验结果相吻合,并能揭示出喷油器喷嘴入口处气穴现象的产生、发展和消失过程,是进一步深入开展柴油喷油系统两相流动特性研究的一种新的途径.     

多传感器多目标系统误差融合估计算法

为解决多传感器组网系统的系统误差估计问题,基于多传感器多目标上报信息,研究并提出了一种多传感器多目标系统误差融合估计算法.算法构建了两级融合结构,即第一级对多传感器组合状态估计信息进行反馈融合以改善局部组合状态估计精度,从而间接改善系统误差的估计精度,而第二级对多目标系统误差估计信息进行融合以进一步提高系统误差的估计精度.蒙特卡洛仿真显示算法能有效融合利用多传感器多目标信息,实现多传感器系统误差的实时精确估计.