International cooperation in assuring continuity of environmental satellite data

In the 25 years since the launch of the first weather satellite, meteorological observations from space have become an essential part of weather forecasting and global environmental monitoring. Beginning in the 1970s, constrained national budgets and the need for a coordinated approach to global satellite observing have caused satellite operators to pursue international cooperation to assure the continuity and compatibility of these systems. This article reviews current bilateral and multilateral cooperation and technical coordination in environmental satellite activities. It also explores the potential for alternative institutional arrangements for maintaining the continuity of environmental satellite data in the decades to come.     

"Signal" search for intelligence in the galactic nucleus with the array of the Lowlands

In August, 1981, the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope was used for 4 h to search for narrowband pulsing radio beacons in the direction of the Galactic Center. By using both the spatial discrimination and temporal stability available to an interferometric measurement, weak intermittent signals can be detected even in the face of the strong, naturally caused radiation from this region. A radio beacon within our bandwidth, centered on the 21 cm neutral hydrogen line, would be recognizable if it had a repetition period between 40 sec and 1/2 h. The rms sensitivity to point sources was approximately 50 mJy/cycle, and the detection limit was 500 mJy/cycle. The limit degrades for pulse widths < 0.02s. No repetitive signals were found. For a swept, narrow-band radio beacon constrained to the Galactic Disk (beamwidth = 0.02 rad), our detection limit corresponds to a transmitter power of 10(11) MW at the Galactic Center.     

Control of an orbiting flexible square platform in the presence of solar radiation

A mathematical model for the solar radiation forces and moments acting on a square plate (platform) in orbit is obtained by considering the plate mode shapes as combinations of free-free beam shape functions. The moment expressions for a plate of arbitrary reflectivity coefficient are obtained as a function of the solar incidence angle. It is seen that only the first three flexible modes of the plate generate a first order net moment about the center of mass, and that the solar radiation pressure does not influence the flexible modes of the plate for small amplitude vibrations. The solar radiation disturbance model is then included in the dynamic model of a square plate nominally oriented along the local vertical and having the major surface of the plate normal to the orbital plane. The roll angle of the plate is seen to increase steadily due to the solar radiation pressure whereas the pitch and yaw motions oscillate with an amplitude of approximately 0.2° for a 100 m square thin aluminum plate in synchronous orbit. To control the shape and orientation of the plate two point actuators are assumed—one whose force axis is normal to the plane of the plate, the second with a force axis in the plane of the plate. The control law and the feedback gain values are obtained based on linear quadratic Gaussian methods. Transient responses and control requirements are simulated for local vertical and horizontal orientations.     

Shuttle avionics verification and integration testing

The Space Shuttle Orbiter employs a fly-by-wire control system of 200 major avionic hardware devices interfacing with five flight computers through a complex data bus system. Responses to man-in-the-loop commands are dependent on the flight software. Early program development testing of the computer and avionic hardware has been accomplished at Rockwell International's Shuttle Avionics Development Laboratory (ADL). Hardware development has led to complete multi-string system testing and flight software evaluations. This paper provides an overview of the ADL. Its role and test capabilities in support of Shuttle development are defined. The nature of computer driven test programs for the Orbiter displays, the Digital Autopilot, and flight software development describe the test bed provided by the ADL.     

航迹跟踪的优化方法研究

最优航迹跟踪要求飞机的实际飞行航迹与理想航迹的偏差最小,但若采用按偏差的最优控制方法,会造成控制变量的剧烈震荡.为了解决控制变量的剧烈震荡问题,提出了一种新的偏差-微分综合控制方法.通过对参考航迹的跟踪验证,表明该方法有效地解决了控制变量最优解的振荡问题,并实现了精确的航迹跟踪性能.     

数值模拟高超音速化学非平衡流的隐式格式

针对高超音速化学非平衡流提出了两种隐式格式.一种是近似因子分解算法对角化形式在隐式TVD(全变差递减)格式上的推广,另一种可视为隐式TVD格式的LU分解形式.数值试验表明,本文给出的算法保持了TVD格式的高分辨率特性,同时计算量大大减少,是高超音速化学非平衡流数值模拟的有效方法.     

Real time localization of gamma ray bursts with INTEGRAL

The INTEGRAL satellite has been successfully launched in October 2002 and has recently started its operational phase. The INTEGRAL burst alert system (IBAS) will distribute in real time the coordinates of the gamma ray bursts (GRBs) detected with INTEGRAL. After a brief introduction on the INTEGRAL instruments, we describe the main IBAS characteristics and report on the initial results. During the initial performance and verification phase of the INTEGRAL mission, which lasted about two months, two GRBs have been localized with accuracy of 2–4 arcmin. These observations have allowed us to validate the IBAS software, which is now expected to provide quick (few seconds delay) and precise (few arcmin) localization for 10–15 GRBs per year.     

一种新的四路激光跟踪坐标测量系统的基点标定方法

在激光跟踪三维坐标测量系统中,系统首先要经过标定,才可以进行实际测量。因此系统标定的准确度会直接影响系统最终测量准确度。为了提高标定准确度,提出一种新的标定方法,即利用直线法原理,在优化布局下,采用两路激光干涉仪测量出基点的三维坐标。仿真结果表明目标点相对于基点呈对称分布时,测得的基点坐标准确度比非对称分布时高6到7倍,并通过实验得出了在该优化布局下的基点坐标。