Book reviews

The general significance of streamers of the solar corona is discussed in the frame of our knowledge of the solar wind phenomenon and the large-scale solar magnetic structure. Thermodynamical and geometric parameters of streamers observed and measured at total solar eclipses are reviewed. Both the low part (in the form of a helmet with a cusp) and the external part (in the form of a stalk extended at many solar radii) are considered. The modelling of streamers starts with the analysis of effects produced by the solar wind flow on a magnetic structure. Facts and arguments are presented in favor of a model with a current sheet and reconnection processes going on along the axis of the streamer, especially in the non-collisional part of the radially extended streamer. Further development of the Pneuman and Kopp (1971) model is discussed, including difficulties occurring in the interpretation of a stationary solution. An empirical model satisfying observations is presented. Future researchs on streamers were discussed with emphasis on observations to be done with the space-borne coronagraphs on the SOHO spacecraft.     

Deutsche Airbus flight test of Rosemount smart probe fordistributed air data systems

Deutsche Aerospace Airbus (division of DASA) and Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Jointly sponsored a flight test program to evaluate in-flight performance of distributed multifunction air data smart probes. The probes measure pitot pressure, static pressure, and angle of attack. The tests were conducted at the DLR Flight Test Center, near Braunschweig, Germany. Two smart probes were installed on the DLR VFW 614 ATTAS Flight Test Aircraft and tested between June of 1992 and January of 1993. Flight test results are presented together with suggested air data system architectures, including ARINC 738, that can be used with the distributed smart probe concept. New architectures are developed for future commercial aircraft. The smart probe concept offers several advantages including reduced weight and size, reduced number of line replaceable units (LRUs), and increased reliability. Overall cost of ownership is significantly lowered     

A CFAR adaptive matched filter detector

An adaptive algorithm for radar target detection using an antenna array is proposed. The detector is derived in a manner similar to that of the generalized likelihood-ratio test (GLRT) but contains a simplified test statistic that is a limiting case of the GLRT detector. This simplified detector is analyzed for performance to signals on boresight, as well as when the signal direction is misaligned with the look direction     

Derniers resultats de calcul d'orbite SPOT et TOPEX/POSEIDON obtenus avec DORIS

DORIS is a tracking system developed by CNES to support precise orbit computation of the US-French TOPEX/POSEIDON project. Moreover DORIS data are currently processed to compute SPOT2 and SPOT3 orbits. Although the SPOT satellites are at 800 km altitudes, their orbits reach the decimetric level, to be compared to the 3–4 cm RMS on the T/P radial component.For each type of orbit, there is an adaptive period of a few months which is used for improving the precision. The paper describes what has been done to reduce some items in the total error budget. The latest results will be presented as well as the criteria which are settled to characterize the improvements.Finally, the future developments of DORIS and the potential projects flowing DORIS will be outlined such as ENVISAT and TOPEX/POSEIDON Follow On.     

Planetary environment protection ID no: F3.3-M.1.05 implications for the development of a network of surface stations on Mars.

The European Space Agency's studies of a Comet Nucleus Sample Return mission (ROSETTA) as its Planetary Cornerstone in its long-term programme 'Horizon 2000' and the Marsnet mission, a potential contribution of the Agency to an international network of surface stations on Mars, has revived the interest in the present state of Planetary Protection requirements. MARSNET was one of the four candidate missions selected in April 1991 for further Design Feasibility (Phase A) Studies. Furthermore, of all space agencies participating in planetary exploration activities only the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration had a well established Planetary Protection Policy on Viking and other relevant planetary missions, whereas ESA is considering the feasibility and potential impact of a planetary protection policy on its Marsnet mission, within the framework of a tight budgetary envelope applicable to ESA's medium (M) class missions. This paper will discuss in general terms the impact of Planetary Protection measures, its implications for Marsnet and the issues arising from this for the implementation of the mission in ESA's scientific programme.     

Magnetic energy release near accreting black holes

The observed non-thermal emission from accreting compact objects is often understood in terms of the expected magnetic activity of accretion disks. This review discusses the constraints on this view point that can be obtained from, principally, the X-ray spectra and the X-ray variability of black hole candidates.Furthermore, the traditional view of an accretion disk corona, put forward as the source of the non-thermal emission, analogous to the solar corona is shown to be wrong on a few important points. Firstly, the density in the equilibrium accretion disk corona is extremely low. A reasonable plasma density is retained by pair production processes similar to those existing in the pulsar magnetosphere. Secondly, the dominant resistivity in the accretion the disk on the current carrying electrons.     

Experimental limit on low energy antiprotons in the cosmic radiation

We report results from the Low Energy Antiproton Experiment (LEAP), a balloon-borne instrument which was flown in August, 1987. We find no evidence of antiproton fluxes in the kinetic energy range 120 MeV to 360 MeV, top of the atmosphere. The 90 percent confidence upper limit on the antiproton/proton ratio in this energy range is 3.5 × 10⁻⁵. In particular, this new experiment places an upper limit on the flux almost an order of magnitude below the reported flux of Buffington et al.     

ASPS-American suborbital passenger system 2005

With the evaporation of funding support for the National Aero Space Plane (NASP), realization of a single stage to orbit night system has been deferred. With the resource down sizing of the NASP management and technical team, development of the NASP concept appears to be delayed beyond the year 2030. To fill this gap for shorter flight times to remote destinations over 8,000 km, it is now proposed to convert the existing NASA shuttle to a passenger configuration and air launch horizontally from a Boeing 747 aircraft as the first stage carrier after climb to launch altitude. This US Shuttle concept may permit the transport of 100 passengers to destinations 10,000 km distant during a flight duration of 90 minutes, and during flight durations of about 120 minutes to any commercial destination on the planet Earth. This long distance system takes advantage of the existing shuttle and Boeing 747 airframe and propulsion technology, and can be implemented within the next decade