The Confrontation Between General Relativity and Experiment

We review the experimental evidence for Einstein’s general relativity. A variety of high precision null experiments confirm the Einstein Equivalence Principle, which underlies the concept that gravitation is synonymous with spacetime geometry, and must be described by a metric theory. Solar system experiments that test the weak-field, post-Newtonian limit of metric theories strongly favor general relativity. Binary pulsars test gravitational-wave damping and aspects of strong-field general relativity. During the coming decades, tests of general relativity in new regimes may be possible. Laser interferometric gravitational-wave observatories on Earth and in space may provide new tests via precise measurements of the properties of gravitational waves. Future efforts using X-ray, infrared, gamma-ray and gravitational-wave astronomy may one day test general relativity in the strong-field regime near black holes and neutron stars.     

NOAA -14 September 28, 2006 (DOY 271) tumble anomaly

This describes a NOAA-14 spacecraft loss of control event and the lessons learned. The lessons learned are in two categories: contingency recovery operations; and on-orbit propulsion system isolation methods. The work is motivated in recognition of the effort of the NOAA off-line engineering support team and their NOAA civil servant mission leads and operations support staff.     

Optimum Realizable Continuous Range Estimation

The ability to detect the presence or absence of a target is no longer the fundamental design criterion when the vehicle to be tracked is cooperative. In spacecraft tracking or navigation systems, for example, emphasis is placed on post-acquisition performance. Therefore, classical radar theory and design techniques are not specifically applicable. On the other hand, there are optimization techniques for extracting the tracking data from noise that are more to the point. In particular, optimum demodulation theory is directed specifically to the problem of continuously extracting data from a nonlinear modulation process. In this paper, the tracking properties of a multitone PM ranging signal are reviewed and are shown to be nearly optimum for cooperative vehicles. An optimum, but nonrealizable, maximum a posteriori (MAP) continuous estimator of range is derived for this signal. The linearized model of this receiver is the optimum nonrealizable Wiener filter for the data. Interpretation of this optimum nonrealizable estimator leads to a receiver design that is both practical and intuitively satisfying. With the aid of post-detection processing in the Wiener-Hopf sense, almost optimum performance is obtained from the resulting receiver, above threshold.     

Nonlinear target enhancement for the hostile nuclear environment

A necessary requirement of a strategic defence system is the detection of incoming nuclear warheads in an environment that may include nuclear detonations of undetected or missed target warheads. A computer model which simulates incoming warheads as distant endoatmospheric targets is described. A model of the electromagnetic noise expected in the nuclear environment is developed. Predicted atmospheric effects are also included. The ability of nonlinear image enhancement algorithms to their ability to suppress the noise and atmospheric effects of the nuclear environment is examined. These algorithms are then tested, using the combined target and noise models, and evaluated in terms of noise removal and their ability to resolve closely spaced targets     

Comments, with reply, on `Lyapunov stability designs for switchingregulator/low-pass filter system' by M.L. Brooks

Erroneous conclusions reached in the original paper (see ibid., vol.25, no.5, p.602-10, Sept. 1989) concerning the applicability of the Rough criterion in studying the stability of fourth-order linear systems and its relationship with Lyapunov's stability tests are corrected. A brief review of relevant theory is presented, and faults in the analysis that led to these conclusions are identified. The relationship between the Routh criterion and the second method of Lyapunov is reviewed, and a correct application of the Lyapunov method is presented. It is shown that contrary to the conclusions of the paper discussed, these two methods are equivalent for any linear, time-invariant system, including the fourth-order system in question     

An interactive system for global ship monitoring

The US Navy has more than 300 ships equipped with over 500 PHALANX weapon systems. Ordalts (ordnance alterations) and casreps (casualty reports) are received frequently by Naval Ordnance. Ordalts are done when parts need replacing or a design is exchanged for an old. Casreps are an urgent request for parts or service. Information pertaining to ordalts and casreps is put into several databases, which are continually updated and used in reports among the PHALANX community. Ship locations are used for sending parts and/or assistance to the ship. The ordalt and casrep requests have been combined with the ship locations report to produce a more efficient manner in which to monitor ordalt requests, casrep requests and ship locations, using a sample database containing ordalt and casrep data and ship locations. The database is interfaced to a computer graphics program that monitors ship movement throughout the world and supplies information from the database whenever requested. The hardware and software used to implement the project are described     

MLS: a total system approach

A typical approach and landing operation is described. The microwave landing system (MLS) is then examined, its design characteristics and how it works are shown, and how the MLS design fulfils the user's operational requirements by protecting the guidance signal from reflected signal interference is highlighted. MLS angle system accuracy is discussed in great detail, and its reliability, integrity, and coverage volume are briefly considered. MLS availability at any runway to all aircraft types and their landing scenarios, which is accomplished using narrow scanning beam antennas, is examined