1. Transport of Mass,Momentum and Energy in Planetary Magnetodisc Regions

The rapid rotation of the gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, leads to the formation of magnetodisc regions in their magnetospheric environments. In these regions, relatively cold plasma is confined towards the equatorial regions, and the magnetic field generated by the azimuthal (ring) current adds to the planetary dipole, forming radially distended field lines near the equatorial plane. The ensuing force balance in the equatorial magnetodisc is strongly influenced by centrifugal stress and by the thermal pressure of hot ion populations, whose thermal energy is large compared to the magnitude of their centrifugal potential energy. The sources of plasma for the Jovian and Kronian magnetospheres are the respective satellites Io (a volcanic moon) and Enceladus (an icy moon). The plasma produced by these sources is globally transported outwards through the respective magnetosphere, and ultimately lost from the system. One of the most studied mechanisms for this transport is flux tube interchange, a plasma instability which displaces mass but does not displace magnetic flux—an important observational constraint for any transport process. Pressure anisotropy is likely to play a role in the loss of plasma from these magnetospheres. This is especially the case for the Jovian system, which can harbour strong parallel pressures at the equatorial segments of rotating, expanding flux tubes, leading to these regions becoming unstable, blowing open and releasing their plasma. Plasma mass loss is also associated with magnetic reconnection events in the magnetotail regions. In this overview, we summarise some important observational and theoretical concepts associated with the production and transport of plasma in giant planet magnetodiscs. We begin by considering aspects of force balance in these systems, and their coupling with the ionospheres of their parent planets. We then describe the role of the interaction between neutral and ionized species, and how it determines the rate at which plasma mass and momentum are added to the magnetodisc. Following this, we describe the observational properties of plasma injections, and the consequent implications for the nature of global plasma transport and magnetodisc stability. The theory of the flux tube interchange instability is reviewed, and the influences of gravity and magnetic curvature on the instability are described. The interaction between simulated interchange plasma structures and Saturn’s moon Titan is discussed, and its relationship to observed periodic phenomena at Saturn is described. Finally, the observation, generation and evolution of plasma waves associated with mass loading in the magnetodisc regions is reviewed.     

Simulation of the flow around a stationary circular cylinder taking into account laminar-turbulent transition

We consider a problem of a stationary incompressible viscous fluid flow around a flat circular cylinder. In the vicinity of the critical Reynolds number Re _cr a stepwise drop of the cylinder drag takes place, which is called the drag crisis.     

Three-dimensional numerical studies of a jet airflow around the duct platforms of the turbine nozzle clusters

This paper presents the results of three-dimensional numerical studies of hydrodynamics and heat exchange on the models of flat plates in the jet airflow. These results are compared with the experimental data. A three-dimensional model for determining the thermal condition of the nozzle clusters in the conjugated formulation is proposed. Also presented are the data on optimization of the system used for the jet airflow around the duct platforms of the nozzle clusters.     

Local fracture of the burning solid propellant

The problem of fracture mechanics for the solid propellant deteriorated by a crack-shaped cavity, the surface of which burns is considered. It is assumed that the propellant reagents are uniformly distributed in the solid phase while the combustion products are gaseous. The sufficient condition for the “combustion -fracture” stability regime is obtained.     

Medical survey of European astronauts during Mir missions

This paper reviews the medical operations performed on six European astronauts during seven space missions on board the space station Mir. These missions took place between November 1988 and August 1999, and their duration ranged from 14 days to 189 days. Steps of pre-flight medical selection and flight certification are presented. Countermeasures program used during the flight, as well as rehabilitation program following short and long-duration missions are described. Also reviewed are medical problems encountered during the flight, post-flight physiological changes such as orthostatic intolerance, exercise capacity, blood composition, muscle atrophy, bone density, and radiation exposure.     

A DORIS determination of the absolute velocities of the Sorsdal and Mellor glaciers in Antarctica

The Lambert–Amery System is the largest glacier–ice shelf system in East Antarctica, draining a significant portion of the ice sheet. Variation in ice sheet discharge from Antarctica or Greenland has an impact on the rate of change in global mean sea level; which is a manifestation of climate change. In conjunction with a measure of ice thickness change, ice sheet discharge can be monitored by determining the absolute velocities of these glaciers.     

Pareto-optimal solution of a two-objective problem in choosing conditions of monoimpeller milling

A problem of optimization of cutting parameters with respect to the criteria of maximum efficiency and maximum tool resistance is formulated. To solve the problem, a method is developed and applied for determining the Pareto-optimal values of machining conditions in milling the present-day GTE monoimpeller blade passages with a circular milling cutter.     

Gasodynamic characteristics of a combustion chamber in the integrated power plant with an asymmetric air intake

The results of experimental investigations of gasodynamic characteristics of a combustion chamber model in the integrated power plant (IPP) with an asymmetric air intake are presented. The influence of an angle of air supply into the chamber model on hydraulic losses and the flow structure is shown at different air flowrates, relative values of the minimal flow section area of the feeding air intake pipes, under changes of the flowrate of gas simulating gas generation products and geometric model parameters. A technique for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide simulating IPP gas generation products in the combustion chamber air flow and the results of experimental investigations of a mixture formation process in the combustion chamber model are described.     

A mission template for exploration and damage mitigation of potential hazard of Near Earth Asteroids

The Apophis Exploratory and Mitigation Platform (AEMP) concept was developed as a prototype mission to explore and potentially deflect the Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) 99942 Apophis. Deflection of the asteroid from the potential 2036 impact will be achieved using a gravity tractor technique, while a permanent deflection, eliminating future threats, will be imparted using a novel albedo manipulation technique. This mission will serve as an archetypal template for future missions to small NEAs and could be adapted to mitigate the threat of collision with other potential Earth-crossing objects.     

Approaches in the determination of plant nutrient uptake and distribution in space flight conditions.

The effective growth and development of vascular plants rely on the adequate availability of water and nutrients. Inefficiency in either the initial absorption, transportation, or distribution of these elements are factors which impinge on plant structure and metabolic integrity. The potential effect of space flight and microgravity conditions on the efficiency of these processes is unclear. Limitations in the available quantity of space-grown plant material and the sensitivity of routine analytical techniques have made an evaluation of these processes impractical. However, the recent introduction of new plant cultivating methodologies supporting the application of radionuclide elements and subsequent autoradiography techniques provides a highly sensitive investigative approach amenable to space flight studies. Experiments involving the use of gel based 'nutrient packs' and the radionuclides calcium-45 and iron-59 were conducted on the Shuttle mission STS-94. Uptake rates of the radionuclides between ground and flight plant material appeared comparable.