Soybean cultivar selection for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSSs) – Hydroponic cultivation

Four soybean cultivars (‘Atlantic’, ‘Cresir’, ‘Pr91m10’ and ‘Regir’), selected through a theoretical procedure as suitable for cultivation in BLSS, were evaluated in terms of growth and production. Germination percentage and Mean Germination Time (MGT) were measured. Plants were cultivated in a growth chamber equipped with a recirculating hydroponic system (Nutrient Film Technique). Cultivation was performed under controlled environmental conditions (12 h photoperiod, light intensity 350 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, temperature regime 26/20 °C light/dark, relative humidity 65–75%). Fertigation was performed with a standard Hoagland solution, modified for soybean specific requirements, and EC and pH were kept at 2.0 dS m⁻¹ and 5.5 respectively.     

Watershed image segmentation and cloud classification from multispectral MSG-SEVIRI imagery

In this work a technique for cloud detection and classification from MSG-SEVIRI (Meteosat Second Generation-Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infra-red Imager) imagery is presented. It is based on the segmentation of the multispectral images using order-invariant watershed algorithms, which are applied to the corresponding gradient images, computed by a multi-dimensional morphological operator. To reduce the over-segmentation produced by the watershed method, a RAG (Region Adjacency Graph) based region merging technique is applied, using region dissimilarity functions. Once the objects present in the image have been segmented, they are classified using a multi-threshold method based on physical considerations that takes into account the statistical parameters inside each region.     

Vertical shear at the equatorial F-region ionosphere during post-sunset hours

The characteristics of the equatorial F-region zonal plasma drift during post-sunset period have been investigated using the multi-frequency HF Doppler radar. The pattern of the zonal plasma drift is such that it starts with a westward drift during the pre-sunset hours, followed by an eastward drift shortly after the E-region sunset. The zonal plasma drift is characterized by the presence of a positive vertical shear around the post-sunset period and maximum shear is observed at the time of the peak of the pre-reversal enhancement in the vertical drift. The presence of vertical shear in the zonal drift is associated with the post-sunset velocity vortex existing at the equatorial F-region.     

Removing orbital debris with lasers

Orbital debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now sufficiently dense that the use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collision cascading. A problem predicted more than thirty years ago, the threat from debris larger than about 1 cm demands serious attention. A promising proposed solution uses a high power pulsed laser system on the Earth to make plasma jets on the objects, slowing them slightly, and causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere. In this paper, we reassess this approach in light of recent advances in low-cost, light-weight modular design for large mirrors, calculations of laser-induced orbit changes and in design of repetitive, multi-kilojoules lasers, that build on inertial fusion research. These advances now suggest that laser orbital debris removal (LODR) is the most cost-effective way to mitigate the debris problem. No other solutions have been proposed that address the whole problem of large and small debris. A LODR system will have multiple uses beyond debris removal. International cooperation will be essential for building and operating such a system.     

电子回旋共振离子推力器栅极光学系统的PIC/MCC模拟

为了寻求日益昂贵的电推力器工质氙气的替代品,探讨氩气作为电子回旋共振离子推力器工质的适用性,采用混合PIC方法模拟了氩等离子体在栅极光学系统中输运过程,分析了氩离子束流的聚焦效果、氩等离子体的空间分布和流动特性。结果表明:氩离子束流在已有栅极系统中具有良好的聚焦效果;束流中CEX离子仅占离子总数的万分之一,影响较小;氩气作为工质时,离子喷射速度为75km/s,加速栅极后回流速度为38km/s,与电动力学理论预估值一致。     

电磁阀薄壁隔磁效果分析与试验研究

原有电磁阀组件结构加工过程复杂、生产工序多、生产周期长,导致生产效率低下。因此,开展了从结构设计上进行改进以提高电磁阀组件的工艺性及生产效率的工作。以某电磁阀组件为例,对其进行结构改进,以薄壁结构取代原先隔磁环结构。通过理论、仿真、工艺可行性分析和试验验证,证明了电磁阀组件壳体结构改进方案的可行性并可实际应用于型号产品。     

焊接残余应力超声无损检测技术

基于声弹性理论,针对天然气输送管道焊缝残余应力检测问题,本文提出了一种检测新技术,并研制残余应力超声检测系统。该系统采用一发一收的探头分布方式,传感器沿着管道直焊缝放置,传感器吸附于管道外壁并在管道表面及亚表面激发出临界折射纵波,测得管道外壁沿着直焊缝处的焊接残余应力分布情况,并且经过实验验证该系统对管道焊接残余应力测量的可靠性。针对温度变化较大环境下的曲面材料的残余应力检测问题,提出了温度补偿技术和曲率补偿技术。     

捷联惯组空间五点减振的振动耦合分析

针对某型光纤(FOG)捷联惯组(SINS)的轻量化设计要求,采用了空间五点减振的布局方案。基于弹性中心理论计算了空间五点减振系统的弹性中心和偏心量,在捷联惯组存在质心偏移的情况下,增设第五点减振器可以将减振系统的弹性中心和捷联惯组惯性测量系统质心之间的偏心量减少到1.42mm。从刚体动力学出发对振动耦合的解耦条件进行了讨论,指出捷联惯组在惯性主轴偏移的情况下,空间五点减振系统无法实现角振动的解耦,但是通过调整IMU结构布局的质心,或通过调整减振器的刚度比,都可以实现线振动和角振动的解耦。用有限元方法对上述两种解耦方案下捷联惯组的冲击响应进行了计算,仿真结果表明,调节质心和调整减振器刚度两种方法对于降低IMU振动耦合的效果均较为理想,由线冲击引起的角振动降低了约29~100倍。     

Assessment of the NeQuick model at mid-latitudes using GNSS TEC and ionosonde data

The modelling of the total electron content (TEC) plays an important role in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) accuracy, especially for single-frequency receivers, the most common ones constituting the mass market. For the latter and in the framework of Galileo, the NeQuick model has been chosen for correcting the ionospheric error contribution and will be integrated into a global algorithm providing the users with daily updated information.