Assessment study of ionosphere correction model using single- and multi-shell algorithms approach over sub-Saharan African region

It is a known fact that ionosphere is the largest and the least predictable among the sources of error limiting the reliability and accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and its regional augmentation systems like Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) in a safety-of-life application. The situation becomes worse in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region, where the daytime ionization distribution is modified by the fountain effect that develops a crest of electron density at around ±15° to ±20° of the magnetic equator and a trough at the magnetic equator during the local noon hours. Related to this phenomenon is the appearance of ionosphere irregularities and plasma bubbles after local sunset. These may degrade further the quality of service obtained from the GNSS/SBAS system of the said periods. Considering the present operational augmentation systems, the accuracy and integrity of the ionosphere corrections estimate decreases as the level of disturbances increases. In order to provide a correct ionosphere correction to the user of GNSS operating in African EIA region and meet the integrity requirements, a certified ionosphere correction model that accurately characterizes EIA gradient with the full capacity to over-bound the residual error will be needed. An irregularities detector and a decorrelation adaptor are essential in an algorithm usable for African sub-Saharan SBAS operation. The algorithm should be able to cater to the equatorial plasma vertical drifts, diurnal and seasonal variability of the ionosphere electron density and also should take into account the large spatial and temporal gradients in the region. This study presents the assessment of the ionosphere threat model with single and multi-layer algorithm, using modified planar fit and Kriging approaches.     

Analysis of a Lubrication Fluid Flow in the Leak-Proof Pump Electric Motor

Steady-state flow of viscous lubrication fluid in the nonsymmetrical clearance between two out-of-line cylinders of the bearing unit in the aircraft electric motor is discussed. An analytical solution of the task based on application of the perturbation theory is presented.     

Contingency target assessment,trajectory design,and analysis for NASA’s NEA scout solar sail mission

The presented study examines contingency target selection and trajectory design for NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid Scout mission under the assumption of a missed lunar gravity assist. Two previously considered asteroids are selected as potential targets for the given scenario based on favorable orbital characteristics for launch dates ranging from June 27, 2020 through July 26, 2020. Initially, a simplified circular restricted 3-body problem + ideal solar sail model is utilized to survey trajectory options for a month-long launch window. Selected solutions from this data set are then converged in an N-body ephemeris + non-ideal sail model. Results suggest that NEA Scout can still perform asteroid rendezvous mission under the missed lunar gravity assist scenario with new targets, 2019 GF1, 2018 PK21, and 2007 UN12, based on the target launch dates. Further target assessment is carried out for 165 days beyond the current June 27, 2020 launch date.     

Spectral Characteristics of Self-Emission from Electric Thrusters with Closed Electron Drift in the Radio-Frequency Band for Various Propellants

Cosmic Research - We have considered procedure and results of the experimental study for spectral characteristics of self emission from laboratory models of electric thrusters with closed electron...     

Mechanism of error propagation from the subdaily Universal Time model into the celestial pole offsets estimated by VLBI

Within the analysis of space geodetic observations, errors of the applied subdaily Earth rotation model can induce systematic effects in different estimated parameters. In this paper, we focus on the impact of the subdaily Universal Time (UT1) model on the celestial pole offsets (CPO) estimated from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations. We provide a mechanism that describes the error propagation from the subdaily UT1 into the daily CPO.In typical 24-h VLBI sessions the observed quasars are well distributed over the sky. But the observations, if looked at from the Earth-fixed frame, are not homogeneously distributed. The amount of observations performed in different terrestrial directions shows an irregularity which can be roughly compared to the case where the observations are collected in only one Earth-fixed direction. This peculiarity leads to artefacts in VLBI solutions, producing a correlation between the subdaily variations in UT1 and the position of the celestial pole. As a result errors in diurnal terms of the subdaily UT1 model are partly compensated by the estimated CPO. We compute for each 24-h VLBI session from 1990 until 2011 the theoretical response of the CPO to an error in the subdaily UT1 by setting up a least-squares adjustment model and using as input the coordinates of the observed quasars and observation epochs. Then real observed response of the estimated CPO derived from the VLBI session solutions is compared to the predicted one. A very good agreement between the CPO values estimated from VLBI and the predicted values was achieved. The presented model of error propagation from the subdaily UT1 into the daily CPO allows to predict and explain the behaviour of CPO estimates of VLBI solutions computed with different subdaily Earth rotation models, what can be helpful for testing the accuracy of different subdaily tidal models.     

Development of the Technique for Calculating the Ejectors with Low Entrainment Ratios

This paper presents the results of an investigation of ejectors with the low entrainment ratio. A technique for calculating the ejectors with a curvilinear axis has been developed. Comparative studies of the performance characteristics of ejectors with the rectilinear axis of the mixing chamber and the curvilinear initial section of the mixing chamber are carried out.     

Degradation monitoring in Silvo-pastoral systems: A case study of the Mediterranean region of Turkey

To identify policies that will promote positive effects and mitigate negative ones of grazing is a major challenge in the Silvo-pastoral system. This paper presents the role of examining land-cover change trajectories by remote sensing imagery in grazing policy monitoring. The study was conducted for Duzlercami forest ecosystem located in the Mediterranean geographical region of Turkey and administrated by the General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. Time series land-cover datasets from Landsat images between 1988 and 2016 were collected and classified. To link the conversions among trajectories and grazing policy, class level landscape metrics derived from the classified images were used. To validate the approach, yearly grazing-plans managed by GDF and populations of livestock were used. Results of this research have indicated that even though there is a yearly grazing plan, overgrazing can happen on the pilot site, and it can be easily identified by the destruction of woody vegetation. The notable correlation (r²?=?0.89) between degraded woody vegetation and cattle population has occurred in the last 30?years in the landscape, and Landsat imagery can effectively support the grazing policy mapping and monitoring.     

Aerodynamic Design Method of Integrated Aircraft with Submerged Intake Devices and Power Plant Included into Airframe Carrying System

This paper presents a theoretically and practically grounded architecture of design methods combination. A possibility and completeness of developing integral design solutions and intensifying the design process are provided by redistribution of emphases of numerical and natural experiments.     

Remote Attitude Sensing with Polarization-Modulated Light

A system concept for remote measurement of vehicle orientation with only passive devices mounted on a vehicle is presented. Three channels of polarization-modulated light are used to determine all three degrees of freedom of vehicle orientation. Two important system components are described, a polarization rotator and a retroreflector which leaves the polarization state invariant. Also, the method of data reduction is outlined and the system accuracy is discussed.     

Neural and fuzzy reconstructors for the virtual flight datarecorder

The results are presented of a comparative study evaluating the performance of neural network (NN) and fuzzy logic reconstructors (FLRs) for the development of a virtual flight data recorder (VFDK). Typical flight data recorders (FDRS) on commercial airliners do not record the aircraft control surface deflections. These dynamic parameters are critical in the investigation of an accident or an uncommanded maneuver. The results are shown relative to a VFDR based on a neural network simulator (NNS) along with a neural network reconstructor (NNR) or a FLR The NNS is trained off-line, using available flight data for the particular aircraft, for the purpose of simulating any desired dynamic output recorded in current FDRs. The NNS is then interfaced with the NNR or with the FLR. The output of the two reconstructors are the control surface deflections which minimize a performance index based on the differences between the available data from the FDR and the output from the NNS. The study tested with night data from a B737-300 shows that both schemes, the one with the NNR and the one with the FLR, provide accurate reconstructions of the control surface deflections time histories