Search for extraterrestrial life using chiral molecules: mandelate racemase as a test case

We have investigated an enzymatic racemization reaction as a marker for extraterrestrial life, which resulted in a change in optical rotation of a mandelic acid over time, as measured by polarimetry. Mandelate racemase was active in aqueous buffer in a temperature range between 0 degrees C and 70 degrees C and also in concentrated ammonium salt solutions and water-in-oil microemulsions in a temperature range between -30 degrees C and 60-70 degrees C; however, the enzyme was not active in several organic cryosolvents. Thus, we have demonstrated that concentrated ammonium salt solutions and water-in-oil microemulsions, both of which are able to form on extraterrestrial planets and moons in the presence of liquid water, are suitable media for enzyme reactions at subzero temperatures. Kinetic data for the mandelate racemase reaction obtained by polarimetry, while reproducible and internally consistent, differed significantly from several sets of data obtained previously by other methods such as chromatography and hydrogen-deuterium exchange. However, we conclude that reactions yielding a polarimetric signal, such as the racemizations employed in this work, are suitable mechanisms by which to utilize a change in chirality over time as a tool to detect signs of life.     

Aircraft Navigation Using Omega

This paper describes a study of those aspects of Omega navigationthat are unique to aircraft applications. The main effort of the studyis to use a digital computer to simulate the reception of Omega signals.Three principal conclusions are drawn: the poorer signal-to-noiseratio environment will not preclude reception; interfering carriers willnot preclude reception; and the required velocity-aiding accuracy isquite modest in terms of that which is readily available from inertialsystems.     

Multi-target state estimation and track continuity for the particle PHD filter

Particle filter approaches for approximating the first-order moment of a joint, or probability hypothesis density (PHD), have demonstrated a feasible suboptimal method for tracking a time-varying number of targets in real-time. We consider two techniques for estimating the target states at each iteration, namely k-means clustering and mixture modelling via the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. We present novel techniques for associating the targets between frames to enable track continuity.     

Experimental investigation of the effects of gravity on thermosolutal convection and compositional homogeneity in bridgman grown,compound semiconductors

Lead-tin-telluride has been grown in a thermally stable mode (solutally unstable) and in a solutally stable (thermally unstable) mode in a Bridgman configuration. Significant differences in the crystal morphology and the compositional homogeneity have been found between the two configurations. In addition, for the solutally stable configuration, evidence has been found that the flow characteristics in the melt change drastically during the course of the run.     

X-Ray and extreme ultraviolet emissions from comets

There is significant progress in the observations, theory, and understanding of the x-ray and EUV emissions from comets since their discovery in 1996. That discovery was so puzzling because comets appear to be more efficient emitters of x-rays than the Moon by a factor of 80000. The detected emissions are general properties of comets and have been currently detected and analyzed in thirteen comets from five orbiting observatories. The observational studies before 2000 were based on x-ray cameras and low resolution (E/E1.5–3) instruments and focused on the morphology of x-rays, their correlations with gas and dust productions in comets and with the solar x-rays and the solar wind. Even those observations made it possible to choose uniquely charge exchange between the solar wind heavy ions and cometary neutrals as the main excitation process. The recently published spectra are of much better quality and result in the identification of the emissions of the multiply charged ions of O, C, Ne, Mg, and Si which are brought to comets by the solar wind. The observed spectra have been used to study the solar wind composition and its variations. Theoretical analyses of x-ray and EUV photon excitation in comets by charge exchange, scattering of the solar photons by attogram dust particles, energetic electron impact and bremsstrahlung, collisions between cometary and interplanetary dust, and solar x-ray scattering and fluorescence in comets have been made. These analyses confirm charge exchange as the main excitation mechanism, which is responsible for more than 90% of the observed emission, while each of the other processes is limited to a few percent or less. The theory of charge exchange and different methods of calculation for charge exchange are considered. Laboratory studies of charge exchange relevant to the conditions in comets are reviewed. Total and state-selective cross sections of charge exchange measured in the laboratory are tabulated. Simulations of synthetic spectra of charge exchange in comets are discussed. X-ray and EUV emissions from comets are related to different disciplines and fields such as cometary physics, fundamental physics, x-rays spectroscopy, and space physics.     

低截获概率雷达的特征和机载系统

1 低截获概率雷达的特征 许多组合特性有助于防止低截获概率（LPI）雷达被现代截获接收机探测到。这些特性集中在天线（天线方向图和扫描图形）和发射机（辐射波形）中。     

Novel concept of satellite manoeuvre planning using graph theoretical techniques

Manoeuvrable, responsive satellite constellations that respond to real time events could provide data on demand for time-critical tasks, such as disaster monitoring and relief efforts. The authors demonstrate the feasibility of such a system by expanding on a fully analytical method for designing responsive spacecraft manoeuvres using low thrust propulsion. These manoeuvres are perceived as a graph that enables efficient exploration and optimised selection of favourable routes that achieve mission goals while highlighting resilience and redundancy in the mission’s execution. A case study is presented that considers four satellites required to provide flyovers of two targets, with an associated graph of 10,839 possible manoeuvres. Investigation of the graph highlights that a good, but not minimum time, solution can allow the system to perform well, while also providing greater resilience to changes in mission priorities and errors in execution. This analytical approach enables operators to trade-off between a loss of time by using only one satellite versus the disruption of moving multiple satellites for a potentially faster response. The impact of varying mission capabilities, such as using fewer satellites, smaller swath width or less propellant, can be evaluated by reducing the graph without recalculating manoeuvre options.     

Sandwich module prototype progress for space solar power

Space solar power (SSP) has been broadly defined as the collection of solar energy in space and its wireless transmission for use on earth. This approach potentially gives the benefit of provision of baseload power while avoiding the losses due to the day/night cycle and tropospheric effects that are associated with terrestrial solar power. Proponents have contended that the implementation of such systems could offer energy security, environmental, and technological advantages to those who would undertake their development. Among recent implementations commonly proposed for SSP, the modular symmetrical concentrator (MSC) and other modular concepts have received considerable attention. Each employs an array of modules for performing conversion of concentrated sunlight into microwaves or laser beams for transmission to earth. While prototypes of such modules have been designed and developed previously by several groups, none have been subjected to the challenging conditions inherent to the space environment and the possible solar concentration levels in which an array of modules might be required to operate. The research described herein details our team's efforts in the development of photovoltaic arrays, power electronics, microwave conversion electronics, and antennas for microwave-based “sandwich” module prototypes. The implementation status and testing results of the prototypes are reviewed.