汞-199离子储存频率标准近期的理论进展和实验结果

储存在射频四极陷阱(Trap)中的199Hg离子在4O.5GHz频率时的超精细谐振,证明具有极窄的相对线宽,因而被选作为高精密的频率标准。引起该类频标频率变化的主要因素是因储存离子运动产生的二阶多普勒频移,采用少量低压气体作为背景,使运动的离子被致冷至300K所形成的离子云的密度几乎完全决定于伪电势与空间电荷力的平衡。我们发现在这种情况下,根据陷阱参数、温度和储存离子的总数和质量可以准确地计算出二阶多普勒频移。用氦作为致冷气体所进行的大量实验表明,由射频脉冲宽度限制的谱线宽度为0.85Hz。根据所观测到的谱线形状可以预计自然线宽将小于0.1Hz。采用闭环稳定储存离子数的方法,已能使测得的二阶多普勒频移达n×10~(-13)量级。     

Trojans in habitable zones

With the aid of numerical experiments we examined the dynamical stability of fictitious terrestrial planets in 1:1 mean motion resonance with Jovian-like planets of extrasolar planetary systems. In our stability study of the so-called "Trojan" planets in the habitable zone, we used the restricted three-body problem with different mass ratios of the primary bodies. The application of the three-body problem showed that even massive Trojan planets can be stable in the 1:1 mean motion resonance. From the 117 extrasolar planetary systems only 11 systems were found with one giant planet in the habitable zone. Out of this sample set we chose four planetary systems--HD17051, HD27442, HD28185, and HD108874--for further investigation. To study the orbital behavior of the stable zone in the different systems, we used direct numerical computations (Lie Integration Method) that allowed us to determine the escape times and the maximum eccentricity of the fictitious "Trojan planets."     

The fluid-dynamic disturbances induced on the ISS, based on the first acceleration measurements on board the space station

The different acceleration components on the ISS that are responsible for the generation of convective motions in a fluid cell either in the presence of density gradients or in quasi-isodense processes, are analyzed. The NASA measurements of the quasi-steady and periodic acceleration on the ISS are considered and their effects on fluid-dynamic experiments are computed and discussed under different assumptions. In particular, numerical simulations are carried out to identify the relative importance of linear and pendular accelerations, due to possible rotations of the P/L around its center of mass. The effects caused by variable accelerations created by an isolation mount that exhibits an attenuation factor not constant within the payload volume, caused by the reaction forces of the umbilicals, are computed and analyzed.     

Phoenix--the first Mars Scout mission

NASA has initiated the first of a new series of missions to augment the current Mars Program. In addition to the systematic series of planned, directed missions currently comprising the Mars Program plan, NASA has started a series of Mars Scout missions that are low cost, price fixed, Principal [correction of Principle] Investigator-led projects. These missions are intended to provide an avenue for rapid response to discoveries made as a result of the primary Mars missions, as well as allow more risky technologies and approaches to be applied in the investigation of Mars. The first in this new series is the Phoenix mission which was selected as part of a highly competitive process. Phoenix will use the Mars 2001 Lander that was discontinued in 2000 and apply a new set of science objectives and mission objectives and will validate this soft lander architecture for future applications. This paper will provide an overview of both the Program and the Project.     

全球定位系统用作洲际导弹制导系统鉴定工具的测量性能

八十年代初期,在两次民兵Ⅲ型导弹发射中(编号为PVM-18,19),试飞了一种四信道全球定位系统(GPS)接收机——弹载接收设备(MBRS)。这两次发射试验是称为“飞-2”系列飞行中的一部分。每次带两个NS20惯性测量装置。这两次试验的主要目的是在洲际导弹实际飞行环境中验证、测定全球定位系统的性能。本文概括了这两次飞行中GPS性能的分析结果。由此验证了如何利用这种质量的数据来高精度地鉴定制导误差,并用该数据来识别出飞行过程中各种制导误差。这两次试飞所得到的GPS数据证实了短期精度达到了预期能力。典型的随机误差为2英尺~*和0.01英尺/秒(一秒平均)。有了这一精度就可利用GPS作为外部测量仪器,对自由段中摆式积分陀螺加速度表(PIGA)的磁敏感效应进行直接观测。实现这种观测还是第一次。由于缺乏合适的标准,尚不容易进行绝对精度鉴定。显然,GPS的精度比同时参与导弹跟踪的雷达(多台)的好,拟合后残差非常一致,说明总精度很高。因此可得出结论,GPS的总精度达到了预期性能指标。 (本文常用缩略语AIRS——高级惯性基准球,BREW——民兵导弹上装的第二惯性测量装置,CSDL——Charles Stark Draper实验室,ECI——地心惯性座标系,GPS——全球定位系统,MBRS——导弹装载的GPS接收机,MISTRAM——米斯特拉姆,高精度无线电外测系统,PIGA——摆式积分陀螺加速度表,PVB——民兵导弹试验编号,TI——德克萨斯仪器公司)     

先进的航天发动机试验

本文报导一种航天发动机的高空模拟点火试验。这种发动机综合利用了几种先进技术:90%固体燃料的端羟基聚丁二烯/铝粉/过氯酸铵/奥克托金推进剂;在凯夫拉壳体内的头端满装药;无支撑的整体喉部和收敛段入口;特轻的喷管和用充气膨胀的作动筒展开的可延伸出口锥。这次试验结束了法国欧洲动力公司和美国联合工艺公司化学系统分部之间为期两年的分工协作的研究和试制工作。所达到的比冲值被认为是复合推进剂在样机发动机中的一个最高记录。     

火箭推进技术研究用的标准试验发动机和实验室设备

过去二十年来,空军火箭推进实验室(AFRPL)在固体火箭发动机部件和推进剂性能评定用的标准化试验发动机与实验室设备的研究方面,作了大量工作。这些标准化装置使用方式多种多样,但总体上可分成两大类,即用在测量与判别性能、数量、内容、范围、数值、质量等方面的引证根据和比较基础两大类。标准试验发动机和实验设备均具备下列特性,即重量大;可重复使用;多种用途;在共同设施中试验;工作程序固定;内部型面不变。     

Evaluation of various cleaning methods to remove bacillus spores from spacecraft hardware materials

A detailed study was made of the biological cleaning effectiveness, defined in terms of the ability to remove bacterial spores, of a number of methods used to clean hardware surfaces. Aluminum (Al 6061) and titanium (Ti 6Al-4V) were chosen for the study as they were deemed the two materials most likely to be used in spacecraft extraterrestrial sampler construction. Metal coupons (1 cm x 2.5 cm) were precleaned and inoculated with 5.8 x 10(3) cultivable Bacillus subtilis spores, which are commonly found on spacecraft surfaces and in the assembly environments. The inoculated coupons were subsequently cleaned using: (1) 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe; (2) water wipe; (3) multiple-solvent flight-hardware cleaning procedures used at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); (4) Johnson Space Center-developed ultrapure water rinse; and (5) a commercial, semi-aqueous, multiple-solvent (SAMS) cleaning process. The biological cleaning effectiveness was measured by agar plate assay, sterility test (growing in liquid media), and epifluorescent microscopy. None of the cleaning protocols tested completely removed viable spores from the surface of the aluminum. In contrast, titanium was capable of being cleaned to sterility by two methods, the JPL standard and the commercial SAMS cleaning process. Further investigation showed that the passivation step employed in the JPL standard method is an effective surface sterilant on both metals but not compatible with aluminum. It is recommended that titanium (Ti 6Al-4V) be considered superior to aluminum (Al 6061) for use in spacecraft sampling hardware, both for its potential to be cleaned to sterilization and for its ability to withstand the most effective cleaning protocols.     

远站跟踪转换方程的推导

托诺帕试验靶场需要一种可以用小型计算机在很短时间完成跟踪数据精确视差修正的方法。本文推导了一种球面变换方程,用于地球表面上的一定范围内时,可以给出非常精确的结果。在16位小型计算机上,计算速度很快,因为它不需要浮点计算,并且几乎不需要双倍字长处理。结果表明,计算的目标位置与用地心变换公式计算的位置相比较,精确度在一荚尺以内。     

铯束管电子倍增器的工作特性

本文介绍一种用可拆卸的测试系统来测定和铯束管中使用的电子倍增器的工作特性。测试时输入电子信号,由测出的这些数据计算电子倍增器的增益和倍增器电极的二次电子发射系数。对环境因素(敞露在空气中和真空烘烤)的影响也进行了测定。