Physical characterization of the deep-space debris WT1190F: A testbed for advanced SSA techniques

We report on extensive ${\mathit{BVR}}_c{I}_c$ photometry and low-resolution ($\lambda /\mathrm{\Delta }\lambda ～250$) spectroscopy of the deep-space debris WT1190F, which impacted Earth offshore from Sri Lanka, on 2015 November 13. In spite of its likely artificial origin (as a relic of some past lunar mission), the case offered important points of discussion for its suggestive connection with the envisaged scenario for a (potentially far more dangerous) natural impactor, like an asteroid or a comet.Our observations indicate for WT1190F an absolute magnitude $R_c={32.45}_{\pm 0.31}$, with a flat dependence of reflectance on the phase angle, such as ${\mathit{dR}}_c/d?～{0.007}_{\pm 2}$?mag?deg^?1. The detected short-timescale variability suggests that the body was likely spinning with a period twice the nominal figure of $P_{\mathrm{flash}}={1.4547}_{\pm 0.0005}\mathrm{s}$, as from the observed lightcurve. In the ${\mathit{BVR}}_c{I}_c$ color domain, WT1190F closely resembled the Planck deep-space probe. This match, together with a depressed reflectance around 4000 and 8500 Å may be suggestive of a “grey” (aluminized) surface texture.The spinning pattern remained in place also along the object fiery entry in the atmosphere, a feature that may have partly shielded the body along its fireball phase perhaps leading a large fraction of its mass to survive intact, now lying underwater along a tight ($～1\times 80$?km) strip of sea, at a depth of 1500?m or less.Under the assumption of Lambertian scatter, an inferred size of ${216}_{\pm 30}/\sqrt{\alpha /0.1}$?cm is obtained for WT1190F. By accounting for non-gravitational dynamical perturbations, the Area-to-Mass ratio of the body was in the range $(0.006?\mathit{AMR}?0.011)$?m²?kg^?1.Both these figures resulted compatible with the two prevailing candidates to WT1190F’s identity, namely the Athena II Trans-Lunar Injection Stage of the Lunar Prospector mission, and the ascent stage of the Apollo 10 lunar module, callsign “Snoopy”. Both candidates have been analyzed in some detail here through accurate 3D CAD design mockup modelling and BRDF reflectance rendering to derive the inherent photometric properties to be compared with the observations.     

Study of the rheological properties of water and Martian soil simulant mixtures for engineering applications on the red planet

The rheological properties of mixtures of water and the Martian soil simulant JSC-Mars-1A are investigated by preparing and testing samples at various solids concentrations. The results indicate that the dispersion is viscoelastic and, at small timescales (～0.1?s), reacts to sudden strain as an elastic solid. At longer timescales the dispersion behaves like a Bingham fluid and exhibits a yield stress. Hysteresis loops show that rapid step-changes (2?s duration) of shear-rate result in thixotropic behaviour, but slower changes (>10?s duration) can result in rheopexy. These observations are explained with the breakdown and recovery of the packing structure under stress. The rheological information is used to generate practical tools, such as the system curve and the Moody chart that can be used for designing piping systems, and calculating pump sizes and pressure requirements.     

A drilling tool design and in situ identification of planetary regolith mechanical parameters

The physical and mechanical properties as well as the heat flux of regolith are critical evidence in the study of planetary origin and evolution. Moreover, the mechanical properties of planetary regolith have great value for guiding future human planetary activities. For planetary subsurface exploration, an inchworm boring robot (IBR) has been proposed to penetrate the regolith, and the mechanical properties of the regolith are expected to be simultaneously investigated during the penetration process using the drilling tool on the IBR. This paper provides a preliminary study of an in situ method for measuring planetary regolith mechanical parameters using a drilling tool on a test bed. A conical-screw drilling tool was designed, and its drilling load characteristics were experimentally analyzed. Based on the drilling tool-regolith interaction model, two identification methods for determining the planetary regolith bearing and shearing parameters are proposed. The bearing and shearing parameters of lunar regolith simulant were successfully determined according to the pressure-sinkage tests and shear tests conducted on the test bed. The effects of the operating parameters on the identification results were also analyzed. The results indicate a feasible scheme for future planetary subsurface exploration.     

Al－Al_3Ni自生复合材料的高周疲劳损伤断裂机制及其应力比的影响

实验观察和研究了Ａｌ－Ａｌ３Ｎｉ自生复合材料的高周疲劳损伤断裂行为以及应力比Ｒ的影响,结果显示在Ｒ＝－１疲劳过程中孔洞沿界面区基体的优先萌生、联接和扩展是其损伤断裂的主要机制;并且发现Ｒ对疲劳寿命及断裂过程有明显影响,当Ｒ＝０时滑移带裂纹生长相对容易,寿命减小,而Ｒ＝∞时,裂纹集中在类似于压缩变形的宏观形变带内发展,寿命很长     

高超声速一体化飞行器冷流状态气动特性研究

采用数值模拟和风洞实验方法.对高超声速一体化飞行器缩比模型在发动机关闭以及发动机通流状态下的气动特性进行研究.实验中采用彩色纹影系统对缩比模型飞行器的超声速流场进行显示,并通过六分量应力天平测得了全机的升力、阻力和俯仰力矩,数值模拟气动力系数以及流场特征与实验结果吻合较好,同时分析了飞行器保持静稳定状态下的质心选择范围.结果表明进气道开启之后飞行器升力阻力以及抬头力矩显著下降,但此飞行器配平迎角仍较大.该实验结果验证了数值方法的可靠性并为飞行器构型设计提供了参考数据.     

BBO单晶生长过程中气相包裹体形成的实时观察研究

BBO单晶生长过程中包裹体的出现是影响晶体质量及制约晶体尺寸的一个重要因素.利用高温休伦微分干涉显微技术,实时观察了BBO助溶剂法生长过程中出现的气相包裹体的形成过程.结果表明,包裹体产生于完美晶体内部,并趋向于分布在界面附近,单晶生长过程中台阶的发展将有助于制约气相包裹体的形成和分布.      

联合截获威胁下的雷达射频隐身目标搜索算法

针对基于射频(RF)隐身需求的机载雷达目标搜索问题进行了研究。通过分析实际作战中射频辐射面临的截获威胁,提出了一种基于联合截获威胁的射频隐身性能表征方法,并给出了具体的值估算方法;对机载雷达搜索任务中辐射参数的优化问题进行了建模,并采用优化算法对目标函数进行求解。通过分析典型情景下解集的分布特点,给出了从最优解集中选取最终解的方法。结果表明,提出的射频隐身性能表征方法能更好地反映截获实现过程的多域需求,提出的雷达搜索方法能够在保证探测性能的同时,提高射频隐身性能和搜索速度,能够为相控阵雷达搜索任务中参数的优化控制提供方法和依据。     

New trade tree for manned mars missions

Recent studies on human missions to Mars suggest revisiting the parameters that have the most important impact on the complexity, the initial mass in low Earth orbit, the risks and the development costs for the first journey to the red planet. In the last NASA reference mission, a trade tree is proposed.     

用于热控涂层性能原位测试的辐射计设计

针对空间环境中热控涂层性能退化的问题,提出一种模拟空间环境中利用测热法实现热控涂层太阳吸收率原位测试的辐射计设计方案.结合模拟空间环境的测试要求,进行辐射计的原理设计与理论研究;对辐射计进行结构热分析,建立辐射计测试过程中各项换热的计算式,从而得到辐射计的瞬态计算模型.恒温测试环境下利用辐射计对SR107热控涂层进行了测试.实验结果表明:辐射计测试的SR107热控涂层太阳吸收率值与该涂层的标定值之间的相对误差在2%以内,测试的不确定度为6.3%,实验结果验证了该测试方法的有效性.