Statistical properties of the IMF clock angle in the solar wind with northward and southward interplanetary magnetic field based on ACE observation from 1998 to 2009: Dependence on the temporal scale of the solar wind

Utilizing ACE satellite observations from 1998 to 2009, we performed the elaborate study on the properties of the clock angle θ_CA (arctan(By/Bz) (?90° to 90°) of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the solar wind at 1?AU. The solar wind with northward IMF (NW-IMF) and southward IMF (SW-IMF) are analyzed, independently. Statistical analysis shows that the solar wind with SW-IMF and NW-IMF has similar properties in general, including their durations, the IMF Bz and By components, and the IMF θ_CA. Then, the solar wind with NW-IMF (SW-IMF) is classified into five different temporal scales according to the duration of the NW-IMF (SW-IMF), i.e., very-short wind of 10–30?min, short-scale wind of 0.5–1?h, moderate-scale wind of 1–3?h, long-scale wind of 3–5?h, and super-long wind >5?h. Our analysis reveals that the IMF θ_CA has a distinct decrease with increase of the temporal scale of the solar wind. Next, the solar wind is classified into two groups, i.e., the high-speed solar wind (>450?km/s) and the low-speed solar wind (<450?km/s). Our analysis indicates that the IMF θ_CA depends highly on the solar wind speed. Statistically, high-speed solar wind tends to have larger IMF θ_CA than low-speed solar wind. The evolutions of the solar wind and IMF with the solar activity are further studied, revealing no clear solar variation of the IMF θ_CA. Finally, we analyze the monthly variation of the IMF θ_CA. Superposed epoch result strongly suggests the seasonal variation of the IMF θ_CA.     

基于太阳模拟器法的钙钛矿太阳电池测量方法研究

阐述了基于太阳模拟器法的钙钛矿太阳电池测量方法,包括对太阳模拟器性能、光源辐照度、光谱失配、电池温度、有效面积、I-V扫描时间设定等影响因素的规范,解决了钙钛矿太阳电池测量样品面积小、电容效应高、热稳定性差以及缺少光谱响应匹配度较好的标准电池和有效温控手段缺失等测量问题;并对测量结果的不确定度进行了评定,为国产钙钛矿太阳电池的精确测量奠定基础。     

超临界压力下低温甲烷的湍流传热数值研究

通过系统的数值模拟计算,在准确确定甲烷的热力学和传输物性变化的情况下,详细分析了两种热流密度下超临界压力对低温甲烷的湍流传热过程的影响,揭示了对流换热Nusselt数的变化规律。计算结果表明:在超临界压力下,热力学和传输物性对湍流传热现象会造成很大的影响,尤其在甲烷的临界区域附近,由于物性的剧烈变化会导致传热过程的恶化现象;在高热流密度情况下(如7MW/m2),增大管内压力有利于提高对流换热强度;现有的常用变物性湍流传热公式不能适用于超临界压力下低温甲烷的对流换热计算。     

太阳电池空间标定技术初探

随着各种新型空间太阳电池的发展和应用,在地面使用太阳模拟器对AMO标准太阳电池进行标定的方法在理论和实践上都遇到了严重的困难,最能反映其实际使用状态的空间标定成为解决问题的理想方案。国外太阳电池空间标定技术已十分成熟,主要航天国家如美国、欧洲、日本、巴西等都进行了各自的空间标定实验。北京东方计量测试研究所进行了太阳电池空间标定原理样机的研制工作。样机由太阳电池板、数据采集与处理模块、太阳敏感器和温度传感器组成,可同时对32路国产砷化镓多结太阳电池进行短路电流的测量,电流测试的标准不确定度小于0.5%(最佳点)。此项研究将形成标准太阳电池空间标定的完整方案,促进我国新型空间太阳电池的研究和应用。     

Optimal solar sail trajectory approximation with finite Fourier series

The heliocentric transfer of a solar sail-based spacecraft is usually studied from an optimal perspective, by looking for the control law that minimizes the total flight time. The optimal control problem can be solved either with an indirect approach, whose solution is difficult to obtain due to its sensitivity to an initial guess of the costates, or with a direct method, which requires a good estimate of a feasible (guess) trajectory. This work presents a procedure to generate an approximate optimal trajectory through a finite Fourier series. The minimum time problem is solved using a nonlinear programming solver, in which the optimization parameters are the coefficients of the Fourier series and the positions of the spacecraft along the initial and target orbits. Suitable constraints are enforced on the direction and magnitude of the sail propulsive acceleration vector in order to obtain feasible solutions. A comparison with the numerical results from an indirect approach shows that the proposed method provides a good approximation of the optimal trajectory with a small computational effort.     

Solar power sail membrane prototype for OKEANOS mission

This paper reports on the manufacturing and evaluation of a solar power sail membrane prototype for the OKEANOS project. The in-house prototype was built by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Mechanical and electrical evaluation tests were conducted. The membrane, thin-film solar cells, reflectivity control devices were good condition after the manufacturing and handling. The improvements in the manufacturing process and design were found. The manufacturing process and design were fundamentally established. After the prototype, improvement plans for the manufacturing process and design were tried. We have a prospect of manufacturing the flight model sail and continue to the development.     

On the dynamics of the heliosphere on intermediate and long time-scales

A time-dependent, three-dimensional model of the dynamics of the heliosphere as a result of solar activity and a time-varying local interstellar medium is presented. The model is based on a recent version of the well known ZEUS code and employs parallel processing. It includes the solar and interstellar plasma components as well as neutral atoms, and contains the heliospheric magnetic field in a kinematic fashion. We study the dynamics of the heliosphere due to solar activity on periods of months to years up to the so-called Schwabe (11-year) cycle as well as due to time variations of the local interstellar medium, all of which have drawn increasing attention during recent years, as the significance of their direct or indirect effect on the Earth and its environment is under lively debate.     

Space weather and commercial airlines

Space weather phenomena can effect many areas of commercial airline operations including avionics, communications and GPS navigation systems. Of particular importance at present is the recently introduced EU legislation requiring the monitoring of aircrew radiation exposure, including any variations at aircraft altitudes due to solar activity. With the introduction of new ultra-long-haul “over-the-pole” routes, “more-electric” aircraft in the future, and the increasing use of satellites in the operation, the need for a better understanding of the space weather impacts on future airline operations becomes all the more compelling. This paper will present the various space weather effects, some provisional results of an ongoing 3-year study to monitor cosmic radiation in aircraft, and conclude by summarising some of the identified key operational issues, which must be addressed, with the help of the science community, if the airlines want to benefit from the availability of space weather services.     

Education and public outreach program for IHY – A global approach

Education and public outreach (EPO) is one of the four components of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY). It is fundamental in achieving one of IHY’s primary objectives which is to “demonstrate the beauty, relevance and significance of Space and Earth science to the world.”