Effect of the seed perturbation amplitude on the equatorial spread F initiation during solar minimum

The contribution of gravity wave (GW) to the initiation/development of spread F during a solar minimum year was investigated through the comparison of the observed precursory parameters and characteristics of the corresponding equatorial spread F (ESF) events. The ionospheric parameters were recorded at the magnetic equatorial station Sao Luis (2.3°S, 44°W, dip latitude 2°S) during March and October 2010. These data were used to estimate the influence of the relative gravity wave amplitude and the ambient ionospheric condition on the diurnal variation of the spread F initiation. The vertical velocity drift indicated a clear control and defines the threshold for the seasonal variability of the ESF occurrence. However, it was insufficient to solely determine or predict the day to day variation of ESF occurrence. Thus, few days with contrasting ambient ionospheric condition and magnitude of GW amplitude were analysed in order to investigate the role of the different precursory factors in the observed diurnal variation of the plasma irregularity development. The density scale length and gravity wave amplitude were shown to immensely contribute to the linear instability growth rate, especially during the days with a low post-sunset rise. Thus, the experimental observations have demonstrated the strong inter-dependence between the precursory factors and they have also highlighted the probable control of the ESF morphology.     

Children's Use of Slope to Guide Navigation: Sex Differences Relate to Spontaneous Slope Perception

Recent findings show that human adults can use slope to guide spatial search, although men significantly outperform women. To examine the sex difference more closely, we tested school-age children in a similar paradigm. Over four trials, children (n = 110) were disoriented and asked to locate a hidden target when the floor of a square enclosure was flat (control condition), sloped (slope condition), or sloped with a “ball drop demonstration,” intended to make the slope more salient (ball drop condition). In the presence of the slope cue, children performed above chance, although boys significantly outperformed girls. Boys were also more likely to notice the slope, and spontaneous slope perception was key to using the slope cue.     

基于尾流的超空泡航行体变结构制导律设计

针对超空泡航行体机动能力差、探测手段有限等特点,提出了一种基于目标舰船尾流梯度信息的变结构制导律.通过激光探测机动目标的尾流信息,动态解算尾流梯度方向;采用滑模变结构理论设计制导律,实现对尾流梯度方向的精确跟踪,最终完成对目标舰船的精确打击.该方法利用目标尾流信息,避免对目标运动状态进行复杂估计计算,不仅降低了对机动能力的要求,同时大大减小能量消耗,提高了有效航程.仿真结果表明,系统响应迅速,可以实现快速精确的目标跟踪打击,且具有很强的鲁棒性和抗干扰性.     

An alternative computation of a gravity field model from GOCE

GOCE is the first satellite with a gravitational gradiometer (SGG). This allows to determine a gravity field model with high spatial resolution and high accuracy. Four of the six independent components of the gravitational gradient tensors (GGT) are measured with high accuracy in the so-called measurement band (MB) from 5 to 100 mHz by the GOCE gradiometer. Based on more than 1 year of GOCE measurements, two gravity field models have been derived. Here, we introduce a strategy for spherical harmonic analysis (SHA) from GOCE measurements, with a bandpass filter applied to the SGG data, combined with orbit analysis based on the integral equation approach, and additional constraints (or stabilization) in the polar areas where no observation is available due to the orbit geometry. In addition, we combined the GOCE SGG part with a set of GRACE normal equations. This improves the accuracy of the gravity field in the long-wavelength parts, due to the complementarity of GOCE and GRACE. Comparison with other models and with external data shows that our results are rather close to the GPS-levelling data in well-selected test regions, with an uncertainty of 4–7 cm, for truncation at degree 200.     

基于约束线图的超导重力梯度敏感结构型综合

基于约束线图对超导重力梯度敏感结构进行型综合,分析轴向分量与交叉分量单独敏感的结构自由度与约束线图,并结合超导重力梯度测量应用提出两分量同时敏感的结构,利用自由度与约束线图确定约束类型,等效为柔性圆柱副,并选择柔性元件进行并联机构形式的布局.在型综合的基础上,通过模态仿真对比,得到两端与柔性球铰联接的刚性杆结构适于在两分量敏感结构中应用的结论.刚度特性仿真分析结果表明两分量敏感结构具有设计运动方向刚度小、寄生运动方向刚度大、运动耦合小的特点,适于在超导重力梯度测量系统中应用.     

Characteristics and accuracies of the GRACE inter-satellite pointing

For almost 10 years, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) has provided information about the Earth gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. Efforts are ongoing to approach the GRACE baseline accuracy as there still remains an order of magnitude between the present error level of the gravity field solutions and the GRACE baseline. At the current level of accuracy, thorough investigation of sensor related effects is necessary as they are one of the potential contributors to the error budget. In the science mode operations, the twin satellites are kept precisely pointed with their KBR antennas towards each other. It is the task of the onboard attitude and orbit control system (AOCS) to keep the satellites in the required formation. We analyzed long time series of the inter-satellite pointing variations as they reflect the AOCS performance and characteristics. We present significant systematic effects in the inter-satellite pointing and discuss their possible sources. Prominent features are especially related to the magnetic torquer characteristics, star cameras’ performance and KBR antenna calibration parameters. The relation between the magnetic torquer attitude control and the Earth magnetic field, impact of the different performance of the two star camera heads on the attitude control and the features due to uncertainties in the calibration parameters relating the star camera frame to K-frame are discussed in detail. Proper understanding of these effects will help to reduce their impact on the science data and subsequently increase the accuracy of the gravity field solutions. Moreover, understanding the complexity of the onboard system is essential not only for increasing the accuracy of the GRACE data but also for the development of the future gravity field satellite missions.     

Formation control using μ-synthesis for Inner-Formation Gravity Measurement Satellite System

Inner-Formation Gravity Measurement Satellite System (IFGMSS) is used to map the gravity field of Earth. The IFGMSS consists of two satellites in which one is called “inner satellite” and the other one is named as “outer satellite”. To measure the pure Earth gravity, the inner satellite is located in the cavity of the outer satellite. Because of the shield effect of the cavity, the inner satellite is affected only by the gravitational force, so it can sense Earth gravity precisely. To avoid the collision between the inner satellite and the outer satellite, it is best to perform a real-time control on the outer satellite. In orbit, the mass of the outer satellite decreases with the consumption of its propellant. The orbit angular rate of the inner satellite varies with time due to various disturbing forces. These two parameters’ uncertainties make the C–W function be not so accurate to describe the formation behavior of these two satellites. Furthermore, the thrusters also have some uncertainties due to the unmodelled dynamics. To cancel the effects caused by the above uncertainties, we have studied the robust control method based on the μ-synthesis. This μ-synthesis eliminates the conservativeness and improves the control efficiency comparing with the H_∞ method. Finally, to test the control method, we simulate an IFGMSS mission in which the satellite runs in a sun synchronous circular orbit with an altitude of 300 km. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the robust control method. The performances of the closed-loop system with the μ-controller are tested by the μ-analysis. It has found that the nominal performance, the robust stability and the robust performance are all achieved. The transient simulation results further prove the control response is fast and the accuracy of the relative position meets the demand of the gravity measurement.     

基于梯度分割区间优化算法的双脉冲交会优化

研究非固定时间的航天器双脉冲交会轨迹优化问题,设计了基于梯度分割区间优化算法(GIOA)。该算法结合所研究问题的特点,使用每次只选择有限个区间进行操作的区间选择策略、基于梯度优化结果的区间分割策略、基于单调性的区间紧缩策略以及约束条件测试和基于梯度的目标优化估计值更新策略等。梯度优化算法仅用于区间分割和目标优化估计值更新,不但没有影响GIOA对区间优化算法全局性和收敛性的继承,同时加快了包含优化解的小宽度区间的出现,提高了目标优化估计值的更新速度,并由此提高了运算效率。区间选择策略的使用,控制了决策变量区间数量的增长,降低了算法运行的存储需求。算例仿真中,成功求解非固定时间双脉冲交会问题,并展示出算法的优势。      

典型缺口件疲劳寿命分析方法

通过对典型缺口件疲劳寿命分析方法进行系统的回顾,按照疲劳缺口效应描述参数的不同将缺口件疲劳分析方法划分为3类:局部应力应变法、应力梯度法和临界域法.结合4种不同缺口几何下的LY12CZ铝合金缺口件的低周疲劳试验数据,对上述3类方法进行的验证对比可以发现:考虑了应力梯度和应力场分布的方法(如临界域法和应力梯度法)对缺口件疲劳寿命的预测结果与试验结果吻合较好而局部应力应变法预测精度较差,其中应力场强法还能够正确地预测疲劳破坏位置.      

一种基于超导的重力梯度敏感结构分析

 为了构建小型化全张量重力梯度测量系统,提出一种轴向分量与交叉分量同时敏感的基于超导的重力梯度敏感结构。基于螺旋理论分析两分量敏感结构的自由度,利用自由空间的运动螺旋系与互逆原理得到约束螺旋系,进一步得到具有冗余约束的对称约束构型,并选择柔性元件构建并联机构形式的两分量敏感结构,利用柔性虎克铰的横向与竖向柔性铰链实现等效球铰的功能。然后分析转臂质量沿轴移动与绕轴转动时柔性元件的变形,根据几何关系与功能定理得出两分量敏感结构的沿轴移动刚度与绕轴转动刚度。通过实际参数的计算,明确了各参数对结构刚度的影响,仿真结果验证了分析过程的准确性。