Comparisons of several transport models in their predictions in typical space radiation environments

We have used several transport codes to calculate dose and dose equivalent values as well as the particle spectra behind a slab or inside a spherical shell shielding in typical space radiation environments. Two deterministic codes, HZETRN and UPROP, and two Monte Carlo codes, FLUKA and Geant4, are included. A soft solar particle event, a hard solar particle event, and a solar minimum galactic cosmic rays environment are considered; and the shielding material is either aluminum or polyethylene. We find that the dose values and particle spectra from HZETRN are in general rather consistent with Geant4 except for neutrons. The dose equivalent values from HZETRN and Geant4 are not far from each other, but the HZETRN values behind shielding are often lower than the Geant4 values. Results from FLUKA and Geant4 are mostly consistent for considered cases. However, results from the legacy code UPROP are often quite different from the other transport codes, partly due to its non-consideration of neutrons. Comparisons for the spherical shell geometry exhibit the same qualitative features as for the slab geometry. In addition, results from both deterministic and Monte Carlo transport codes show that the dose equivalent inside the spherical shell decreases from the center to the inner surface and this decrease is large for solar particle events; consistent with an earlier study based on deterministic radiation transport results. This study demonstrates both the consistency and inconsistency among these transport models in their typical space radiation predictions; further studies will be required to pinpoint the exact physics modules in these models that cause the differences and thus may be improved.     

Comparison of GPS TEC measurements with IRI-2007 TEC prediction over the Kenyan region during the descending phase of solar cycle 23

This paper presents an analysis of the Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from the International GNSS Service receiver (formerly IGS) at Malindi (2.9°S, 40.1°E), Kenya for the periods 2004–2006 during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. The diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of the TEC are compared with TEC from the latest International Reference Ionosphere model (IRI-2007). The GPS–TEC exhibits features such as an equatorial noon time dip, semi-annual variations, Equatorial Ionization Anomaly and day-to-day variability. The lowest GPS–TEC values are observed near the June solstice and September equinox whereas largest values are observed near the March equinox and December solstice. The mean GPS–TEC values show a minimum at 03:00 UT and a peak value at about 10:00 UT. These results are compared with the TEC derived from IRI-2007 using the NeQuick option for the topside electron density (IRI–TEC). Seasonal mean hourly averages show that IRI-2007 model TEC values are too high for all the seasons. The high prediction primarily occur during daytime hours till around midnight hours local time for all the seasons, with the highest percentage deviation in TEC of more 90% seen in September equinox and lowest percentage deviation in TEC of less than 20% seen in March equinox. Unlike the GPS–TEC, the IRI–TEC does not respond to geomagnetic storms and does overestimate TEC during the recovery phase of the storm. While the modeled and observed data do correlate so well, we note that IRI-2007 model is strongly overestimating the equatorial ion fountain effect during the descending phase of solar cycle, and this could be the reason for the very high TEC estimations.     

在月球背面进行低频射电天文观测的关键技术研究

月球具有足够大的尺寸,能够有效地遮挡来自地球的低频电磁波干扰,因此月球背面是进行低频射电天文观测的最佳场所。本文论述了利用低频射电频谱仪在月球背面进行空间低频射电天文观测的意义,给出了低频射电频谱仪工作原理、科学探测目标和系统组成。研究了低频射电频谱仪的设计,并采用低频射电频谱仪对北京中关村地区空中低频电磁波辐射频谱进行了试验探测,结果表明:低频射电频谱仪能够清晰地探测到0.1~40 MHz频带内的广播电台及授时台等发射的低频电磁波信号。     

The charge-sign dependent effect in the solar modulation of cosmic rays

The centennial anniversary of the discovery of cosmic rays was in 2012. Since this discovery considerable progress has been made on several aspects related to galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere. It is known that they encounter a turbulent solar wind with an imbedded heliospheric magnetic field when entering the Sun’s domain. This leads to significant global and temporal changes in their intensity inside the heliosphere, a process known as the solar modulation of cosmic rays. The prediction of a charge-sign dependent effect in solar modulation in the late 1970s and the confirmatory observational discoveries can also be considered as a milestone. A short review is given of these predictions based on theoretical and numerical modelling work, the observational confirmation and related issues.     

基于SAMPEX卫星观测的南大西洋异常区高能质子动态分布特征

利用SAMPEX卫星1992年7月至2004年6月19～27MeV高能质子数据对南大西洋异常区的分布特征进行研究, 发现南大西洋异常区高能质子分布随高度及F_10.7的变化十分显著. 在540±25km高度上, 地磁较为平静时期南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量随着F_10.7的增大而减小, 同时在F_10.7≥115sfu时减小趋势较为平缓. 对中等及以上磁暴进行统计分析发现, 磁暴期间南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量和SYM-H指数的绝对值存在明显的反相关关系, 且地磁暴对南大西洋异常区高能质子微分通量存在明显的持续影响效应. 磁暴发生期间高能质子微分通量明显减少. 磁暴恢复相及其之后高能质子微分通量呈现较为显著的恢复过程.      

Wave-like perturbations in the ionospheric F2-layer observed after the Ms8.1 Samoa earthquake of September 29, 2009

A study of the critical frequency foF2 variations after the large earthquake (M_s = 8.1) which occurred on 29 September, 2009 in the region of Samoa Islands in the Pacific Ocean is carried out using data of the ionospheric station of Kwajalein. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at about 184 km southwest from Apia (the capital of West Samoa). It was found that wave-like perturbations of foF2 were observed for ∼3 h above the station (located approximately 3560 km northwest from the epicenter). The amplitude of the disturbance was as large as ∼20% of the average magnetic quiet day foF2 values. A comparison of the observed perturbations of foF2 with the ones detected at Stanford ionospheric station after the Alaska earthquake of 28 March 1964 (M_s = 8.4) showed a close similarity of the wave-like perturbations of foF2 in both cases.     

Systems design of a hybrid sail pole-sitter

This paper presents the preliminary systems design of a pole-sitter. This is a spacecraft that hovers over an Earth pole, creating a platform for full hemispheric observation of the polar regions, as well as direct-link telecommunications. To provide the necessary thrust, a hybrid propulsion system combines a solar sail with a more mature solar electric propulsion (SEP) thruster. Previous work by the authors showed that the combination of the two allows lower propellant mass fractions, at the cost of increased system complexity. This paper compares the pure SEP spacecraft with the hybrid spacecraft in terms of the launch mass necessary to deliver a certain payload for a given mission duration. A mass budget is proposed, and the conditions investigated under which the hybrid sail saves on the initial spacecraft initial mass. It is found that the hybrid spacecraft with near- to mid-term sail technology has a lower initial mass than the SEP case if the mission duration is 7 years or more, with greater benefits for longer duration missions. The hybrid spacecraft with far-term sail technology outperforms the pure SEP case even for short missions.     

SiCp/Al复合材料在太阳电池阵展开机构上的应用

介绍了SiCp/Al复合材料的机械性能、热力学性能、加工性能，以及在太阳电池阵展开机构中的应用情况。分析认为采用SiCp/Al复合材料，充分发挥了其高比模量、高比强度和良好的耐磨性能，其管材、型材已达到了应用阶段。     

耐高温阻燃新型F系列环氧树脂固化剂的性能

Ｆ系列环氧树脂固化剂可使通用环氧树脂耐３００￣５００℃的高温,瞬时可达１００℃以上,使环氧树脂的耐烧蚀性能提高一个数量级,同时具有高氧指数、低烟、低毒的高阻燃性能,所制成的涂料在高温下转化为碳基涂层,４００℃、１ｈ仍光亮致密,与金属仍有良好的附着力,从而得到耐高温,耐酸,耐碱的防腐涂层。文中例举了在航天,航空,电器,复合材料,防腐等方面的应用实例。