First astrometric observations of space debris with the MéO telescope

The MéO (for Métrologie Optique) telescope is the Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranging (SLR) dedicated telescope of Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur (France) located at plateau de Calern. The telescope uses an altazimuth mount. The motorization of the mount has a capability of 6 deg/s allowing the follow up of Low Earth Orbits (LEO) satellites, as well as Medium Earth Orbits (MEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellites, and the Moon. The telescope has a primary mirror of 1.54 m. It uses a Nasmyth focus equipped with an EMCCD camera. The telescope field of view, defined by the equivalent focal length and the size of the camera, is currently 3.4 arcmin × 3.4 arcmin.     

Astrometric positioning and orbit determination of geostationary satellites

In the project titled “Astrometric Positioning of Geostationary Satellite” (PASAGE), carried out by the Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (ROA), optical observation techniques were developed to allow satellites to be located in the geostationary ring with angular accuracies of up to a few tenths of an arcsec. These techniques do not necessarily require the use of large telescopes or especially dark areas, and furthermore, because optical observation is a passive method, they could be directly applicable to the detection and monitoring of passive objects such as space debris in the geostationary ring.     

Multi-point observations and modeling of subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and double-peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs): A case study

While subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are well recognized as representatively one of the most important features of magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) coupling processes in the subauroral region, the double-peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs) is a newly recognized ionospheric phenomenon, categorized as a subset of subauroral ion drifts (SAIDs). In this study, we investigate both SAPS and DSAIDs that appear during the storm main phase of the 17 March 2015 event through a combination of multi-point observations and numerical simulations. We find that when SAPS/DSAIDs are observed by the DMSP spacecraft near the dusk subauroral region, strong electric fields are detected minutes later by the Van Allen Probes almost in the same conjugate region near the equatorial plane. Numerical simulations are carried out not only to reveal the global context and dynamic evolution of the SAPS in both the magnetospheric and ionospheric systems, but also to aid the understanding of the effect of conductance on the DSAIDs. Our results confirm that SAPS are indeed associated with Region 2 field-aligned currents (FACs) flowing into the low conductance region. On the other hand, the DSAIDs may be related to the double-conductance-trough in the subauroral region.     

旋转飞行器应答式速度测量研究

由于受单天线的方向性限制,采用传统的天线模式不能实现对旋转飞行器连续跟踪测量。通过多天线分集和合成2种模式,可以实现信号的全向接收和转发,但同时带来接收信号阶跃以及信号干涉区等新问题,这些问题会导致信号变化剧烈,能否正确描述信号动态下的特征,并分析其对设备多普勒回路的影响是实现连续高精度跟踪的关键。本文推导了多天线动态下的双程应答多普勒测速方程,详细分析了分集、合成2种天线模式下信号的特征及信号对多普勒回路的影响,并根据分析结果对多普勒回路提出改进建议。     

Mercury’s Surface Composition and Character as Measured by Ground-Based Observations

Mercury’s surface is thought to be covered with highly space-weathered silicate material. The regolith is composed of material accumulated during the time of planetary formation, and subsequently from comets, meteorites, and the Sun. Ground-based observations indicate a heterogeneous surface composition with SiO₂ content ranging from 39 to 57 wt%. Visible and near-infrared spectra, multi-spectral imaging, and modeling indicate expanses of feldspathic, well-comminuted surface with some smooth regions that are likely to be magmatic in origin with many widely distributed crystalline impact ejecta rays and blocky deposits. Pyroxene spectral signatures have been recorded at four locations. Although highly space weathered, there is little evidence for the conversion of FeO to nanophase metallic iron particles (npFe⁰), or “iron blebs,” as at the Moon. Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy indicate clino- and ortho-pyroxene are present at different locations. There is some evidence for no- or low-iron alkali basalts and feldspathoids. All evidence, including microwave studies, point to a low iron and low titanium surface. There may be a link between the surface and the exosphere that may be diagnostic of the true crustal composition of Mercury. A structural global dichotomy exists with a huge basin on the side not imaged by Mariner 10. This paper briefly describes the implications for this dichotomy on the magnetic field and the 3 : 2 spin : orbit coupling. All other points made above are detailed here with an account of the observations, the analysis of the observations, and theoretical modeling, where appropriate, that supports the stated conclusions.     

最严重充电条件下航天器的瞬态充电模拟研究

运用等效电路模式理论推导出随时间变化充电问题的微分方程组，针对最严重情况构造了解决瞬态充电问题的程序，对ＡＴＳ－６卫星的二种情况运用这个程序进行了计算。讨论了航天器不同材料对充放电的影响。     

镜反射凹面及相互可视表面的轨道外热流计算

通过对空间表面所受外热流以及镜反射表面所具有的特性的分析，提出了采用蒙特卡罗法计算镜反射凹面及镜反射相互可视表面的轨道热流的方法，并对半球凹面和两相互垂直可视平板的轨道热流进行了计算。     

Optical and X-ray aspects of quasars

We review the present knowledge on the cosmological evolution of quasars, by discussing some of the recent results obtained from studies of optically selected objects. Despite the fast development of prism survey tecniques, the color selection still appears to be the best tecnique for constructing the complete samples which are necessary for statistical studies. It is shown, however, that even the best available complete samples of quasars selected on the basis of ultraviolet excess (z < 2.2) are not sufficient to univocally determine the “correct” evolutionary model. Moreover, some preliminary results suggest that the evolution law derived from quasars with m_B<20 and z<2.2 can not be extrapolated to fainter magnitudes and higher redshifts. On the basis of what is known today about the optical and X-ray properties of quasars, we then discuss some of teh possible results, relevant to cosmology, which can be achieved with future coordinated optical and X-ray observations of quasars.     

航天器稀疏编队飞行的概念及其设计方法

提出了航天器稀疏编队飞行的概念及其设计方法，阐明了它与通常的紧密编队飞行的区别及其在应用上的前景。采用了一个比Hill解更为广泛的新公式来设计稀疏编队，并列举了若干稀疏编队的阵形。当各航天器距离很近时，该公式自然退化为与Hill解相同的形式。通过与Hill解的设计相比较，表明了新公式用于稀疏编队设计的优越性。     

控制航天器充电水平的计算机模拟研究

运用等效电路模式理论推导出随时间变化充电问题的微分方程组及其相应的计算机模拟程序，并针对强亚暴的情况分析了航天器充电水平，模拟并讨论了采用电子枪向外发射电子束作为控制航天器充电水平手段的作用效果。