高级靶场测量飞机

本文描述了高短靶场测量飞机(ARIA)及其目前和未来在全球范围内保障试验和鉴定活动的计划。     

Ground and on-orbit command and data handling architectures for the Active Rack Isolation System microgravity flight experiment

The Active Rack Isolation System [ARIS] International Space Station [ISS] Characterization Experiment, or ARIS-ICE for short, is a long duration microgravity characterization experiment aboard the ISS. The objective of the experiment is to fully characterize active microgravity performance of the first ARIS rack deployed on the ISS. Efficient ground and on-orbit command and data handling [C&DH] segments are the crux in achieving the challenging objectives of the mission. The objective of the paper is to provide an overview of the C&DH architectures developed for ARIS-ICE, with the view that these architectures may serve as a model for future ISS microgravity payloads. Both ground and on-orbit segments, and their interaction with corresponding ISS C&DH systems are presented. The heart of the on-orbit segment is the ARIS-ICE Payload On-orbit Processor, ARIS-ICE POP for short. The POP manages communication with the ISS C&DH system and other ISS subsystems and payloads, enables automation of test/data collection sequences, and provides a wide range of utilities such as efficient file downlinks/uplinks, data post-processing, data compression and data storage. The hardware and software architecture of the POP is presented and it is shown that the built-in functionality helps to dramatically streamline the efficiency of on-orbit operations. The ground segment has at its heart special ARIS-ICE Ground Support Equipment [GSE] software developed for the experiment. The software enables efficient command and file uplinks, and reconstruction and display of science telemetry packets. The GSE software architecture is discussed along with its interactions with ISS ground C&DH elements. A test sequence example is used to demonstrate the interplay between the ground and on-orbit segments.     

Media reaction to a SETI success

Consideration of the reaction to a SETI detection by the media, and the effect this will have on the public, is more than mere sociological speculation. An accurate forecast of the media's interest can lead to actions that will help ensure that correct and comprehensible information reaches the public. This is most critical in the first few weeks following a discovery. While a widely accepted protocol for dealing with a detection exists in the "Declaration of Principles Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence," it gives scant consideration to the fact that the actual situation will be chaotic and not subject to easy control. The 1996 story about the possible discovery of martian microfossils has provided a useful precedent for what will happen if astronomers uncover the existence of alien intelligence.     

"Signal" search for intelligence in the galactic nucleus with the array of the Lowlands

In August, 1981, the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope was used for 4 h to search for narrowband pulsing radio beacons in the direction of the Galactic Center. By using both the spatial discrimination and temporal stability available to an interferometric measurement, weak intermittent signals can be detected even in the face of the strong, naturally caused radiation from this region. A radio beacon within our bandwidth, centered on the 21 cm neutral hydrogen line, would be recognizable if it had a repetition period between 40 sec and 1/2 h. The rms sensitivity to point sources was approximately 50 mJy/cycle, and the detection limit was 500 mJy/cycle. The limit degrades for pulse widths < 0.02s. No repetitive signals were found. For a swept, narrow-band radio beacon constrained to the Galactic Disk (beamwidth = 0.02 rad), our detection limit corresponds to a transmitter power of 10(11) MW at the Galactic Center.     

通过气象卫星的单向时间传递精度可达三十毫微秒

在欧洲空间操作中心(ESOC,达姆斯塔特)的支持下,西德应用测地研究所(IfAG)和物理技术研究所(PTB)共同努力,制订了一项利用气象卫星(METEOSAT)测距信号的小规模试验计划。这种测距信号每隔3小时出现1·5分钟。在此期间,测量测距信号相对于站用时钟秒脉冲的相位。系统研究表明,可能获得的时间传递精度在30~(ns)(毫微秒)量级。接收设备包括一个2米直径的固定天线、一个低噪声宽带接收机和一个相位跟踪器和解调器,全部费用不超过20000美金。     

用于EOS直播卫星数据采集和处理的低成本可搬运地面站

作为全球变化研究的全国统一行动的一部分，地球观测系统（ＥＯＳ）将在１５年时间内发射一个遥感卫星星座。来自ＥＯＳ卫星的科学数据将由ＮＡＳＡ研究机构加以处理，再分发给大量地球科学家。许多这样的卫星还备有另外的接口，能直接向用户播发数据。从过境卫星实时直接播发科学数据有不少有价值的用途：现场测量结果的检验，规划科学会战以及用于科学和工程教育。ＥＯＳ直接的成功与实用价值在程度上取决于最终用户接收该数据所花     

用于NASA局长期气球计划的低成本TDRSS通信设备

NASA研制的新TDRSS转发器和射频地面支持设备,使一系列低预算NASA计划可以利用TDRSS的通信业务。由于采用了当前先进技术,有些则是尖端技术,使这些新设备为用户提供了许多先进特性,而成本仍比以前任何一种设计方案低。这些新设备将于1992年12月首次用于飞越南极的长期科学气球计划。     

NASA的先进地面站结构

本文描述了用于NASA地面网(GN)的一种新型地面站结构。试结构充分利用正在出现的各种新技术，显著地减小了体积、操作复杂性、操作和维护费用。此结构以空间通信先进系统计划办公室负责研制的新接收机为基础，可以在同一电子系统中综合进地面网和天基网的两种工作模式。通过软件以及电耦合器件（CCD）技术，使其具有极强的重组配能力，具备多种工作模式。而且，功能高度模块化，可根据任务任意选用，最终的系统包括先进的射频、数字和远控技术，能为大量NASA的通信和跟踪任务带来巨大的性能改善和操作及成本的降低。