Lower and Upper Ionosphere of Mars

The ionosphere of Mars has been explored mostly with the radio occultation experiment onboard Mariners 6, 7, 9; Mars 2, 3, 4, 6; Viking 1, 2, and more recently on Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and Mars Express (MEX). In addition to the radio occultation experiment, MEX also carried Mars Advanced Radar for the Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) experiment which provided electron density profiles well above the main ionospheric peak. The atmosphere of Mars was measured directly by the neutral mass spectrometer onboard Viking 1 and 2 Landers. Later, an accelerometer and radio occultation experiment on MGS provided large data sets of atmospheric density at various locations in the upper and lower atmospheres of Mars, respectively. In this paper we review results of these upper and lower atmospheric/ionospheric measurements. Results of these measurements have been compared with theoretical models by several workers; therefore, we also review various atmospheric and ionospheric models of Mars.     

Velocity Shear Induced Phenomena in Solar Atmosphere

We present a brief overview of the probable velocity-shear induced phenomena in solar plasma flows. Shear-driven MHD wave oscillations may be the needed mechanism for the generation of solar Alfvén waves, for the transmission of fast waves through the transition region, and for the acceleration of the solar wind. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The role of hardware in-loop motion simulation for Indiansatellites

Testing of hardware packages of sensors, actuators, and control electronics in the control loop for the IRS and SROSS satellites using motion simulators is reported. Simulation exercises and test results are described. Both air-bearing platforms and servo tables were used. The problems observed varied from interface incompatibilities and logic-level mistakes to onboard software malfunctions. unit-to-unit differences, and controller gain parameters. The importance of testing with hardware in a dynamic environment, is demonstrated     

Effects of large scale magnetic fields in the dayside ionosphere of Venus

The ion density and magnetic field data from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter for the first three dayside periapsis passes have been analysed to study the effect of the large-scale fields upon the dayside ion density profiles. The peak value of the O⁺ density in a strongly magnetised ionosphere often shows an enhancement as compared to a close non-magnetic orbit. Further, the height of the O⁺ peak shows a positive correlation with the height of the minimum of the magnetic field profile. Contrary to earlier findings, the compressional effects of the magnetic fields are observed even at near-terminator locations.     

Incoherent-scatter measurements of E-F valley and comparisons with theoretical and empirical models

High resolution electron density measurements from Arecibo incoherent scatter (i.s.) radar are used to make a detailed study of the E-F valley. Features of the important valley parameters like height, width and depth are examined. These features are then compared with the available theoretical and empirical models. The depth of the valley obtained from the empirical models agrees with i.s. measurements for near-noon periods, but disagrees with these measurements for pre-noon and post-noon periods. Further, the i.s. measurements indicate that E-F valley is rather small during daytime as compared to models which give larger width. During the night, the valley is quite wide and deep but the presence of sporadic-E (Es) contaminates the Ne-h profiles observed with the i.s. radar. As a result the valley parameters cannot be determined unambiguously during the night.     

Relationship between electron density and electron temperature as a function of solar activity

This paper attempts to examine the control of electron density and solar activity on the F-region electron temperature. This is achieved by obtaining coefficients relating electron temperature with electron density and solar activity by using incoherent scatter radar measurements at Arecibo for the period August 1966 to May 1977. These coefficients are then used to construct an empirical model of F-region electron temperature. The model values are compared with measurements at other locations and show reasonable agreement.     

Planetary ionospheres

Experimental results on the ionospheres of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus are reviewed, especially from space missions like Pioneer Venus, Viking-1, and -2, Pioneer-10 and -11, and Voyager-1 and -2. Our emphasis has been on Venus, since most of the observational material pertains to it. On the outer planets, where the observations are rather modest, more emphasis is given on theoretical modelling.     

Lakshita – Mining and research hub at L5

In this paper, the design of an orbital space settlement named Lakshita located at L5 for 10,000 residents having area of 1 × 10⁶ m² has been proposed, with the aim of fulfilling mining activities and space research in micro – g. All calculations are made in the perspective of a dynamic demography which could lead to the doubling of the population in next 25 years with initial population of 4500. The settlement consists of one residential torus, one agricultural torus, industrial cylinder and two docking cylinders rotating coaxially at 1 rpm. 2.3% of the total volume of settlement is provided for two docking cylinders with 6 docking ports enabling the elastic flow of space traffic, thereby providing continuous loading and unloading of cargo and passengers. Four pressurized sliding cylinders with 5.7 × 10⁵ m³ volume above the down surface area moving along the spokes fulfill the need of adaptation of visitors at half the gravity level of primary settlement volumes, as well provide wobble control. 1.1 × 10⁵ torr of pressure is provided above the down surface area of the residential torus. The power generation of 400 Mw, required for the functional need of Lakshita, will be obtained through SPS located at L4. The 14 h day and 10 h night cycle will be maintained by four mirrors attached on either side from the central cylinder. The walls of the settlement will be made up of three consecutive layers of super adobe, Nextel and Kevler-49 respectively to provide radiation and debris protection. An assortment of various facilities like appropriate distribution and management of water through an intended network of pipelines, accurate management of waste within the settlement has been provided.     

Comparison of various empirical models of electron temperature with experimental measurements during low solar activity

Comparisons of various available empirical models of electron temperature are made with actual measurements from incoherent scatter radar and rocket and satellite probes, during low solar activity period. The models compared are those of Pandey $\text{et al.}$ (1983), Brace and Theis (1978), IRI (1979) and Bilitza (1983). It is found that our model and the Brace and Theis model are closer to actual measurements than the IRI and Bilitza models.