Engineering topics
Hofstadter, Mark D.
Publications and source records attributed to Hofstadter, Mark D..
Seasonal changes in the subsurface of the Imhotep region as observed by MIRO
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Science Opportunity Analyzer (SOA) Version 8
SOA allows scientists to plan spacecraft observations. It facilitates the identification of geometrically interesting times in a spacecraft s orbit that a user can use to plan observations or instrument-driven spacecraft maneuvers. These observations can then be visualized multiple ways in both two- and three-dimensional views. When observations have been optimized within a spacecraft's flight rules, the resulting plans can be output for use by other JPL uplink tools. Now in its eighth major version, SOA improves on these capabilities in a modern and integrated fashion. SOA consists of five major functions: Opportunity Search, Visualization, Observation Design, Constraint Checking, and Data Output. Opportunity Search is a GUI-driven interface to existing search engines that can be used to identify times when a spacecraft is in a specific geometrical relationship with other bodies in the solar system. This function can be used for advanced mission planning as well as for making last-minute adjustments to mission sequences in response to trajectory modifications. Visualization is a key aspect of SOA. The user can view observation opportunities in either a 3D representation or as a 2D map projection. Observation Design allows the user to orient the spacecraft and visualize the projection of the instrument field of view for that orientation using the same views as Opportunity Search. Constraint Checking is provided to validate various geometrical and physical aspects of an observation design. The user has the ability to easily create custom rules or to use official project-generated flight rules. This capability may also allow scientists to easily assess the cost to science if flight rule changes occur. Data Output allows the user to compute ancillary data related to an observation or to a given position of the spacecraft along its trajectory. The data can be saved as a tab-delimited text file or viewed as a graph. SOA combines science planning functionality unique to both JPL and the sponsoring spacecraft. SOA is able to ingest JPL SPICE Kernels that are used to drive the tool and its computations. A Percy search engine is then included that identifies interesting time periods for the user to build observations. When observations are then built, flight-like orientation algorithms replicate spacecraft dynamics to closely simulate the flight spacecraft s dynamics. SOA v8 represents large steps forward from SOA v7 in terms of quality, reliability, maintainability, efficiency, and user experience. A tailored agile development environment has been built around SOA that provides automated unit testing, continuous build and integration, a consolidated Web-based code and documentation storage environment, modern Java enhancements, and a focus on usability
Ice sublimation and rheology - Implications for the Martian polar layered deposits
If the sublimation and creep of water ice are important processes in the Martian polar layered deposits, ice-rich scenario formation and evolution schemes must invoke a mechanism for the inhibition of sublimation, such as a dust layer derived from the residue of the sublimating deposits. This layer could be of the order of 1 m in thickness. If the deposits are ice-rich, flows of more than 1 km should have occurred. It is noted that the dust particles in question may be cemented by such ice that may be present, but that impurities may also have served to cement dust particles together even in the absence of ice.
Vertical motions in the Uranian atmosphere - An analysis of radio observations
The present, 6-cm radio map of Uranus indicates latitudinal features which may be due to vertical motions of the atmosphere. It appears in light of Voyager IR measurements as well as previously obtained radio data that these large-scale vertical motions, which have not undergone significant changes over the course of 8 years, extend from the 0.1- to the 45-bar levels; this span corresponds to a height of the order of 250 km. The latitudinal structures are believed to be primarily caused by horizontal variations of absorber abundances.
Latitudinal variations of ammonia in the atmosphere of Uranus - An analysis of microwave observations
A 2-cm wavelength VLA map of Uranus is found upon analysis to display strong limb darkening and a lack of symmetry about the subearth point, perhaps due to a latitudinally varying NH3 mixing ratio. The change in NH3 abundance occurs near -45 deg latitude, and the calculated NH3 molar mixing ratios in the 5-20 bar region average 4.9 + or - 0.7 x 10 to the -7th at -90 to -45 deg latitudes, and 1.3 + or - 0.4 x 10 to the -6th at -45 to -15 deg latitudes. The model is in agreement both with previous work indicating the depletion of ammonia relative to solar abundance and a preliminary analysis of 6-cm data.