Langmuir probe response in a turbulent plasma
Collisionless cylindrical Langmuir probe response in turbulent plasma for mean and statistical properties
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Collisionless cylindrical Langmuir probe response in turbulent plasma for mean and statistical properties
Four part program computes trajectory of space probe moving in solar system and subject to variety of forces.
Perturbation theory using variation of parameters formulation to calculate satellite orbits
Unstable massive main sequence stars nonlinear pulsation, using small amplitude tests of approximation technique
Turn rate gyro installation angle and airspeed effects on instrument reliability, presenting in-flight investigation results relative to turn rate information usefulness under various flight conditions
The enhanced beta-decay rate of ionized Re-187 in stars has been studied within the context of a detailed numerical model of the production of r-process elements and their recycling through stars during the course of galactic evolution. It is concluded that the enhanced decay rate does not significantly reduce the Re-Os chronometer age for the Galaxy. Consequently, the Re-187 beta-decay half-life and the Os-186/Os-187 neutron cross-section ratio remain as the significant uncertainties in this chronology. Unlike the uncertainties in other chronologies, both are amenable to laboratory measurements.
A flight director adaptable to general aviation aircraft was evaluated for the landing approach task in a twin turbojet business aircraft. The flight director combined aircraft heading, pitch and roll atitude, and ILS (Instrument Landing System) signals into a single picture on a small cathode ray tube (CRT) to give the pilot an integrated picture of the aircraft situation. The display is unique in that it presents the information on a CRT and gives quasi-command signals to the pilot. The particular display investigated was a preproduction version of the Kaiser Model FP-50 flight director. Approaches made with visual references only, with a conventional ILS displacement instrument, and with the CRT display were compared in terms of tracking performance and pilot workload. Tracking performance of three research pilots using the CRT display was superior to that using the conventional ILS instrument and comparable to that under VFR conditions. Pilot workload (based on pilot comments) was not clearly decreased.
The problem of the paucity of low-metal-abundance low-mass stars is discussed. One alternative to the variable-initial-mass-function (VIMF) solution is proposed. It is shown that this solution - metal-enhanced star formation - satisfies the classical test which prompted the VIMF hypothesis. Furthermore, with no additional parameters it provides improved fits to other tests - e.g., inhomogeneities in the abundances in young stars, concordance of all nucleo-cosmochronologies, and a required yield of heavy-element production which is consistent with current stellar evolution theory. In this model the age of the Galaxy is 18.6 plus or minus 5.7 b.y.
Evolutionary sequences for the sun are presented which confirm that the Cl-37 neutrino counting rate will be greatly reduced if the high-energy tail of the Maxwellian distribution of relative energies is progressively depleted. Thermonuclear reaction rates and pressure are reevaluated for a distribution function modified by the correction factor suggested by Clayton (1974), and the effect of the results on solar models calculated with a simple Henyey code is discussed. It is shown that if the depletion is characterized by a certain exponential dependence on the distribution function, the counting rate will fall below 1 SNU for a distribution function of not less than 0.01. Suggestions are made for measuring the distribution function in the sun by means of neutrino spectroscopy and photography.
A two-pilot moving base simulator experiment was conducted to assess the effects of servo failures of a flight control system on the transient dynamics of a Bell UH-1H helicopter. The flight control hardware considered was part of the V/STOLAND system built with control authorities of from 20-40%. Servo hardover and oscillatory failures were simulated in each control axis. Measurements were made to determine the adequacy of the failure monitoring system time delay and the servo center and lock time constant, the pilot reaction times, and the altitude and attitude excursions of the helicopter at hover and 60 knots. Safe recoveries were made from all failures under VFR conditions. Pilot reaction times were from 0.5 to 0.75 sec. Reduction of monitor delay times below these values resulted in significantly reduced excursion envelopes. A subsequent flight test was conducted on a UH-1H helicopter with the V/STOLAND system installed. Series servo hardovers were introduced in hover and at 60 knots straight and level. Data from these tests are included for comparison.
A model of a UH-1H helicopter was developed to support flight simulations and for developmental work on an avionics system known as V/STOLAND system. Equations and numerical values of constants used to represent the helicopter are presented. Responses to stop inputs of the cyclic and collective controls are shown and compared with flight test data for a UH-1H. The model coefficients were adjusted in an attempt to get a consistant match with the flight time histories at hover and 60 knots. Response matching was obtained at 60 knots, but the matching at hover was not as successful. Pilot evaluations of the model, both fixed and moving base, were made.
Since for maximum range a supersonic transport must cruise near its maximum Mach number, accurate flight control is needed, especially when severe atmospheric transients are encountered. This paper describes atmospheric transients that have been encountered by the XB-70, YF-12, and Concorde aircraft during supersonic flights and the ensuing responses of the aircraft propulsion and flight control systems. It was found that atmospheric conditions affected these supersonic cruise vehicles in much the same way, with minor differences according to the type of propulsion and flight control system. Onboard sensors are sufficiently accurate to provide data on the atmosphere, including turbulence over the route, that are accurate enough for entry in the climatic record and for use as inputs to the control systems. Nominal atmospheric transients can be satisfactorily controlled, but some problems remain for extreme cases.
This paper presents a statistical estimate of the mass of Saturn's rings, determined to be (6.2 plus or minus 2.4) x 10 to the -6th masses of Saturn. This value was obtained by fitting a gravitational model of the Saturn system which included rings, satellites, and the planet to the observed secular apsidal and nodal rates of the inner satellites. The apsidal commensurability of particles in the rings of Titan was shown to produce no significant effect on the structure of the rings.
Flight test results of minimum autorotative descent rate are compared with calculations based on the minimum power required for steady level flight. Empirical correction factors are derived that account for differences in energy dissipation between these two flight conditions. A method is also presented for estimating the minimum power coefficient for level flight for any helicopter for use in the empirical estimation procedure of autorotative descent rate.
A statistical analysis of the properties of dense interstellar clouds indicates that the solar system has encountered at least a dozen clouds of sufficient density to cause planets to accumulate nonnegligible amounts of some isotopes. The effect is most pronounced for neon. This mechanism could be responsible for much of the neon in Earth's atmosphere. For Mars, the predicted amount of neon added by cloud encounters greatly exceeds the present abundance.
Four basic single-rotor helicopters, one teetering, on articulated, and two hingeless, which were found to have a variety of major deficiencies in a previous fixed-based simulator study, were selected as baseline configurations. The stability and control augmentation systems (SCAS) include simple control augmentation systems to decouple pitch and yaw responses due to collective input and to quicken the pitch and roll control responses; SCAS of rate-command type designed to optimize the sensitivity and damping and to decouple the pitch-roll due to aircraft angular tate; and attitude-command type SCAS. Pilot ratings and commentary are presented as well as performance data related to the task. SCAS control usages and their gain levels associated with specific rotor types are also discussed.
A piloted simulation study assessed various levels of stability and control augmentation designed to improve the handling qualities of several helicopters in nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flight. Five basic single rotor helicopters - one teetering, two articulated, and two hingeless - which were found to have a variety of major deficiencies in a previous fixed-based simulator study were selected as baseline configurations. The stability and control augmentation systems (SCAS) include simple control augmentation systems (CAS) to decouple pitch and yaw responses due to collective input and to quicken the pitch and roll control responses; SCAS of rate command type designed to optimize the sensitivity and damping and to decouple the pitch-roll due to aircraft angular rate; and attitude command type SCAS. Pilot ratings and commentary are presented as well as performance data related to the task. SCAS control usage and their gain levels associated with specific rotor type are also discussed.
Results are presented for a detailed study of the peculiar elliptical galaxy NGC 5128 (Cen A), based on computer video analysis of several photographic plates of exceptional quality reduced to the standard UBV system. The picture-processing results and the measured properties of the elliptical and gaseous-disk components of NGC 5128 are examined, along with the distribution, spectral characteristics, and chemical composition of the H II regions in the disk. The data show that NGC 5128 consists of a giant E2 galaxy containing a significant amount of gas and dust situated predominantly in an equatorial disk where vigorous star formation is occurring. Reasons why NGC 5128 is so different from giant ellipticals in clusters are considered.