8,868 research outputs found
Tailcone on orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed
A preflight analysis performed for verification of the ALT mated vehicle incidence angle which maximizes the post separation altitude attainment by the orbiter at the maximum approach and landing test (ALT) interface airspeed (300 KEAS) is discussed. In the analysis, altitude versus airspeed profiles are generated for each of the three incidence angles that include and bound the recommended incidence angle for both the forward and the aft cg tailcone on orbiter configurations. Results show that the recommended incidence angles maximize the orbiter post separation altitude attainable within an acceptable tradeoff between separation clearance capability and orbiter structural constraints. Within constraints, the incidence angle that maximizes the orbiter altitude at the maximum ALT interface airspeed for both the forward and aft cg orbiter tailcone on configurations is 6.0 deg. The requirement for a parametric analysis of orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed is stated along with the specifications, assumptions, and analytical approach used to determine orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed
The Parsec-Scale Jets of the TeV Blazars H 1426+428, 1ES 1959+650, and PKS 2155-304: 2001-2004
We present Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of the TeV blazars H
1426+428, 1ES 1959+650, and PKS 2155-304 obtained during the years 2001 through
2004. We observed H 1426+428 at four epochs at 8 GHz, and found that its
parsec-scale structure consisted of a ~17 mJy core and a single ~3 mJy jet
component with an apparent speed of 2.09 +/- 0.53c. The blazar 1ES 1959+650 was
observed at three epochs at frequencies of 15 and 22 GHz. Spectral index
information from these dual-frequency observations was used to definitively
identify the core of the parsec-scale structure. PKS 2155-304 was observed at a
single epoch at 15 GHz with dual-circular polarization, and we present the
first VLBI polarimetry image of this source. For 1ES 1959+650 and PKS 2155-304,
the current observations are combined with the VLBA observations from our
earlier paper to yield improved apparent speed measurements for these sources
with greatly reduced measurement errors. The new apparent speed measured for
component C2 in 1ES 1959+650 is 0.00 +/- 0.04c (stationary), and the new
apparent speed measured for component C1 in PKS 2155-304 is 0.93 +/- 0.31c. We
combine the new apparent speed measurements from this paper with the apparent
speeds measured in TeV blazar jets from our earlier papers to form a current
set of apparent speed measurements in TeV HBLs. The mean peak apparent pattern
speed in the jets of the TeV HBLs is about 1c. We conclude the paper with a
detailed discussion of the interpretation of the collected VLBA data on TeV
blazars in the context of current theoretical models for the parsec-scale
structure of TeV blazar jets.Comment: 16 pages, Astrophysical Journal, in pres
Dynamics of Polymers: a Mean-Field Theory
We derive a general mean-field theory of inhomogeneous polymer dynamics; a
theory whose form has been speculated and widely applied, but not heretofore
derived. Our approach involves a functional integral representation of a
Martin-Siggia-Rose type description of the exact many-chain dynamics. A saddle
point approximation to the generating functional, involving conditions where
the MSR action is stationary with respect to a collective density field
and a conjugate MSR response field , produces the desired dynamical
mean-field theory. Besides clarifying the proper structure of mean-field theory
out of equilibrium, our results have implications for numerical studies of
polymer dynamics involving hybrid particle-field simulation techniques such as
the single-chain in mean-field method (SCMF)
VLBA Polarization Observations of Markarian 421 After a Gamma-Ray High State
We present four high dynamic range, dual-circular polarization, Very Long
Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at 22 GHz of Markarian 421, taken throughout
the year following the source's unprecedented gamma-ray high state in early
2001. These four new VLBA observations are combined with data from our earlier
1999 paper and archival VLBA data-sets that have become available since 1999 to
produce a combined 28 epoch VLBA data-set on Mrk 421 spanning the years 1994 to
2002. No new component associated with the 2001 flares was seen on the total
intensity images, but the combined data-set allowed precise measurements of the
apparent speeds of the existing components. The peak measured apparent speed
was for component C5, which has an apparent speed of 0.1 +/- 0.02 c (H_0=71 km
s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}, Omega_m=0.27, and Omega_Lambda=0.73). No counterjet is seen
with a limit on the jet to counterjet brightness ratio J >~ 100. These observed
VLBI properties of Markarian 421 are consistent with a jet with a bulk Lorentz
factor of about 2 and an angle to the line-of-sight of about 1 degree,
suggesting a jet that decelerates between the gamma-ray producing region and
the parsec scale. The VLBI core and inner jet (component C7) have fractional
polarizations of about 5%, and an electric vector position angle (EVPA) aligned
with the jet axis. Component C5 (at 1.5 mas from the core) has a higher
fractional polarization of about 15%, and an EVPA nearly orthogonal to the jet
axis. Significant variability is detected in the EVPA of component C6, which at
two of the four epochs shows an EVPA aligned with the jet axis, possibly a sign
of propagating disturbances that are only visible on the polarization images.
If these propagating disturbances are linked to the 2001 gamma-ray high state,
then their inferred apparent speed is between 1 and 3 c.Comment: 11 pages, accepted to Ap
Determination of Orbiter and Carrier Aerodynamic Coefficients from Load Cell Measurements
A method of determining orbiter and carrier total aerodynamic coefficients from load cell measurements is required to support the inert and the captive active flights of the ALT program. A set of equations expressing the orbiter and carrier total aerodynamic coefficients in terms of the load cell measurements, the sensed dynamics of the Boeing 747 (carrier) aircraft, and the relative geometry of the orbiter/carrier is derived
Space shuttle engineering and operations support. ALT separation reference trajectories for tailcone on orbiter forward and aft CG configurations. Mission planning, mission analysis and software formulation
A preflight analysis of the ALT separation reference trajectories for the tailcone on, forward, and aft cg orbiter configurations is documented. The ALT separation reference trajectories encompass the time from physical separation of the orbiter from the carrier to orbiter attainment of the maximum ALT interface airspeed. The trajectories include post separation roll maneuvers by both vehicles and are generated using the final preflight data base. The trajectories so generated satisfy all known separation design criteria and violate no known constraints. The requirement for this analysis is given along with the specifications, assumptions, and analytical approach used to generate the separation trajectories. The results of the analytical approach are evaluated, and conclusions and recommendations are summarized
Maximization of orbiter altitude at ALT interface airspeed, mission planning, mission analysis and software
The determination of the separation initial conditions (i.e. incidence angle) that maximize orbiter altitude at the ALT interface airspeed is considered. Optimum altitude airspeed profiles are generated for each orbiter incidence angle and tailcone configuration. Results show that the highest separation altitude does not result in the highest altitude at ALT interface airspeed. The altitude attainable at ALT interface airspeed should therefore be considered in the selection of the initial conditions (i.e. incidence angle). Without violating any known constraints, the incidence angles that maximize orbiter altitude at the ALT interface airspeeds are 7.0 deg for ALT free flight 1 and 5.5 deg for ALT free flight 6
Hydrodynamic Self-Consistent Field Theory for Inhomogeneous Polymer Melts
We introduce a mesoscale technique for simulating the structure and rheology
of block copolymer melts and blends in hydrodynamic flows. The technique
couples dynamic self consistent field theory (DSCFT) with continuum
hydrodynamics and flow penalization to simulate polymeric fluid flows in
channels of arbitrary geometry. We demonstrate the method by studying phase
separation of an ABC triblock copolymer melt in a sub-micron channel with
neutral wall wetting conditions. We find that surface wetting effects and shear
effects compete, producing wall-perpendicular lamellae in the absence of flow,
and wall-parallel lamellae in cases where the shear rate exceeds some critical
Weissenberg number.Comment: Revised as per peer revie
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