Study on the effect of contamination on the performance of X-ray telescopes

Modifications were made to the X-ray reflectometer located at the Space Sciences Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center. One was an automatic drive for the Large Micrometer Head. This system, interfaced with the Hewlett Packard Computer System, is used to record data and provides the X-ray reflectometer with an automated data-taking capability. Using this system, a complete scatter curve can be obtained automatically. Previously, it was necessary to manually reset the system after recording for each data point in the scatter curve. The second modification provided an externally controlled electrical drive to move the microfocus X-ray source along its axis. With this modification, one can translate the X-ray source while it is operating to locate the position providing maximum count rate

Considerations of electron beam propagation from space vehicles

Theoretical analysis of electron beam array propagation from spacecraf

A design study for the incorporation of aeroelastic capability into NASTRAN

Modifications and computational tasks required for aeroelastic capability in NASTRA

Second year technical report on-board processing for future satellite communications systems

Advanced baseband and microwave switching techniques for large domestic communications satellites operating in the 30/20 GHz frequency bands are discussed. The nominal baseband processor throughput is one million packets per second (1.6 Gb/s) from one thousand T1 carrier rate customer premises terminals. A frequency reuse factor of sixteen is assumed by using 16 spot antenna beams with the same 100 MHz bandwidth per beam and a modulation with a one b/s per Hz bandwidth efficiency. Eight of the beams are fixed on major metropolitan areas and eight are scanning beams which periodically cover the remainder of the U.S. under dynamic control. User signals are regenerated (demodulated/remodulated) and message packages are reformatted on board. Frequency division multiple access and time division multiplex are employed on the uplinks and downlinks, respectively, for terminals within the coverage area and dwell interval of a scanning beam. Link establishment and packet routing protocols are defined. Also described is a detailed design of a separate 100 x 100 microwave switch capable of handling nonregenerated signals occupying the remaining 2.4 GHz bandwidth with 60 dB of isolation, at an estimated weight and power consumption of approximately 400 kg and 100 W, respectively

Lunette: A Two-Lander Discovery-Class Geophysics Mission to the Moon

The document “The Scientific Context for the Exploration of the Moon” [1] designated understanding the structure and composition of the lunar interior (to provide fundamental information on the evolution of a differentiated planetary body) as the second highest priority lunar science concept that needed to be addressed. To this end, the Science Mission Directorate formulated the International Lunar Network (ILN) mission concept (web site) that enlisted international partners to enable the establishment of a geophysical network on the lunar surface. NASA would establish the first four “anchor nodes” in the 2018 time frame. These nodes are envisioned to use radioisotope power systems to allow operation of each node for at least 6 years. Each anchor node will contain a seismometer, magnetometer, laser retroreflector, and a heat flow probe [2] and will be distributed across the lunar surface to form a much more widespread network that the Apollo passive seismic, magnetometer, heat flow, and the Apollo and Luna laser retroreflector networks. (Fig. 1). It is planned that the four anchor nodes will be launched on an Atlas 5 launch vehicle and the cost is estimated to exceed that for a New Frontiers mission. What we present here is an alternative to the ILN architecture that will still return the data required to understand the nature of the lunar interior and determine how the Moon evolved

The Regulation of the CNS Innate Immune Response Is Vital for the Restoration of Tissue Homeostasis (Repair) after Acute Brain Injury: A Brief Review

Neurons and glia respond to acute injury by participating in the CNS innate immune response. This involves the recognition and clearance of “not self ” pathogens and “altered self ” apoptotic cells. Phagocytic receptors (CD14, CD36, TLR–4) clear “not self” pathogens; neurons and glia express “death signals” to initiate apoptosis in T cells.The complement opsonins C1q, C3, and iC3b facilitate the clearance of apoptotic cells by interacting with CR3 and CR4 receptors. Apoptotic cells are also cleared by the scavenger receptors CD14, Prs-R, TREM expressed by glia. Serpins also expressed by glia counter the neurotoxic effects of thrombin and other systemic proteins that gain entry to the CNS following injury. Complement pathway and T cell activation are both regulated by complement regulatory proteins expressed by glia and neurons. CD200 and CD47 are NIRegs expressed by neurons as “don't eat me” signals and they inhibit microglial activity preventing host cell attack. Neural stem cells regulate T cell activation, increase the Treg population, and suppress proinflammatory cytokine expression. Stem cells also interact with the chemoattractants C3a, C5a, SDF-1, and thrombin to promote stem cell migration into damaged tissue to support tissue homeostasis

Bringing closure to microlensing mass measurement

Interferometers offer multiple methods for studying microlensing events and determining the properties of the lenses. We investigate the study of microlensing events with optical interferometers, focusing on narrow-angle astrometry, visibility, and closure phase. After introducing the basics of microlensing and interferometry, we derive expressions for the signals in each of these three channels. For various forecasts of the instrumental performance, we discuss which method provides the best means of measuring the lens angular Einstein radius theta_E, a prerequisite for determining the lens mass. If the upcoming generation of large-aperture, AO-corrected long baseline interferometers (e.g. VLTI, Keck, OHANA) perform as well as expected, theta_E may be determined with signal-to-noise greater than 10 for all bright events. We estimate that roughly a dozen events per year will be sufficiciently bright and have long enough durations to allow the measurement of the lens mass and distance from the ground. We also consider the prospects for a VLTI survey of all bright lensing events using a Fisher matrix analysis, and find that even without individual masses, interesting constraints may be placed on the bulge mass function, although large numbers of events would be required.Comment: 23 pages, aastex, submitted to Ap