466 research outputs found
Comparison of ERBS orbit determination accuracy using batch least-squares and sequential methods
The Flight Dynamics Div. (FDD) at NASA-Goddard commissioned a study to develop the Real Time Orbit Determination/Enhanced (RTOD/E) system as a prototype system for sequential orbit determination of spacecraft on a DOS based personal computer (PC). An overview is presented of RTOD/E capabilities and the results are presented of a study to compare the orbit determination accuracy for a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) user spacecraft obtained using RTOS/E on a PC with the accuracy of an established batch least squares system, the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS), operating on a mainframe computer. RTOD/E was used to perform sequential orbit determination for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), and the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS) was used to perform the batch least squares orbit determination. The estimated ERBS ephemerides were obtained for the Aug. 16 to 22, 1989, timeframe, during which intensive TDRSS tracking data for ERBS were available. Independent assessments were made to examine the consistencies of results obtained by the batch and sequential methods. Comparisons were made between the forward filtered RTOD/E orbit solutions and definitive GTDS orbit solutions for ERBS; the solution differences were less than 40 meters after the filter had reached steady state
Direct observation of 4+ to 2+ gamma transition in 8Be
The low lying states in Be are believed to have a two-alpha cluster
structure and hence a large intrinsic quadrupole deformation. An earlier
calculation showed a large collective enhancement in gamma transition
probability between the low lying states leading to a 4 to 2 gamma
branch of and a resonant radiative cross section of 134 nb for
the entrance channel. We report here the first experimental
evidence for this transition through a coincidence
measurement in the reaction He()He using a gas
target. The measured cross sections on and off the 4 resonance are 165
41 (stat) 35 (sys) nb and 39 25 (stat) 7 (sys) nb,
respectively.Comment: Total 4 pages, 4 figures, in RevTeX format, submitted to PR
Improved solution accuracy for Landsat-4 (TDRSS-user) orbit determination
This paper presents the results of a study to compare the orbit determination accuracy for a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) user spacecraft, Landsat-4, obtained using a Prototype Filter Smoother (PFS), with the accuracy of an established batch-least-squares system, the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS). The results of Landsat-4 orbit determination will provide useful experience for the Earth Observing System (EOS) series of satellites. The Landsat-4 ephemerides were estimated for the January 17-23, 1991, timeframe, during which intensive TDRSS tracking data for Landsat-4 were available. Independent assessments were made of the consistencies (overlap comparisons for the batch case and convariances for the sequential case) of solutions produced by the batch and sequential methods. The filtered and smoothed PFS orbit solutions were compared with the definitive GTDS orbit solutions for Landsat-4; the solution differences were generally less than 15 meters
Evaluation of semiempirical atmospheric density models for orbit determination applications
This paper presents the results of an investigation of the orbit determination performance of the Jacchia-Roberts (JR), mass spectrometer incoherent scatter 1986 (MSIS-86), and drag temperature model (DTM) atmospheric density models. Evaluation of the models was performed to assess the modeling of the total atmospheric density. This study was made generic by using six spacecraft and selecting time periods of study representative of all portions of the 11-year cycle. Performance of the models was measured for multiple spacecraft, representing a selection of orbit geometries from near-equatorial to polar inclinations and altitudes from 400 kilometers to 900 kilometers. The orbit geometries represent typical low earth-orbiting spacecraft supported by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Division (FDD). The best available modeling and orbit determination techniques using the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS) were employed to minimize the effects of modeling errors. The latest geopotential model available during the analysis, the Goddard earth model-T3 (GEM-T3), was employed to minimize geopotential model error effects on the drag estimation. Improved-accuracy techniques identified for TOPEX/Poseidon orbit determination analysis were used to improve the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)-based orbit determination used for most of the spacecraft chosen for this analysis. This paper shows that during periods of relatively quiet solar flux and geomagnetic activity near the solar minimum, the choice of atmospheric density model used for orbit determination is relatively inconsequential. During typical solar flux conditions near the solar maximum, the differences between the JR, DTM, and MSIS-86 models begin to become apparent. Time periods of extreme solar activity, those in which the daily and 81-day mean solar flux are high and change rapidly, result in significant differences between the models. During periods of high geomagnetic activity, the standard JR model was outperformed by DTM. Modification of the JR model to use a geomagnetic heating delay of 3 hours, as used in DTM, instead of the 6.7-hour delay produced results comparable to or better than the DTM performance, reducing definitive orbit solution ephermeris overlap differences by 30 to 50 percent. The reduction in the overlap differences would be useful for mitigating the impact of geomagnetic storms on orbit prediction
Accurate orbit determination strategies for the tracking and data relay satellites
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) System (TDRSS) for tracking and communications support of low Earth-orbiting satellites. TDRSS has the operational capability of providing 85% coverage for TDRSS-user spacecraft. TDRSS currently consists of five geosynchronous spacecraft and the White Sands Complex (WSC) at White Sands, New Mexico. The Bilateration Ranging Transponder System (BRTS) provides range and Doppler measurements for each TDRS. The ground-based BRTS transponders are tracked as if they were TDRSS-user spacecraft. Since the positions of the BRTS transponders are known, their radiometric tracking measurements can be used to provide a well-determined ephemeris for the TDRS spacecraft. For high-accuracy orbit determination of a TDRSS user, such as the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon spacecraft, high-accuracy TDRS orbits are required. This paper reports on successive refinements in improved techniques and procedures leading to more accurate TDRS orbit determination strategies using the Goddard Trajectory Determination System (GTDS). These strategies range from the standard operational solution using only the BRTS tracking measurements to a sophisticated iterative process involving several successive simultaneous solutions for multiple TDRSs and a TDRSS-user spacecraft. Results are presented for GTDS-generated TDRS ephemerides produced in simultaneous solutions with the TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft. Strategies with different user spacecraft, as well as schemes for recovering accurate TDRS orbits following a TDRS maneuver, are also presented. In addition, a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of alternative strategies for TDRS orbit determination, excluding BRTS tracking measurements, are presented
Modular Software for Spacecraft Navigation Using the Global Positioning System (GPS)
The Goddard Space Flight Center Flight Dynamics and Mission Operations Divisions have jointly investigated the feasibility of engineering modular Global Positioning SYSTEM (GPS) navigation software to support both real time flight and ground postprocessing configurations. The goals of this effort are to define standard GPS data interfaces and to engineer standard, reusable navigation software components that can be used to build a broad range of GPS navigation support applications. The paper discusses the GPS modular software (GMOD) system and operations concepts, major requirements, candidate software architecture, feasibility assessment and recommended software interface standards. In additon, ongoing efforts to broaden the scope of the initial study and to develop modular software to support autonomous navigation using GPS are addressed
Application of MATLAB in Process Control: Case Study for First Order Reaction in a CSTR
Since the last three decades, structure of the chemical
processes has become increasingly complex, due to better
management of energy and raw materials. As a consequence,
the design of control systems has become the focal point in
industries today. Any chemical process needs to be controlled
for various purposes, such as environmental regulations, safety,
economic considerations; product quality etc. in the present work,
isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is modeled
for first order reactions. The non linear equations so obtained
were linearized and converted in to the transfer function. These
model equations were solved at steady and dynamic mode, and
the concentration is obtained as a function of time. The transfer
function developed was used to tune the system. The tuning
parameters were then determined by a trial and error method
On the Absorption of X-rays in the Interstellar Medium
We present an improved model for the absorption of X-rays in the ISM intended
for use with data from future X-ray missions with larger effective areas and
increased energy resolution such as Chandra and XMM, in the energy range above
100eV. Compared to previous work, our formalism includes recent updates to the
photoionization cross section and revised abundances of the interstellar
medium, as well as a treatment of interstellar grains and the H2molecule. We
review the theoretical and observational motivations behind these updates and
provide a subroutine for the X-ray spectral analysis program XSPEC that
incorporates our model.Comment: ApJ, in press, for associated software see
http://astro.uni-tuebingen.de/nh
Electron Impact Excitation Cross Sections for Hydrogen-Like Ions
We present cross sections for electron-impact-induced transitions n --> n' in
hydrogen-like ions C 5+, Ne 9+, Al 12+, and Ar 17+. The cross sections are
computed by Coulomb-Born with exchange and normalization (CBE) method for all
transitions with n < n' < 7 and by convergent close-coupling (CCC) method for
transitions with n 2s and 1s
--> 2p are presented as well. The CCC and CBE cross sections agree to better
than 10% with each other and with earlier close-coupling results (available for
transition 1 --> 2 only). Analytical expression for n --> n' cross sections and
semiempirical formulae are discussed.Comment: RevTeX, 5 pages, 13 PostScript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
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