Application of the LQG/LTR technique to robust controller synthesis for a large flexible space antenna

The problem of synthesizing a robust controller is considered for a large, flexible space-based antenna by using the linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG)/loop transfer recovery (LTR) method. The study is based on a finite-element model of the 122-m hoop/column antenna, which consists of three rigid-body rotational modes and the first 10 elastic modes. A robust compensator design for achieving the required performance bandwidth in the presence of modeling uncertainties is obtained using the LQG/LTR method for loop-shaping in the frequency domain. Different sensor actuator locations are analyzed in terms of the pole/zero locations of the multivariable systems and possible best locations are indicated. The computations are performed by using the LQG design package ORACLS augmented with frequency domain singular value analysis software

The transition from adiabatic inspiral to geodesic plunge for a compact object around a massive Kerr black hole: Generic orbits

The inspiral of a stellar mass compact object falling into a massive Kerr black hole can be broken into three different regimes: An adiabatic inspiral phase, where the inspiral timescale is much larger than the orbital period; a late-time radial infall, which can be approximated as a plunging geodesic; and a regime where the body transitions from the inspiral to plunge. In earlier work, Ori and Thorne have outlined a method to compute the trajectory during this transition for a compact object in a circular, equatorial orbit. We generalize this technique to include inclination and eccentricity.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures. Accepted by Phys. Rev. D. New version addresses referee's comment

Effect of Clamping Rigidity of the Armour on Ballistic Performance

Influence of the manner in which the armour plates are held during their ballistic testing on the armour performance, has been evaluated. One armour plate was clamped rigidly to the test stand while a second plate of identical composition, hardness, and dimensions was hung loosely from the target holder. Both these plates were impacted with the same type of projectiles and over the same impact velocity range. The nature of ballistic damage evaluated indicates that the manner in which the armour is held during ballistic testing has a negligible influence on its performance at least when the mass of the plate is substantially higher than that of the projectile