Search results for "Aerospace Engineering"

Influence of proprioceptive information on space orientation on the ground and in orbital weightlessness

1989

Conscious space orientation depends on afferent information from different sense organs including the labyrinth, the eyes, tactile cues from the skin, joint receptors, muscle spindles, tendon organs and possibly viscera. An important role is played by impulses from the cervical position receptors in interaction with concomitant information from the otolith system. In order to isolate the effect of cervical position receptors from that of the otolith system, space experiments in orbital weightlessness and in parabolic aircraft flight were performed. It was found that stimulation of the neck receptors in weightlessness markedly influences the perception of the subjective vertical and horizont…

Approaches to relativistic positioning around Earth and error estimations

2016

In the context of relativistic positioning, the coordinates of a given user may be calculated by using suitable information broadcast by a 4-tuple of satellites. Our 4-tuples belong to the Galileo constellation. Recently, we estimated the positioning errors due to uncertainties in the satellite world lines (U-errors). A distribution of U-errors was obtained, at various times, in a set of points covering a large region surrounding Earth. Here, the positioning errors associated to the simplifying assumption that photons move in Minkowski space-time (S-errors) are estimated and compared with the U-errors. Both errors have been calculated for the same points and times to make comparisons possib…

Transmediterranean flights, in the edge of two centuries

2004

Abstract Transmediterranean flights take place at 40 km altitude and approximately 38°N latitude. Sixty six successful trans-mediterranean crossings have been performed in the period 1977–2002. A summary of system requirements, that would assure state-of-the-art stratospheric balloon flights is presented. Details of the 2002 campaign, along with a historical review of the flights corresponding to the Nineties, 2000 and 2001, are presented.

Thermal inertia mapping from NOAA-AVHRR data

1998

Abstract This paper presents a method to retrieve thermal inertia from NOAA-AVHRR data. The method, based on Xue and Cracknell's model (1992), involves using the phase angle information of the diurnal surface temperature change. The method needs three different NOAA overpasses of the same area throughout a single diurnal cycle. To apply this method we present a methodology that takes into account satellite calibrations, viewing geometry and correction of atmospheric effects. The advantage is that it does not need other data than the ones supplied by the satellite. Finally, we present the preliminary results obtained using the proposed method and the methodology for AVHRR data over the Iberi…

Crop type discrimination using Geo-Stat Endmember extraction and machine learning algorithms

2022

The surface shortwave net flux from the scanner for radiation budget (SCARAB)

2002

Abstract Shortwave surface net radiation is usually determined by combining the measurement of insolation with an independent estimate of surface albedo. However, uncertainties associated with each of these quantities may lead to large errors in the value of net surface solar radiation. An alternative approach is to deduce the net solar flux (the term flux is used here as the radiometric quantity flux density) at the surface directly from the budget at the top of the atmosphere, without explicit knowledge of surface albedo. The Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring is a joint project of the German Meteorological Service and other European Meteorological Services dedicated to …

MINISAT-01: Hybrid satellite for science and technology

2003

Abstract The MINISAT-01 is a good example of a small hybrid space mission for science and technology. The MINISAT-01 main goal was to prove the Spanish industrial capability to develop a space mission including flight hardware, ground segment support, launch and operations. MINISAT-01 science was addressed to perform astronomical observations and microgravity experiments. The Payload has also a hybrid character. It is a combination of a previously flown experiment on fluid mechanics in microgravity (CPLM), a fully developed astronomical far-ultraviolet spectroscope (EURD) and a demonstrator of technology for a gamma-ray imagers (LEGRI). A small experiment to deploy systems in space was also…

Personality, social support and affective states during simulated microgravity in healthy women

2009

This study investigated the time-course of stress and recovery states and their relations to social support and personality traits in healthy women during a long-term head-down tilt bed rest. Personality, social support and affective states were assessed in 16 women exposed to simulated microgravity for a 60-day duration involving three stages: a 20-day baseline control period (BDC), a 60-day head-down tilt bed rest (HDT) and a 20-day post-HDT ambulatory recovery period (R+). Participants were divided into two groups: an exercise (Exe, n = 8) and a control group (Ctl, n = 8). All the participants experienced significantly more stress during the HDT period. But exercise did not improve the i…

ZERODUR based optical systems for quantum gas experiments in space

2019

Abstract Numerous quantum technologies make use of a microgravity environment e.g. in space. Operating in this extreme environment makes high demands on the experiment and especially the laser system regarding miniaturization and power consumption as well as mechanical and thermal stability. In our systems, optical modules consisting of ZERODUR® based optical benches with free-space optics are combined with fiber components. Suitability of the technology has been demonstrated in the successful sounding rocket missions FOKUS, KALEXUS and MAIUS-1. Here, we report on our toolkit for stable optical benches including mounts, fixed and adjustable mirrors as well as polarization maintaining fiber …

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, as an Analog Site for Future Planetary Resource Exploration: Results from the 2010 ILSO-ISRU Field-Testing Campaign

2013

Within the framework of the International Lunar Surface Operation - In-Situ Resource Utilization Analogue Test held on January 27 - February 11, 2010 on the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, a number of scientific instrument teams collaborated to characterize the field site and test instrument capabilities outside laboratory environments. In this paper, we provide a geological setting for this new field-test site, a description of the instruments that were tested during the 2010 ILSO-ISRU field campaign, and a short discussion for each instrument about the validity and use of the results obtained during the test. These results will form a catalogue that may serve as reference for future test cam…