Mathematical modeling in the process of designing launch systems for marine robotic systems

Одним из востребованных направлений в современном развитии передовых в техническом плане стран является создание робототехнических систем и комплексов разного базирования. Одним из приоритетных направлений использования телеуправляемых необитаемых подводных аппаратов остаются поисковые работы, связанные с обнаружением и обследованием подводных объектов. Актуальность данных работ определяется расширением областей применения аппаратов, в том числе в Арктическом регионе России в рамках работ по освоению континентального шельфа. В статье раскрыт общий методологический подход к проектированию пусковых систем, согласованный с требованиями нормативных документов, определяющих порядок разработки новых образцов техники. Показана роль математического моделирования в рамках процесса создания пусковых систем. В качестве основы методического подхода к математическому моделированию предложен единый математический аппарат обоснования проектных параметров пусковых систем. Показаны рациональные по времени и трудозатратам подходы к оценке адекватности математических моделей процессов пуска, базирующиеся на сравнении экспериментальных и расчетных величин перемещения и ускорений движущихся элементов. One of the demanded directions in the modern development of technically advanced countries is the creation of robotic systems and complexes of various bases. One of the priority areas for the use of remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicles remains search work related to the detection and examination of underwater objects. The relevance of these works is determined by the expansion of the areas of application of the vehicles, including in the Arctic region of Russia as part of the work on the development of the continental shelf. The article discloses a general methodological approach to the design of launch systems, consistent with the requirements of regulatory documents that determine the procedure for the development of new models of equipment. The role of mathematical modeling in the process of creating launch systems is shown. A unified mathematical apparatus for substantiating the design parameters of launch systems is proposed as the basis for a methodological approach to mathematical modeling. The rational in terms of time and labor costs approaches to assessing the adequacy of mathematical models of start-up processes, based on a comparison of experimental and calculated values of displacement and acceleration of moving elements, are shown.

Space solar power may solve key renewables challenge

Significance Using satellites to collect solar power in space and transmit it to earth to generate electricity overcomes a serious limitation of terrestrial renewable energy: its intermittency. As such, it could enable transition to a wholly renewable energy system. Impacts Design concepts vary, but generally envisage each satellite generating an amount of electricity on a par with a nuclear power plant. Placing critical national infrastructure in space would both hasten the militarisation of space and add urgency to arms control initiatives. Large-scale funding for SBSP would spur development of supporting technologies and spin-offs, including robotics and launch systems.

Research on parameter matching characteristics of pneumatic launch systems based on co-simulation

Pneumatic launch systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), including mechanical and pneumatic systems, are complex and non-linear. They are subjected to system parameters during launch, which leads to difficulty in engineering research analysis. For example, the mismatch between the UAV parameters and the parameter design indices of the launch system as well as the unclear design indices of the launching speed and overload of UAVs have a great impact on launch safety. Considering this situation, some studies are presented in this paper. Taking the pneumatic launch system as a research object, a pneumatic launcher dynamic simulation model is built based on co-simulation considering the coupling characteristics of the mechanical structure and transmission system. Its accuracy was verified by laboratory test results. Based on this model, the paper shows the effects of the key parameters, including the mass of the UAV, cylinder volume, pressure and moment of inertia of the pulley block, on the performance of the dynamic characteristics of the launch process. Then, a method for matching the parameter characteristics between the UAV and launch system based on batch simulation is proposed. The set of matching parameter values of the UAV and launch system that satisfy the launch take-off safety criteria are calculated. Finally, the influence of the system parameters of the launch process on the launch performance was analysed in detail, and the design optimised. Meaningful conclusions were obtained. The analysis method and its results can provide a reference for engineering and theoretical research and development of pneumatic launch systems.

APL JANUS System Progress on Commercial Suborbital Launch Vehicles: Moving the Laboratory Environment to Near Space

Multiple private companies are building suborbital reusable launch vehicles possessing vastly different designs. Many of these companies originally focused on space tourism; however, revolutionary applications for scientific and engineering research as well as technology demonstrations and instrument development are emerging. The dramatic reduction in cost over traditional launch systems as well as a guaranteed (and rapid) safe payload return enable many new launch vehicle applications. These new capabilities will essentially move the laboratory environment up to the edge of space. To make use of these novel launch vehicles, the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has established a Commercial Suborbital Program with a core system (JANUS) to support and enable many future suborbital missions. This program has already conducted six suborbital flight missions to establish vehicle interfaces and analyze the suitability and limits of each flight environment. Additionally, this program has also been selected by the NASA Flight Opportunities Program for five additional operational suborbital missions. Here we present the results of our completed missions as well as descriptions of future selected missions scheduled for 2021–2023.

Exploring the Facts and Fantasies in Neal Town Stephenson’s ‘The Diamond Age: Or a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer’

Literature enables people to think out of the box and connect with new ideas. At the same time, it takes us back and helps us know more about the life led by our ancestors. As a great foundation of life, literature fosters the overall development of the people and the society through inspiring stories, motivating tales and futuristic writings. We live in a world of technological advancements and Science Fiction stories are the profound ways to introduce extrapolation and speculation in literature. Built on a strong foundation of realistic concepts, sci-fi stories develop a futuristic world of limitless possibilities. Sci-fi stories take us to an exciting world where one witness unimaginable applications of science and technologies. Neal Town Stephenson is an American writer well-known for writing science fiction, cyberpunk and postcyberpunk stories. He belongs to a prestigious family of scientists and engineers. His father was a biochemistry professor and his paternal grandfather, a physics professor. After completing his studies from Boston University, he started working as an advisor for Blue Origin, a company specialized in developing spacecraft and space launch systems. Currently, he is serving as the chief futurist for Magic Leap. He also cofounded Subutai Corporation, a company dedicated to developing interactive fiction projects. The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer is a postcyberpunk novel by Neal Town Stephenson. The novel’s protagonist is named Nell, who is a thete, meaning a person who is not a member of any of the phyles. The entire plot is set in a future nanotech world where three forms of tribes or phyles exist, known as the Han, the Neo-Victorian New Atlantis, and the Nippon. The Diamond Age details some of the applications of nanotechnology such as chevaline, smart paper, etc. This journal is an analysis of extrapolation and speculation used in the sci-fi novel, The Diamond Age, written with an aim to explore different facts and fantasies created by the author.