Engineering topics

Colombo, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Colombo, G..

At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1978

On the azimuthal brightness variations of Saturn's rings

A simple semiquantitative explanation is presented which accounts both for the presence of the azimuthal brightness variations in Saturn's ring A and for their absence in ring B. This explanation avoids any ad hoc reliance on albedo variations and/or synchronous rotation of ring particles. Instead, it requires only some degree of self-gravitation between nearby orbiting bodies. A bias in the particle distribution and corresponding photometric effects are thereby produced the latter corresponding very closely to the variations observed in ring A. Their absence in ring B is primarily a consequence of the higher optical thickness and decreasing importance of self-gravitation in that ring.

Franklin, F. A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Spiral structure as an explanation for the asymmetric brightness of Saturn's A ring

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Colombo, G.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Gravity-gradient measurements down to approximately 100-km height by means of long-tethered satellites

Long-tethered satellite systems for Shuttle flights would make measurements of the earth's gravitational field possible to a spatial resolution approaching 100 km. For instance, a subsatellite carrying a gravity gradiometer could be made to orbit at a height of 110 km by means of a 110-km tether tied to the Shuttle in a 220-km orbit. Even with an overall instrument sensitivity as poor as 1 Eotvos unit (e.u.), it would be possible to measure spatial wavelengths of approximately 600 to 700 km (i.e., harmonics of 80th to 70th degree). Also, a system of two satellites (one of which could be the Shuttle orbiter or one of its payloads) connected by a tether a few tens of kilometers long could provide a simple and sensitive means of detecting gravity anomalies characterized by wavelengths of a few hundred kilometers. In this system, the observable would be the mechanical tension on the tether, and a sensitivity up to 0.01 e.u. could be attained, provided the two satellites are tracked from the ground with sufficient accuracy.

Colombo, G.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Secular resonance, solar spin down, and the orbit of Mercury

A mechanism is investigated which may provide an evolutionary explanation for the large mean eccentricity and inclination of Mercury. It is proposed that if the gravitational field of the rapidly rotating early sun had a larger second-degree harmonic, the decreasing value of this harmonic during the subsequent solar spindown would drive Mercury through two secular resonances with Venus, one involving a commensurability in the apsidal motion of the two planets and the other involving their nodal rates. An analysis is performed, showing that these resonances could increase both the inclination and eccentricity of Mercury at nearly the same time, that an initial solar rotational period of 5.5 hr or less would guarantee passage through the resonances, and that a spindown time of about 1 million years could have produced the observed inclination and eccentricity.

Ward, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

An alternative option to the dual-probe out-of-ecliptic mission via Jupiter swingby

The possibility of having a high-inclination out-of-the-ecliptic probe complemented by a second probe going from Jupiter to the sun along a rectilinear path (at least for the segment from 0.3 a.u. inward to the sun) is theoretically examined. Orbit calculations of spacecraft trajectories are included.

Colombo, G.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Electrodynamics of long conducting tethers in the near-earth environment

An analytical approach was developed to evaluate the electrodynamic interactions affecting a thin, bare metallic wire moving in the ionosphere. The wire's diameter was smaller than the Debye length; therefore, the plasma sheath around the wire was taken into account in computing inducing drag force and torque. Computer programs were prepared for the numerical evaluation of mathematical functions that were required to compute the distribution of the potential along the wire and of the current in the wire. Numerical calculations based on this software are shown.

Dobrowolny, M.↗

NASA NTRS1967