Abstract The effect of the preferred orientation of the largest axis of the satellite’s figure toward the planet during chaotic rotation is considered by means of numerical experiments. It has been found that the effect is most noticeable in the chaotic dynamics of small satellites with an orbital eccentricity e ≤ 0.005; this may impede the identification of the chaotic rotation of the satellite if

Abstract— The aim of this paper is to construct the thermodynamics of open quantum systems of elementary Bose-gas particles in the framework of nonextensive Tsallis statistics based on modified quantum entropy, which depends on the real deformation parameter \(q.\) We obtain generalized expressions for the thermodynamic potential, internal energy, free energy, specific heat, and pressure, as well as

Abstract The paper discusses three types of processes of destruction of small lunar craters: (1) destruction by overlapping craters; (2) destruction due to filling with ejecta from neighboring and remote craters; and (3) destruction due to the displacement of surface material by various slope processes. These processes act together, but the role of each in a specific situation and at different stages

Abstract— A model for generating electromagnetic fields in the ELF/VLF range accompanying the final stage of the evolution of meteorites in the Earth’s atmosphere is presented. The phenomenon of low-frequency radio emission is an experimentally proven fact; however, the currently known generation models are not supported by numerical calculations that would not contradict the experimental facts. The

Abstract The problem of matching models of the internal structure of partially differentiated Titan with experimentally measured values of Love number k2 (Iess et al., 2012; Durante et al., 2019) according to results of studying the gravity field of Titan based on flights of the Cassini spacecraft is discussed. The values of k2 obtained presumably point to the presence of large masses of liquid (ocean)

Abstract The impact crater formation on the surface of the Earth and other planetary bodies is accompanied by the action of shock waves on rocks and their displacement into a new position. The shock-wave compression results in the occurrence of the remanent heating of rocks (up to melting and evaporation during the unloading). The direct mechanical action of the shock compression and the remanent heating

Abstract We compare the number of lunar craters larger than 15 km across and younger than 1.1 Ga to the estimates of the number of craters that could have been formed for 1.1 Ga if the number of near-Earth objects and their orbital elements during that time were close to the corresponding current values. The comparison was performed for craters over the entire lunar surface and in the region of the

Abstract We consider prospects for investigating asteroids with the multicolor photometric method at the Robophot telescope—a robotic telescope of the Dall–Kirkham system with a 0.6-m primary mirror and a focal length of 4.2 m. It is equipped with a three-channel photometer with the g', r', and i' filters of the SDSS photometric system, and the field of view is 20′. The use of a three-channel photometer

AbstractThe outer version of the restricted elliptic three-body problem, where a perturbed body of negligible mass is far from two bodies of finite masses (the main and perturbing ones) close to one another and its orbit is located entirely outside the orbit of the perturbing body, is considered. The terms up to the fourth order inclusive in the ratio of the orbital semimajor axes of the perturbing

AbstractAn active region (AR) of the sun is an area of strong magnetic field. Sunspots are frequently formed in an AR. Solar activity exhibits in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Solar active region AR12 192 occurring on October 18, 2014 hosted the largest sunspot of the 24th solar cycle which was of the size of Jupiter. AR12 192 was ranked 33rd largest active region out of 32908

AbstractWe present the results of the re-reduction of Pulkovo photographic plates with images of Saturn’s major satellites in the Gaia DR2 catalog system (169 plates, 3007 individual positions). Astronegatives were taken with the 26-inch refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory between 1972 and 1982. The intrinsic accuracy of measurement of astronegatives using the Pulkovo MDD system was 1 μm (20 mas on

Abstract—We consider space expeditions with a long-term spacecraft stay near the studied celestial body (artificial satellites of small bodies of the Solar System), or expeditions with a possible spacecraft landing on the surface of the celestial body (for example, the ESA Jovian Icy Moon Explorer JUICE mission, and the Russian prospective project Laplace‑P). An effective formalism is proposed for

AbstractOne of the probable sources of water and other volatiles, forming ice deposits in the shadowed polar regions of the Moon, is cosmic matter delivered by comets and asteroids, as well as by cosmic dust. In this connection, we estimated the contribution of volatile components to the material received due to micrometeoroid bombardment. From the estimates of the current flux of micrometeoroids to

AbstractLaser ionization mass spectrometry is one of the most promising methods for analysis of the elemental and isotopic composition of solids in space experiments: the required instruments are highly reliable and easy to operate, no sample preparation is needed, and the spatial resolution of this method is relatively high. In view of this, the LASMA-LR laser ionization mass spectrometer was included

AbstractThe paper presents the scientific tasks, description, and comparison of various gamma and neutron spectrometers that can be installed on board a medium-class lunar rover with a mass up to 100 kg. As a specific example, we consider the scientific equipment proposed for the future Russian mission Luna-Grunt, the main purpose of which is the delivery of lunar polar regolith samples to the Earth

Abstract—The paper presents the results of a study of the dynamic structure of near-Earth orbital space in the 1 : 2 resonance region with Earth’s rotation speed. The results of an extensive numerical-analytical experiment to study the orbital evolution of objects moving in the semimajor axis range from 26 550 to 26 570 km, with inclinations from 0° to 180°. In this region, the zones of action of the

Abstract—The possible distribution of density and stress anomalies in the interior of the Moon is determined. For this purpose, we have developed a new solution of the incorrect inverse gravimetry problem developed by the authors, tested for the Earth and Mars. The idea of this solution is that the isostatic compensation depths are uniquely determined for the harmonics of the expansion of the relief

AbstractThe review of both previously used lunar deep-hole soil-sampling tools (DSSTs) and new prototypes of these devices, developed for exploring the lunar polar regolith in future lunar projects, is presented, and the DSST options with different technical parameters and layout arrangements intended for future Russian lunar missions are also considered.

AbstractFor the first time, abundances of the main xenon components (Xe-P3, Xe-P3(fr), Xe-P6 and Xe-pr instead Xe-HL) in the nanodiamonds of Orgueil (CI), Tieschitz (H3.6) and Indarch (EH3-4) meteorites have been calculated. The Xe-pr component is the excess fraction of xenon isotopes in the Xe-HL component relative to Xe-P3 (fr) and mainly consists of the 124, 126, 134, 136Хе isotopes formed in p-

AbstractWe analyze the mass distributions of exoplanets of three groups: transit planets discovered by the Kepler telescope, those found in ground-based observational programs and with the CoRoT satellite, and planets discovered in the vicinity of red dwarfs (M class) with the radial-velocity method. The dependence of the mass distributions of the Kepler transit planets on the spectral class of the

AbstractWe perform a statistical analysis of 926 confirmed falls of meteorites that occurred in the period 1860 to 2017. The distribution of meteorites over masses is approximated with a lognormal law. It has been shown that the mean interval between the detections of falls of Chelyabinsk-like meteorites is ~25 years. The time dependence of the annual number of meteorite falls is analyzed with the

AbstractIn relation to the problem of accumulation of dust particles, which are the main structure-forming element of planetesimals in a protoplanetary cloud, we propose a parametric method of moments for solving the Smoluchowski integro-differential equation that describes dispersed coagulation of disk matter. We consider a parametric approach to finding the size distribution function of protoplanetary

Abstract—We analyzed the dynamic evolution of a number of young asteroid pairs in close orbits in order to constrain their ages. Several methods of pair selection and estimation of their age are used: analysis of convergence of orbital elements; estimation of the Kholshevnikov metrics in the space of Keplerian orbital elements; estimation of relative distances and velocities at the moments of asteroid

AbstractThe studies of the composition and structure of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko—a short-period comet of Jupiter’s family—which was an object of the recent Rosetta–Philae space mission, yielded results unique in many respects, since it was the first time that a comet was investigated in situ for a long stretch of time under varying conditions of insolation and activity. Due to the landing of

AbstractThe study of the degassing of primitive cosmic matter (in particular meteorites) allows us to better understand and evaluate the processes that occur during the formation of the primary (lost) and secondary atmospheres of rocky planets. To do this, the author’s technique using a specially designed device was employed. Continuing the ideas of the previous work, where the composition of the volatile

Abstract—The study of the Galilean satellites can help clarify the structure of the magnetospheric magnetic field from observations of their projections along magnetic field lines in the atmosphere/ionosphere of Jupiter, where patches of auroras appear. UV auroras in projections on the ionosphere of Io, Europe and Ganymede occur almost permanently, while the observation of the track of Callisto is

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the possible disruption of a prolate ellipsoidal small body by the Earth’s tidal forces during a close flyby. An exact expression for the stress tensor under the action of gravity, rotation, and tidal forces is obtained using the analytical solution of the elastic problem. Constraints for the critical distance are derived taking into account the size, shape, density

Abstract—In the framework of Tsallis statistics, we study the effect of medium nonextensivity on the Jeans gravitational instability criterion for a self-gravitating protoplanetary cloud, the substance of which consists of a mixture of perfect gas and blackbody radiation. Generalized Jeans instability criteria have been found from the corresponding dispersion relations obtained both for a uniform cloud

Abstract“The Great Comet of 1997” was a significant event in cometary physics. Numerous interesting scientific studies are devoted to this comet. Unfortunately, in the Russian scientific literature, there are few publications on investigations of Comet Hale–Bopp. This study is timed to the twentieth anniversary of finishing the main observations of this comet and reminds the readers about some of its

Abstract—The results of numerical simulation of kilometer-sized asteroid impacts on different types of terrain (a flat surface, a mountain, and a depression) are presented. The results show that terrain features significantly affect the amplitude of the shock wave propagating along the surface, the fireball size, the radiation fluxes on the surface, and the distribution of ejecta around the crater

AbstractA model distribution of anomalous masses in the southwestern part of Elysium Planitia under the surface of the site of the InSight mission seismometer has been obtained. Numerical simulations are performed with the S-approximation method by expansions of the data on the Martian topography and gravitational field (the MRO120D model) in spherical harmonics to the 90th degree and order. Inhomogeneity

AbstractThe article is devoted to a detailed photogeological and topographic analysis of the surface in the region of Oxia Planum, which is the most likely landing site for the rover of the ExoMars mission. The landing site consists of two topographic domains (highlands and lowlands) separated by a sharp regional slope. The highland domain accounts for approximately 25% of the landing site. The main

AbstractNew data on the distribution of distant trans-Neptunian objects and on the properties of comets indicate the importance of dynamical processes in the outer part of the protoplanetary disk in the formation of the observed structure of the Solar System. In this paper, we examined the possible action of giant gaseous clumps, resulting from gravitational instability and fragmentation of circumstellar

AbstractIn the interaction of high-energy electrons with gases of planetary atmospheres where the primary component is molecular nitrogen, a significant fraction of particle energy is spent on the excitation of electronically excited triplet states of N2. The processes of energy transfer from metastable molecular nitrogen \({{{\text{N}}}_{{\text{2}}}}\left( {{{{\text{A}}}^{{\text{3}}}}\Sigma _{{\text{u}}}^{

AbstractThe asteroid (13553) Masaakikoyama was observed with the ZA-320M and MTM-500M telescopes of the Pulkovo observatory in August and September 2018. Its axial rotation period was estimated based on the observed sections of the light curve (and additional observational data provided by B.D. Warner) at 97.2 ± 0.3 h. This estimation was made difficult by the fact that the period is commensurable

AbstractThe results of polarimetric observations of the asteroid (599) Luisa carried out on the same type of aperture photoelectric polarimeters of the 2.6-m reflector of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and the Zeiss 2000 telescope of the Terskol Peak Observatory in November 2018 and February 2019 are presented. Based on these and available literature data, the parameters of the composite phase

AbstractWater ice is widespread in the Solar System. Computer simulation of light scattering by ice particles designed to interpret the observational data should take into account the spectral dependence of the refractive index of water ice. However, in practice, a single fixed value of the refractive index is often used. In this paper, we show that poor choice of a fixed refractive index commonly

AbstractA working model of the Venusian interior (radial distribution of the density, pressure, gravitational acceleration, and velocities of compressional and shear seismic waves) has been constructed based on observational data and general experience of geophysics. Corrections for the influence of the planetary interior anelasticity on the value of the model Love number k2 were calculated. The equilibrium

Abstract—The inner (or satellite) version of the restricted elliptic three-body problem is considered. The terms up to the fourth order inclusive in small parameter are retained in the expansion of the perturbing function for the problem. The ratio of the orbital semimajor axes of perturbed and perturbing bodies is such a parameter, while their mean longitudes are the fastest variables. The Gauss scheme

AbstractIn this paper, we calculate the equivalent flux and nonionization dose of neutrons emitted by plutonium dioxide-based radioisotope thermal blocks (TBs) mounted as assemblies on the landing module (LM) of the spacecraft (SC) Exomars-2020. These parameters characterize the nonionization interaction of neutrons with materials of modern integrated circuits (ICs), the so-called displacement effects

AbstractThe paper presents the methods and the calculation results for the flow around a prospective descent module and physicochemical processes in the flow field near the vehicle in the aerodynamic braking mode in the Martian atmosphere. The boundary conditions and the models of chemical processes corresponding to the actual conditions of entering the planet’s atmosphere are investigated.

AbstractThe paper focuses on a future mission to Venus, Venera-D, which is presently at the stage of defining the scientific objectives and shaping the preliminary mission architecture. The main scientific goals regarding the atmosphere, magnetosphere and internal structure of Venus are considered. The current configuration, baseline, and additional elements of the mission are described.

AbstractIn this paper, we review the current state and prospects of comet and meteor studies. Special attention is paid to scientific tasks that should be solved with a help of space missions.

AbstractThe schemes of unburied thermal probes and the principles of their operation are considered. The efficiency of each scheme is evaluated.

AbstractThe results of theoretical work on addressing the effects of magnetic disturbances in the engineering development of an attitude control system of a microsatellite are presented. Magnetic disturbances were calculated using the finite element method. Their influence on the control system was evaluated by integrating numerically the differential equations of the orbital and controlled rotational

AbstractAn approximate assessment of the electrical fields generated on charging the spacecraft is performed. The interference generated by the protecting device intended for neutralizing a noncompensated electrical charge on the spacecraft body is assessed. The assessment shows that the electrical fields can lead to failures in operations of the onboard electronic equipment.

AbstractThe article presents a retrospective view on the history of the development of the first national space astrophysics programs in comparison with world trends. The special features of such programs are shown and the analysis of the potential problems during their development is provided.

AbstractThis paper presents the project of the space astrophysical observatory Astron-2 aimed to carry out the all-sky spectral and photometric survey in the ultraviolet spectral region (115–310 nm). The major instrument of the observatory is a 210-cm aperture telescope with a field of view of approximately 2 degrees. Six additional telescopes with an aperture of 30–40 cm and a field of view of 10

AbstractThe article discusses the possibility of determining surface elevation using a conventional spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) survey by one satellite without interferometric phase measurements of the slant range. The capabilities of such determination are examined. A schematic diagram is given. Advantages and disadvantages are analyzed.

AbstractThe article describes the trajectory scenario for the Venera-D mission. The main aspects of optimal launch dates are considered. A scenario, which enables insertion of an orbiter into a highly elliptical orbit and a lander on the surface of Venus is described. Characteristics of the choice for operational orbit and scenario ensuring scientific data transfer from the lander on the surface of

AbstractThis article describes an experimental facility, which simulates the natural operating conditions of radiative coolers used for cooling photo-detectors of electronic optical equipment of spacecraft. The composition and main properties of the facility and the specific features of thermal vacuum tests at cryogenic temperatures are considered. Results of thermal vacuum tests of the radiative cooler

AbstractThis study is devoted to the features of designing the flight trajectories to the Solar System center for two promising Russian spacecraft. The scientific goal of this project is studying the circumsolar space from close distances (60–80 solar radii) and extraecliptic inclinations. The planes of the spacecraft operational orbits should be inclined in opposite directions with respect to the

AbstractIn this paper we describe scientific problems of stellar astrophysics that require observational data in the ultraviolet domain of the electromagnetic spectrum. These problems will be included in the scientific research program of the Spektr-UF international space mission.

AbstractThe paper presents the methods and results of the calculation of flow around a return vehicle accounting for the physical and chemical processes in the flow field during aerodynamic braking in the Earth’s atmosphere. The models of chemical processes proceeding in the shock layer at the vehicle surface and corresponding to various initial and boundary conditions are studied.

AbstractThe article considers the problem of controlling the relative motion of spacecraft (SC) flying in tandem for interferometric imaging. The effect of the geometry of the tandem configuration on the value of the effective baseline in constructing a digital elevation model is analyzed taking into account the availability of certain geographic latitudes of the Earth’s surface for radar surveys.

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the problems of testing the impact strength of the Exomars-2020 spacecraft on landing. The design features of the landing module of the Exomars-2020 spacecraft are considered as the object of impact tests. Here, we discuss the main solutions implemented while ensuring the impact strength of the Exomars-2020 spacecraft. Recommendations on the development of the impact

AbstractThe resolution of ambiguity of references in the phase multirange rangefinder is considered as a way to determine the correct cycle of the full phase corresponding to the measured phase. All successive cycles of the full phase are interpreted as a system of discrete signals, and the desired one is determined by the geometric pattern of reception of such signals according to Kotel’nikov’s theory

AbstractThe article discusses the problems of controlling the relative motion of spacecraft (SC) in a tandem flight configuration. Flight configurations of two SC that form the so-called ballistically linked group and fly at a relatively small distance from each other are described. The effect of the evolution of orbital elements on the nature of the relative motion of SC in tandem is analyzed. The

AbstractIn this paper, we examine a method for launching payloads from Mars, which is an alternative to a rocket launch. The idea is based on the elevator concept using a tether, one end of which is rigidly connected to the natural Martian satellite and the other end has a hook. The lifting device of the tether should capture the spacecraft on the Martian surface by the hook similar to the capturing

AbstractUltraviolet space telescope Т-170М is a base element of the space observatory of the Spektr-UF program. Acquisition of high-resolution UV-range spectra and images of diffractive quality is not feasible without the special conditions of the telescope assembly and alignment. When designing the structure of the ultraviolet telescope structure using the technology of the space industry, these special