Starting in late 2007 and continuing through the present, NFIRE (Near-Field Infrared Experiment), a Missile Defense Agency (MDA) experimental satellite and TerraSAR-X, a German commercial SAR satellite have been conducting mutual crosslink experiments utilizing a secondary laser communication payload built by Tesat-Spacecom. The narrow laser beam-widths and high relative inter-spacecraft velocities for the two low-earth-orbiting satellites imply strict pointing control and dynamics aboard both vehicles. The satellites have achieved rapid communication acquisition times and maintained communication for hundreds of seconds before losing line of sight to the counter satellite due to earth blockage. Through post-mission analysis and other related telemetry we will show results for pointing accuracy, disturbance environments and pre-engagement prediction requirements that support successful and reliable operations.

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Computer program CICC has been written for use in the thermo-fluids design of superconducting magnets for tokamak reactors, which use forced-flow, helium-cooled, cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC). In addition to background heat loads that vary with space and time, these superconductors can develop normal zones that generate electrical resistance heat. Program CICC models the transient thermodynamic and fluid-dynamic system response to background heating and normal-zone propagation in the superconductor. The computational algorithm described in this paper couples a onedimensional, compressible pipe-flow model (including flow choking) with two-dimensional, axisymmetric heatconduction models of the superconductor cable, the conduit, and the epoxy-conduit insulation. National Institute of Standards and Technology helium properties are used. The model is verified by comparison with measured temperature and pressure profiles from thermal expulsion experiments.

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