Optical performance of PHEBUS/EUV detector onboard BepiColombo

BepiColombo, a mission of ESA (European Space Agency) in cooperation with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), will explore Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun. BepiColombo will launch in 2014 on a journey lasting up to six and a half years; the data gathering phase should occupy a one year nominal mission, with a possible extension of another year. The data which will be brought back from the orbiters will tell us about the Hermean surface, atmospheric composition, and magnetospheric dynamics; it will also contribute to understanding the history and formation of terrestrial planets. The PHEBUS (Probing of Hermean Exosphere by Ultraviolet Spectroscopy) instrument will be flown on MPO: Mercury Planetary Orbiter, one of the two BepiColombo orbiters. The main purpose of the instrument is to reveal the composition and the distribution of the exosphere of Mercury through EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet: 55–155 nm) and FUV (Far Ultraviolet: 145–315 nm) measurements. A consortium composed of four main countries has been formed to build it. Japan provides the two detectors (EUV and FUV), Russia implements the scanning system, and France and Italy take charge of the overall design, assembly, test, integration, and also provide two small NUV (Near Ultraviolet) detectors (for the light from calcium and potassium molecules). An optical prototype of the EUV detector which is identical to the flight configuration has been manufactured and evaluated. In this paper, we show the first spectra results observed by the EUV channel optical prototype. We also describe the design of PHEBUS and discuss the possibility of detecting noble gases in Mercury’s exosphere taking the experimental results so far into account.     

Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) flight experimentation.

The NASA CELSS program has the goal of developing life support systems for humans in space based on the use of higher plants. The program has supported research at universities with a primary focus of increasing the productivity of candidate crop plants. To understand the effects of the space environment on plant productivity, the CELSS Test Facility (CTF) has been been conceived as an instrument that will permit the evaluation of plant productivity on Space Station Freedom. The CTF will maintain specific environmental conditions and collect data on gas exchange rates and biomass accumulation over the growth period of several crop plants grown sequentially from seed to harvest. The science requirements of the CTF will be described, as will current design concepts and specific technology requirements for operation in micro-gravity.     

基于脑力负荷飞机座舱视觉显示界面优化设计

在飞机座舱视觉显示界面设计阶段,利用脑力负荷的综合评价,确定最佳设计方案.综合3种脑力负荷评价方法(主任务评价法、生理测量法、主观评价法),建立了飞机座舱视觉显示界面脑力负荷综合评价模型,对设计方案进行优化选择,并进行实验例证.在某型号歼击机视觉界面的不同设计方案中,利用这套评价模型,在降落任务下,得到了不同视觉界面的脑力负荷综合评价值,其中最佳脑力负荷值的设计方案也符合国军标中关于视觉界面的设计原则.在飞机座舱视觉界面脑力负荷的设计阶段,这套评价系统在设计阶段能够给出一个满意的评价结果,对于最终设计方案的确定很有帮助.      

Real time localization of gamma ray bursts with INTEGRAL

The INTEGRAL satellite has been successfully launched in October 2002 and has recently started its operational phase. The INTEGRAL burst alert system (IBAS) will distribute in real time the coordinates of the gamma ray bursts (GRBs) detected with INTEGRAL. After a brief introduction on the INTEGRAL instruments, we describe the main IBAS characteristics and report on the initial results. During the initial performance and verification phase of the INTEGRAL mission, which lasted about two months, two GRBs have been localized with accuracy of 2–4 arcmin. These observations have allowed us to validate the IBAS software, which is now expected to provide quick (few seconds delay) and precise (few arcmin) localization for 10–15 GRBs per year.     

相变储热/辐射器式热沉的传热特性研究

对一种用于舱外活动的相变储热/辐射器式热沉进行了实验研究和数值模拟.设计了相变储热器的实验件和实验方案,进行了储热器的冷却实验.建立了具有导热与对流换热耦合边界的相变储热器数学模型,模型中考虑了自然对流及空穴的影响.编制了相变储热器的性能分析计算程序.通过实验值与计算值的比较分析,验证了程序的可靠性.该模型及计算程序为相变储热器的设计和优化提供了有利的分析工具.     

月球背面地形对软着陆探测的影响分析

相对于月球正面大面积平坦的月海区域,月球背面地形整体崎岖复杂,因此地形地貌的变化会对探测器的软着陆探测产生一定的影响。从任务设计、着陆器设计和月面工作程序3个方面分析了"嫦娥4号"着陆区南极–艾特肯盆地(South-Pole Aitken Basin,SPA),及其相对于"嫦娥3号"着陆区的变化,主要结论包括:1)着陆区范围缩小,由"嫦娥3号"着陆区经度范围16.4°和纬度范围3°,减小到经度范围约4°和纬度范围约2°;2)动力下降策略更改,动力下降过程主减速段结束后,着陆器由斜向前运动轨迹改为接近垂直向下运动轨迹,同时更改测距敏感器的引入时机;3)提高微波测距测速敏感器信号发射功率和信噪比;4)着陆后需要预测着陆器的光照和测控被地形遮挡的情况,然后制定如休眠或月食模式等相应策略等。通过以上优化设计,"嫦娥4号"任务可适应月球背面地形地貌的变化,有效降低着陆过程和月面工作的风险。     

A future Japanese program in far-ultraviolet astronomy and solar physics

A design study of an ultraviolet-telescope satellite (UVSAT) has been carried out by the Japanese astronomical community. The main purpose of this satellite mission would be to investigate (i) the distribution and nature of ultraviolet sources in star clusters, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, (ii) the physical structures of galactic nebulae, and (iii) the dynamics of stellar and galactic activity. A 60 cm, f/4 Cassegrain telescope will be launched into a semi-circular orbit of ～500 km altitude and of ～30° inclination, by an ISAS/Japan M3S-III rocket. An intensified CCD camera and/or a concave-grating spectrograph will be operated for the wavelength range λ?1200 Å. Various possible auxiliary instruments and sub-telescopes are considered.     

SBD技术及其在自动飞行系统设计中的应用

ＳＢＤ技术是将仿真技术应用于产品研制阶段,在未真正制造出原型系统的情况下,用虚拟原型样机（ＶＰ）展示产品的动、静态性能,从而缩短产品研制的周期,减少研制的费用,提高产品的质量。ＳＢＤ在于提供一个开放、分布和并发的环境。对ＳＢＤ技术的主要功能框架结构进行了论述,并给出ＳＢＤ技术在自动飞行系统设计、开发中应用的一个例子。     

GLONASS-based precise point positioning and performance analysis

Current precise point positioning (PPP) techniques are mainly based on GPS which has been extensively investigated. With the increase of available GLONASS satellites during its revitalization, GLONASS observations were increasingly integrated into GPS-based PPP. Now that GLONASS has reached its full constellation, there will be a wide interest in PPP systems based on only GLONASS since it provides a PPP implementation independent of GPS. An investigation of GLONASS-based PPP will also help the development of GPS and GLONASS combined PPP techniques for improved precision and reliability. This paper presents an observation model for GLONASS-based PPP in which the GLONASS hardware delay biases are addressed. In view of frequently changed frequency channel number (FCN) for GLONASS satellites, an algorithm has been developed to compute the FCN for GLONASS satellites using code and phase observations, which avoids the need to provide the GLONASS frequency channel information during data processing. The observation residuals from GLONASS-based PPP are analyzed and compared to those from GPS-based PPP. The performance of GLONASS-based PPP is assessed using data from 15 globally distributed stations.     

Integer phase ambiguity estimation in next-generation geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry

Next-generation Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) system designs are aiming at 1 mm global position accuracy. In order to achieve this, it is not only necessary to deploy improved VLBI systems, but also to develop analysis strategies that take full advantage of the observations taken. Since the new systems are expected to incorporate four independent radio frequency bands, it should be feasible to resolve phase ambiguities directly from post-correlation data, providing roughly an order of magnitude improvement in precision of the delay observable. As the unknown ambiguities are of integer nature, it is discussed here how they the can be resolved analytically using algorithms which have been developed for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications. Furthermore, it will be shown that ionosphere contribution and source structure effects, so-called core-shifts, can be solved simultaneously with the delay, which is the main geodetic observable for follow-on analysis. In order to verify the proposed algorithm, simulated observations were created using parameters from actual design studies. It is shown that, even in the case of low signal-to-noise ratio observations, reliable phase ambiguity resolution can be achieved and it is discussed how the integer ambiguity recovery depends on the number of observations and signal-to-noise ratio.     

The Breadboard Project: a functioning CELSS plant growth system.

The primary objective of the Breadboard project for the next 3-4 years is to develop, integrate and operate a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) at a one person scale. The focus of this project over the past two years has been the development of the plant growth facility, the first module of the CELSS. The other major modules, food preparation, biomass processing, and resource recovery, have been researched at the laboratory scale during the past two years and facilities are currently under construction to scale-up these modules to an operational state. This paper will outline the design requirements for the Biomass Production Chamber (BPC), the plant growth facility for the project, and the control and monitoring subsystems which operate the chamber and will present results from both engineering and biological tests of the facility. Three production evaluations of wheat, conducted in the BPC during the past year, will be described and the data generated from these tests discussed. Future plans for the BPC will be presented along with future goals for the project as the other modules become active.     

交会对接光学成像敏感器中合作目标的分析与设计

交会对接技术是实现太空梭、太空平台和空间运输系统的装配、回收、补给、维修、太空人交换及营救等在轨服务的先决条件,交会对接光学成像敏感器是两航天器交会对接近距离平移靠拢段唯一能够提供六自由度相对导航信息的敏感器,由安装于追踪飞行器上的相机和安装于目标飞行器上的合作目标组成,采用角反射器作为合作目标标志,完成两飞行器间的相对位姿的解算.对其需求分析、设计方案、回光能量测试等进行了讨论,该方案已在神舟十一号载人飞船、天舟一号货运飞船与天宫二号的交会对接任务中成功验证,后续针对空间站及光学舱任务进行适应性修改.     

LISA: Heliocentric formation design for the laser interferometer space antenna mission

The LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission has been selected by the European Space Agency’s Science Programme Committee as the third large-class mission of the Cosmic Vision Programme, addressing the science theme of the Gravitational Universe. With a planned launch date in 2034, LISA will be the first ever space-borne Gravitational Wave observatory, relying on laser interferometry between three spacecraft orbiting the Sun in a triangular formation. Airbus is currently leading an industrial Phase A system study on behalf of the European Space Agency. The paper will address the astrodynamics challenges associated with the LISA constellation design, driven by tight requirements on the geometric quality metrics of the near equilateral formation.     

电子设备热分析软件应用研究

应用热分析技术,能在产品的设计阶段获得其温度分布,从而优化设计,提高产品可靠性.介绍了现在流行的电子设备热分析软件,阐述了电子设备热分析软件在应用中面临的一些问题,并结合一简单实例,展示了电子设备热分析的全过程,对热分析软件应用中的部分难题提出了解决方案.结果表明:妥善处理好主要问题,则能够达到较高的热分析精度,满足工程需求.      

InfraRed Astronomy Satellite Swarm Interferometry (IRASSI): Overview and study results

The far-infrared (FIR) regime is one of the few wavelength ranges where no astronomical data with sub-arcsecond spatial resolution exist yet. Neither of the medium-term satellite projects like SPICA, Millimetron or OST will resolve this malady. For many research areas, however, information at high spatial and spectral resolution in the FIR, taken from atomic fine-structure lines, from highly excited carbon monoxide (CO) and especially from water lines would open the door for transformative science. These demands call for interferometric concepts. We present here first results of our feasibility study IRASSI (Infrared Astronomy Satellite Swarm Interferometry) for an FIR space interferometer. Extending on the principal concept of the previous study ESPRIT, it features heterodyne interferometry within a swarm of five satellite elements. The satellites can drift in and out within a range of several hundred meters, thereby achieving spatial resolutions of <0.1 arcsec over the whole wavelength range of 1–6 THz. Precise knowledge on the baselines will be ensured by metrology methods employing laser-based optical frequency combs, for which preliminary ground-based tests have been designed by members of our study team. We first give a motivation on how the science requirements translate into operational and design parameters for IRASSI. Our consortium has put much emphasis on the navigational aspects of such a free-flying swarm of satellites operating in relatively close vicinity. We hence present work on the formation geometry, the relative dynamics of the swarm, and aspects of our investigation towards attitude estimation. Furthermore, we discuss issues regarding the real-time capability of the autonomous relative positioning system, which is an important aspect for IRASSI where, due to the large raw data rates expected, the interferometric correlation has to be done onboard, in quasi-real-time. We also address questions regarding the spacecraft architecture and how a first thermomechanical model is used to study the effect of thermal perturbations on the spacecraft. This will have implications for the necessary internal calibration of the local tie between the laser metrology and the phase centres of the science signals and will ultimately affect the accuracy of the baseline estimations.     

Life sciences flight hardware development for the International Space Station.

During the construction phase of the International Space Station (ISS), early flight opportunities have been identified (including designated Utilization Flights, UF) on which early science experiments may be performed. The focus of NASA's and other agencies' biological studies on the early flight opportunities is cell and molecular biology; with UF-1 scheduled to fly in fall 2001, followed by flights 8A and UF-3. Specific hardware is being developed to verify design concepts, e.g., the Avian Development Facility for incubation of small eggs and the Biomass Production System for plant cultivation. Other hardware concepts will utilize those early research opportunities onboard the ISS, e.g., an Incubator for sample cultivation, the European Modular Cultivation System for research with small plant systems, an Insect Habitat for support of insect species. Following the first Utilization Flights, additional equipment will be transported to the ISS to expand research opportunities and capabilities, e.g., a Cell Culture Unit, the Advanced Animal Habitat for rodents, an Aquatic Facility to support small fish and aquatic specimens, a Plant Research Unit for plant cultivation, and a specialized Egg Incubator for developmental biology studies. Host systems (Figure 1A, B: see text), e.g., a 2.5 m Centrifuge Rotor (g-levels from 0.01-g to 2-g) for direct comparisons between g and selectable g levels, the Life Sciences Glovebox for contained manipulations, and Habitat Holding Racks (Figure 1B: see text) will provide electrical power, communication links, and cooling to the habitats. Habitats will provide food, water, light, air and waste management as well as humidity and temperature control for a variety of research organisms. Operators on Earth and the crew on the ISS will be able to send commands to the laboratory equipment to monitor and control the environmental and experimental parameters inside specific habitats. Common laboratory equipment such as microscopes, cryo freezers, radiation dosimeters, and mass measurement devices are also currently in design stages by NASA and the ISS international partners.     

Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM) on-board Chandrayaan-2 orbiter

The remote X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful technique to investigate the elemental abundances in the atmosphere-less planetary bodies. The experiment involves measuring spectra of fluorescent X-rays from lunar surface using a low energy X-ray detector onboard an orbiting satellite. Since the flux of fluorescent X-ray lines critically depend on the flux and spectrum of the incident solar X-rays, it is essential to have simultaneous and accurate measurement of X-ray from both Moon and Sun. In the context of Moon, this technique has been employed since early days of space exploration to determine elemental composition of lunar surface. However, so far it has not been possible to exploit it to its full potential due to various reasons. Therefore it is planned to continue the remote X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy experiment on-board Chandrayaan-2 which includes both lunar X-ray observations and solar X-ray observations as two separate payloads. The lunar X-ray observations will be carried out by Chandra Large Area Soft x-ray Spectrometer (CLASS) experiment; whereas the solar X-ray observations will be carried out by a separate payload, Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM). Here we present the overall design of the XSM instrument, the present development status as well as preliminary results of the laboratory model testing. XSM instrument will have two packages namely – XSM sensor package and XSM electronics package. XSM will accurately measure spectrum of Solar X-rays in the energy range of 1–15 keV with energy resolution ∼200 eV @ 5.9 keV. This will be achieved by using state-of-the-art Silicon Drift Detector (SDD), which has a unique capability of maintaining high energy resolution at very high incident count rate expected from Solar X-rays. XSM onboard Chandrayaan-2 will be the first experiment to use such detector for Solar X-ray monitoring.     

The bubble,drop and particle unit: A second-generation fluid physics facility

The objectives of the Bubble, Drop and Particle Unit (BDPU) can be summarised as follows: Investigation into hydrostatics, dynamics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, and more generally the dynamics of two phase mixtures. As a middle course between dedicated autonomy and multi-purpose usage, a modular approach has been adopted that should allow assembly into ‘as required facilities’ that can be reconfigured between flights to accommodate the mission's peculiar requirements of the investigators. The concept is centered around a service module which provides electronic control and monitoring data management, power supply, stimuli and diagnostic services. Interchangeable diagnostic modules will be available with a particular emphasis on the use of laser techniques.     

CM-SAF surface radiation budget: First results with AVHRR data

In the phase of redefinition of the EUMETSAT ground segment seven so called Satellite Application Facilities (SAF) each of them serving dedicated user groups have been established in Europe. The SAF on climate monitoring (CM-SAF) will deliver a comprehensive set of climate variables, including from different cloud products, radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere, surface radiation budget and tropospheric humidity. A consistent dataset of cloud and radiation products in a high spatial resolution on a uniform grid is derived. The CM-SAF is a joint project of the German Meteorological Service, EUMETSAT and five other European Meteorological Services. It is dedicated to produce climate datasets using data from instruments onboard of METEOSAT Second Generation and polar orbiting satellites NOAA and METOP. After the development phase, the CM-SAF has started its initial operational phase in the end of 2003. In this context, the algorithms have been implemented at the processing centres and the processing of satellite data from the polar orbiting satellites of NOAA has commenced. This paper gives an overview of the first products of surface radiative fluxes and their validation with selected surface sites.     

Impact induced plasma during a cometary fly-by

GIOTTO, the probe which is presently developed by the European Space Agency, will encounter comet Halley in March 1986 with a relative velocity of 69 km/s. The fore section of the surface will be submitted to the bombardment of dust grains and neutral molecules in the final phase of the mission, like that of an Earth orbiter during atmospheric re-entry. These particles have a kinetic energy of 24 eV per a.m.u.; they produce secondary ions and electrons which form a plasma cloud around the body and control the electric potential of its surface. This paper is a review of the work which has been performed on the subject by dedicated study groups; the purpose of their action was to gather information and produce new findings which might have an influence on the design of the spacecraft and help in the interpretation of the data collected by the scientific payload.

The effect of impact induced plasma may already be significant at 10⁵ km from the comet nucleus; at a distance of 1000 km the flux of ions and electrons produced by cometary dust and neutrals will possibly exceed that of the ambient plasma by more than three orders of magnitude. It is expected that the spacecraft surface potential will be positive and will reach at least a few tens of volts; coating the leading surface of the spacecraft with a thin layer of gold or silver will help reducing the emission of ions from neutral gas. Computer simulation models are used to predict the structure of the charged particle density distribution in the vicinity of the surface. Effects associated with the wake and differential charging are also discussed. The significance of these results is conditioned by the validity of the models and the largest source of uncertainty seems to be associated with the plasma generated by dust impact.