The influence of space flight factors on viability and mutability of plants.

The experiments with air-dried Crepis capillaris seeds aboard the Soyuz 16 spaceship and the orbital stations Salyut 5, 6, 7 have revealed an increase in the frequency of aberrant cells in seedlings grown from flight-exposed seeds during the flight (experiment) and after the flight on Earth (flight control) as compared to the ground-based control. The increase in seedlings grown during the flight is more significant than in the flight control. During the flight Arabidopsis thaliana developed from cotyledons to the flowering stage. Analysis of seeds setting on these plants after the flight has shown a reduction in the fertility of these plants and an increase in the frequency of recessive mutants ("Light block-1"). An increased frequency of mutants was also retained in the progeny of plants which had passed through a complete cycle of development during the flight ("Fiton-3"). Suppression of embryo viability was observed in all experiments and expressed itself in reduced germinating ability of seeds from the exposed plants and in the early death of seedlings. Damages resulting from chromosome aberrations are eliminated in the first postflight generation and damages resulting from gene mutations and micro-aberrations are preserved for a longer time.     

The response of endocrine system to stress loads during space flight in human subject.

The responses of endocrine system to the exposure to stress-work load and hormonal changes during oral glucose tolerance tests were studied in the Slovak astronaut before (three weeks before flight), during (on the 4th and the 6th days of space flight), and after space flight (1-3 days and 15-17 days after space flight) on board of space station MIR. Blood samples during the tests were collected via cannula inserted into cubital vein, centrifuged in the special appliance Plasma-03, frozen in Kryogem-03, and at the end of the 8-day space flight transferred to Earth in special container for hormonal analysis. Preflight workload produced an increase of plasma norepinephrine and a moderate elevation of epinephrine levels. Plasma levels of insulin, growth hormone, prolactin and cortisol were not markedly changed immediately or 10 min after the end of work load. The higher increases of plasma growth hormone, prolactin and catecholamine levels were noted after workload during space flight as compared to preflight response. The higher plasma glucose and insulin levels were noted during the oral glucose tolerance test in space flight and also in the post flight period. Plasma epinephrine levels were slightly decreasing during glucose tolerance test; however, plasma norepinephrine levels were not changed. The similar patterns of catecholamine levels during glucose tolerance test were found when compared the preflight, in-flight and post flight values. These data demonstrate the changes of the dynamic responses of endocrine system to stress-work and metabolic loads during space flight in human subject.     

航天器交会飞行设计方法研究

针对半自主飞行追踪星,阐述航天器交会总体设计方法。根据对接点的地理位置范围、共面轨道倾角以及目标星轨道周期与追踪星入轨点地理位置,确定交会飞行时间和两星初始相位差范围。考虑最小轨道机动动力要求与飞行轨迹安全性等因素,并兼顾地面测控条件,设计追踪星远程导引段与相对导航段的轨道机动与飞行轨迹,特别是选择与比较不同的初始轨道、调相轨道与漂移轨道以及保持点停泊时间与最终逼近段飞行时间等交会飞行要素,调整飞行时间、相位差与对接点位置,确定最佳交会飞行方案,完成空间交会任务。     

心动时相在评定正常人心收缩功能潜力中的作用

本实验比较了具有三种不同心收缩功能潜力被试者在运动后心动时相的变化,找出了反映他们心收缩功能的三个时相参数(IC、LVET/R-R、MT/R-R),据此制定出航天员心脏收缩功能的选拔标准,对其实验依据及应用价值进行了讨论.     

航天器交会快速接近机动策略

对航天器交会接近段V-bar上保持点间的转移,单向(轨道径向或周向)推力机动的最短转移时间为半个轨道周期(对应双径向推力冲量)。若要求转移时间小于半个轨道周期,须采用双向(径向与周向联合)推力。为此,提出5种机动方案:1)起点双向冲量与终点双向冲量机动;2)途中双向连续推力机动;3)起点双向冲量与途中双向连续推力机动;4)途中双向连续推力与终点双向冲量机动;5)起点切向冲量与途中径向连续推力及终点切向冲量机动(即直线路径转移)。其中,方案1)(冲量机动)的速度增量最小,但轨迹视界角最大;方案5)(直线路径)的视界角最小(近似为零),但当转移时间T>0.292P(P为轨道周期)时,所需的速度增量较大。机动方案的选择应全面考虑转移轨迹安全性、速度增量需求、转移轨迹视界角,以及机动复杂程度等多方面因素。若视界角可满足总体设计要求,宜选择方案1);当T<0.292P时,也可考虑方案5)。     

Achievements of Space Scientific Experiments Aboard SJ-8 Satellite

As scientific experiment payloads, microgravity experiments of fluid physics, life science,combustion science, physics and accelerator measurement were conducted on board the Chinese recoverable satellite SJ-8 during 18-day orbital flight. The experimental payloads and an experiment support system constituted the microgravity experiment system of the flight mission. This article has presented the briefs of the scientific achievements of these space experiments, the composition and performance of the Microgravity Experimental System (MES) and the general picture of the overall flight mission, respectively.      

簇飞行航天器网络动态连接和路径时空演进特性

簇飞行航天器模块的高速飞行增加了网络拓扑的不确定性.为优化簇飞行航天器的轨道设计,提升簇飞行航天器网络性能,在簇飞行航天器节点动态连接的基础上,开展基于概率连接矩阵的簇飞行航天器网络动态连接和路径时空演进特性研究.基于航天器双星伴飞模式,建立了簇飞行航天器节点移动模型,运用经验统计和曲线拟合的分析方法,得到簇飞行航天器网络节点间的距离密度函数;利用簇飞行航天器网络节点间相对距离有界的约束,给出节点连接距离的阈值范围;利用STK生成的轨道数据,通过给出序贯路径定义和一种新的矩阵乘法运算,得到节点多跳序贯路径的概率连接矩阵,分析轨道超周期内节点动态连接和路径时空演进特性,为簇飞行航天器网络的设计和优化提供理论参考.      

Orbit determination of BeiDou navigation satellite system maneuvered satellites based on instantaneous velocity pulses parameters

The BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) comprises geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites as well as inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites. Owing to their special orbital characteristics, GEO satellites require frequent orbital maneuvers to ensure that they operate in a specific orbital window. The availability of the entire system is affected during the maneuver period because service cannot be provided before the ephemeris is restored. In this study, based on the conventional dynamic orbit determination method for navigation satellites, multiple sets of instantaneous velocity pulses parameters which belong to one of pseudo-stochastic parameters were used to simulate the orbital maneuver process in the orbital maneuver arc and establish the observed and predicted orbits of the maneuvered and non-maneuvered satellites of BeiDou regional navigation satellite system (BDS-2) and BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3). Finally, the single point positioning (SPP) technology was used to verify the accuracy of the observed and predicted orbits. The orbit determination accuracy of maneuvered satellites can be greatly improved by using the orbit determination method proposed in this paper. The overlapping orbit determination accuracy of maneuvered GEO satellites of BDS-2 and BDS-3 can improve 2–3 orders of magnitude. Among them, the radial orbit determination accuracy of each maneuvered satellite is basically better than 1 m. simultaneously, the combined orbit determination of the maneuvered and non-maneuvered satellites does not have a great impact on the orbit determination accuracy of the non-maneuvered satellites. Compared with the multi GNSS products (indicated by GBM) from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the impact of adding the maneuvered satellites on the orbit determination accuracy of BDS-2 satellites is less than 9 %. Furthermore, the orbital recovery time and the service availability period are significantly improved. When the node of the predicted orbit is traversed approximately 3 h after the maneuver, the accuracy of the predicted orbit of the maneuvered satellite can reach that of the observed orbit. The SPP results for the BDS reached a normal level when the node of the predicted orbit was 2 h after the maneuver.     

连续常值推力机动分析与应用

连续常值推力机动是空间飞行常用的轨道机动方式。其中,小推力适合于地球轨道航天器交会机动,而切向或周向推力以及较大的正径向推力可用于脱离地球引力场的逃逸飞行,执行星际交会使命。应用常推力作用下的质心运动方程,对机动推力的量值没有限制;在航天器交会应用中,对相对距离也无要求。这种方法可直接获得向径、轨道速度等参数随时间或极角(绕地心的转动角)的变化,便于分析轨道转移与逃逸运动,有助于飞行使命与运动轨迹的设计。特别是,若机动转移的初轨为圆轨道,在推力较小、飞行时间不长的情况下,应用量纲1形式的运动方程,可获得具有工程应用价值的近似解。     

The biological clock of Neurospora in a microgravity environment.

The circadian rhythm of conidiation in Neurospora crassa is thought to be an endogenously derived circadian oscillation; however, several investigators have suggested that circadian rhythms may, instead, be driven by some geophysical time cue(s). An experiment was conducted on space shuttle flight STS-9 in order to test this hypothesis; during the first 7-8 cycles in space, there were several minor alterations observed in the conidiation rhythm, including an increase in the period of the oscillation, an increase in the variability of the growth rate and a diminished rhythm amplitude, which eventually damped out in 25% of the flight tubes. On day seven of flight, the tubes were exposed to light while their growth fronts were marked. Some aspect of the marking process reinstated a robust rhythm in all the tubes which continued throughout the remainder of the flight. These results from the last 86 hours of flight demonstrated that the rhythm can persist in space. Since the aberrant rhythmicity occurred prior to the marking procedure, but not after, it was hypothesized that the damping on STS-9 may have resulted from the hypergravity pulse of launch. To test this hypothesis, we conducted investigations into the effects of altered gravitational forces on conidiation. Exposure to hypergravity (via centrifugation), simulated microgravity (via the use of a clinostat) and altered orientations (via alterations in the vector of a 1 g force) were used to examine the effects of gravity upon the circadian rhythm of conidiation.     

基于机动力模型的GEO卫星恢复期间定轨

北斗卫星导航系统(BDS)中GEO卫星频繁的轨道机动对高精度、实时不间断的导 航服务需求提出了更高要求, 如何在短弧跟踪条件下提高GEO卫星轨道快速 恢复能力, 是提升导航系统服务精度的关键因素. 针对该问题, 本文提出了基 于机动力模型的动力学定轨方法, 尝试利用高精度的C波段转发式测距数据, 辅 以机动期间的遥测遥控信息建立机动力模型, 联合轨控前后的观测数据进行动 力学长弧定轨. 利用BDS中GEO卫星实测数据进行了定轨试验与分析, 结果表明, 恢复期间需要采用解算机动推力的定轨方法, 联合机动前、机动期间和机 动后4h数据定轨的轨道位置精度在20m量级, 径向精度优于2.5m. 该方 法克服了短弧跟踪条件下动力学法定轨和单点定位中的诸多问题, 提供了解决 GEO卫星机动后轨道快速恢复问题的技术方法.      

Effects of long duration space flight on rice seed (or embryo) radiation sensitivity and element microlocalizations.

In long duration space experiments Rice caryopses and embryos, which are able to remain alive 10 years (or more) and tolerate extreme physical conditions (temperature, few water content) during irradiation and post-irradiation storage, were used (8, 40, 201 and 457 days on board of Salyut 7, 2107 days on LDEF). In certain experiments (Salyut 7), samples were irradiated either before or after the flight. Effects of the flight and radiosensitivity were observed in Rice seedlings cultivated in in vitro conditions. Statistical results indicate an increase in radiosensitivity when irradiations occur before the flight. Microanalyses were made in different parts of one caryopsis and of one embryo, and the results compared with those of control samples. With caryopses and embryos of the same Rice varieties, but from LDEF, we made the same kinds of experiments to compare results.     

First flight of the ASTROCULTURE (TM) experiment as a part of the U.S. Shuttle/MIR program.

A number of space-based experiments have been conducted to assess the impact of microgravity on plant growth and development. In general, these experiments did not identify any profound impact of microgravity on plant growth and development, though investigations to study seed development have indicated difficulty in plants completing their reproductive cycle. However, it was not clear whether the lack of seed production was due to gravity effects or some other environmental condition prevailing in the unit used for conducting the experiment. The ASTROCULTURE (TM) flight unit contains a totally enclosed plant chamber in which all the critically important environmental conditions are controlled. Normal wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and development in the ASTROCULTURE (TM) flight unit was observed during a ground experiment conducted prior to the space experiment. Subsequent to the ground experiment, the flight unit was transported to MIR by STS-89, as part of the U.S. Shuttle/MIR program, in an attempt to determine if super dwarf wheat plants that were germinated in microgravity would grow normally and produce seeds. The experiment was initiated on-orbit after the flight unit was transferred from the Space Shuttle to MIR. The ASTROCULTURE (TM) flight unit performed nominally for the first 24 hours after the flight unit was activated, and then the unit stopped functioning abruptly. Since it was not possible to return the unit to nominal operation it was decided to terminate the experiment. On return of the flight unit, it was confirmed that the control computer of the ASTROCULTURE (TM) flight unit sustained a radiation hit that affected the control software embedded in the computer. This experience points out that at high orbital inclinations, such as that of MIR and that projected for the International Space Station, the danger of encountering harmful radiation effects are likely unless the electronic components of the flight hardware are resistant to such impacts.     

Re-entry of orbital debris observed by Chung-Li VHF radar with MEDAC

MEDAC (Meteor Echo Detection and Collection) system, a product of University of Colorado, has become part of Chung-Li VHF facilities since July 12, 1989. MEDAC is installed to observe the mesospheric winds from Doppler echos returned by meteor trails in the upper atmosphere. However, the time variations in the in-phase and quadrature components of the signals can be used to derive the time history of the meteor trail formation. The meteor flight speed in the atmosphere is hence deduced. Preliminary analysis of some data taken from July 12 to July 17 of 1989 indicates that there are some “meteor” trails that could have been produced by the reentry of orbital debris into the atmosphere. The criteria of the flight speed and the ionization height are used for selecting an orbital debris trail from pools of “meteor” trails. The relative flux intensities between the reentry orbital debris flux as tentatively identified in this paper and the meteor flux is about 1 to 100.     

Metabolic energy required for flight.

This paper reviews data available from U.S. and U.S.S.R. studies on energy metabolism in the microgravity of space flight. Energy utilization and energy availability in space seem to be similar to those on Earth. However, negative nitrogen balances in space in the presence of adequate energy and protein intakes and in-flight exercise, suggest that lean body mass decreases in space. Metabolic studies during simulated (bed rest) and actual microgravity have shown changes in blood glucose, fatty acids, and insulin levels, suggesting that energy metabolism may be altered during flight. Future research should focus on the interactions of lean body mass, diet, and exercise in space and their roles in energy metabolism during space flight.     

Experiments with air-dried seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana (L) Heynh. and Crepis capillaris (L) Wallr., aboard Salyut 6.

Space flight factors resulted in the accumulation of genetic damage in embryonic meristem cells of seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana and Crepis capillaris in flights of different duration (49, 226, 408 and 827 days) aboard the orbital station Salyut 6. As a result, the viability of seeds and seedlings was reduced, and the sterility of plants grown from seeds exposed on Salyut 6 was increased. The effect depended upon the flight duration. The data obtained suggest an acceleration of seed aging under flight conditions.     

Biological dosimetry in Russian and Italian astronauts.

Large uncertainties are associated with estimates of equivalent dose and cancer risk for crews of long-term space missions. Biological dosimetry in astronauts is emerging as a useful technique to compare predictions based on quality factors and risk coefficients with actual measurements of biological damage in-flight. In the present study, chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in one Italian and eight Russian cosmonauts following missions of different duration on the MIR and the international space station (ISS). We used the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to visualize translocations in chromosomes 1 and 2. In some cases, an increase in chromosome damage was observed after flight, but no correlation could be found between chromosome damage and flight history, in terms of number of flights at the time of sampling, duration in space and extra-vehicular activity. Blood samples from one of the cosmonauts were exposed in vitro to 6 MeV X-rays both before and after the flight. An enhancement in radiosensitivity induced by the spaceflight was observed.     

气动力辅助椭圆轨道转移技术研究

研究了两种共面椭圆轨道最优转移方法--基于单纯推力的双脉冲对称转移和基于气动力辅助变轨技术的协同机动方法。推导了双脉冲对称转移问题中转移椭圆轨道的求解公式,采用遗传算法求解最优变轨点位置,给出了变轨脉冲的计算方法。将气动力辅助对称转移过程分为3段：真空飞行段、大气飞行段、真空飞行段。以能量最小为性能指标,将大气飞行段轨迹优化问题转化为标准最优控制问题模型,并利用Gauss伪谱法进行求解,得到“巡航+滑行+巡航+滑行”的大气最优飞行轨迹。最后对两种转移方法进行详细比较,指出初始椭圆轨道近地点越接近大气层,气动力辅助对称转移方法比双脉冲对称转移方法越节省能量。     

Some results of the effect of space flight factors on Drosophila melanogaster.

Two experiments with Drosophila melanogaster males were performed aboard the Salyut 6 orbital station. Mutagenic effects of a 8 day space flight on sex chromosome nondisjunction and intergene recombination in chromosome II were studied. The space flight factors (SFF) increased the frequency of chromosome nondisjunction and recombination. The model experiments showed that the combined effects of vibration and acceleration do not cover the whole spectrum of space flight mutagenic factors. These data suggest that heavy space ions are mainly responsible for the observed effect.     

基于线性协方差方法的交会对接误差分析

将线性协方差分析方法和蒙特卡罗仿真相结合,按交会任务和飞行特征把交会过程分为变轨飞行、自由飞行和中途速度修正三种特征段,研究了状态误差的传播规律和交会过程中各种误差对交会对接精度的影响。在变轨飞行段,分析了追踪航天器的姿态误差、控制系统性能状态估计误差,以及目标航天器轨道摄动对状态误差传播的影响。在自由飞行段,分析了追踪航天器估计状态误差的先验值和测轨误差对状态误差传播的影响。在中途速度修正段,分析了追踪航天器姿态误差和控制系统性能误差对状态误差传播的影响。仿真结果表明,误差分析方法设计合理,可以指导交会对接的轨道设计工作,能对已经设计好的交会策略进行误差分析和设计验证。