Challenges for coring deep permafrost on Earth and Mars

A scientific drilling expedition to the High Lake region of Nunavut, Canada, was recently completed with the goals of collecting samples and delineating gradients in salinity, gas composition, pH, pe, and microbial abundance in a 400 m thick permafrost zone and accessing the underlying pristine subpermafrost brine. With a triple-barrel wireline tool and the use of stringent quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols, 200 m of frozen, Archean, mafic volcanic rock was collected from the lower boundary that separates the permafrost layer and subpermafrost saline water. Hot water was used to remove cuttings and prevent the drill rods from freezing in place. No cryopegs were detected during penetration through the permafrost. Coring stopped at the 535 m depth, and the drill water was bailed from the hole while saline water replaced it. Within 24 hours, the borehole iced closed at 125 m depth due to vapor condensation from atmospheric moisture and, initially, warm water leaking through the casing, which blocked further access. Preliminary data suggest that the recovered cores contain viable anaerobic microorganisms that are not contaminants even though isotopic analyses of the saline borehole water suggests that it is a residue of the drilling brine used to remove the ice from the upper, older portion of the borehole. Any proposed coring mission to Mars that seeks to access subpermafrost brine will not only require borehole stability but also a means by which to generate substantial heating along the borehole string to prevent closure of the borehole from condensation of water vapor generated by drilling.     

月壤剖面锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头设计

针对月壤剖面钻进成孔探测需求,提出一种锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头,建立其钻进排屑性能的理论模型,并以此开展钻头结构参数的优化设计。在此基础上,分析螺旋刃切削姿态及其切削参数,基于直线刃平面切削理论建立锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头钻进切削负载预估模型,开展锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头模拟月壤剖面钻进负载特性试验验证。研究结果表明,相比于直线刃钻头,锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头的钻进排屑性能更优,而且钻进切削负载模型与试验结果具有较好的吻合度。研究成果对我国拟实施的月面钻取采样工程具有重要的借鉴价值。     

地外天体超声波钻探器研究与应用综述

分别探讨了国内外各科研机构研制的超声波钻探器的原理及性能特点,重点针对超声波钻探器的钻进过程优化问题,分析了现有的超声波钻探器作动方式的改进过程,结果表明：超声波钻探器在理论及试验研究方面都相对成熟,是未来地外天体采样任务中优势突出、可工程实现的钻探平台;并且轻质、结构紧凑的回转冲击式超声波钻探器更具有应用前景。对压电换能器模型和超声波钻探器集成模型分别进行了综述,指出了各种模型的优缺点及适用条件。对超声波钻探器驱动电源进行了综述,给出了设计驱动电源需重点关注的问题。依据星体探测的任务特点,对超声波钻探器在未来星体探测中的预研成果进行了探讨。最后对超声波钻探器研究和应用的发展趋势进行了展望。     

钻进式井壁取心器推靠方法的分析

钻进式井壁取心器在井下钻取岩心时，必须牢固地推靠在井壁上，即姿态和位置不允许发生变化，否则就会卡钻，不能取出岩心。一般常用的单臂推靠法不够可靠，本文介绍的三臂推靠法克服了单臂推靠的缺点，极大地提高了取心收获率，并且简化了操作。     

钻进式井壁取心器用马笼头的分析研究

针对钻进式井壁取心器用马笼头的安全弱点、电缆头及浮动活塞的功能进行了研究和分析，并提供了具体的设计方法。     

一种用于GPS集群车辆监控系统的纠错编码

GPS集群车辆监控系统是 GPS技术、集群移动通信技术和 GIS(地理信息系统 )技术的有机结合体。它利用集群无线移动通信系统进行数据传输 ,误码率较高。本文介绍了一种 (2 ,1 ,9)扩展卷积码 ,能在译码约束长度 2 0个码元内 ,纠正 2个码元的随机错误和 4个码元的突发错误     

一种新颖的微空心阴极放电等离子体推力器

微小卫星的发展和成功应用迫切需要新型微推力器的研制。微放电技术是等离子体放电中重要的一类,近几十年来成为各国的研究热点。其中,微空心阴极放电(MHCD)是一种新颖的非平衡高气压辉光放电,其优点是可以在高气压下稳定放电,并且只需要非常低的电压(几百伏特)或者输入功率(百毫瓦数量级)。MHCD建立在2个几百微米厚度的金属平面电极上,材料可以是钼、铝等,由电介质(云母或氧化铝)隔开。"三明治"的布局结构上从一个电极到另一个电极钻有直径为几十微米到几百微米的孔,气体压强可以很高,甚至超过大气压。微空心阴极放电较小的尺寸结构与强烈并可控的气体加热相结合,可以开发应用在新型的电热式微等离子体推进上。由于微空心阴极放电等离子体推力器在微放电等离子体中加热了工质气体,随后通过微喷管喷出产生推力,因此与传统的冷气微推力器相比,可大大提高推力器的比冲和推力。     

基于神经网络实现的遥测帧码数字相关检测器

本文提出了一种利用帧同步码（以下简称帧码）符合度特征，采用多比特观测窗口技术的数字相关检测模型，基于上述模型，采用神经网络实现了这种数字相关检测器。实验结果表明：该数字相关检测器对帧码出现的误码和码元滑动的情况均有较高的检测率。     

单相流体回路安全性设计

结合国内外单相流体回路设计的一些经验和方法,从单相流体回路系统安全性设计的角度,重点介绍利用回热换热器进行流体回路工质防冻的原理、采用真空脱气技术在工质加注前进行工质处理的方法、利用膨胀节等部件进行系统压力控制的方法以及流体回路防静电设计方法,并给出了设计实例。对提高深空探测器、空间站等长寿命、复杂工况下流体回路系统的设计安全性和可靠性具有一定的参考价值。     

Inflatable shape changing colonies assembling versatile smart space structures

Various plants have the ability to follow the sun with their flowers or leaves during the course of a day via a mechanism known as heliotropism. This mechanism is characterised by the introduction of pressure gradients between neighbouring motor cells in the plant?s stem, enabling the stem to bend. By adapting this bio-inspired mechanism to mechanical systems, a new class of smart structures can be created. The developed overall structure is made up of a number of cellular colonies, each consisting of a central pressure source surrounded by multiple cells. After launch, the cellular arrays are deployed in space and are either preassembled or alternatively are attached together during their release or afterwards. A central pressure source is provided by a high-pressure storage unit with an integrated valve, which provides ingress gas flow to the system; the gas is then routed through the system via a sequence of valve operations and cellular actuations, allowing for any desired shape to be achieved within the constraints of the deployed array geometry. This smart structure consists of a three dimensional adaptable cellular array with fluid controlling Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) components enabling the structure to change its global shape. The proposed MEMS components include microvalves, pressure sensors, mechanical interconnect structures, and electrical routing. This paper will also give an overview of the system architecture and shows the feasibility and shape changing capabilities of the proposed design with multibody dynamic simulations. Example applications of this lightweight shape changing structure include concentrators, mirrors, and communications antennas that are able to dynamically change their focal point, as well as substructures for solar sails that are capable of steering through solar winds by altering the sails? subjected area.     

Microbial survival: the paleome: a sedimentary genetic record of past microbial communities

Molecular genetic methods were used to analyze the remnants of microbial ecosystems contained within an ancient oceanic microbial habitat that was recovered from a continental drilled core of black shale approximately 100 million years in age. Bacterial ribosomal RNA genes were vertically amplified from the six different depths of a black shale core associated with a phosphate-rich stratum, defined as one of the mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events (OAEs). Although the black shale core was recovered from a terrestrial coring effort, the recovered 16S rRNA gene sequences showed affinity to microbial communities previously seen in deep-sea sedimentary environments (i.e., the microbial assemblage was easily recognizable as a marine community). In particular, a number of 16S rRNA gene clones of oceanic sulfate-reducing bacteria within the delta-Proteobacteria predominated at the OAE layer. The recovered bacterial DNA signatures are consistent with the interpretation that the sequences are derived from the past microbial communities buried in either sea-bottom or subseafloor environments during the sedimentation process and, after ceasing growth, preserved until the present.     

月球钻取采样钻头结构参数对力学性能的影响

基于对螺旋钻头的输出月壤阻力、驱动力矩及月壤失效区的分析,建立了钻头的力学模型,该模型综合考虑切削具内外侧面与月壤之间的压力及摩擦力,考虑月壤侧向失效面的面载荷对钻头切削具周向力矩、总功耗及月壤失效距离的影响,数值仿真与试验结果校验了模型的正确性。在数值仿真过程中采用深层月壤本构关系的Mohr-Coulomb模型,使仿真更加符合月壤内摩擦角大于22°的真实情况。利用该模型分析并获得了钻头结构参数对切削具功耗和失效距离的影响规律,以钻头功耗最小为优化目标,用遗传算法对钻头结构参数进行了优化,优化结果降低了钻探过程中的烧钻风险。可为钻取式自动采样机构的钻头设计提供理论依据。     

Why Raman spectroscopy on Mars?--a case of the right tool for the right job

We provide a scientific rationale for the astrobiological investigation of Mars. We suggest that, given practical constraints, the most promising locations for the search for former life on Mars are palaeolake craters and the evaporite deposits that may reside within them. We suggest that Raman spectroscopy offers a promising tool for the detection of evidence of former (or extant) biota on Mars. In particular, we highlight the detection of hopanoids as long-lived bacterial cell wall products and photosynthetic pigments as the most promising targets. We further suggest that Raman spectroscopy as a fibre optic-based instrument lends itself to flexible planetary deployment.     

Modern method and instrument for measuring psychic performance.

This paper shows that cortical processing of information quantity can be given in bits, while speed of information processing can be given in bit/sec; therefore the information processing ability can be denoted in algebraical expression. Changes of emotional tension can be objectified by galvanic skin reflex and pulse reaction. This method and device is suitable to measure psychic state of space station personnel and to predict psychic activity.     

N2O/C3H8发动机气液同轴离心式喷嘴喷雾性能数值模拟研究

采用数值计算方法对氧化亚氮/丙烷（N2O/C3H8）发动机样机气液同轴离心式喷嘴的喷雾性能进行了研究,得到了环缝外喷嘴气相喷注压降和内喷嘴缩进深度对离心式喷嘴喷雾流场的影响.分析结果表明,较低的气相喷注压降（＜0.3 MPa）会显著的影响液滴在流场中的蒸发速率以及流场流强、混合比、索太尔平均直径（SMD）和n值的分布;气相喷注压降从0.3 MPa增加至0.6 MPa,稳定喷雾流场液滴SMD和n值分别在2.41～1.68,2.03～0.98范围内变化并逐渐减小.内喷嘴缩进深度从0 mm增加至6 mm,稳定喷雾流场液滴的SMD和n值受其影响较小,均分别在1.70～0.94,2.36～0.99范围内波动.喷嘴的最佳燃烧区主要分布在下游轴向位置0.015～0.035m范围内并随着气相喷注压降的升高和内喷嘴缩进深度的增大逐渐靠近喷嘴出口.该设计喷嘴在发动机热试实验中表现出很好的性能.     

The analysis of investments in demonstrative small satellite projects for remote sensing

The demonstrative small satellite projects (DSSP) for appreciation of the small satellites (SS) effective use in the perspective national space systems of remote sensing environment, as well as the ozone layer and the near Earth space are considered. The national potential for development, building, launch and missions of SS is discussed. The pecularities of the Russian market of remote sensing informative products and servicies are analysed to specify and stress the significance and perspectives of this market. In view of budget constraints in transitive period from centralized to market economics in Russia the different sources of DSSP financial support are considered.     

Metabolic assessments during extra-vehicular activity

Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) has a significant role during extended space flights. It demonstrates that humans can survive and perform useful work outside the Orbital Space Stations (OSS) while wearing protective space suits (SS). When the International Space Station 'Alpha' (ISSA) is fully operational, EVA assembly, installation, maintenance and repair operations will become an everyday repetitive work activity in space. It needs new ergonomic evaluation of the work/rest schedule for an increasing of the labor amount per EVA hour. The metabolism assessment is a helpful method to control the productivity of the EVA astronaut and to optimize the work/rest regime. Three following methods were used in Russia to estimate real-time metabolic rates during EVA: 1. Oxygen consumption, computed from the pressure drop in a high pressure bottle per unit time (with actual thermodynamic oxygen properties under high pressure and oxygen leakage taken into account). 2. Carbon dioxide production, computed from CO2 concentration at the contaminant control cartridge and gas flow rate in the life support subsystem closed loop (nominal mode) or gas leakage in the SS open loop (emergency mode). 3. Heat removal, computed from the difference between the temperatures of coolant water or gas and its flow rate in a unit of time (with assumed humidity and wet oxygen state taken into account). Comparison of heat removal values with metabolic rates enables us to determine the thermal balance during an operative medical control of EVA at "Salyut-6", "Salyut-7" and "Mir" OSS. Complex analysis of metabolism, body temperature and heat rate supports a differential diagnosis between emotional and thermal components of stress during EVA. It gives a prognosis of human homeostasis during EVA. Available information has been acquired into an EVA data base which is an effective tool for ergonomical optimization.     

月壤钻采进尺力形成机理及进尺力预测建模

针对月壤钻采过程中进尺力无法准确预测的问题,基于钻采过程中钻具进尺和回转运动模式下土体产生的位移和形变分析了进尺力形成机理。钻头下压使土体径向扩张从而产生的扩孔压力是决定进尺力大小的核心因素,同时,通过回转状态下有限土体柱孔扩张问题的等效解析解建立了进尺力预测模型。开展基础模拟月壤地面钻采试验,将低、中、高回转速度下的进尺力试验结果与仿真结果相对比,验证了进尺力形成机理的合理性以及进尺力预测模型的准确性,为其他地外天体钻取采样任务的技术突破提供了理论支持。     

Research on Biolab, a multi-user facility for APM

A study carried out by a team of seven scientists appointed by ESA resulted in the design of a biological laboratory "Biolab" for Columbus APM. The basis for the study were four pre-Phase A studies performed by industry on the assumption that 15 racks would be available to biology and biotechnology in the APM. Due to the constraints newly imposed by the Columbus project, only five racks are now allocated. The tasks of the Biolab scientific team were: (i) to define the scientific objectives of biological research in Columbus; (ii) to review the requirements of the industrial studies; and (iii) to design a multi-purpose facility compatible with the present constraints and satisfying the requirements of the biological investigations considered in the four studies. The Biolab team was able to define a facility capable of accommodating in five racks the following biological objects: small plants (up to 40 cm), insects like drosophila, frog eggs, single cells from animals, bacteria, slime molds and protozoa, as well as human physiology, but restricted to general diagnostic needs. The Biolab facility includes instruments and devices providing the capacity of holding and/or growing the organisms as well as to perform basic experimentation and a minimum essential diagnostic inflight. Within the growth unit the growth chambers/incubators are exchangeable, permitting the use of growth chambers of different sizes. The temperature will be adjustable to the requirements of the objects under investigation, i.e. either 20 or 37 degrees C. Thus a considerable level of flexibility will permit to investigate a broad spectrum of living systems.