Capacity building in space technology development: A new initiative within the United Nations programme on space applications

Since 1971 the UN Programme on Space Applications, implemented by the Office for Outer Space Affairs, has been organizing workshops, symposiums and expert meetings and providing training opportunities in the practical applications of space technology. In 2009 the Office launched the Basic Space Technology Initiative (BSTI). The BSTI encompasses a range of activities in support of capacity building in space technology development in response to the growing interest of academic and governmental organizations in many countries to establish basic, indigenous capabilities to develop nano- and small satellites. Considerations such as the education and training of experts, the creation of required testing and building infrastructure, opportunities for international cooperation and the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks are therefore of particular interest to these organizations. The BSTI aims to assist them with their efforts. This paper describes the origins of the initiative, the activities that have been conducted to date and the work planned for 2011 and beyond.     

SAR图像边缘的小波抽取算法研究

随着地球物理勘探、航空摄影、卫星监测技术的发展，人们获得的各种图像资料也与日俱增。如何从众多的图像资料中快速获取所需的信息是一个引起广泛兴趣的问题。实现图像信息的自动识别技术是解决问题的途径之一。本文就是在作为图像自动识别技术中必不可少的一个环节———图像边缘抽取领域中，针对小波分析在具体的合成孔径雷达（ＳＡＲ）图像处理中的应用前景进行了研究工作，并取得了一些结论。     

Global space exploration 2025: Europe's perspectives for partnerships

Space exploration is an emblematic domain of space activities where traditionally only established space powers have been active. However, new actors are demonstrating great interest in it, principally for international prestige reasons, with an increasing number making ambitious plans. Complementing national endeavours, international cooperation has become a central element of most countries' exploration strategy, since the costs of doing it alone are so great. Europe's development into a fully fledged actor in space exploration requires a shared assessment of the future challenges, threats and opportunities with which it will be confronted in order to derive the best options for cooperation to lead and anticipate rather than follow and endure change.     

Ore-controlling space geological objects

Geological interpretation of space images plays an important part in recognition of location regularities of mineral deposits. Ore-controlling faults and ring structures have been revealed in the course of space geological investigations. Compilation of space mineragenic and space tectonic maps results in delineation of new ore-bearing and oil- and gas-bearing structures.     

They came in peace for all mankind: popular culture as a reflection of public attitudes to space

It has always been clear that one of the main driving forces behind the space race was Cold War propaganda. But just what impact did it have on ‘the minds of men everywhere’? This paper presents a survey of the impact of space exploration on popular culture in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, concentrating chiefly on the cinema. Before the launch of Sputnik in 1957, although space was present in popular culture, it was generally aimed at a specialised audience. In the 1960s, interest in space became widespread and reached unexpected corners of popular culture such as pop music. This popular success had dangerous consequences, however: when public interest waned in the early 1970s, the immense cost of the Moon landings could no longer be justified on propaganda grounds and the project was massively reduced.     

Trends in the global space arena – Impact on Africa and Africa's response

Since the establishment of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Exploration and Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 1959, many actions that affect the advancement of the space frontier have been taken, within and outside COPUOS, in the interest of the global community, but without much input from Africa. Yet a number of African countries have joined those with assets in space, albeit without the necessary infrastructure on the ground. These actions vary in scope, in importance and in participation; however, they affect us all. Examples include the legal instruments that are in operation today for the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, sustainability of the outer space environment and the Global Exploration Strategy– Framework for Coordination (GES–FC), conceived by 14 spacefaring nations; this laid out the details needed for an active global space exploration programme. This paper reflects on existing space-related regional cooperation arrangements at the inter-governmental level, including the African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (ALC). Noting that, despite UN General Assembly endorsement of the need for developing countries to have access to the International Space Station (ISS), almost all in Africa have not, it asks what Africa might gain from such an experience. The paper concludes with an examination of where and why Africa needs to focus its immediate space-related efforts – on the ground here on Earth or in outer space?     

The ECSL summer course: a European initiative in the field of space law teaching

Mindful of the growing need for and interest in the law of outer space, the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) has started a summer school on the subject, where European students receive instruction in the basics of space law from internationally renowned professors and legal experts. In this report the ECSL's Secretary, Valérie Kayser describes the aims and content of the first two courses and assesses its impact. Student expectations have been met but there is scope for improving the academic level, especially in the area of teamwork.     

BUAA-SID1.0空间目标图像数据库

随着太空竞争的加剧,空间目标监视及目标识别受到越来越多国家的重视。而空间目标图像数据库的缺乏直接影响了空间目标识别技术的研究进展。针对这一问题,建立了BUAA-SID1.0空间目标图像数据库。文章在分析空间目标图像数据库建立的背景和意义的基础上,介绍了数据库的建立方法,指出了数据库共享版本BUAA-SID-share1.0的内容,给出了两种识别算法在共享数据库上的测试结果。     

Thyrotropin receptor and membrane interactions in FRTL-5 thyroid cell strain in microgravity

The aim of this work was to analyze the possible alteration of thyrotropin (TSH) receptors in microgravity, which could explain the absence of thyroid cell proliferation in the space environment. Several forms of the TSH receptor are localized on the plasma membrane associated with caveolae and lipid rafts. The TSH regulates the fluidity of the cell membrane and the presence of its receptors in microdomains that are rich in sphingomyelin and cholesterol. TSH also stimulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation and cell proliferation. Reported here are the results of an experiment in which the FRTL-5 thyroid cell line was exposed to microgravity during the Texus-44 mission (launched February 7, 2008, from Kiruna, Sweden). When the parabolic flight brought the sounding rocket to an altitude of 264?km, the culture media were injected with or without TSH in the different samples, and weightlessness prevailed on board for 6 minutes and 19 seconds. Control experiments were performed, in parallel, in an onboard 1g centrifuge and on the ground in Kiruna laboratory. Cell morphology and function were analyzed. Results show that in microgravity conditions the cells do not respond to TSH treatment and present an irregular shape with condensed chromatin, a modification of the cell membrane with shedding of the TSH receptor in the culture medium, and an increase of sphingomyelin-synthase and Bax proteins. It is possible that real microgravity induces a rearrangement of specific sections of the cell membrane, which act as platforms for molecular receptors, thus influencing thyroid cell function in astronauts during space missions.     

The lure of local SETI: Fifty years of field experiments

With the commemoration in October 2007 of the Sputnik launch, space exploration celebrated its 50th anniversary. Despite impressive technological and scientific achievements the fascination for space has weakened during the last decades. One contributing factor has been the gradual disappearance of mankind's hope of discovering extraterrestrial life within its close neighbourhood. In striking contrast and since the middle of the 20th century, a non-negligible proportion of the population have already concluded that intelligent beings from other worlds do exist and visit Earth through space vehicles popularly called Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). In light of the continuous public interest for the UFO enigma symbolized by the recent widely diffused media announcements on the release of French and English governmental files; and considering the approach of broadening the strategies of the “Active SETI” approach and the existence of a rich multi-disciplinary UFO documentation of potential interest for SETI; this paper describes some past scientific attempts to demonstrate the physical reality of the phenomena and potentially the presence on Earth of probes of extraterrestrial origin. Details of the different instrumented field studies deployed by scientists and organizations during the period 1950–1990 in the USA, Canada and Europe are provided. In conclusion it will be argued that while continuing the current radio/optical SETI searches, there is the necessity to maintain sustaining attention to the topic of anomalous aerospace phenomena and to develop new rigorous research approaches.     

Nuclear space—an indispensable option?

There is renewed interest in using nuclear power in a variety of ways in space, as well as in disposing of terrestrial nuclear waste aloft. While the benefits of such use to space exploration might be high, the potential costs to Earth and its inhabitants are currently too dear. Accidents have already occurred which, despite official denials, have spread radiation worldwide. Such denials are characteristic of the closed and secretive nature of the nuclear ‘debate’. This viewpoint calls for the involvement of all those concerned with space nuclear power—lay, professional, government and NGO—in decisions on whether to proceed with it and suggests that maybe we should wait for safer scientific discoveries before we attempt further planetary exploration.     

On the global geodetic observing system: Africa's preparedness and challenges

Space geodetic techniques and satellite missions play a crucial role in the determination and monitoring of geo-kinematics, Earth's rotation and gravity fields. These three pillars of geodesy provide the basis for determining the geodetic reference frames with high accuracy, spatial resolution and temporal stability. Space geodetic techniques have been used for the assessment of geo-hazards, anthropogenic hazards and in the design of early warning systems for hazard and disasters. In general, space geodesy provides products for Earth observation, science and influences many activities (e.g., building and management) in a modern society. In order to further promote the application of space geodetic methods to solving Earth science problems, the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) was commissioned as an important geodetic infrastructure that integrates different geodetic techniques (such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Very Long Baseline Interferometry, Satellite Laser Ranging, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar and Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite), models and analysis techniques for the purpose of ensuring long-term, precise monitoring of geodetic observables vital for monitoring Earth system processes. Since its inception, there has been considerable progress made towards setting up the infrastructure necessary for the establishment of the GGOS database. While the challenges that beleaguer the GGOS are acknowledged (at least at global level), the assessment of an attuned GGOS infrastructure in the African context is necessary, yet lacking. In the present contribution, (a) the African preparedness and response to the observing system is assessed, and (b) the specific scientific and technological challenges of establishing a regional GGOS hub for Africa are reviewed. Currently only South Africa has a fundamental geodetic observatory located at Hartebeesthoek, Pretoria. Other countries in Africa have shown interest to participate in global geodetic activities, in particular through interest in the development of a unified African geodetic reference frame (AFREF). In particular interest has been shown in the proposed African VLBI Network (AVN), which will be partially based on existing ex-telecommunication radio antennas. Several countries are investigating their participation in the AVN, including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.     

Building components for an outpost on the Lunar soil by means of a novel 3D printing technology

3D-printing technologies are receiving an always increasing attention in architecture, due to their potential use for direct construction of buildings and other complex structures, also of considerable dimensions, with virtually any shape. Some of these technologies rely on an agglomeration process of inert materials, e.g. sand, through a special binding liquid and this capability is of interest for the space community for its potential application to space exploration. In fact, it opens the possibility for exploiting in-situ resources for the construction of buildings in harsh spatial environments. The paper presents the results of a study aimed at assessing the concept of 3D printing technology for building habitats on the Moon using lunar soil, also called regolith. A particular patented 3D-printing technology – D-shape – has been applied, which is, among the existing rapid prototyping systems, the closest to achieving full scale construction of buildings and the physical and chemical characteristics of lunar regolith and terrestrial regolith simulants have been assessed with respect to the working principles of such technology. A novel lunar regolith simulant has also been developed, which almost exactly reproduces the characteristics of the JSC-1A simulant produced in the US. Moreover, tests in air and in vacuum have been performed to demonstrate the occurrence of the reticulation reaction with the regolith simulant. The vacuum tests also showed that evaporation or freezing of the binding liquid can be prevented through a proper injection method. The general requirements of a Moon outpost have been specified, and a preliminary design of the habitat has been developed. Based on such design, a section of the outpost wall has been selected and manufactured at full scale using the D-shape printer and regolith simulant. Test pieces have also been manufactured and their mechanical properties have been assessed.     

Revisiting the Ariel Trough Work for HF Telecommunication Purposes

Muldrew [1] was the pioneer who reported the midlatitude electron density trough at the topside ionosphere. For about ten to fifteen years the trough, its morphology, dynamical behavior, relationship to the equatorial plasmapause, and physical and chemical processes which lead to the trough formation had been extensively investigated. Then, the work on the trough had been slowed down gradually. As the new space systems have become more vulnerable to space weather effects, a need for robust programs and a long track record in space environment sensing and modeling to produce new space environment models and products that would meet high-priority defense and commercial needs arises naturally. In this context, it is intended to go over the reported trough work dating back to the 1970s and some typical findings of later developments briefly. Most of the aspects of the trough studies have been repeated with new data for newer physical models. From this point of view, the Ariel 3 and Ariel 4 satellite trough results are chosen since the work on the Ariel trough had been very original and very extensive quantitatively and qualitatively in the 1970s. The results reviewed here are based on more than 1000 beautiful selected trough cases. Due to the good quality and quantity of the Ariel satellite data, equal coverage in space and time were maintained, which makes the trough results very important. This paper will end with some reference to the trough models, results that establish a link between the topside and the F2 region of the ionosphere. As one typical application, HF radiocommunication is chosen to be the point of interest. In practical applications of the HF radiocommunications any model that does not include the trough is not complete.     

UV photochemistry of DNA in vitro and in Bacillus subtilis spores at earth-ambient and low atmospheric pressure: implications for spore survival on other planets or moons in the solar system

Two major parameters influencing the survival of Bacillus subtilis spores in space and on bodies within the Solar System are UV radiation and vacuum, both of which induce inactivating damage to DNA. To date, however, spore survival and DNA photochemistry have been explored only at the extremes of Earth-normal atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa) and at simulated space vacuum (10(-3)-10(-6) Pa). In this study, wild-type spores, mutant spores lacking alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP), naked DNA, and complexes between SASP SspC and DNA were exposed simultaneously to UV (254 nm) at intermediate pressure (1-2 Pa), and the UV photoproducts cis,syn-thymine-thymine cyclobutane dimer (c,sTT), trans,syn-thymine-thymine cyclobutane dimer (t,sTT), and "spore photoproduct" (SP) were quantified. At 101.3 kPa, UV-treated wild-type spores accumulated only SP, but spores treated with UV radiation at 1-2 Pa exhibited a spectrum of DNA damage similar to that of spores treated at 10(-6) Pa, with accumulation of SP, c,sTT, and t,sTT. The presence or absence of alpha/beta-type SASP in spores was partly responsible for the shift observed between levels of SP and c,sTT, but not t,sTT. The changes observed in spore DNA photochemistry at 1-2 Pa in vivo were not reproduced by irradiation of naked DNA or SspC:DNA complexes in vitro, suggesting that factors other than SASP are involved in spore DNA photochemistry at low pressure.     

Promoting UK involvement in the ISS: a space station lifeboat?

The Space Development Council, an organisation of UK space interest groups, is calling for Britain to become re-involved in manned spaceflight. NASA previously offered UK astronaut training in return for participation in the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, now postponed. A one-person return vehicle might provide an effective and useful alternative. Two designs have been put forward based on Waverider, at one time proposed to be the man-carrying payload for Blue Streak. The more sophisticated of the two is a flex-wing Waverider carrying a one-person escape capsule, designed for long-term on-orbit storage.     

The extraterrestrial Earth: Antarctica as analogue for space exploration

The polar regions have often been suggested as surrogates for the exploration and colonization of space. In particular, Antarctica's greater isolation makes it a useful analogue. Its features—abiotic, acultural, alien to human habitation—all echo the regions of interest to contemporary exploration, notably the solar system and the deep oceans. But more than a century of Antarctic experience also suggests that exploration will likely resemble the Renaissance's Great Voyages and their outposts rather than become portals for wholesale colonization. These sites will traffic mostly in information—the spices and luxury goods of interest to their sustaining societies.     

Protection of humanity's cultural and historic heritage in space

While the international community has acted forcefully since World War II to protect sites and objects of cultural or historic significance on Earth, little attention has been paid to the same kinds of sites and objects in space. There are important ethical and scholarly reasons for wanting to preserve sites and in situ objects in off-Earth contexts from destruction or commercial exploitation. Innovative space research equipment, such as spacecraft, satellites, and space stations, and the locations of historic missions, such as Tranquility Base, therefore deserve formal international recognition and protection. Appropriate models for developing a comprehensive protective scheme can be found in existing international protocols, especially the 1959 Antarctic Treaty (and later additions), the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property, the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In addition, space agencies and professional organizations can mandate adequate and ethical planning for the post-operational phases of space missions to include arrangements for heritage protection.     

The importance of space policy teaching in communicating space activities to society

The governments’ priority and budgets for space activities are steadily decreasing and the importance of space activities is not any longer reaching the front pages of the newspaper, as in the 1960s. On the other hand in Europe the people, at large, have shown an important interest and support for space activities. A contribution to bridge the gap between decreasing funding and important support of citizen can come from teaching space policy in universities as well as in special workshops for government, industrial and military circles. The paper will outline a course that fulfils this goal.     

But what is the true rationale for human spaceflight?

Human interest in spaceflight is ancient. It is therefore ironic that, at a time when humans finally have the capability to travel in space, the notion that we should do so is being questioned. The author analyses the reasons for this — the historical/political and technological contingency of the Space Age and the sudden falling away of the conditions which drove space activity — and in the process provides a critique of the forgoing article and the tendency to search for utilitarian justifications of human spaceflight. He argues rather that space programmes will thrive only when driven by non-material cultural and political forces. US-Russian cooperation, which has principally been undertaken for geopolitical reasons is a model for the future.