Low-gravity environment in Spacelab

This paper presents residual and system-generated accelerations with results from g-jitter spectral measurements in the Spacelab Engineering Model. An overview (classification, brief discussion, and assessment of magnitudes) of the various constituents of the perturbative acceleration field inside the Spacelab Module is presented, both steady and fluctuating components being considered. Results of local g-jitter spectral measurements taken in the Spacelab Engineering Model (EM-1)/Long Module Configuration are presented for frequencies from less than 1 to 200 Hz. The measured results for the system-generated perturbative accelerations exhibit, in the time domain, amplitudes of the order of 10(-3) g (peak value 3.6 x 10(-3) g). Spectral values of 4 x 10(-4) g are obtained in the frequency range up to 100 Hz; up to 10 Hz, however, the spectral values remain about an order of magnitude smaller, and also between 100 and 200 Hz the perturbation level is significantly lower than below 100 Hz. Measured results from simulated crew activities show, in the time domain, a peak amplitude of 2.6 x 10(-2)g, the spectral values being 6 x 10(-3)g below 100 Hz and 1 x 10(-3)g below 10 Hz for typical perturbances.     

Role of the astronaut in operating the Advanced Fluid Physics Module

The role of man in space is investigated in the operation of the Advanced Fluid Physics Module (AFPM), a scientific instrument dedicated to fluid physics research in a microgravity environment and flown on the Spacelab D2 mission. The astronaut involvement is addressed by applying the criteria of the THURIS study, conducted by NASA for the optimization of future manned space flights. Outcomes of the THURIS study are first summarized. The AFPM characteristics and interfaces are briefly presented. The five experiments performed on board Spacelab D2 are introduced and the involvement of the astronaut is described. Finally, THURIS criteria are applied to an AFPM experiment scenario. Results show that, of all the activities involved in the AFPM nominal operation, two thirds are related to hardware manipulation and to procedure following, while the last third uses the unique astronaut intellectual capabilities, making his presence in orbit mandatory for successful experiment completion.     

Recent NASA research accomplishments aboard the ISS

The activation of the US Laboratory Module "Destiny" on the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2001 launched a new era in microgravity research. Destiny provides the environment to conduct long-term microgravity research utilizing human intervention to assess, report, and modify experiments real time. As the only available pressurized space platform, ISS maximizes today's scientific resources and substantially increases the opportunity to obtain much longed-for answers on the effects of microgravity and long-term exposure to space. In addition, it evokes unexpected questions and results while experiments are still being conducted, affording time for changes and further investigation. While building and outfitting the ISS is the main priority during the current ISS assembly phase, seven different space station crews have already spent more than 2000 crew hours on approximately 80 scientific investigations, technology development activities, and educational demonstrations.     

A status report on the characterization of the microgravity environment of the International Space Station

A primary objective of the International Space Station is to provide a long-term quiescent environment for the conduct of scientific research for a variety of microgravity science disciplines. Since continuous human presence on the space station began in November 2000 through the end of Increment-6, over 1260 hours of crew time have been allocated to research. However, far more research time has been accumulated by experiments controlled on the ground. By the end of the time period covered by this paper (end of Increment-6), the total experiment hours performed on the station are well over 100,000 hours (Expedition 6 Press Kit: Station Begins Third Year of Human Occupation, Boeing/USA/NASA, October 25, 2002). This paper presents the results of the on-going effort by the Principal Investigator Microgravity Services project, at NASA Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland, Ohio, to characterize the microgravity environment of the International Space Station in order to keep the microgravity scientific community apprised of the reduced gravity environment provided by the station for the performance of space experiments. This paper focuses on the station microgravity environment for Increments 5 and 6. During that period over 580 Gbytes of acceleration data were collected, out of which over 34,790 hours were analyzed. The results presented in this paper are divided into two sections: quasi-steady and vibratory. For the quasi-steady analysis, over 7794 hours of acceleration data were analyzed, while over 27,000 hours were analyzed for the vibratory analysis. The results of the data analysis are presented in this paper in the form of a grand summary for the period under consideration. For the quasi-steady acceleration response, results are presented in the form of a 95% confidence interval for the station during "normal microgravity mode operations" for the following three attitudes: local vertical local horizontal, X-axis perpendicular to the orbit plane and the Russian torque equilibrium attitude. The same analysis was performed for the station during "non-microgravity mode operations" to assess the station quasi-steady acceleration environment over a long period of time. The same type of analysis was performed for the vibratory, but a 95th percentile benchmark was used, which shows the overall acceleration magnitude during Increments 5 and 6. The results, for both quasi-steady and vibratory acceleration response, show that the station is not yet meeting the microgravity requirements during the microgravity mode operations. However, it should be stressed that the requirements apply only at assembly complete, whereas the results presented below apply up to the station's configuration at the end of Increment-6.     

Initial characterization of the microgravity environment of the international space station: increments 2 through 4

The primary objective of the International Space Station (ISS) is to provide a long-term quiescent environment for the conduct of scientific research for a variety of microgravity science disciplines. This paper reports to the microgravity scientific community the results of an initial characterization of the microgravity environment on the International Space Station for increments 2 through 4. During that period almost 70,000 hours of station operations and scientific experiments were conducted. 720 hours of crew research time were logged aboard the orbiting laboratory and over half a terabyte of acceleration data were recorded and much of that was analyzed. The results discussed in this paper cover both the quasi-steady and vibratory acceleration environment of the station during its first year of scientific operation. For the quasi-steady environment, results are presented and discussed for the following: the space station attitudes Torque Equilibrium Attitude and the X-Axis Perpendicular to the Orbital Plane; station docking attitude maneuvers; Space Shuttle joint operation with the station; cabin de-pressurizations and the station water dumps. For the vibratory environment, results are presented for the following: crew exercise, docking events, and the activation/de-activation of both station life support system hardware and experiment hardware. Finally, a grand summary of all the data collected aboard the station during the 1-year period is presented showing where the overall quasi-steady and vibratory acceleration magnitude levels fall over that period of time using a 95th percentile benchmark.     

用于微振动测量的高精度加速度传感器标定方法

微振动试验中所用的加速度传感器简称高精度加速度传感器,其相比于常规加速度传感器测量量级很低,可以达到10-5g量级甚至更低,用常规的加速度动态标定技术无法实现该量级水平的标定,也无从验证其测量精度的准确性。针对高精度加速度传感器测试精度的标定难题,文章提出在气浮台上设置比对梁的方法,通过激光测振仪和高精度加速度传感器对同一测点进行测量,并将两者的测量结果进行比对分析,以标定高精度加速度传感器的低量级测试精度。同时设计试验对手头现有的微振动加速度传感器进行标定以验证该方法的有效性,试验结果表明:利用激光测振仪标定现有高精度加速度传感器得到的比对结果符合预期;高精度加速度传感器测得的时域波形及频域波形与激光测振仪测得的基本一致,比对偏差在10%左右,满足标定方法要求。     

The Protein Crystallization Facility (PCF) for EURECA.

Research on the structure of molecules by X-ray diffraction analysis requires large single crystals. However, the dynamic behavior of proteins caused by their high molecular weight prevents the growth of large single crystals if this process is disturbed by thermal convection. For example, protein single crystals grown under terrestrial (1 g) conditions are limited to dimensions in the order of 0.1 mm, whereas the size of crystals, grown under (quasi) space conditions has been 5 times larger (pilot experiment CRYOSTAT, Spacelab). Under EURECA conditions (e.g. no microgravity disturbances), the result in regularity of crystal growth and size is expected to be much better. In this paper an overview is given of the protein crystallization facility which includes Experiment-, Service- and Secondary Cooling Module, and its interfaces to the EURECA Carrier. At the end, there will be presented a short mission profile concerning cooling-, power- and data exchange requirements.     

航天员微重力作业训练系统重力补偿控制策略

针对航天员微重力作业训练系统的重力场补偿控制这一关键技术,进行了理论和实验研究。分析了模拟微重力环境的机理,确定了微重力作业训练系统的总体结构方案,提出了一种基于电流反馈的重力补偿控制及多干扰力补偿控制策略。通过虚拟重力补偿控制实验,验证了在地面环境、动态作业过程中,模拟物体在不同空间重力加速度环境下的运动规律,实现了在重力方向模拟空间环境下物体移动的作业训练效果。研究成果为在地面实现三维作业训练系统的控制奠定了基础。     

KIBO (Japanese Experiment Module in ISS) operations—2008/3–2009/10

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its own first manned experiment facility in space called the KIBO (Japanese Experiment Module, JEM) in 2008 and 2009 and started operations as part of International Space Station (ISS). To accomplish this Operation, JAXA made its own ground facility in Tsukuba, Japan, called Space Station Integration and Promotion Center (SSIPC). Ground personnel at SSIPC called the JEM Flight Control Team (JFCT) operate the KIBO and have learnt many lessons during its operation. In this presentation, some topics are chosen and explained such as (1) crew/ground personnel interaction and (2) planning lessons learned for manned space activities.     

基于FCMAC的空间零重力环境 地面模拟装置控制

文章提出了一种新型的空间零重力地面模拟系统,该系统采用机械传动、电机驱动和气悬浮组合的方式来实现空间零重力环境的模拟,即:水平方向采用气悬浮方式,竖直方向采用永磁同步电机（PMSM）作为其执行器件,经减速器后利用滚珠丝杠及带直线轴承的导向杆的传动装置,通过力反馈控制方式来实时抵消目标重力。考虑到永磁同步电机具有非线性、强耦合的特点以及机械摩擦等不确定性及外界干扰,为保证实时性,内环采用动态性较好的滑模变结构控制器,外环采用学习速度快的模糊小脑模型关联控制（FCMAC）神经网络的控制策略来自适应学习并补偿各种不确定及非线性影响。仿真结果表明:所设计的试验系统具有整体重量轻、使用方便及零重力环境模拟精度高等优点,适用于复杂运动的大中型飞行器三维空间零重力地面模拟试验。     

Mathematical Modeling of Convection in the DACON Sensor under Conditions of Real Space Flight

A mathematical model of the operation of the sensor of convection under ground and space conditions is described, and the results of modeling are compared to experimental data. A good agreement of the model and experiment is obtained for ground conditions. The sensor operation under conditions of a space flight is simulated using actual microaccelerations that took place onboard the Mirstation. Good sensitivity of the sensor to the measured components of acceleration is demonstrated. The results of simulation are compared to the results of space experiments carried out with the DACON instrument onboard the Mirstation.     

Potential cost reductions for three STS/Spacelab mission modes

Based on the results of studies carried out by ESA several possibilities are discussed to achieve mission cost reductions for large Spacelab instrument facilities as compared to their flight on several 7-day duration Spacelab missions. As an example three scientific telescope facilities are selected (LIRTS, EXSPOS, GRIST) which are defined to a Phase A level.Three new mission modes are considered:

• —Shuttle attached Spacelab mission mode with extended flight duration (up to 30 days) for which the application of planned capability extensions and new elements of the STS/Spacelab (e.g. Short Spacelab Pallets, Power Extension Package) are investigated.

• —Shuttle deployed mission mode, for which the telescope, accommodated on a Spacelab pallet, is docked to the Power Module, a new element of the Space Transportation System under study by NASA.

• —Free-flying mission mode, for which Shuttle launched dedicated missions of the facilities are considered, assuming varying degrees of autonomy with respect to supporting services of the Shuttle.

Reduction of costs have been considered on the levels of single mission cost and total programme cost. Fundamentally the charges for the instrument can be reduced by constraining the mass/volume factors with respect to the Shuttle capability. However, the instrument as part of a payload is only viable if an acceptable resource sharing including observation time can be achieved. Any single instrument will require several mission opportunities or one mission which achieves a similar or longer total observation programme.Based on an identification of instrument modifications of the Phase A baseline designs to favour cost reductions and on a derivation of technical requirements, constraints and finally budgetary cost comparisons an attempt is made to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the different mission modes.The favoured option for GRIST is a 2–3 weeks sortie mission followed after refurbishment by a longer Power Module docked mission. For LIRTS and EXSPOS the free-flying pallet modes are very attractive in terms of the longer durations achieved and in terms of cost per unit operating time.     

Experiments with the DAKON-M convection sensor

We have described an express technique for processing the results of experiments with a DAKON-M convection sensor on board the Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011. The technique uses a certain rule to compare the sensor measurements with the calculated data on the quasistatic component of microacceleration at the point of installation. The sensor experiments have been conducted during shuttle docking and undocking, when low-frequency microaccelerations on the ISS were significant. The microaccelerations have been calculated using measurement data of the MAMS low-frequency accelerometer installed in the Lab module and the telemetry data on the ISS rotational motion. This has made it possible to convert the MAMS measurement data to the DAKON-M convection sensor installation point. A comparison of sensor readings with calculated microaccelerations has revealed fairly good agreement between them.     

Microgravity research and user support in the Space Station era: The Microgravity User Support Centre

Future space systems, such as Columbus, the planned European contribution to the International Space Station, offer ample possibilities for microgravity research and application. These new opportunities require adequate user support on ground and novel operational concepts in order to ensure an effective utilization. Extensive experience in microgravity user support has been accumulated at DFVLR during the past Spacelab 1 and D1 missions. Based on this work, a Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) has been built and is active for the forthcoming EURECA-A1 and D2 missions, to form an integrated support centre for the disciplines life sciences and material sciences in the Space Station era. The objective of the user support at MUSC is to achieve:

• easy access to space experiments for scientific and commercial users,

• efficient preparation of experiments,

• optimum use of valuable microgravity experimentation time,

• cost reduction by concentration of experience.

This is implemented by embedding the MUSC in an active scientific environment in both disciplines, such that users can share the experience gained by professional personnel. In this way, the Space Station system is operated along the lines established on ground for the utilization of large international research facilities, such as accelerators or astronomical observatories. In addition, concepts are developed to apply advanced telescience principles for Space Station operations.     

用卡尔曼滤波实现单轴跟踪系统的前馈复合控制

在跟踪系统中 ,利用目标单轴向运动加速度的非零均值相关模型可以构造目标的运动学方程 ,用接收机角误差信号和天线座测角传感器信号重构目标位置量测的方法 ,可以组成目标运动的量测方程 ,从而构造关于目标位置、速度、加速度的状态估计器。利用目标机动加速度的当前统计模型 ,则实现了该估计器加速度的均值和方差的自适应滤波估计运算。针对状态方程为上三角阵的特点 ,采用一次一个量测的处理方法 ,对误差协方差阵的传播和更新实现全上三角矩阵因子分解 ,保证了估计器实时运算的数字稳定性。上述技术的综合应用 ,用卡尔曼估计器实现了单轴角跟踪系统的前馈复合控制     

天地环境差异对航天器设备安装精度影响分析

文章分析了地面重力环境和在轨内压环境对不同位置和状态下的载人航天器陀螺组件及姿轨控敏感器设备安装精度的影响,并进行了试验验证,分析结果与试验数据一致性较好。研究结果显示:设备布局位置不同,其安装精度受环境差异的影响程度也不同;航天器在空载、垂直停放状态下,设备安装精度受地面重力环境影响较小;陀螺组件和姿轨控敏感器A的安装精度受在轨内压环境影响较小,在地面常压环境下的精测结果能够真实反映其在轨状态,而姿轨控敏感器B的安装精度受压力环境影响明显。以上结果可为航天器设备布局及精度测量工作提供借鉴。     

Real-time studies on microalgae under microgravity

Using remote sensing technique, we investigated real-time Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz (Cyanobacterium) in Closed System under microgravity by SHENZHOU-2 spacecraft in January 2001. The experiments had 1 g centrifuges in space for control and ground control group experiments were also carried out in the same equipments and under the same controlled condition. The data about the population growth of Nostoc sp. of experiments and temperature changes of system were got from spacecraft every minute. From the data, we can find that population growth of Nostoc sp. in microgravity group was higher than that of other groups in space or on ground, even though both the control 1 g group in space and 1 g group on ground indicated same increasing characteristics in experiments. The growth rate of 1.4 g group (centrifuged group on ground) was also promoted during experiment. The temperature changes of systems are also affected by gravity and light. Some aspects about those differences were discussed. From the discussion of these results during experiment, it can be found that gravity is the major factor to lead to these changes.     

French research program on the physiological problems caused by weightlessness. Use of the primate model

The need to acquire a better knowledge of the main biological problems induced by microgravity implies--in addition to human experimentation--the use of animal models, and primates seem to be particularly well adapted to this type of research. The major areas of investigation to be considered are the phospho-calcium metabolism and the metabolism of supporting tissues, the hydroelectrolytic metabolism, the cardiovascular function, awakeness, sleep-awakeness cycles, the physiology of equilibrium and the pathophysiology of space sickness. Considering this program, the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches de Medecine Aerospatiale, under the sponsorship of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, developed both a program of research on restrained primates for the French-U.S. space cooperation (Spacelab program) and for the French-Soviet space cooperation (Bio-cosmos program), and simulation of the effects of microgravity by head-down bedrest. Its major characteristics are discussed in the study.