Are aircraft parabolic flights really parabolic?

Aircraft parabolic flights provide repetitively short periods of reduced gravity by flying a ballistic trajectory, preceded and followed by periods of acceleration up to 2g. The ballistic part has a shape of an arc of a parabola and is quite commonly referred to as a parabolic flight.In this short note, we want to show that, although the wording parabolic is stricto sensu incorrect, it is though not far from reality and we show how to calculate simply the approximation committed by calling this trajectory parabolic.     

Motion sickness susceptibility during rotation at 30 rpm in free-fall parabolic flight

Free fall per se whether in parabolic or orbital flight may be regarded as a "partial" motion environment with respect to eliciting motion sickness, requiring an additional component to render this environment "complete" or stressful. Parabolic flight in toto falls in the category of a "complete" motion environment in that some persons became motion sick with head fixed and eyes closed. In the present experiment we selected subjects who were symptom free or nearly symptom free in the KC-135 with head fixed. All tests were conducted with the subject rotating at 30 rpm in a rotating litter chair, and comparisons were made between head-fixed and head-moving conditions (right-left) in the free-fall phase of parabolic flight and under simulated free-fall phases in the laboratory. With head fixed most subjects were insusceptible; with head moving left-right susceptibility was slightly higher in the laboratory than aloft. An additional comparison was made correlating susceptibility in the free-fall phases of parabolic flight with susceptibility to experimental motion sickness in Skylab. In both situations cross-coupled angular accelerations were generated by executing head and body movements out of the plane of rotation. In parabolic flight 9 of 15 subjects reached an endpoint just short of frank motion sickness. In the Skylab workshop all eight of the astronauts tested were symptom free at the end of the test. The explanation for the difference in susceptibility rests in two factors: (1) Basic susceptibility in free fall is lower than on the ground, and (2) in Skylab the astronauts who needed to adapt had achieved this goal prior to the first test on Mission-Day 8.     

Parabolic maneuvers of the Swiss Air Force fighter jet F-5E as a research platform for cell culture experiments in microgravity

Long-term sensitivity of human cells to reduced gravity has been supposed since the first Apollo missions and was demonstrated during several space missions in the past. However, little information is available on primary and rapid gravi-responsive elements in mammalian cells. In search of rapid-responsive molecular alterations in mammalian cells, short-term microgravity provided by parabolic flight maneuvers is an ideal way to elucidate such initial and primary effects. Modern biomedical research at the cellular and molecular level requires frequent repetition of experiments that are usually performed in sequences of experiments and analyses. Therefore, a research platform on Earth providing frequent, easy and repeated access to real microgravity for cell culture experiments is strongly desired. For this reason, we developed a research platform onboard the military fighter jet aircraft Northrop F-5E “Tiger II”. The experimental system consists of a programmable and automatically operated system composed of six individual experiment modules, placed in the front compartment, which work completely independent of the aircraft systems. Signal transduction pathways in cultured human cells can be investigated after the addition of an activator solution at the onset of microgravity and a fixative or lysis buffer after termination of microgravity. Before the beginning of a regular military training flight, a parabolic maneuver was executed. After a 1 g control phase, the parabolic maneuver starts at 13,000 ft and at Mach 0.99 airspeed, where a 22 s climb with an acceleration of 2.5g is initiated, following a free-fall ballistic Keplerian trajectory lasting 45 s with an apogee of 27,000 ft at Mach 0.4 airspeed. Temperature, pressure and acceleration are monitored constantly during the entire flight. Cells and activator solutions are kept at 37 °C during the entire experiment until the fixative has been added. The parabolic flight profile provides up to 45 s of microgravity at a quality of 0.05g in all axes. Access time is 30 min before take-off; retrieval time is 30 min after landing. We conclude that using military fighter jets for microgravity research is a valuable tool for frequent and repeated cell culture experiments and therefore for state-of-the art method of biomedical research.     

Tonic vibration reflexes and background force level

On Earth, the functional stretch reflex is an important component in the maintenance of posture and muscle tone. In parabolic flight experiments, we evaluated whether the functional stretch reflex, as reflected in the tonic vibration reflex, adjusts appropriately for changes in background gravitoinertial force level. Virtually immediate alterations of appropriate sign occurred.     

Net electric power of concentrating solar mirror systems for application in space as a function of the distance to the sun

The use of solar radiation by means of concentrating solar mirror systems, such as parabolic and spheric configurations, mainly is an engineering problem. A decisive characteristic for the optimisation of a complete system with turboelectric power conversion is the thermal cycle applied. Besides the Carnot process, here taken up into the study as an ideal comparative process, suitable processes for the technological realisation are the Brayton process and the Rankine process. The Brayton process is a typical gas turbine process using only the gaseous phase. The Rankine process is a steam engine process using liquid and gaseous phase.The work in hand shows how such solar systems with turboelectric conversion are optimised with respect to their specific weight (kg/kW_e) and how the distance to the sun as well as technological data enter into the analysis.As expected, the Carnot cycle as an ideal comparative process for both types of systems shows the best results for the optimum specific mass of the system. Regarding the real processes, the Rankine cycle shows more favourable characteristics than the Brayton cycle. The difference of the specific masses of the real processes mainly results from the different thermal conditions at the radiator.The influence of the distance to the sun is as expected. The nearer to the sun the solar power system operates, the better is the optimum specific mass of the system. For distances to the sun between 0.3 and 1.0 AU the spheric system shows a better behaviour than the parabolic system. For distances to the sun greater than 2.0 AU the parabolic system shows better behaviour of the specific weight. In the region between 1 and 2 AU the better optimum specific mass of the system belongs to the technological data used in the analysis.     

星载抛物面天线视在相位中心确定方法及应用

星载抛物面天线成像过程中对波束的指向精度有较高要求,而波束指向精度在很大程度上取决于天线相位中心的位置精度。基于抛物面天线工作原理及视在相位中心的定义,提出一种抛物面天线视在相位中心的确定方法。在此基础上,通过卫星在轨多体系统仿真分析,给出了卫星机动过程中的视在相位中心坐标范围,并利用最小二乘法分析了视在相位中心坐标偏移量。进一步对比分析了有阻尼器和无阻尼器连接方式对天线视在相位中心偏移量的影响关系,为后续抛物面天线指向精度研究提供了理论基础。     

Analysis of the Micrometeoroid and Debris Hazard Posed to an Orbiting Parabolic Mirror

Many concepts of future space systems involve the use of parabolic mirrors for optical applications. The need for a highly reflective finish means that performance of such systems will be particularly vulnerable to space debris and micrometeoroids. A case study was performed to examine the micrometeoroid and debris hazard posed to an orbiting parabolic mirror. The mirror considered was nominally Earth-pointed in a circular orbit with two candidate altitudes in low Earth orbit (LEO), well within the region inhabited by man-made debris. The timeframes of interest for the two missions were 2002–2004 and 2005–2015. Microgram and larger particles were considered.To perform this study, it was necessary to determine the debris and meteoroid flux across the parabolic surface. To assess sensitivity of results to uncertainity in available data, two approaches were taken. The first approach was an analytical procedure based on use of long duration exposure facility (LDEF) data and published theoretical results. The second approach used two readily available computer models: the ESA MASTER model and NASA's ORDEM96. In addition, an in-house implementation of the Grün meteoroid model was used. While multiple results were available for the total flux and flux distributed over azimuth, only the MASTER model was available for generating the desired elevation data to obtain the flux distribution over the parabolic mirror. In an attempt to bound the uncertainty in the knowledge of the elevation distribution, the results from both the MASTER and ORDEM96 models were processed together to form a separate, hybrid prediction. In addition, results were used in the preliminary design of a protective skirt.This case study elucidated the practical obstacles and considerations in performing a sufficiently accurate debris and meteoroid analysis using data and tools that are readily available to the broad space sector. The resulting procedures are useful in the assessment of the risk posed to optics by the meteoroid and debris environment and in the design of protection.     

大型星载天线桁架式可折展机构的模态分析

大型空间抛物柱面星载天线具有口径大、约束弱、刚度低、质量小等特点,其机构的空间稳定性直接决定天线的使用寿命和信息传输的可靠性。为准确获得大型空间星载天线在轨稳定性能参数,依据星载天线的高精度和长寿命的设计需求,提出一种新型抛物柱面星载天线结构形式,利用有限元仿真对该新型星载天线作模态分析,并分析相关参数。结果表明:采用Al7075材料的新型抛物柱面星载天线基频满足设计要求。同时,增加上下支杆和上下斜撑杆的截面尺寸可有效提高天线结构的固有频率。该研究为我国大型抛物柱面星载天线设计提供了理论支撑和技术参考。     

一种高效率五焦点抛物反射面天线的设计

文章介绍了一种基本抛物面轴向6i指向-20°、-10°、0°、＋10°和＋20°的五焦点抛物反射面天线的设计,波束指向分别为-17．2°、-8．67°、0°、8．67°、17．2°。通过优化基本反射面的加权系数进行反射面的赋形,使每个波束的增益趋于均匀。对于标准偏置偏焦抛物面天线,波束指向±17．2°、±8．67°和0°时的增益分别为34．87dBi、38．67dBi和40．15dBi,边缘波束与中心波束的增益差值分别为5．28dBi和1．48dBi。用文中提出的方法得出对应波束的增益分别为36．10dBi、38．48dBi和39．14dBi,边缘波束与中心波束的增益差为3．03dBi和0．66dBi,与标准抛物面相比减小了2．24dBi和0．82dBi。     

Membrane-based space energy collector: A conceptual study

In this work the shape characteristics of a parabolic structure that consists of an initially flat circular membrane subject to solar radiation pressure in the space environment are examined. This problem arises in the analysis of space systems such as solar power collectors and solar sails. This paper presents parametric studies aimed at determining the power concentration capacity of a non-ideally reflecting flat circular membrane as a function of its radius size and thickness. The shape of the deformed membrane is close to parabolic. Both numerical simulations and analytical study show that the thin membrane subject solely to solar radiation pressure can concentrate the sunlight power several hundred times.     

Performance of a blood chemistry analyzer during parabolic flight

We have tested the performance of the VISION System Blood Analyzer, produced by Abbott Laboratories, during parabolic flight on a KC-135 aircraft (NASA 930). This fully automated instrument performed flawlessly in these trials, demonstrating its potential for efficient, reliable use in a microgravity environment. In addition to instrument capability, we demonstrated that investigators could readily fill specially modified test packs with fluid during zero gravity, and that filled test packs could be easily loaded into VISION during an episode of microgravity.     

Life-sciences research opportunities in commercial suborbital space flight

Commercial suborbital space flights will reach altitudes above 100 km, with 3–5 min of weightlessness bracketed by high-g launch and landing phases. The proposed frequency of these flights, and the large passenger population, present interesting opportunities for researchers in the life sciences. The characteristics of suborbital flight are between those of parabolic and orbital flights, opening up new scientific possibilities and easing the burden for obtaining access to 0g.     

A gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit

Despite the use of several countermeasures, significant physiological deconditioning still occurs during long duration spaceflight. Bone loss – primarily due to the absence of loading in microgravity – is perhaps the greatest challenge to resolve. This paper describes a conceptual Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit (GLCS) that induces loading on the body to mimic standing and – when integrated with other countermeasures – exercising on Earth. Comfort, mobility and other operational issues were explored during a pilot study carried out in parabolic flight for prototype suits worn by three subjects. Compared to the 1- or 2-stage Russian Pingvin Suits, the elastic mesh of the GLCS can create a loading regime that gradually increases in hundreds of stages from the shoulders to the feet, thereby reproducing the weight-bearing regime normally imparted by gravity with much higher resolution. Modelling shows that the skinsuit requires less than 10 mmHg (1.3 kPa) of compression for three subjects of varied gender, height and mass. Negligible mobility restriction and excellent comfort properties were found during the parabolic flights, which suggests that crewmembers should be able to work normally, exercise or sleep while wearing the suit. The suit may also serve as a practical 1 g harness for exercise countermeasures and vibration applications to improve dynamic loading.     

不规则地形条件下的双向抛物方程模型研究

在传统SSFT抛物方程模型基础上,针对传统算法忽略电波后向传播与散射,造成不规则地表边界条件下电波传播预测误差较大的问题,提出了可计算任意不规则地形剖面下前向和后向传播场的递归双向抛物方程模型,并给出了具体实现步骤,提高精度的同时弥补了传统算法的不足。仿真分析了双向抛物方程模型计算标准大气条件下单刃峰、双刃峰及实际地形的电波传播场分布特性,并与传统宽角抛物方程与几何绕射理论进行比较,验证了算法及模型的正确性与有效性。     

Carotid artery pulsatility during parabolic flights

In cardio-vascular hemodynamic, the arterial pulsatility, represented by the arterial pulse pressure (PP= systolic blood pressure-diastolic blood pressure), is different from one site to another, in opposite with the mean blood pressure almost identical in the whole body in supine position (or in microgravity). This is due to the arterial tree geometry and regional differences in the distensibility properties of the arterial wall. As the level of blood pressure opposed to the cardiac left ventricle work is the central pressure, on one hand and as the arterial pulsatility at the site of arterial baro-receptors (located on aortic arch and carotid arteries' bifurcation) regulates the sympathetic and vagal control of heart and peripheral resistances on the other hand, to determine the evolution of this central pulse pressure is of major importance in the knowledge of cardio-vascular hemodynamic during hyper or hypogravity as observed during parabolic flights. The aim of this study was to evaluate noninvasively the carotid artery pulsatility and mechanic properties during parabolic flights.     

星载双反射抛物面天线热变形分析

星载天线在轨运行时受到空间外热流的影响，会经历周期性的高低温交变，导致其反射面产生热变形。为了保证星载天线稳定运行，选取某型号星载双反射抛物面天线作为研究对象，采用有限元法对天线高温工况下的在轨温度场进行分析，进而将天线上分布的温度载荷作为边界条件映射到结构场中进行热变形分析；同时详细分析了材料属性、铝蜂窝芯厚度、碳纤维贴层厚度、反射面支撑约束位置等因素对双反射抛物面天线热变形的影响，以期为星载天线结构优化设计提供理论参考。     

任意角入射到非均匀等离子体的WKB法

用WKB法研究了以任意角入射的电磁波在非均匀非磁化等离子体中的衰减特性,给出了电磁波在非均匀非磁化等离子体中的双程衰减公式。选用抛物线型等离子体密度分布进行计算,基于等离子体共振吸收概念分析了双程衰减与入射电磁波频率、等离子体碰撞频率、等离子体最大密度和电磁波入射角等的关系。对等离子体隐身研究有一定的参考价值。     

Experimental and theoretical modeling of laser propulsion

Some schemes of laser propulsive systems are discussed. The question concerned with a body acceleration due to series of air blast waves generated by laser sparks is studied. For this purpose the numerical solutions of gasdynamic equations are found under appropriate initial conditions corresponding to the real ones. Radiative losses and spatial effects at the nozzle exit are taken into account. Theoretical results presented as coupling coefficients (equivalent to reciprocal thrust cost realizing under periodical pulse laser operation) are compared with the experiment. Using conical and parabolic nozzles irradiated by pulsed CO₂ laser the thrust cost about 2000 W/N is achieved which is close to the minimum possible one for the air blast wave-nozzle wall interaction. The main characteristics of laser propulsive jet are presented. Experimental results on recoil momentum transfered to solids under their evaporation by the pulsed CO₂-laser are presented as well. The question of plasma shielding effects on the momentum transfer under the vapour optical breakdown conditions is touched on.