Bringing life sciences to life

A brief review of the status of space life sciences research is provided with an emphasis on the contributions this research has made to life here on Earth. Physiological effects of weightlessness are discussed along with methods of prevention or treatment. Several technologies are described which have resulted in advances in improved health care and in other industries. In addition, the impact of space life sciences research on women's health issues and on future space travel are discussed.     

Robonauts join "spacewalk squad"

Researchers recently tested the use of robots working alongside astronauts during extravehicular activities. The test was conducted at NASA-Johnson by the Automation, Robotics, and Simulation Division in the center's Engineering Directorate. The "Robonauts" are designed to manipulate tools and perform functions that require dexterity that is difficult for astronauts to achieve in space suits.     

Life sciences

Space life sciences research activities are reviewed for the year. Highlights of animal studies were the first long-term flight of an animal enclosure module and an avian development facility on STS-108. Plant research efforts focused on a biomass production system for eventual use on the International Space Station (ISS), the PESTO experiment on ISS, and screening of several salad crop varieties for potential use in space. Health-related studies included the Martian Radiation Environment Experiment (MARIE) on the Mars Odyssey mission, presentation of results from NASA's Biomolecular Physics and Chemistry Program, and research related to human liver cell function in space through an agreement with StelSys. In industry and academia, a memorandum of understanding was signed between NASA and the biotechnology industry to enhance communication between NASA and the industry, expand commercial biotechnology space research and development, and expand formal and informal education of industry and the public regarding biotechnology and space research. NASA selected Purdue University to lead an NSCORT for advanced life support research to develop technologies to enable long-duration planetary mission and sustain human space colonies.     

中性浮力和失重环境人体运动仿真比较研究

为了模拟失重状态,航天技术发达的国家都建立了用于航天员出舱活动训练的中性浮力水槽。但与太空失重环境相比,水中存在的水动阻力会导致两种环境下人体运动反馈的差异性。基于ADAMS多体动力学仿真软件,按照“飞天”舱外航天服的质量分布,建立了着舱外服人体动力学模型。利用此模型仿真比较了水下和失重环境中肘关节屈伸、肩内收外展、肩矢状面内运动时人体躯干的动力学反馈,发现水下环境中模型躯干的转动速度峰值和平均值均较大。研究结果已应用于神舟七号载人飞行任务出舱活动航天员训练,建立的航天员人体动力学模型可应用于我国未来空间站任务出舱活动仿真分析。     

一个超冗余度移动操作臂机器人系统的实现与运动控制

冗余度或超冗余度移动操作臂机器人可在空间站上为宇航员提供很大的帮助.对一个超冗余度移动操作臂机器人系统的设计和实现作了介绍,这个系统由一个8自由度的模块机器人和一个1自由度的电机驱动的导轨组成;对该系统的逆运动学解法进行了讨论,提出了一种基于避关节极限与位形优化的简化逆运动学控制方法;并提供了仿真和实验结果.     

US, Russian suits serve diverse EVA goals

U.S. astronauts and Russian cosmonauts both use space suits when performing extravehicular activity (EVA), but these have been developed independently due to the diverse goals of each country's space program. The current versions of the U.S. and Russian space suits were compared when the author tested both suits on the same day. The similarities and differences are noted, as well as the strengths and limitations of each. Determination of the compatibility of these suits is important as increased cooperation between the U.S. and Russia has occurred (for example, astronauts and cosmonauts are flying together on Shuttle/Mir missions) and as the international space station becomes reality.     

The European Columbus Programme

This paper describes the current status of the COLUMBUS Programme, Europe's contribution to the U.S. Space Station, which is being studied under contract to the European Space Agency. Twelve European nations are involved in and are contributing to this new space undertaking. The elements of the COLUMBUS Space Segment presently being considered by ESA are a Pressurized Laboratory Module (4 segment), permanently attached to the U.S. Space Station, dedicated to materials science, fluid physics and compatible life sciences, and a Polar Platform, configured to accommodate Earth observation, meteorology, communications and space science payloads. The reference launch vehicles are the Space Shuttle for the attached Module and Ariane 5 for the Polar Platform. The more recently added COLUMBUS flight configuration, the Man-Tended Free Flyer (MTFF), consists of a combination of two programme elements, the Resource Module and a 2-segment Pressurized Module. It is designed to provide all required resources and services to the various payloads in a continuous microgravity environment to perform material science, fluid physics and compatible life sciences experiments. The MTFF is carried into orbit by the European launcher Ariane 5. As an option, studies of an enhanced ground based EURECA carrier as a small co-orbiting platform, launched by the Space Shuttle, will be initiated. The primary function would be to accommodate space science and/or micro-g payloads. These EURECA studies are performed currently outside the COLUMBUS programme scope, and this option is therefore not addressed in detail in this paper.     

多关节脚限位装置机构设计与仿真分析

对在空间微重力环境下,通过连接空间机械臂来固定和支撑航天员在轨维修操作的多关节脚限位器装置进行研究。多关节脚限位器装置限制航天服的靴子防止航天员脱离脚限位器,同时为航天员在轨维修操作提供多个自由度的调节范围。对多关节脚限位器装置的多关节结构进行设计与分析,针对某些特定动作进行运动学仿真,并进行试验验证。此外,还对关节运动范围进行了分析,使用Adams软件对载荷限制单元防冲击载荷与缓慢变化载荷的能力进行了仿真分析。     

Space: where are we headed?

In a new column, the author reviews NASA space activities since the beginning of 2003 and looks at plans for the future. Topics include the Space Shuttle Columbia, what's in store for the International Space Station (ISS), the development of an orbital space plane, orbiter safety upgrades, and the future of space exploration and research beyond the ISS. He presents arguments for sending astronauts to asteroids, the Moon, and Mars.     

CRV investment offers safe return

The development and testing of a new emergency Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) prototype is discussed. The new CRV is being developed by NASA and ESA and is designed for use on the International Space Station as a supplement to the Soyuz ships of the Russians, which accommodate only three passengers. The new vehicle will provide a shirt-sleeve environment for up to six astronauts and will allow for emergency medical treatment to be provided.     

Life sciences

Space life sciences research activities are reviewed for 2003. Many life sciences experiments were lost with the tragic loss of STS-107. Life sciences experiments continue to fly as small payloads to the International Space Station (ISS) via the Russian Progress vehicle. Health-related studies continue with the Martian Radiation Environment Experiment (MARIE) aboard the Odyssey spacecraft, collecting data on the radiation environment in Mars orbit. NASA Ames increased nanotechnology research in all areas, including fundamental biology, bioastronautics, life support systems, and homeland security. Plant research efforts continued at NASA Kennedy, testing candidate crops for ISS. Research included plant growth studies at different light intensities, varying carbon dioxide concentrations, and different growth media. Education and outreach efforts included development of a NASA/USDA program called Space Agriculture in the Classroom. Canada sponsored a project called Tomatosphere, with classrooms across North America exposing seeds to simulated Mars environment for growth studies. NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research released an updated strategic research plan.     

近地空间航天员训练视景真实感渲染技术研究

载人航天任务中,地面模拟训练是培养提升航天员操作技能的重要手段。视景系统是航天飞行训练模拟的重要组成部分,高逼真度的仿真场景对提升航天员训练效果有重要的意义。针对空间视景仿真场景调度和渲染的特殊性,提出并设计实现视景仿真软件的总体架构。对影响空间场景真实感的地球纹理数据库的生成和调度技术、大气散射仿真技术、场景光照实时渲染等关键技术进行研究,融合各种方法,在视景仿真系统中基于GPU实现。试验验证表明,实现算法准确,模型设计合理,已经应用于航天员的训练中。     

Subtle shake-up in bone-loss research

Recent research in the prevention of bone loss during weightlessness is described. Scientists are studying the effects of vibration on bone loss in laboratory animals and humans. Research is focused on determining how bone formation is triggered, the effects of stimulation of the stress response in bones, and the mechanisms behind the effects. Clinton Rubin at the State University of New York at Stony Brook is experimenting with 90 Hz vibration frequencies in rats. Other researchers are studying the effects of vibration plates in the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in children with low bone density. Tests among astronauts have been proposed, but none are scheduled.     

悬吊式微低重力环境模拟技术研究现状与展望

宇航空间中的微低重力环境使得所处其中的航天器和宇航员表现出与在地面重力环境下不同的受力状态和动态性能,因此需要在地面对这种微低重力环境进行模拟。综述了目前常用的几种微低重力模拟方法,其中悬吊法因为模拟时间长、模拟范围大、不引入附加惯量的优势被广泛采用。从微低重力模拟原理角度对现有的悬吊式微低重力模拟系统研究成果进行了分类和国内外研究现状的综述。根据微低重力模拟的需求归纳了悬吊式微低重力模拟系统的2条设计准则和3个关键技术,详细综述了这3个关键技术的研究现状。探讨了未来悬吊式微低重力模拟系统设计方面和3个关键技术方面的发展趋势。     

载人航天 WiFi 头戴的设计与实现

空间站无线局域网是空间站通信网络的重要组成部分。 WiFi头戴是基于空间站无线局域网进行话音通信的一个重要应用,不仅可以为舱内航天员提供便捷的无线话音通信服务,还可以为航天员的出舱活动提供无线话音通信服务。研究和分析了空间站无线WiFi组网和应用的技术可行性,提出了一种适合于空间站使用的WiFi头戴的设计与实现方案。该方案采用现有的专用集成芯片,技术上支持802.11 n标准,性能指标先进,可以满足空间站无线话音通信的使用要求。     

An Overview of Ionosphere—Thermosphere Models Available for Space Weather Purposes

Our objective is to review recent advances in ionospheric and thermospheric modeling that aim at supporting space weather services. The emphasis is placed on achievements of European research groups involved in the COST Action 724. Ionospheric and thermospheric modeling on time scales ranging from a few minutes to several days is fundamental for predicting space weather effects on the Earth’s ionosphere and thermosphere. Space weather affects telecommunications, navigation and positioning systems, radars, and technology in space. We start with an overview of the physical effects of space weather on the upper atmosphere and on systems operating at this regime. Recent research on drivers and development of proxies applied to support space weather modeling efforts are presented, with emphasis on solar radiation indices, solar wind drivers and ionospheric indices. The models are discussed in groups corresponding to the physical effects they are dealing with, i.e. bottomside ionospheric effects, trans-ionospheric effects, neutral density and scale height variations, and spectacular space weather effects such as auroral emissions. Another group of models dealing with global circulation are presented here to demonstrate 3D modeling of the space environment. Where possible we present results concerning comparison of the models’ performance belonging to the same group. Finally we give an overview of European systems providing products for the specification and forecasting of space weather effects on the upper atmosphere, which have implemented operational versions of several ionospheric and thermospheric models.     

Conversations with John H. Glenn Jr. Interview by Frank Sietzen Jr

Senator Glenn is interviewed about his experiences on Friendship 7 and the Shuttle Discovery, expectations of early astronauts, lunar missions, the International Space Station, international dimensions of space activities, public confidence in NASA, attracting young people to the aerospace industry, highlights of his career, and the future of flight.     

Advanced life support in lunar and Mars missions

Strategies being considered for further exploration of space are presented. Scenarios are being examined by NASA's Office of Exploration to reach the goal of permanent facilities on other planets. Near-term requirements, as well as life support, technology, and human factors are being identified and studied to enable long term self-sufficiency in space. The article also examines medical and psychological issues to be addressed.     

Space robotics in the '90s

This article describes the use of robots to perform work in space. In particular, telerobotics, which uses human operators to control the movement and operation of the robots, are explored. The relationship between the human operator and the robot is very complex but these systems are being used to explore planetary surfaces and will also be used in the construction of the space station. Research being conducted at NASA facilities is described, providing a picture of the future of space robotics.     

空间生物学中应用秀丽隐杆线虫的研究进展

空间环境能够对包括人类在内的生物体产生多种生物学效应,其中空间辐射和微重力是主要的影响因素,可以引起生物体在多个生物学水平上发生明显的变化。受空间飞行试验的条件限制,选择一种合适的生物学模式材料就成为了开展空间生物学效应研究的前提和基础。本文主要概述了秀丽隐杆线虫的生物学优势,总结了利用线虫开展的空间生物学研究进展,并对利用线虫进行地面辐射和模拟微重力的实验结果进行了讨论,总结和分析了利用秀丽隐杆线虫进行空间生物学研究应该注意的问题。