Hardware qualification for scientific ballooning missions

The European Stratospheric Balloon Observatory (ESBO) initiative aims at simplifying the access to stratospheric balloon missions. We plan to provide platforms and support with instrument design in order to support scientists. During the design process, the inevitable question of qualification for the harsh flight conditions arises. Unfortunately, there is no existing standard for qualification of stratospheric ballooning hardware. Thus, we developed a qualification procedure for use within ESBO and similar projects.In this paper, we present our analysis of the environmental conditions in the stratosphere. While conditions at typical balloon float altitudes are similar to the space environment, there are also some relevant differences. For example, the thermal environment is dominated by radiation and thermal conduction, but the remaining atmosphere still supports a certain amount of convection. The remaining atmospheric pressure in the stratosphere also leads to reduced arcing distances. Vibrational loads are far less than for space missions, but quasi-static or shock loads may occur. The criticality of radiation increases with mission duration.Based on the environmental conditions, we present the qualification procedures for ESBO, which are based on the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards for space systems. Overtesting against too high requirements leads to overengineering, driving mission cost and mitigating the advantages of balloons over space missions. Therefore, we modified the ECSS standards to fit typical scientific ballooning missions over several days at altitudes up to 40 km. Furthermore, we analyzed design rules for space systems with regard to their relevance for scientific ballooning, including material and component selection. We present the experience from the hardware qualification process for the ESBO prototype STUDIO (Stratospheric UV Demonstrator of an Imaging Observatory). Even though boundary conditions are different for each individual mission, we aimed for a broader approach: We investigated more general requirements for scientific ballooning missions to support future flights.     

红外窗口材料的热辐射特性测量方法

飞行器在大气层内高超声速飞行时,高温窗口迅速成为气动热辐射效应的主要因素,气动热辐射效应会降低甚至破坏红外(IR)探测系统的性能.通过分析红外探测窗口热辐射传输特性,提出一种红外窗口材料的热辐射特性测量方法,并测量了应用于中波红外(MWIR)探测系统的某蓝宝石红外窗口材料在高温状态下的透过率和自身辐射等热辐射数据.结果表明:在100~350℃范围内,0.1mm厚蓝宝石材料薄层在中波红外3.7~4.8μm波段的热辐射特性与温度近似呈3次方关系,温度越高,蓝宝石透过率越小,自身辐射越大.强烈的自身辐射极易导致红外探测器局部饱和现象,对探测系统造成的影响比透过率引起的信噪比(SNR)下降要大得多.      

X-ray induced alterations in the differentiation and mineralization potential of murine preosteoblastic cells

To evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation (IR) on murine preosteoblastic cell differentiation, we directed OCT-1 cells to the osteoblastic lineage by treatment with a combination of β-glycerophosphate (β-GP), ascorbic acid (AA), and dexamethasone (Dex). In vitro mineralization was evaluated based on histochemical staining and quantification of the hydroxyapatite content of the extracellular bone matrix. Expression of mRNA encoding Runx2, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), osteocalcin (OCN), and p21^CDKN1A was analyzed. Exposure to IR reduced the growth rate and diminished cell survival of OCT-1 cells under standard conditions. Notably, calcium content analysis revealed that deposition of mineralized matrix increased significantly under osteogenic conditions after X-ray exposure in a time-dependent manner. In this study, higher radiation doses exert significant overall effects on TGF-β1, OCN, and p21^CDKN1A gene expression, suggesting that gene expression following X-ray treatment is affected in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, we verified that Runx2 was suppressed within 24 h after irradiation at 2 and 4 Gy. Although further studies are required to verify the molecular mechanism, our observations strongly suggest that treatment with IR markedly alters the differentiation and mineralization process of preosteoblastic cells.     

临近空间环境下封闭方腔内耦合换热特性

以临近空间浮空器载荷舱为应用背景,对复杂热边界条件下含热源的三维封闭方腔内自然对流、表面辐射和导热的耦合问题进行了数值模拟。综合考虑对流换热、长波辐射、太阳辐射等因素的影响,建立了临近空间热环境模型。通过Fluent软件用户自定义函数（UDF）引入外部非定常的辐射-对流耦合热边界条件,对腔内换热特性的昼夜变化进行研究,并分析了腔壁厚度、发射率和导热系数对其的影响。数值结果表明,腔内平均温度昼夜变化很小,约为12.9 K,但温度场分布随太阳方位变化而变化;腔内对流换热较弱,同一时刻最大温差约为71.3 K;腔壁热阻和发射率增加会削弱自然对流的强度。      

A comprehensive numerical model investigating the thermal-dynamic performance of scientific balloon

The increase of balloon applications makes it necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the thermal and dynamic performance of scientific balloons. This paper proposed a novel numerical model to investigate the thermal and dynamic characteristics of scientific balloon in both ascending and floating conditions. The novel model consists of a dynamic model and thermal model, the dynamic model was solved numerically by a computer program developed with Matlab/Simulink to calculate the velocity and trajectory, the thermal model was solved by the Fluent program to find out the balloon film temperature distribution and inner Helium gas velocity and temperature field. These models were verified by comparing the numerical results with experimental data. Then the thermal and dynamic behavior of a scientific balloon in a real environment were simulated and discussed in details.     

Experimental investigation of transient thermal behavior of an airship under different solar radiation and airflow conditions

Knowledge of the thermal behavior of airships is crucial to the development of airship technology. An experiment apparatus is constructed to investigate the thermal response characteristics of airships, and the transient temperature distributions of both hull and inner gas are obtained under the irradiation of a solar simulator and various airflow conditions. In the course of the research, the transient temperature change of the experimental airship is measured for four airflow speeds of 0 m/s (natural convection), 3.26 m/s, 5.5 m/s and 7.0 m/s, and two incident solar radiation values of 842.4 W/m² and 972.0 W/m². The results show that solar irradiation has significant influence on the airship hull and inner gas temperatures even if the airship stays in a ground airflow environment where the heat transfer is dominated by radiation and convection. The airflow around the airship is conducive to reduce the hull temperature and temperature nonuniformity. Transient thermal response of airships rapidly varies with time under solar radiation conditions and the hull temperature remains approximately constant in ∼5–10 min. Finally, a transient thermal model of airship is developed and the model is validated through comparison with the experimental data.     

A new model for atmospheric radiation under clear sky condition at various altitudes

Atmospheric radiation is one of the major factors that dominate the thermal behaviors of aerostats. A high-performance model is needed to evaluate the atmospheric radiation. Based on the atmospheric radiation database containing 24,862 data points compiled from 7 stations with the elevation from sea level to 2373 m and the reference code MODTRAN, a new atmospheric radiation model is proposed using regression and optimization software. It has excellent prediction accuracy with the coefficient of determination of 0.94, the root mean square error of 15.1 W/m², and the mean absolute percentage error of 4.13% for the database. Comparison with the well-known existing model shows that the new model has the highest prediction accuracy. The new model predictions agree with the MODTRAN calculations at various altitudes very well, and thus it can be used for estimating the thermal performances of a high altitude aerostat.     

Balloon observation of the 1983 solar eclipse in Indonesia

A balloon observation of the total solar eclipse on 11 June 1983 was carried out as a cooperative work between Japanese and Indonesian teams. The observation was a photo-polarimetry of the F corona in both visual and near-infrared regions.The balloon of 15,000-m³ with a payload of 150-kg was launched at 7^h13^m on 11 June from Watukosek Balloon Base in East Java. Observation at an altitude of 30.5-km was successfully made during the totality (11^h28～32^m) at a position of ～40-km east-south-east from Jogjakarta.As a preliminary result, an excess in infrared brightness has been found near the position of 3.8R_⊙ west from the sun, which may be due to thermal emission from a high-temperature dust cloud located around the sun.     

Thermal net flux measurements on the pioneer Venus entry probes

Corrected thermal net radiation measurements from the four Pioneer Venus entry probes at latitudes of 60°N, 31°S, 27°S, and 4°N are presented. Three main conclusions can be drawn from comparisons of the corrected fluxes with radiative transfer calculations: (1) sounder probe net fluxes are consistent with the number density of large cloud particles (mode 3) measured on the same probe, but the IR measurements as a whole are most consistent with a significantly reduced mode 3 contribution to the cloud opacity; (2) at all probe sites, the fluxes imply that the upper cloud contains a yet undetected source of IR opacity; and (3) beneath the clouds the fluxes at a given altitude increase with latitude, suggesting greater IR cooling below the clouds at high latitudes and water vapor mixing ratios of about 2–5×10^?5 near 60°, 2–5×10^?4 near 30°, and >5×10^?4 near the equator.     

Heavy-ion induced genetic changes and evolution processes.

On Moon and Mars, there will be more galactic cosmic rays and higher radiation doses than on earth. Our experimental studies showed that heavy ion radiation can effectively cause mutation and chromosome aberrations and that high-LET heavy-ion induced mutants can be irreversible. Chromosome translocations and deletions are common in cells irradiated by heavy particles, and ionizing radiations are effective in causing hyperploidy. The importance of the genetic changes in the evolution of life is an interesting question. Through evolution, there is an increase of DNA content in cells from lower forms of life to higher organisms. The DNA content, however, reached a plateau in vertebrates. By increasing DNA content, there can be an increase of information in the cell. For a given DNA content, the quality of information can be changed by rearranging the DNA. Because radiation can cause hyperploidy, an increase of DNA content in cells, and can induce DNA rearrangement, it is likely that the evolution of life on Mars will be effected by its radiation environment. A simple analysis shows that the radiation level on Mars may cause a mutation frequency comparable to that of the spontaneous mutation rate on Earth. To the extent that mutation plays a role in adaptation, radiation alone on Mars may thus provide sufficient mutation for the evolution of life.     

层板内冷通道辐射换热影响

分析了层板换热过程,使用了"去除复杂表面"和"无限大平板" 等假设,给出了该假设下层板内腔辐射换热计算公式.又以一特定几何结构的层板模型为例,使用了3维流体力学计算程序求解了流-固耦合情况下的层板内部换热过程,研究了其在4种航空发动机典型工作状态下,内冷通道中的对流和辐射换热情况,得到了辐射与对流换热强度之比θ随冷气入口Re数和燃气加热功率的变化曲线,并对该曲线进行了指数拟合.建立了一套快速简捷计算层板内腔辐射状况的方法,为层板内腔换热研究是否应该忽略辐射,以及对层板冷却效果的修正,提供了一定的判断和计算依据.      

Performance simulation of high altitude scientific balloons

The design and operation of a high altitude scientific balloon requires adequate knowledge of the thermal characteristics of the balloon to make it safe and reliable. The thermal models and dynamic models of altitude scientific balloons are established in this paper. Based on the models, a simulation program is developed. The thermal performances of a super pressure balloon are simulated. The influence of film radiation property and clouds on balloon thermal behaviors is discussed in detail. The results are helpful for the design and operate of safe and reliable high altitude scientific balloons.     

Soviet-Indian research of cosmic radiation by high altitude balloons

The report presents some results on the cosmic radiation intensity research carried out with the high-altitude balloons for the period of 1977–1979. The intensity of gamma-radiation with the energy above 40 MeV was measured in two balloon flights at an altitude of 4–7 g/cm² of residual atmosphere in the vicinity of the geomagnetic equator. A temporal analysis of the intensity to discover fluctuations with periods in the range of 4–60 min was made. Quasi-periodic fluctuations of gamma-radiation intensity with 5 min periods, amplitude ～20% and duration of several hours were discovered. Possible mechanisms of such fluctuation appearance are discussed.The report gives the results of measuring downward, upward and horizontal electron fluxes in the vicinity of the equator. The obtained data and the data provided by satellites are compared. The report discusses the prospects of further joint Soviet-Indian research of cosmic gamma-radiation.     

核辐射对透波材料介电性能影响

用加速老化试验的方法,在有氧存在的条件下,研究了TDE-85环氧树脂/E玻璃纤维体系、4501A双马来酰亚胺树脂/D3W玻璃纤维体系2种透波材料介电性能受核辐射影响的规律.用60Co辐射源在辐射量为50~800kGy范围内对样件进行辐射,用波导法测试样件的介电常数和介电损耗,测试频率为10GHz.结果发现2种体系透波材料介电性能受核辐射的影响较小,且后者比前者具有更好的抗辐射稳定性.同时利用IR,TGA等手段研究了材料介电性能变化的原因.      

Antioxidant capacity reduced in scallions grown under elevated CO2 independent of assayed light intensity

Long-duration manned space missions mandate the development of a sustainable life support system and effective countermeasures against damaging space radiation. To mitigate the risk of inevitable exposure to space radiation, cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants is an attractive alternative to pharmacological agents. However it has yet to be established whether antioxidant properties of crops can be preserved or enhanced in a space environment where environmental conditions differ from that which plants have acclimated to on earth. Scallion (Allium fistulosum) rich in antioxidant vitamins C and A, and flavonoids was used as a model plant to study the impact of a range of CO₂ concentrations and light intensities that are likely encountered in a space habitat on food quality traits. Scallions were hydroponically grown in controlled environmental chambers under a combination of 3 CO₂ concentrations of 400, 1200 and 4000 μmol mol⁻¹ and 3 light intensity levels of 150, 300, 450 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) of scallion extracts was determined using a radical cation scavenging assay. Both elevated CO₂ and increasing light intensity enhanced biomass accumulation, but effects on TAA (based on dry weight) differed. TAA was reduced for plants grown under elevated CO₂, but remained unchanged with increases in light intensity. Elevated CO₂ stimulated greater biomass production than antioxidants, while an increase in photosynthetic photo flux promoted the synthesis of antioxidant compounds at a rate similar to that of biomass. Consequently light is a more effective stimulus than CO₂ for antioxidant production.     

时变热辐射环境下高温合金蜂窝板三维热变形测量

轻质、高强和隔热性能优良的蜂窝合金板结构已广泛用于航空航天领域,其在模拟瞬态气动热环境下的热变形是高速飞行器热防护结构设计的重要参数之一.首先,用自行研制的红外辐射瞬态气动热实验模拟系统模拟与其服役环境类似的时变热辐射环境,用新型"主动成像"三维数字图像相关(3D-DIC)测量方法对高温合金蜂窝板结构试件在时变热辐射环境下不同时刻的三维热变形进行了测量.其次,为保证三维数字图像相关测量方法能有效实施,提出一种制作稳定的大面积高温散斑新方法,该方法制作的高温散斑能在整个实验过程中保持稳定,可作为高温变形的有效载体.最后,用Hoff等效刚度理论计算高温合金蜂窝板在稳态时的最大翘曲位移.研究结果表明:210 mm×210 mm的高温合金蜂窝板在单侧面辐射加热条件下其面内变形为均匀热变形,而离面变形为轴对称的翘曲变形,在900℃时其最大离面翘曲位移约为1.6 mm;Hoff等效刚度理论计算结果与实验结果相吻合.      

High altitude flights in equatorial regions

A thorough analysis of balloon flights made from Hyderabad, India (Latitude 17°28′N, Longitude 78°35′E), and other equatorial sites has been made. It has been shown that limited success is expected for flights made from equatorial latitudes with balloons made out of natural colour polyethylene film, since the best known balloon film in the world today viz. Winzen Stratofilm is tested for low temperature brittleness only at ?80°C., whereas the tropopause temperatures over equatorial latitudes vary between ?80°C and ?90°C. The success becomes even more critical when flights are made with heavy payloads and larger balloons particularly at night when in the absence of solar radiation the balloon film becomes more susceptible to low temperature brittle failure. It is recommended that in case of capped balloons longer caps should be used to fully cover the inflated protion of the balloon at the higher level equatorial tropopause. It is also advised that the conditions such as wind shears in the tropopause should be critically studied before launching and a day with the tropopause temperature nearer to ?80°C should be chosen. Special care also should be taken while handling the balloon on ground and during launching phase. Properties of Winzen Stratofilm have been critically studied and fresh mandates have been recommended on the basis of limiting values of film stresses which caused balloon failures in the equatorial tropopause. It is also emphasized that the data on such flights is still meagre especially for flights with heavy payloads and larger balloons. It has been also shown that it is safest to use balloons made out of grey coloured film which retains its flexibility with the absorption of solar radiation, the success obtained with such balloons so far being 100%. The drawback, however, is that these balloons cannot be used for night flights. Stratospheric wind regimes over Hyderabad are also discussed with a view to determine the period over which long duration flights can be made. The data available, however, is meagre and it is recommended that more frequent special wind ascents be made to collect adequate statistical data from which reliable conclusions could be drawn through critical analysis.     

Multifunctional Martian habitat composite material synthesized from in situ resources

The two primary requirements for a Martian habitat structure include effective radiation shielding against the Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) environment and sufficient structural and thermal integrity. To significantly reduce the cost associated with transportation of such materials and structures from earth, it is imperative that such building materials should be synthesized primarily from Martian in situ resources. This paper illustrates the feasibility of such an approach. Experimental results are discussed to demonstrate the synthesis of polyethylene (PE) from a simulated Martian atmosphere and the fabrication of a composite material using simulated Martian regolith with PE as the binding material. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the proposed composites is analyzed using results from radiation transport codes and exposure of the samples to high-energy beams that serve as a terrestrial proxy for the GCR environment. Mechanical and ballistic impact resistance properties of the proposed composite as a function of composition, processing parameters, and thermal variations are also discussed to evaluate the multifunctionality of such in situ synthesized composite materials.     

Infrared radiation from compact X-ray sources

Observations of the X-ray binaries 4U 0115+634 and A 0535+262 performed in 1981 – 1982 revealed significant IR variabilities of these sources. 4U 0115+634 was observed twice, in the state close to X-ray activity, and in the state of low activity, thus changing from K = 7^m.75 to K > 9^m. A 0535+262 shows the temporal variations ranged from tens minutes to some days. The regular variations of IR brightness are suspected with teh period close to 104 s that corresponds to the period of axial rotation of neutron star in A 0535+262. The results obtained present arguments in favour of hypothesis that IR radiation is generated near the accreting neutron star and is possibly of maser nature.     

舱外航天服空间热流分析计算

进行了舱外航天服的被动热防护性设计,了解其空间辐射换热及空间热流.分析了舱外航天服空间热交换的特点及其真空屏蔽绝热层的隔热性能,确定了航天服、地球、飞船及太阳照射方向的4种典型相对位置关系,对各相对位置下航天服的空间辐射外热流进行了分析,并建立了空间热流的计算方法,对航天服表面最大得热与漏热进行了求解.最终计算结果表明:航天服被动热防护性能对空间热流的影响很大.进行被动热防护设计首先应提高隔热性能,并适当减小表面太阳辐射吸收率与表面黑度的比值.