Development of Space Environment Research and Service in China

During the past two years, space environment has achieved great development in space environment monitoring, model research, system developing and space environment service in China. In this paper, we mainly introduce space environment safety support for Shenzhou-7 manned spacecraft, two typical space environment operation platforms, and the advance of Re-locatable Atmospheric Observatory (RAO). At the last part of this paper, the Sub-committee on Space Environment(SSE) which was set up in 2009 under the Technical Committee on Space Technology and Operation of Standardization Administration of China is briefly introduced.      

The monitoring and prediction of solar particle events--an experience report.

The routine monitoring and prediction of solar proton events that may be a hazard to personnel and materials in space are a routine service of the Space Environment Services Center in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A. The services provided are made available to the space centers in the United States for use in their operations. The real time monitoring consists primarily of Space Environment Monitors on both geosynchronous and polar orbiting weather satellites. The monitoring emphasizes proton fluxes but alpha particles, electrons, and in one case, heavier particles, are included. The predictions are of two types; a general outlook made 1 to 3 days in advance, and specific prediction of event size and probability of occurrence made after a solar flare occurs. The accuracy of the prediction made for solar cycle 21 are assessed.     

Space Weather Service for Chinese Space Science Satellites

Strategic Priority Research Program on Space Science has gained remarkable achievements. Space Environment Prediction Center (SEPC) affiliated with the National Space Science Center (NSSC) has been providing space weather services and helps secure space missions. Presently, SEPC is capable to offer a variety of space weather services covering many phases of space science missions including planning, design, launch, and orbital operation. The service packages consist of space weather forecasts, warnings, and effect analysis that can be utilized to avoid potential space weather hazard or reduce the damage caused by space storms, space radiation exposure for example. Extensive solar storms that occurred over Chinese Ghost Festival (CGF) in September 2017 led to a large enhancement of the solar energetic particle flux at 1 AU, which affected the near Earth radiation environment and brought great threat to orbiting satellites. Based on the space weather service by SEPC, satellite ground support groups collaborating with the space Tracking, Telemetering and Command system (TT&C) team were able to take immediate measures to react to the CGF solar storm event.      

Advanced data acquisition system for SEVAN

Huge magnetic clouds of plasma emitted by the Sun dominate intense geomagnetic storm occurrences and simultaneously they are correlated with variations of spectra of particles and nuclei in the interplanetary space, ranging from subtermal solar wind ions till GeV energy galactic cosmic rays. For a reliable and fast forecast of Space Weather world-wide networks of particle detectors are operated at different latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes. Based on a new type of hybrid particle detector developed in the context of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY 2007) at Aragats Space Environmental Center (ASEC) we start to prepare hardware and software for the first sites of Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN). In the paper the architecture of the newly developed data acquisition system for SEVAN is presented. We plan to run the SEVAN network under one-and-the-same data acquisition system, enabling fast integration of data for on-line analysis of Solar Flare Events. An Advanced Data Acquisition System (ADAS) is designed as a distributed network of uniform components connected by Web Services. Its main component is Unified Readout and Control Server (URCS) which controls the underlying electronics by means of detector specific drivers and makes a preliminary analysis of the on-line data. The lower level components of URCS are implemented in C and a fast binary representation is used for the data exchange with electronics. However, after preprocessing, the data are converted to a self-describing hybrid XML/Binary format. To achieve better reliability all URCS are running on embedded computers without disk and fans to avoid the limited lifetime of moving mechanical parts. The data storage is carried out by means of high performance servers working in parallel to provide data security. These servers are periodically inquiring the data from all URCS and storing it in a MySQL database. The implementation of the control interface is based on high level web standards and, therefore, all properties of the system can be remotely managed and monitored by the operators using web browsers. The advanced data acquisition system at ASEC in Armenia was started in November, 2006. The reliability of the multi-client service was proven by continuously monitoring neutral and charged cosmic ray particles. Seven particle monitors are located at 2000 and 3200 m above sea level at a distance of 40 and 60 km from the main data server.     

The Mars Environment Analogue Platform long duration balloon flight

The MEAP (Mars Environment Analogue Platform) mission was to fly a stratospheric balloon on a semicircular trajectory around the North Pole in summer 2008. The balloon platform carried the high-resolution neutral gas mass spectrometer P-BACE (Polar Balloon Atmospheric Composition Experiment) as scientific payload. MEAP/P-BACE is a joint project between the Esrange Space Center, Sweden, the University of Bern, Switzerland and the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), Kiruna, Sweden. Mission objectives were to validate the platform for future long duration flights around the North pole, to validate the P-BACE instrument design for planetary mission applications (conditions in the Earth stratosphere are similar to the conditions at the Mars surface), to study variation of the stratospheric composition during the flight and to gain experience in balloon based mass spectrometry. All objectives were fulfilled.     

Proposal for a United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative

The United Nations Programme on Space Applications, implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, promotes the benefits of space-based solutions for sustainable economic and social development. The Programme assists Member States of the United Nations to establish indigenous capacities for the use of space technology and its applications. In the past the Programme has primarily been focusing on the use of space applications and on basic space science activities. However, in recent years there has been a strong interest in a growing number of space-using countries to build space technology capacities, for example, the ability to develop and operate small satellites. In reaction to this development, the United Nations in cooperation with the International Academy of Astronautics has been organizing annual workshops on small satellites in the service of developing countries. Space technology related issues have also been addressed as part of various other activities of the Programme on Space Applications. Building on these experiences, the Office for Outer Space Affairs is now considering the launch of a new initiative, preliminarily titled the United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative (UNBSTI), to promote basic space technology development. The initiative would be implemented in the framework of the Programme on Space Applications and its aim would be to help building sustainable capacities for basic space technology education and development, thereby advancing the operational use of space technology and its applications.     

火星空间环境磁场探测研究——高精度磁强计

萤火一号卫星将对火星空间环境磁场实施探测。火星磁场对火星弓激波、磁鞘、电离层、大气等绝大多数空间环境效应都具有重要影响,萤火一号对火星磁场的探测是通过搭载于其上的科学载荷磁强计来实现的。此磁强计在工作原理及具体设计上,考虑了火星轨道严酷的工作环境和科学目标所需的测量要求。通过装星前的地面标定测试,验证了萤火一号磁强计可以在-130～75℃温度范围内测量±256nT以内的磁场,分辨率可达到0.01 nT,带宽内总噪声小于0.03 nT,能够满足萤火一号对火星空间环境探测的需求。     

网络服务性能测量体系结构

网络测量基础设施是网络测量领域研究的关键问题,在Internet网络环境下,网络服务提供商和网络管理员希望能从用户的角度了解其网络服务的服务质量,而用户希望获得定量的指标来选择质量最优的网络服务提供商.为此,在研究现有网络测量基础设施的前提下,提出一种分布式网络服务性能测量体系结构--SPMA.探讨了现有测量基础设施的经验和不足,重点介绍了SPMA的结构及其特点.SPMA采用了一种用户可定制、测量内容可扩展的通讯模型和数据模型,并使用了一种基于测量代理的测量探针自动部署机制.SPMA通过在不同网域部署测量探针收集被测目标的性能指标,从而可以最大限度的反映用户可获得的服务质量;它对外以Web服务模式提供测量服务,易于用户提交测量请求和获得测量结果.     

NGG中异构数据的集成与协同工作

在国家地质调查应用网格环境中,数据集成除了实现异构数据源中数据检索,还应满足异构数据管理系统之间数据约束关系维护与协同工作的需求.针对这一需求,提出一种基于面向服务的体系结构(SOA,Service Oriented Architecture)的数据集成机制.将虚拟化的局部数据信息与全局统一的抽象数据视图相结合,形成层次化数据信息组织模型;通过该模型,维护异构数据之间的约束依赖关系,利用数据管理系统触发器与网络服务,满足数据管理系统的协同工作需求.基于研究成果的数据集成中间件NGG-DBMs(National Geology Grid-Data Base Management system)系统平稳运行于国家地质调查应用网格环境中.      

Web服务组合处理系统的研究与实现

单个Web服务难以满足实际应用的需求,为了解决互联网应用的集成和协作问题,需要把独立的Web服务组合起来以实现复杂的业务逻辑功能.通过分析服务组合的处理机制,基于传统工作流技术,使用IBM的WSFL语言作为服务组合描述语言,设计并实现了一个面向Web服务组合语言的通用的Web服务组合处理系统.这是一个多层结构的系统,它由Web服务平台、服务组合处理引擎、JMX注册管理中心、远程管理控制台以及处理引擎配置工具五部分构成;它为WSFL语言所描述的服务组合流程提供了一个运行引擎,同时提供了一个基于JMX的管理控制台,通过它可以对正在运行的流程实例以及历史数据进行控制和管理.该系统为基于Web服务的应用集成和协作提供了一个统一的运行管理环境.     

YingHuo-1——Martian Space Environment Exploration Orbiter

This paper gives a brief introduction of YingHuo-1 (YH-1), a Chinese Martian Space Environment Exploration Orbiter. YH-1 is a micro-satellite developed by Chinese Aerospace Industry,and will be launched together with Russian spacecraft, Phobos-Grunt, to orbit Mars in September,2009. Four payloads are selected for the mission, plasma package, including of electron analyzer, ion energy and mass analyzer; sat-sat occultation receiver; flux-gate magnetometer; and optical monitor.YH-1 mission focus on the investigation of the characteristics and its evolution of the Martian space Environment, and identifying major plasma processes, which provide channels for Martian volatiles escaping.      

YingHuo-1——Martian Space Environment Exploration Orbiter

This paper gives a brief introduction of YingHuo-1 (YH-1), a Chinese Martian Space Environment Exploration Orbiter. YH-1 is a micro-satellite developed by Chinese Aerospace Industry,and will be launched together with Russian spacecraft, Phobos-Grunt, to orbit Mars in September,2009. Four payloads are selected for the mission, plasma package, including of electron analyzer, ion energy and mass analyzer; sat-sat occultation receiver; flux-gate magnetometer; and optical monitor.YH-1 mission focus on the investigation of the characteristics and its evolution of the Martian space Environment, and identifying major plasma processes, which provide channels for Martian volatiles escaping.     

The SEVAN Worldwide network of particle detectors: 10 years of operation

The Space Environment Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN) aims to improve the fundamental research on particle acceleration in the vicinity of the sun, on space weather effects and on high-energy physics in the atmosphere and lightning initiation. This new type of a particle detector setup simultaneously measures fluxes of most species of secondary cosmic rays, thus being a powerful integrated device for exploration of solar modulation effects and electron acceleration in the thunderstorm atmosphere. The SEVAN modules are operating at the Aragats Space Environmental Center (ASEC) in Armenia, in Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic (from 2017) and in India. In this paper, we present the most interesting results of the SEVAN network operation during the last decade. We present this review on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the International Heliophysical Year in 2007.     

An overview of Japanese CELSS research activities.

Many research activities regarding Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) have been conducted and continued all over the world since the 1960's and the concept of CELSS is now changing from Science Fiction to Scientific Reality. Development of CELSS technology is inevitable for future long duration stays of human beings in space, for lunar base construction and for manned mars flight programs. CELSS functions can be divided into two categories, Environment Control and Material Recycling. Temperature, humidity, total atmospheric pressure and partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide, necessary for all living things, are to be controlled by the environment control function. This function can be performed by technologies already developed and used as the Environment Control Life Support System (ECLSS) of Space Shuttle and Space Station. As for material recycling, matured technologies have not yet been established for fully satisfying the specific metabolic requirements of each living thing including human beings. Therefore, research activities for establishing CELSS technology should be focused on material recycling technologies using biological systems such as plants and animals and physico-chemical systems, for example, a gas recycling system, a water purifying and recycling system and a waste management system. Based on these considerations, Japanese research activities have been conducted and will be continued under the tentative guideline of CELSS research activities as shown in documents /1/, /2/. The status of the over all activities are discussed in this paper.     

空间通信协议分析与一体化网络安全问题探讨

目前国际互联网体系结构及其协议虽然取得了巨大成功，但是当面对诸如长延时、多丢失、网络分区或节点生存周期短等环境时运行却不尽人意，尤其在缺乏基础设施或有限电源功率严格约束的空间环境下运行性能大为降低。文章在定量分析的基础上，讨论了空间通信网络的特点，对CCSDS的SCPS协议进行了简要综合分析，并且提出空间网络与地面网络互连时解决安全问题的一种可能途径。     

ESA’s process for the identification and assessment of high-risk conjunction events

ESA’s Space Debris Office provides an operational service for the assessment of collision risks of ESA satellites. Currently, the ENVISAT and ERS-2 missions in low Earth orbits are covered by this service. If an upcoming high-risk conjunction event is predicted based on analysis of Two-Line Element (TLE) data from the US Space Surveillance Network, then independent tracking data of the potential high-risk conjunction object are acquired to improve the knowledge of its orbit. This improved knowledge and the associated small error covariances derived from the orbit determination process scale down the position error ellipsoid at the conjunction epoch. Hence, for the same miss-distance, in most cases an avoidance manoeuvre can be suppressed with an acceptable residual risk.     

Study on Simulated Human Load in Unmanned Spaceship

This article introduces the methods for testing and verifying the performance of a new type of oxygen supply apparatus as well as the performance of the Environment Control and Life Support System(ECLSS)in the airtight unmanned space capsule,with a simulated human load instead of animals or human in China's Manned Space Program.The simulated human load also supplies a dummy for the spaceship to instal the envirmental testing equipment,to wear spacesuit,and to match the weight in spaceship.     

Four educational programs in Space Life Sciences.

Four different educational programs impacting Space Life Sciences are described: the NASA/USRA Advanced Design Program, the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training (NSCORT) Program, the Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) Program, and the NASA Graduate Research Fellow Program. Each program makes somewhat different demands on the students engaged in them. Each program, at the University of Colorado, involves Space Life Sciences training. While the Graduate Student Research Fellow and NSCORT Programs are discipline oriented, the Advanced Design and CCDS Programs are focused on design, technologies and applications. Clearly, the "training paradigms" differ for these educational endeavors. But, these paradigms can be made to mutually facilitate enthusiasm and motivation. Discipline-oriented academic programs, ideally, must be flexible enough to accommodate the emergent cross-disciplinary needs of Space Life Sciences students. Models for such flexibility and resultant student performance levels are discussed based upon actual academic and professional records.     

Solar radio emissions

In this paper, we present a tutorial review which was presented at the first Advanced School on Space Environment (ASSE 2004). We first describe the basics of radioastronomy definitions, and discuss radiation processes relevant to solar radio emissions like plasma emission, free–free bremsstrählung and gyromagnetic emissions. We illustrate these fundamentals by describing recent solar radio observations and the constraints they bring on different solar physical parameters. We focus on solar radio emissions from the quiet sun, active regions and during explosive events known as solar flares, and how the latter can bring quantitative informations on the particles responsible for the emission. Finally, particular attention is paid to new radio diagnostics obtained at very high frequencies in the millimeter/submillimeter range, as well as to radio emissions relevant to Space Weather studies.