Study of the optical and mechanical properties of regolith with the ICAPS facility

Regoliths are a most important component of solar system bodies. The study of their formation and evolution depends upon measurements from orbiting spacecraft or Earth-based observations, and by the development of models addressing formation and evolution scenarios, physical properties and composition of the constituent materials. For asteroids and comets, recent measurements tend to confirm the idea of extremely low bulk densities. The porosity of the outermost regolith layers should thus reach very high values. Regolith formation and growth partly depends upon gravity and mechanical properties of its constituent particles, which are very poorly documented. Gravitational effects play an important role in the shaping processes of large bodies, while material strength properties are more important for smaller bodies. The understanding of both, aggregation processes of, and of light scattering from, such media, would strongly benefit from experiments led under microgravity, and provide insight into regolith formation processes: much lower collision and aggregation velocities can be achieved in a microgravity environment, leading to the formation of much fluffier aggregates than possible on Earth. ICAPS is a multi-year scientific programme to simulate cosmic and atmospheric particle systems on board the International Space Station. The ICAPS facility will allow to build simulated regolith and thus enable the study of their mechanical and optical properties. Measurements such as tensile strength, electrical and thermal conductivities, compressibility and porosity, will be made, as well as monitoring of collisions into such simulated regolith. The article discusses the ICAPS research plan for regolith studies and the facility current status.     

A quarantine protocol for analysis of returned extraterrestrial samples

A quarantine protocol is presented for analysis of samples of extraterrestrial material that might be returned from space to an Earth-orbiting quarantine facility. The protocol is designed to detect biologically active agents in extraterrestrial soil. Its goal is either to certify the sample safe to return to a terrestrial containment facility where extensive biological, chemical, geological and physical investigations can be conducted, or to detect “biological effects” thus dictating second order testing. The protocol requires 46 grams of a one kilogram returned sample plus 54 grams to be reserved for second order testing should that become necessary. The protocol operates at two levels. First, it seeks to detect the presence of any replicating organisms or toxic substances using chemical analyses, microscopy, metabolic tests, and microbiological culturing techniques. The second level involves hazard evaluation by adding any agents found at the first level (or the extraterrestrial soil) to challenge cultures of terrestrial species. The specific types of experiments and the means of executing them were chosen by participants in an American Society for Engineering Education Summer Systems Design Group to provide maximum life detection sensitivity, yet are compatible with a small crew operating behind biological barriers in a condition of weightlessness.     

Can incineration technology convert CELSS wastes to resources for crop production? A working hypothesis and some preliminary findings.

Considerable evidence exists to support the hypothesis that human-generated wastes can be utilized as resources in crop production. In the waste mix from a Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS), the elemental resources are found mainly in the solid fraction. In order to make these resources available for crop growth, it is necessary to convert the solid wastes to either an aqueous or a gaseous phase. Incineration is one method for processing solid wastes to produce a gaseous fraction and a small solid fraction of ash. Evidence from literature provides a compelling case for a working hypothesis that plants can utilize the gases of incineration. Although uptake and utilization of inorganic elements in the aqueous phase is well established, the uptake and utilization of inorganic elements in the gaseous phase, with the exception of CO2 and O2, is not fully understood. This paper attempts to (a) summarize existing literature on uptake/metabolism of inorganic elements in the gaseous fraction, with the exception of CO2 and O2 and (b) develop a working hypothesis to predict the use of incineration flue gases by plants. Preliminary experimental findings on effects of carbon monoxide, a component of the flue gas, are also presented.     

Magnetic levitation-based Martian and Lunar gravity simulator.

Missions to Mars will subject living specimens to a range of low gravity environments. Deleterious biological effects of prolonged exposure to Martian gravity (0.38 g), Lunar gravity (0.17 g), and microgravity are expected, but the mechanisms involved and potential for remedies are unknown. We are proposing the development of a facility that provides a simulated Martian and Lunar gravity environment for experiments on biological systems in a well controlled laboratory setting. The magnetic adjustable gravity simulator will employ intense, inhomogeneous magnetic fields to exert magnetic body forces on a specimen that oppose the body force of gravity. By adjusting the magnetic field, it is possible to continuously adjust the total body force acting on a specimen. The simulator system considered consists of a superconducting solenoid with a room temperature bore sufficiently large to accommodate small whole organisms, cell cultures, and gravity sensitive bio-molecular solutions. It will have good optical access so that the organisms can be viewed in situ. This facility will be valuable for experimental observations and public demonstrations of systems in simulated reduced gravity.     

Microgravity particle research on the space station: the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility.

In the gravitational field on Earth, the large settling rate of micron-sized particles and the effects of gravity-induced convection prohibit many interesting studies of phenomena such as coagulation, collisions, and mutual interactions of droplets, dust grains and other particles. Examples of exobiology experiments involving these phenomena are the simulation of organic aerosol formation in Titan's atmosphere, studies of the role of comets in prebiotic chemical evolution, and simulations of carbon grain interactions in various astrophysical environments. The Gas-Grain Simulation Facility (GGSF) is a proposed Earth-orbital laboratory that will allow present ground-based experimental programs which study processes involving small particles and weak interactions to be extended to a new domain. Physics issues that scientists wishing to propose GGSF experiments must consider are reviewed in this paper. Specifically, coagulation, motion in gases and vacua, and wall deposition of particles in a microgravity environment are discussed.     

Biological space experiments for the simulation of Martian conditions: UV radiation and Martian soil analogues.

The survivability of resistant terrestrial microbes, bacterial spores of Bacillus subtilis, was investigated in the BIOPAN facility of the European Space Agency onboard of Russian Earth-orbiting FOTON satellites (BIOPAN I -III missions). The spores were exposed to different subsets of the extreme environmental parameters in space (vacuum, extraterrestrial solar UV, shielding by protecting materials like artificial meteorites). The results of the three space experiments confirmed the deleterious effects of extraterrestrial solar UV radiation which, in contrast to the UV radiation reaching the surface of the Earth, also contains the very energy-rich, short wavelength UVB and UVC radiation. Thin layers of clay, rock or meteorite material were shown to be only successful in UV-shielding, if they are in direct contact with the spores. On Mars the UV radiation climate is similar to that of the early Earth before the development of a protective ozone layer in the atmosphere by the appearance of the first aerobic photosynthetic bacteria. The interference of Martian soil components and the intense and nearly unfiltered Martian solar UV radiation with spores of B. subtilis will be tested with a new BIOPAN experiment, MARSTOX. Different types of Mars soil analogues will be used to determine on one hand their potential toxicity alone or in combination with solar UV (phototoxicity) and on the other hand their UV protection capability. Two sets of samples will be placed under different cut-off filters used to simulate the UV radiation climate of Mars and Earth. After exposure in space the survival of and mutation induction in the spores will be analyzed at the DLR, together with parallel samples from the corresponding ground control experiment performed in the laboratory. This experiment will provide new insights into the principal limits of life and its adaptation to environmental extremes on Earth or other planets which and will also have implications for the potential for the evolution and distribution of life.     

Laboratory experiments in the study of the chemistry of the outer planets.

The investigation of chemical evolution of bodies in our solar system has, in the past, included observations, theoretical modeling, and laboratory simulations. Of these programs, the last one has been the most criticized due to the inherent difficulties in accurately recreating alien environments in the laboratory. Processes such as wall reactions and changes in chemistry due to difficulties in achieving realistic conditions of temperature, pressure, composition, and energy flux may yield results which are not truly representative of the systems being modeled. However, many laboratory studies have been done which have yielded data useful in planetary science. Gross simulations of atmospheric chemistry have placed constraints on the nature of complex molecules expected in planetary atmospheres. More precise studies of specific chemical processes have provided information about the sources and properties of product gases and aerosols. Determinations of basic properties such as spectral features and reaction rate constants yield data useful in the interpretation of observations and in computational modeling. Alone, and in conjunction with modeling, laboratory experiments will continue to be used to further our understanding of the outer solar system, and some experiments that need to be done are listed.     

Legal aspects of planetary protection for Mars missions.

The planning and execution of manned and robotic missions to Mars present a wide range of jurisprudential issues. Provisions to prevent the disruption of natural celestial environments, as well as damage to the environment of Earth by the return of extraterrestrial materials, are important components of the law applicable to mankind's activities in outer space, and have been supplemented by scientifically instituted planetary protection policies. However, divergent legal regimes may exist, as the space treaties in force are neither uniform in their provisions, nor identical as to the states which have signed, ratified, or adopted the international agreements. The legal requirements applicable to a specific mission will vary depending on the entities conducting the program and specific mission profile. This article analyzes the divergent international legal regimes together with the factors which will influence the determination of the standards of conduct which will govern manned and robotic missions to Mars.     

Effects of lunar and mars dust simulants on HaCaT keratinocytes and CHO-K1 fibroblasts

Exposure to lunar dust during Apollo missions resulted in occasional reports of ocular, respiratory and dermal irritations which showed that lunar dust has a risk potential for human health. This is caused by its high reactivity as well as its small size, leading to a wide distribution also inside habitats. Hence, detailed information regarding effects of extraterrestrial lunar dusts on human health is required to best support future missions to moon, mars or other destinations. In this study, we used several methods to assess the specific effects of extraterrestrial dusts onto mammalian skin by exposing HaCaT keratinocytes and CHO-K1 fibroblasts to dusts simulating lunar or mars soils. These particular cell types were chosen because the skin protects the human body from potentially harmful substances and because a well orchestrated program ensures proper wound healing. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to the dusts for different durations of time and their effects on morphology and viability of the cells were determined. Cytotoxicity was measured using the MTT assay and by monitoring culture impedance, while phalloidin staining of the actin cytoskeleton was performed to address structural integrity of the cells which was also investigated by propidium iodide intake. It was found that the effects of the two types of dust simulants on the different features of both cell lines varied to a considerable extent. Moreover, proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes, as analyzed by Ki67 labeling, was suppressed in sub-confluent cultures exposed to lunar dust simulant. Furthermore, experimental evidence is provided for a delay in regeneration of keratinocyte monolayers from scratch-wounding when exposed to lunar dust simulant. The obtained results will facilitate further investigations of dust exposure during wound healing and will ease risk assessment studies e.g., for lunar lander approaches. The investigations will help to determine safety measures to be taken during extraterrestrial expeditions in order to minimize risks to human health associated with exposure of human skin to dust contaminants.     

空间Kapton材料的原子氧、温度、紫外效应试验研究

主要通过灯丝放电磁场约束型原子氧剥蚀效应地面模拟设备模拟空间环境,对空间常用材料Kapton进行了原子氧剥蚀效应、温度升高对材料原子氧效应的影响试验以及原子氧与紫外辐射复合效应试验,对试验前后试样的外观、质量及表面形貌进行了比较,得出了材料在设备中的反应特点以及温度变化、紫外辐射对材料的原子氧效应的影响规律.同时测量了原子氧暴露试验前后、原子氧与紫外辐射复合作用前后试样的反射率和透射率,并进行了比较.      

地外二氧化碳转化利用技术研究现状与展望

为有效解决未来长期载人地外生存面临的物资供给等关键问题,获得更高的氧回收率、能量转化效率和更低的应用成本,亟须发展更高效的地外二氧化碳转化利用技术。文章总结了地外二氧化碳利用的发展现状并分析了近期的研究进展,发现不同技术之间差异大,在航天应用过程中,需充分考虑地外环境限制因素,以选用更合适的技术。空间站上已搭载的Sabatier装置和火星车上的MOXIE装置初步实现了地外二氧化碳还原。以“地外人工光合成”为代表的常温二氧化碳转化技术可为地外环控生保提供新路线。其不仅能够实现地外氧气供给,还可获得甲酸、乙烯和甲烷等有机分子作为燃料或生物转化原料。随着相关基础研究的不断发展,有望实现二氧化碳的高效转化和高附加值有机物、甚至碳糖食物的生产。地外二氧化碳转化利用技术的发展,将实现地外密闭环境下的废弃资源利用与物质循环,降低载人空间站、载人深空飞船的物资供应需求,也将为原位资源利用火星大气中的二氧化碳提供创新思路,以支撑未来可承受、可持续的地外生存任务。     

Some observations on amino acid racemization under pyrolytic temperatures and inorganic oxide-catalyzed intermolecular condensation.

The problem of homochirality is of crucial importance for the origins of Life. While most laboratory studies are focused on the search of physical and chemical sources of handedness in the Universe, they reflect only one aspect of the problem: the origin of homochiral biomolecules. At the same time, any space environments where biomolecules are expected to form and where they have to pass through before the first primitive forms of Life emerge, include strong irradiation or/and high temperatures. This automatically implies the possibility of losing the optical activity, i.e. racemization. The simulation experiments performed by our group deal with the following two aspects of amino acid abiotic chemistry: (1) amino acid pyrolysis associated with their extraterrestrial delivery; and (2) peptide formation from amino acids catalyzed by inorganic oxides. According to our observations, the racemization phenomena are very common in the systems considered, not only under pyrolytic temperatures, but in some cases also under rather mild conditions (<100 degrees C). Our results put additional constraints on the environments where the chirality of biomolecules can be efficiently preserved.     

A drop-tower experiment to determine the threshold of gravity for inducing motion sickness in fish.

It has been repeatedly shown earlier that some fish of a given batch reveal motion sickness (a kinetosis) at the transition from 1 g to microgravity. In the course of parabolic aircraft flight experiments, it has been demonstrated that kinetosis susceptibility is correlated with asymmetric inner ear otoliths (i.e., differently weighed statoliths on the right and the left side of the head) or with genetically predispositioned malformed cells within the sensory epithelia of the inner ear. Hitherto, the threshold of gravity perception for inducing kinetotic behavior as well as the relative importance of asymmetric otoliths versus malformed epithelia for kinetosis susceptibility has yet not been determined. The following experiment using the ZARM drop-tower facility in Bremen, Germany, is proposed to be carried out in order to answer the aforementioned questions. Larval cichlid fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) will be kept in a camcorder-equipped centrifuge during the microgravity phases of the drops and thus receive various gravity environments ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 g. Videographed controls will be housed outside of the centrifuge receiving 0 g. Based on the video-recordings, animals will be grouped into kinetotically and normally swimming samples. Subsequently, otoliths will be dissected and their size and asymmetry will be measured. Further investigations will focus on the numerical quantification of inner ear supporting and sensory cells as well as on the quantification of inner ear carbonic anhydrase reactivity. A correlation between: (1) the results to be obtained concerning the g-loads inducing kinetosis and (2) the corresponding otolith asymmetry/morphology of sensory epithelia/carbonic anhydrase reactivity will further contribute to the understanding of the origin of kinetosis susceptibility. Besides an outline of the proposed principal experiments, the present study reports on a first series of drop-tower tests, which were undertaken to elucidate the feasibility of the proposal (especially concerning the question, if some 4.7 s of microgravity are sufficient to induce kinetotic behavior in larval fish).     

空间微生物实验技术研究进展

微生物具有结构简单、生长周期短、繁殖快、便于搭载等优点，被作为生物模型用于空间环境下的生命现象研究、地外生命探测以及开展以微生物为重点关注对象的行星保护任务研究.随着中国空间站在轨建造任务的临近，微生物空间实验技术开发以及相应的实验装置研制需要加快部署.本文以已实现空间应用的微生物技术为基础，从微生物空间培养、保存、检测技术及用于地外生命探测中的微生物识别技术等方面分析了空间微生物实验技术的发展现状与趋势，提出了未来利用中国空间站开展空间微生物实验的技术发展建议.      

Were micrometeorites a source of prebiotic molecules on the early Earth?

"Interplanetary Dust Particles" with sizes approximately 10 micrometers collected in the stratosphere (IDPs), as well as much larger "giant" micrometeorites retrieved from Antarctic ice melt water (AMMs), are mostly composed of unequilibrated assemblages of minerals, thus being related to primitive unequilibrated meteorites. Two independent evaluations of the mass flux of micrometeorites measuring approximately 50 micrometers to approximately 200 micrometers, recovered from either the Greenland or the Antarctic ice sheets have been reported (approximately 20,000 tons/a). A comparison with recent evaluation of the flux of meteorites reaching the Earth's surface (up to masses of 10,000 tons), indicates that micrometeorites represent about 99.5% of the extraterrestrial material falling on the Earth's surface each year. As they show carbon concentrations exceeding that of the most C-rich meteorite (Orgueil), they are the major contributors of extraterrestrial C-rich matter accreting to the Earth today. Moreover they are complex microstructured aggregates of grains. They contain not only a variety of C-rich matter, such as a new "dirty" magnetite phase enriched in P, S, and minor elements, but also a diversity of potential catalysts (hydrous silicates, oxides, sulfides and metal grains of Fe/Ni composition, etc.). They could have individually functioned on the early Earth, as "micro-chondritic-reactors" for the processing of prebiotic organic molecules in liquid water. Future progress requires the challenging development of meaningful laboratory simulation experiments, and a better understanding of the partial reprocessing of micrometeorites in the atmosphere.     

空间机器人操作：一种多任务学习视角

利用空间机器人辅助、代替航天员完成在轨服务操作是近年的技术发展趋势。基于学习的空间机器人操作以深度神经网络为控制器载体,对非结构化太空环境适应能力强,在高轨、地外、深空等场景具有良好应用前景。目前,无论是空间机器人操作,还是地面机器人操作,多数研究只关注单一任务学习问题。立足一种多任务学习新视角,针对空间机器人操作面临的多任务适应性要求高、精细化要求高、不确定性强问题,首先分析了在轨服务的多样化任务需求。其次,全面综述了机器人操作多任务学习算法与应用相关工作,分析了开展空间机器人操作多任务学习的难点挑战,给出了关键技术发展建议。相关关键技术的突破将有助于提升空间机器人系统的自主性、鲁棒性,进而助力中国在轨服务技术向无人全自主方向推进。     

Cosmic dust physical properties and theICAPS facility on board the ISS

Cometary comae, cometary tails, and the interplanetary dust cloud, are low density dust clouds built of cosmic dust particles. Light scattering observations, from in-situ space probes and remote observatories, are a key to their physical properties. This presentation updates results on cometary and interplanetary dust derived from such observations (with emphasis on polarization), and compares them with results on asteroidal regoliths. The polarization phase curves follow similar trends, with parameters that may vary from one object to another. The wavelength dependence is highly variable, although it is usually linear in the visible domain. It may be suggested (from observations, modeling and laboratory measurements) that these dust particles are irregular, with a size greater than the wavelength, and that cometary dust is highly porous, as compared to asteroidal or interplanetary dust. Sophisticated numerical models and laboratory measurements on dust analogues are indeed required to interpret without any ambiguity the ensemble of results. The opportunity offered by the ICAPS facility (an ESA project selected for the ISS, now in phase B) to deduce the physical properties of cosmic dust particles from their optical properties, as well as their evolution (breaking-off and agglomeration, ices condensation and evaporation), is presented.     

Shock protection of penetrator-based instrumentation via a sublimation approach

It is often necessary for space-borne instrumentation to cope with substantial levels of shock acceleration both in the initial launch phase, as well as during entry, descent and landing in the case of planetary exploration. Current plans for a new generation of penetrator-based space missions will subject the associated on-board instrumentation to far greater levels of shock, and ways must therefore be found to either ruggedize or else protect any sensitive components during the impact phase. In this paper, we present an innovative method of shock protection that is suited for use in a number of planetary environments, based upon the temporary encapsulation of said components within a waxy solid which may then be sublimated to return the instrument back to its normal operation. We have tested this method experimentally using micromachined silicon suspensions under applied shock loads of up to 15,000g, and found that these were able to survive without incurring damage. Furthermore, quality factor measurements undertaken on these suspensions indicate that their mechanical performance remains unaffected by the encapsulation and subsequent sublimation process.