Remote sensing for organics on Mars.

The detection of organics on Mars remains an important scientific objective. Advances in instrumentation and laboratory techniques provide new insight into the lower level detection limit of complex organics in closely packed media. Preliminary results demonstrate that algae present in a palagonite medium do exhibit a spectral reflectance feature in the visible range for dry mass weight ratios of algae to palagonite greater than 6%--which corresponds to 30 mg algae in a 470 mg (just optically thick (< 3 mm) layer) palagonite matrix. This signature most probably represents chlorophyll a, a light harvesting pigment with an emission peak at 678 nm.     

Highly clumpy structure of the thermal composite supernova remnant 3C 391 unveiled by Chandra

The nature of the internal thermal X-ray emission seen in “thermal composite” supernova remnants is still uncertain. Chandra observation of the 3C391 shows a southeast–northwest elongated morphology and unveils a highly clumpy structure of the remnant. Detailed spatially resolved spectral analysis for the small-scale features reveals normal metal abundance and uniform temperature for the interior gas. The properties of the hot gas comparatively favor the cloudlet evaporation model as a main mechanism for the “thermal composite” X-ray appearance, though radiative rim and thermal conduction may also be effective. A faint protrusion is found in Si and S lines out of the southwest radio border.     

Detection of martian amino acids by chemical derivatization coupled to gas chromatography: in situ and laboratory analysis.

If there is, or ever was, life in our solar system beyond the Earth, Mars is the most likely place to search for. Future space missions will have then to take into account the detection of prebiotic molecules or molecules of biological significance such as amino acids. Techniques of analysis used for returned samples have to be very sensitive and avoid any chemical or biological contamination whereas in situ techniques have to be automated, fast and low energy consuming. Several possible methods could be used for in situ amino acid analyses on Mars, but gas chromatography would likely be the most suitable. Returned samples could be analyzed by any method in routine laboratory use such as gas chromatography, already successfully performed for analyses of organic matter including amino acids from martian meteorites. The derivatization step, which volatilizes amino acids to perform both in situ and laboratory analysis by gas chromatography, is discussed here.     

The dust content of clusters of galaxies

We have statistically investigated the infrared luminosity of clusters of galaxies in comparison with the known tracers of the cluster mass like the X-ray luminosity and the cluster richness (e.g. the number of member galaxies). Our results show that there is a clear positive correlation of the infrared luminosity with the cluster mass. Quantitatively speaking, the infrared luminosity is on average 20 times higher than the X-ray luminosity. Moreover, the infrared luminosity increases with the redshift. This probably shows that a major part of this infrared luminosity is due to star formation in the member galaxies. Another possible contribution would be the thermal emission from dust particles in the diffuse intracluster medium. However our method does not allow us to infer conclusions about this second hypothesis. Depending on their size and abundance, such particles would contribute to the infrared luminosity of galaxy cluster and have an impact on the cooling function of the baryons and thus on the formation of the large scale structures. This is an important cosmological question which still remains open.     

Thermally evolved gas analysis (TEGA) of hyperarid soils doped with microorganisms from the Atacama Desert in southern Peru: Implications for the Phoenix mission

TEGA, one of several instruments on board of the Phoenix Lander, performed differential scanning calorimetry and evolved gas analysis of soil samples and ice, collected from the surface and subsurface at a northern landing site on Mars. TEGA is a combination of a high temperature furnace and a mass spectrometer (MS) that was used to analyze samples delivered to the instrument via a robotic arm. The samples were heated at a programmed ramp rate up to 1000 °C. The power required for heating can be carefully and continuously monitored (scanning calorimetry). The evolved gases generated during the process can be analyzed with the evolved gas analyzer (a magnetic sector mass spectrometer) in order to determine the composition of gases released as a function of temperature. Our laboratory has developed a sample characterization method using a pyrolyzer integrated to a quadrupole mass spectrometer to support the interpretations of TEGA data. Here we examine the evolved gas properties of six types of hyperarid soils from the Pampas de La Joya in southern Peru (a possible analog to Mars), to which we have added with microorganisms (Salmonella typhimurium, Micrococcus luteus, and Candida albicans) in order to investigate the effect of the soil matrix on the TEGA response. Between 20 and 40 mg of soil, with or without ∼5 mg of lyophilized microorganism biomass (dry weight), were placed in the pyrolyzer and heated from room temperature to 1200 °C in 1 h at a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The volatiles released were transferred to a MS using helium as a carrier gas. The quadrupole MS was ran in scan mode from 10 to 200 m/z. In addition, ∼20 mg of each microorganism without a soil matrix were analyzed. As expected, there were significant differences in the gases released from microorganism samples with or without a soil matrix, under similar heating conditions. Furthermore, samples from the most arid environments had significant differences compared with less arid soils. Organic carbon released in the form of CO₂ (ion 44 m/z) from microorganisms evolved at temperatures of ∼326.0 ± 19.5 °C, showing characteristic patterns for each one. Others ions such as 41, 78 and 91 m/z were also found. Interestingly, during the thermal process, the release of CO₂ increased and ions previously found disappeared, demonstrating a high-oxidant activity in the soil matrix when it was subjected to high temperature. Finally, samples of soil show CO₂ evolved up to 650 °C consistent with thermal decomposition of carbonates. These results indicate that organics mixed with these hyperarid soils are oxidized to CO₂. Our results suggest the existence of at least two types of oxidants in these soils, a thermolabile oxidant which is highly oxidative and other thermostable oxidant which has a minor oxidative activity and that survives the heat-treatment. Furthermore, we find that the interaction of biomass added to soil samples gives a different set of breakdown gases than organics resident in the soil. The nature of oxidant(s) present in the soils from Pampas de La Joya is still unknown.     

全二维气相色谱用于航天煤油组成的研究

利用全二维气相色谱,结合飞行时间质谱和火焰离子化检测器,对航天煤油组成进行了定性和定量分析,根据试验结果分析了族组成、碳数分布与航天煤油性能之间的关系。研究结果表明：该航天煤油主要由异构烷烃、单环环烷烃、双环环烷烃组成,具有高燃烧值和良好的稳定性。研究结果可以为航天煤油组成的分析和优化提供依据。     

Analyses of exobiological and potential resource materials in the Martian soil.

Potential Martian soil components relevant to exobiology include water, organic matter, evaporites, clays, and oxides. These materials are also resources for human expeditions to Mars. When found in particular combinations, some of these materials constitute diagnostic paleobiomarker suites, allowing insight to be gained into the probability of life originating on Mars. Critically important to exobiology is the method of data analysis and data interpretation. To that end we are investigating methods of analysis of potential biomarker and paleobiomarker compounds and resource materials in soils and rocks pertinent to Martian geology. Differential thermal analysis coupled with gas chromatography is shown to be a highly useful analytical technique for detecting this wide and complex variety of materials.     

Simulated cometary matter as a test for enantiomer separating chromatography for use on comet 46P/Wirtanen.

The Cometary Sampling and Composition Experiment on board of European Space Agency's cornerstone mission ROSETTA is designed to identify organic molecules in cometary matter in situ by a combined pyrolysis gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric technique. Its capillary columns coated with chiral stationary phases received considerable attention, because they are designed for separations of non-complex enantiomers to allow the determination of enantiomeric ratios of cometary chiral organic compounds and consequently to provide information about the origin of molecular parity violation in biomolecules. To get gas chromatographic access to organic compounds on the comet, where macromolecules and complex organic polymers of low volatility are expected to make up the main organic ingredients, the combination of two injection techniques will be applied. The pyrolysis technique performed by heating cometary samples stepwise to defined temperatures in specific ovens resulting in thermochemolysis reactions of polymers and a chemical derivatization technique, in which the reagent dimethylformamide dimethylacetal assists pyrolysis derivatization reactions in producing methyl esters of polar monomers. The combination of the reagent assisted pyrolysis gas chromatographic technique with enantiomer separating chromatography was tested with laboratory-produced simulated cometary matter.     

ROSAT observations of galaxy clusters and cosmological implications

Clusters of galaxies are filled with a hot teneous plasma which is emitting soft X-rays over very extended regions. The ROSAT observatory with its high resolution and high sensitivity X-ray telescope allows to image nearby clusters in great detail and is therefore ideally suited to study the structure and morphology of galaxy clusters. In particular the distribution of the intracluster gas can be mapped, some information on the temperature structure of the gas can be obtained, the gravitational mass can be infered, and the dynamical state of the clusters can be investigated. Results of such studies for some nearby clusters as Virgo, Perseus and Coma are presented. Gas mass fractions of the total gravitational mass of the cluster in excess of 10 to 15% are infered from X-ray observations where the cluster emission can be traced out to an Abell radius (3 Mpc). If these values are taken to be representative for the matter composition in the Universe it has interesting consequences for cosmology as for example for the nucleosythesis models and the mean density of the Universe.     

Energy-transfer processes in flares

This paper deals with Solar Maximum Year observations that can shed light on the roles of energetic electron beams and thermal conduction in solar flares. The emphasis is on X-ray and UV images and on the interpretation of chromospheric spectra. The format is that of a one-sided debate advocating the view that most of the flare energy that reaches the chromosphere is transferred by thermal conduction rather than by energetic electron beams. Reference is made to papers offering opposing points of view on this still controversial question.     

Characterization of microbial and chemical composition of shuttle wet waste with permanent gas and volatile organic compound analyses.

Solid-waste treatment in space for Advanced Life Support, ALS, applications requires that the material can be safely processed and stored in a confined environment. Many solid-wastes are not stable because they are wet (40-90% moisture) and contain levels of soluble organic compounds that can contribute to the growth of undesirable microorganisms with concomitant production of noxious odors. In the absence of integrated Advanced Life Support systems on orbit, permanent gas, trace volatile organic and microbiological analyses were performed on crew refuse returned from the volume F "wet" trash of three consecutive Shuttle missions (STS-105, 109, and 110). These analyses were designed to characterize the short-term biological stability of the material and assess potential crew risks resulting from microbial decay processes during storage. Waste samples were collected post-orbiter landing and sorted into packaging material, food waste, toilet waste, and bulk liquid fractions deposited during flight in the volume F container. Aerobic and anaerobic microbial loads were determined in each fraction by cultivation on R2A and by acridine orange direct count (AODC). Dry and ash weights were performed to determine both water and organic content of the materials. Experiments to determine the aerobic and anaerobic biostability of refuse stored for varying periods of time were performed by on-line monitoring of CO2 and laboratory analysis for production of hydrogen sulfide and methane. Volatile organic compounds and permanent gases were analyzed using EPA Method TO15 by USEPA et al. [EPA Method TO15, The Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Ambient Air using SUMMA, Passivated Canister Sampling and Gas Chromatographic Analysis,1999] with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by gas chromatography with selective detectors. These baseline measures of waste stream content, labile organics, and microbial load in the volume F Shuttle trash provide data for waste subsystem analysis and atmospheric management within the ALS Project.     

Observational evidence for the binary model of X-ray bursters

Most, but not all, theoretical models of X-ray bursters require a binary system consisting of a mass donating star and a neutron star. The observational evidence in support of this model, however, is both indirect and meager. We have detected absorption dips in the X-ray spectrum of the Burster MXB 1916-05 with the IPC and the MPC on the Einstein Observatory which occur with a binary period of 2985 seconds. These dips are shown to be the result of a gas stream emanating from a companion star and hence this data represents the first direct evidence of the binary nature of X-ray bursters. Detailed models of the interaction of the gas stream with the accretion disk are presented. A 22nd mag. optical candidate for the system has been found.     

High resolution spectroscopy of X-ray emission from high mass X-ray binaries

This article briefly reviews first the progress of spectroscopy in X-ray astronomy from proportional counters, a major instrument in early phase of X-ray astronomy, to gas scintillation proportional counters, X-ray CCD cameras, transmission and reflection gratings, and finally to X-ray micro-calorimeters. As a typical example of spectral features observed from high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), the spectra observed from Vela X-1 with Chandra grating spectrometers are then presented and compared with computer simulations for high mass binary systems.     

AIT环境对卫星热控白漆性能影响的试验

热控白漆喷涂之后至卫星发射之前需要经过数个月的部件组装和测试（AIT）阶段,AIT环境是否影响热控白漆的性能是一个疑问。将与卫星天线相同热控ACR-1白漆的试验膜放置在AIT环境中,对其吸收率和发射率进行了六次测量。通过测量数据,对比分析了AIT过程中温度、湿度、洁净度等环境因素对热控白漆性能的影响程度。结果表明,在试验周期内,ACR-1白漆的吸收率和发射率变化量不大,对白漆性能可靠性的影响度不明显;洁净度对ACR-1白漆的吸收率影响较大。因此,在AIT阶段卫星环境应保持较高的洁净度。     

Did life exist on Mars? Search for organic and inorganic signatures, one of the goals for “SAM” (sample analysis at Mars)

Observation of Mars shows signs of a past Earth-like climate, and, in that case, there is no objection to the possible development of life, in the underground or at the surface, as in the terrestrial primitive biosphere. Sample analysis at Mars (SAM) is an experiment which may be proposed for atmospheric, ground and underground in situ measurements. One of its goals is to bring direct or indirect information on the possibility for life to have developed on Mars, and to detect traces of past or present biological activity. With this aim, it focuses on the detection of organic molecules: volatile organics are extracted from the sample by simple heating, whereas refractory molecules are made analyzable (i.e. volatile), using derivatization technique or fragmentation by pyrolysis. Gaseous mixtures thus obtained are analyzed by gas chromatography associated to mass spectrometry. Beyond organics, carbonates and other salts are associated to the dense and moist atmosphere necessary to the development of life, and might have formed and accumulated in some places on Mars. They represent another target for SAM. Heating of the samples allows the analysis of structural gases of these minerals (CO₂ from carbonates, etc.), enabling to identify them. We also show, in this paper, that it may be possible to discriminate between abiotic minerals, and minerals (shells, etc.) created by living organisms.     

Beagle 2: a proposed exobiology lander for ESA's 2003 Mars Express mission.

The aim of the proposed Beagle 2 small lander for ESA's 2003 Mars Express mission is to search for organic material on and below the surface of Mars and to study the inorganic chemistry and mineralogy of the landing site. The lander will have a total mass of 60kg including entry, descent, and landing system. Experiments will be deployed on the surface using a robotic arm. It will use a mechanical mole and grinder to obtain samples from below the surface, under rocks, and inside rocks. Sample analysis by a mass spectrometer will include isotopic analysis. An optical microscope, an X-ray spectrometer and a Mossbauer spectrometer will conduct in-situ rock studies.     

空间充气薄膜衍射成像结构的热力耦合分析

随着空间光学技术的发展,衍射成像系统成为空间光学领域的研究热点。提出了一种充气薄膜衍射成像结构设计方案,针对其在空间热载荷作用下的热力耦合效应开展研究。建立了充气薄膜衍射成像结构的热力耦合顺序分析框架,基于I DEAS和ANSYS软件二次开发技术,实现了热力耦合数值分析,得到了结构在轨运行时的瞬态温度场、热应力、热变形等。分析结果表明,充气支撑结构产生了较大热变形,但最大热应力远小于聚酰亚胺薄膜材料的抗拉强度,而镜面中心处没有出现较大的热变形响应,为充气薄膜衍射成像结构的防热设计提供了技术支持。     

Methods for measurement and control of leakage in CELSS and their application and performance in the Biosphere 2 facility.

Atmospheric leakage between a CELSS and its surround is driven by the differential pressure between the two. In an earth-based CELSS, both negative and positive differential pressures of atmosphere are created as the resultant of three influences: thermal expansion/contraction, transition of water between liquid and vapor phases, and external barometric pressure variations. The resultant may typically be on the order of 5000 pascals. By providing a flexible expansion chamber, the differential pressure range can be reduced two, or even three, orders of magnitude, which correspondingly reduces the leakage. The expansion chamber itself can also be used to measure the leak rate. Independent confirmation is possible by measurement of the progressive dilution of a trace gas. These methods as employed at the Biosphere 2 facility have resulted in an estimated atmospheric leak rate of less than 10 percent per year.     

航天器舱内气体对流换热的地面模拟试验方法

对航天器舱内气体对流换热的地面模拟试验方法进行了系统地理论分析,包括热缩比模型法、降压法和浓度比拟法三种。分别给出了各种方法的相似律或相似准则及其应用的约束条件,并从原理上定性比较这三种方法的优缺点。分析表明,热缩比模型法在保持Ｒｅｙｎｏｌｄｓ数不变的前提下可明显减弱自然对流的影响,但这种方法不能用于工程原型;降压法可用工程原型进行模拟试验,但不能用于液体流动问题;然而这两种方法的共同缺点是都不能完全消除自然对流;浓度比拟法理论上可以完全消除自然对流,但约束条件多,工程实现困难。     

Analysis of long-endurance station-keeping flight scenarios for stratospheric airships in the presence of thermal effects

The ability to achieve long-endurance station-keeping flights makes stratospheric airships desirable platforms for the provision of communication and surveillance services. To maintain long-endurance flights, it is necessary to consider the problem of energy consumption. In this paper, we discuss long-endurance flight scenarios of stratospheric airships in the presence of thermal effects. The balance between buoyancy and gravity is influenced by thermal effects during the diurnal cycle. We perform a theoretical analysis based on the helium’s mass, pressure differential, and altitude as the main factors. To verify the effectiveness of the control over the pressure differential and the altitude, three long-endurance flight scenarios are proposed and compared. Then, the corresponding optimization problems are constructed to determine the energy-minimum flight. Finally, further efforts are made to reduce energy consumption. The realization and limitations of two strategies for improvement are analyzed. A comparison with other scenarios shows the effectiveness of energy conservation. The study in this paper thus provides a reference for station-keeping applications of stratospheric airships.