Why Raman spectroscopy on Mars?--a case of the right tool for the right job

We provide a scientific rationale for the astrobiological investigation of Mars. We suggest that, given practical constraints, the most promising locations for the search for former life on Mars are palaeolake craters and the evaporite deposits that may reside within them. We suggest that Raman spectroscopy offers a promising tool for the detection of evidence of former (or extant) biota on Mars. In particular, we highlight the detection of hopanoids as long-lived bacterial cell wall products and photosynthetic pigments as the most promising targets. We further suggest that Raman spectroscopy as a fibre optic-based instrument lends itself to flexible planetary deployment.     

Influence of ionic inorganic solutes on self-assembly and polymerization processes related to early forms of life: implications for a prebiotic aqueous medium

A commonly accepted view is that life began in a marine environment, which would imply the presence of inorganic ions such as Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Fe2+. We have investigated two processes relevant to the origin of life--membrane self-assembly and RNA polymerization--and established that both are adversely affected by ionic solute concentrations much lower than those of contemporary oceans. In particular, monocarboxylic acid vesicles, which are plausible models of primitive membrane systems, are completely disrupted by low concentrations of divalent cations, such as magnesium and calcium, and by high sodium chloride concentrations as well. Similarly, a nonenzymatic, nontemplated polymerization of activated RNA monomers in ice/eutectic phases (in a solution of low initial ionic strength) yields oligomers with > 80% of the original monomers incorporated, but polymerization in initially higher ionic strength aqueous solutions is markedly inhibited. These observations suggest that cellular life may not have begun in a marine environment because the abundance of ionic inorganic solutes would have significantly inhibited the chemical and physical processes that lead to self-assembly of more complex molecular systems.     

Eye light flashes on the Mir space station

The phenomenon of light flashes (LF) in eyes for people in space has been investigated onboard Mir. Data on particles hitting the eye have been collected with the SilEye detectors, and correlated with human observations. It is found that a nucleus in the radiation environment of Mir has roughly a 1% probability to cause an LF, whereas the proton probability is almost three orders of magnitude less. As a function of LET, the LF probability increases above 10 keV/micrometer, reaching about 5% at around 50 keV/micrometer.     

MEDES clinical research facility as a tool to prepare ISSA space flights

This new multi-disciplinary medical experimentation center provides the ideal scientific, medical and technical environment required for research programs and to prepare international space station Alpha (ISSA) missions, where space and healthcare industries can share their expertise. Different models are available to simulate space flight effects (bed-rest, confinement,...). This is of particular interest for research in Human psychology, physiology, physiopathology and ergonomics, validation of biomedical materials and procedures, testing of drugs, and other healthcare related products. This clinical research facility (CRF) provides valuable services in various fields of Human research requiring healthy volunteers. CRF is widely accessible to national and international, scientific, medical and industrial organisations. Furthermore, users have at their disposal the multi-disciplinary skills of MEDES staff and all MEDES partners on a single site.     

The Kinelite Project: a new powerful motion analyser for Spacelab and space station

The goal of the Kinelite Project is to develop a space qualified motion analysis system to be used in space by the scientific community, mainly to support neuroscience protocols. The measurement principle of the Kinelite is to determine, by triangulation mean, the 3D position of small, lightweight, reflective markers positioned at the different points of interest. The scene is illuminated by Infra Red flashes and the reflected light is acquired by up to 8 precalibrated and synchronized CCD cameras. The main characteristics of the system are: Camera field of view: 45 degrees; Number of cameras: 2 to 8; Acquisition frequency: 25, 50, 100, or 200 Hz; CCD format: 256 x 256; Number of markers: up to 64; 3D accuracy: 2mm; Main dimensions: 45 cm x 45 cm x 30 cm; Mass: 23 kg; Power consumption: less than 200 W. The Kinelite will first fly aboard the NASA Spacelab; it will be used, during the NEUROLAB mission (4/98), to support the "Frames of References and Internal Models" (Principal Investigator: Pr. A. Berthoz, Co Investigators: J. McIntyre, F. Lacquaniti).     

收敛形进气道数值研究的验证

介绍一种新型的、具有最小喉道面积的三维高超声速进气道 (称之为收敛形进气道 )的数值和实验研究结果。表明使用这种形式的进气道 ,在整个飞行速度范围内可以降低阻力和高超声速发动机表面的热防护要求 ,通过降低外压缩表面的倾斜度和减少进气道及燃烧室壁的面积就可以做到这一点。在采用低维次流动的气体动力设计方法的基础上设计成这种形式的进气道。计算是在无粘气体模型构架内用有限体积法进行的。同时用边界层方程计算出计及粘性的气流特性和进气道特性。数值算法是通过收敛形进气道的有限宽楔形外压缩表面的计算和实验数据来验证的。进行实验研究的马赫数M=2～ 1 0 7,基于模型进气道高度的雷诺数Re=( 1～ 5) × 1 0 6。数值计算与实验结果一致性很好。这些结果也和通常的二维进气道的数据作了比较。     

敏捷制造模式下的质量保证信息系统

客户驱动的动态的全球市场及地理上分布的合作伙伴给开发敏捷制造模式下的质量保证信息系统(QAIS)带来了新的挑战,本文先对敏捷制造模式下的QAIS进行了需求分析,提出了新的分布式QAIS的实现框架,利用当前迅速发展的信息技术,建立了QAIS的开发环境并对有关关键技术进行了初步研究,最后开发完成了一个基于Web的QAIS原型系统.     

“火卫一-土壤”探测器怎么了?

1月15日,2011年11月8日发射的俄罗斯"火卫一-土壤"星际探测器失控进入地球大气层.据俄罗斯航空航天国防军提供的信息,该事件于莫斯科时间20时45分(格林尼治时间17时45分)发生在太平洋智利惠灵顿岛以西1250公里洋面(约西经92度、南纬49度)上空.美国战略司令部称其于格林尼治时间17时46分(±1分钟)进入大气层,坐标位置在西经87度、南纬46度.偏差未超出预测精度——1分或沿轨道方向约500公里.     

JSF119发动机将恢复试验

普惠公司在高推力状态下证实了JSF发动机的风扇和低压涡轮能满意地工作后，公司决定在今年1月末恢复该发动机的试验。常规起落（CTOL）型JSF119自去年6月以来一直在试验中，但短距起飞垂直着落（STOV）型发动机只在去年11月中在西棕榈滩的设备上进行了试验，这种类型发动机的早期试验于去年末结束。普惠公司正在为JSF计划研究4种F119派生型发动机，这4种发动机是为波音公司的X—32JSF和洛克希德·马丁公司的X—35JSF的CTOL与STOVL设计的。去年12月JSF119STOVL在西棕榈滩的设备上以最大推力、最大空气流量和最高涡轮进口温…     

在火星上如何分辨时间

2012年8月6日“好奇”号火星车登上火星后，特制的火星表、戈达德研究所网站上的Mars24……这些让火星时间走进了人们的视线。