Earth observation from space – The issue of environmental sustainability

Remote sensing scientists work under assumptions that should not be taken for granted and should, therefore, be challenged. These assumptions include the following:1. Space, especially Low Earth Orbit (LEO), will always be available to governmental and commercial space entities that launch Earth remote sensing missions.2. Space launches are benign with respect to environmental impacts.3. Minimization of Type 1 error, which provides increased confidence in the experimental outcome, is the best way to assess the significance of environmental change.4. Large-area remote sensing investigations, i.e. national, continental, global studies, are best done from space.5. National space missions should trump international, cooperative space missions to ensure national control and distribution of the data products.At best, all of these points are arguable, and in some cases, they're wrong. Development of observational space systems that are compatible with sustainability principles should be a primary concern when Earth remote sensing space systems are envisioned, designed, and launched. The discussion is based on the hypothesis that reducing the environmental impacts of the data acquisition step, which is at the very beginning of the information stream leading to decision and action, will enhance coherence in the information stream and strengthen the capacity of measurement processes to meet their stated functional goal, i.e. sustainable management of Earth resources. We suggest that unconventional points of view should be adopted and when appropriate, remedial measures considered that could help to reduce the environmental footprint of space remote sensing and of Earth observation and monitoring systems in general. This article discusses these five assumptions in the context of sustainable management of Earth's resources. Taking each assumption in turn, we find the following:(1) Space debris may limit access to Low Earth Orbit over the next decades.(2) Relatively speaking, given that they're rare event, space launches may be benign, but study is merited on upper stratospheric and exospheric layers given the chemical activity associated with rocket combustion by-products.(3) Minimization of Type II error should be considered in situations where minimization of Type I error greatly hampers or precludes our ability to correct the environmental condition being studied.(4) In certain situations, airborne collects may be less expensive and more environmentally benign, and comparative studies should be done to determine which path is wisest.(5) International cooperation and data sharing will reduce instrument and launch costs and mission redundancy. Given fiscal concerns of most of the major space agencies – e.g. NASA, ESA, CNES – it seems prudent to combine resources.     

Statistical Approach to the Evaluation of the Mean Correlation Length and the Propagation Velocity of Middle-Scale Plasma Structures in the Earth's Foreshock

Based on simultaneous measurements of ion fluxes made onboard the closely separated satellites Interball-1and Magion-4, the propagation velocity of middle-scale plasma structures in the Earth's foreshock relative to the solar wind flow is estimated. The derived value of this velocity allows these structures to be identified as a fast magnetosonic wave propagating upstream of the solar wind inflowing the Earth's bow shock. An evaluation is also made of the correlation length of these disturbances in the plane perpendicular to the Sun–Earth line. This length is approximately equal to 2R _E.     

输油管道泄漏自动检测装置的研制

介绍一种基于软件的管道泄漏自动检测装置 ,通过检测压力、流量、温度等的变化来判断泄漏是否发生及发生泄漏的位置。该装置具有适应性广、安装简单等优点。     

RDX/AP/HTPB推进剂热分解特性研究

利用高压差示扫描量热仪（PDSC）研究了RDX／AP／HTPB推进剂系列配方的热分解性能，发现配方组分的改变对RDX／AP／HTPB推进剂的热分解性能有影响，突出表现在RDX／AP／HTPB推进剂中RDX分解峰变宽，AP放热分解效应增强。推进剂中添加Al粉后，RDX的分解受到抑制，而AP的分解却得到增强。     

Airglow in the Visible and Infrared Spectral Ranges of the Disturbed Upper Atmosphere under Conditions of High-Velocity Plasma Jet Injection: I. Experimental data

The measurements of infrared emission from an artificial structure, which was generated during the Fluxus experiment with plasma jet injection into the atmosphere, are obtained and discussed for the first time. Additional experimental data on the airglow in the visible spectral band of the disturbed region of the atmosphere are presented. A generalized analysis of the data is given.     

International Academy of Astronautics 5th cosmic study--preparing for a 21st century program of integrated,Lunar and Martian exploration and development (executive summary)

This report is an initial review of plans for a extensive program to survey and develop the Moon and to explore the planet Mars during the 21st century. It presents current typical plans for separate, associated and fully integrated programs of Lunar and Martian research, exploration and development, and concludes that detailed integrated plans must be prepared and be subject to formal criticism. Before responsible politicians approve a new thrust into space they will demand attractive, defensible, and detailed proposals that explain the WHEN, HOW and WHY of each stage of an expanded program of 21st century space research, development and exploration. In particular, the claims of daring, innovative, but untried systems must be compared with the known performance of existing technologies. The time has come to supersede the present haphazard approach to strategic space studies with a formal international structure to plan for future advanced space missions under the aegis of the world's national space agencies, and supported by governments and the corporate sector.     

石墨渗铜喉衬的烧蚀特性

介绍了石墨渗铜材料作为固体火箭发动机(SRM)喉衬与．长尾管衬套的烧蚀特性和机理。液态铜在高温高压燃气的作用下仍滞留在石墨基材内，起到抑制烧蚀的效果，改善了KS-8高强石墨的耐烧蚀性能。     

推进剂功能组分作用研究(Ⅳ)--工艺/力学性能

在丁羟/铝粉/高氯酸铵组成的三组元推进剂体系中,通过药浆流变性测试、动态力学分析（DMA）、单向拉伸性能、凝胶分数和相对交联密度的测定,研究了一些功能组分如氮丙啶类化合物MAPO、醇胺络合物TEA·BF3、胺类化合物H对推进剂工艺性能和力学性能的影响.结果表明,MAPO可以降低药浆屈服值和表观粘度,改善工艺性能,显著增加最大抗拉强度,但对最大伸长率无影响;TEA·BF3大幅度增加药浆屈服值,使工艺性能变差,一定程度上提高最大抗拉强度和发挥熵弹性而增加最大伸长率,H可以显著改善推进剂工艺性能和增加最大伸长率.文中还对功能组分在推进剂中的作用机理进行了分析探讨.     

丁羟推进剂粘合剂网络结构调控方法探讨

把扩链剂的使用作为调整丁羟推进剂粘合剂网络及其形态结构的一个重要手段。采用扩链剂、交联剂和真实固化参数(Rt)等综合的方法调控丁羟推进剂性能,可望比单纯控制名义固化参数(Ro)获得更好的力学性能及其稳定性。推导了丁羟推进剂粘合剂系统网络调整的通用计算公式和各种特定条件下的计算公式。     

多目标多光谱高温仪的研制

根据固体火箭发动机羽焰特征研制了多目标多光谱高温仪。文中介绍了多光谱测温技术及测温仪系统构成。该系统可同时测量羽焰6个目标点的温度,每个目标点均有8个工作波长,可实现对发动机试验时羽焰流场轴向和环向多目标的温度动态测量。