Metabolic assessments during extra-vehicular activity

Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) has a significant role during extended space flights. It demonstrates that humans can survive and perform useful work outside the Orbital Space Stations (OSS) while wearing protective space suits (SS). When the International Space Station 'Alpha' (ISSA) is fully operational, EVA assembly, installation, maintenance and repair operations will become an everyday repetitive work activity in space. It needs new ergonomic evaluation of the work/rest schedule for an increasing of the labor amount per EVA hour. The metabolism assessment is a helpful method to control the productivity of the EVA astronaut and to optimize the work/rest regime. Three following methods were used in Russia to estimate real-time metabolic rates during EVA: 1. Oxygen consumption, computed from the pressure drop in a high pressure bottle per unit time (with actual thermodynamic oxygen properties under high pressure and oxygen leakage taken into account). 2. Carbon dioxide production, computed from CO2 concentration at the contaminant control cartridge and gas flow rate in the life support subsystem closed loop (nominal mode) or gas leakage in the SS open loop (emergency mode). 3. Heat removal, computed from the difference between the temperatures of coolant water or gas and its flow rate in a unit of time (with assumed humidity and wet oxygen state taken into account). Comparison of heat removal values with metabolic rates enables us to determine the thermal balance during an operative medical control of EVA at "Salyut-6", "Salyut-7" and "Mir" OSS. Complex analysis of metabolism, body temperature and heat rate supports a differential diagnosis between emotional and thermal components of stress during EVA. It gives a prognosis of human homeostasis during EVA. Available information has been acquired into an EVA data base which is an effective tool for ergonomical optimization.     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994-1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.     

Remote sensing of planetary properties and biosignatures on extrasolar terrestrial planets

The major goals of NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) and the European Space Agency's Darwin missions are to detect terrestrial-sized extrasolar planets directly and to seek spectroscopic evidence of habitable conditions and life. Here we recommend wavelength ranges and spectral features for these missions. We assess known spectroscopic molecular band features of Earth, Venus, and Mars in the context of putative extrasolar analogs. The preferred wavelength ranges are 7-25 microns in the mid-IR and 0.5 to approximately 1.1 microns in the visible to near-IR. Detection of O2 or its photolytic product O3 merits highest priority. Liquid H2O is not a bioindicator, but it is considered essential to life. Substantial CO2 indicates an atmosphere and oxidation state typical of a terrestrial planet. Abundant CH4 might require a biological source, yet abundant CH4 also can arise from a crust and upper mantle more reduced than that of Earth. The range of characteristics of extrasolar rocky planets might far exceed that of the Solar System. Planetary size and mass are very important indicators of habitability and can be estimated in the mid-IR and potentially also in the visible to near-IR. Additional spectroscopic features merit study, for example, features created by other biosignature compounds in the atmosphere or on the surface and features due to Rayleigh scattering. In summary, we find that both the mid-IR and the visible to near-IR wavelength ranges offer valuable information regarding biosignatures and planetary properties; therefore both merit serious scientific consideration for TPF and Darwin.     

Ariane transfer vehicle in service of man in orbit

The Ariane transfer vehicle (ATV), an Ariane 5 borne, unmanned propulsion vehicle, is designed to transport the logistics needed to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and the man tended free flyer (MTFF) step 2 with pressurized and unpressurized cargo and to dispose the waste. The ATV is an expendable vehicle and is disposed of by a safe atmospheric burn up. In accordance with the AR5 schedule it should be operational in 1996 for missions toward ISS and beyond the year 2000 for MTFF 2 missions. The main constituents of the proposed ATV are the modified AR5 third stage L5, an upgraded VEB steering the launcher as well as the ATV and the P/L-adaptor providing mechanical and umbilical links to the payload. The mechanical part of the RVD-kit will be placed on the payload-module, the main RVD sensors are located on the adaptor and the needed computer intelligence will be integrated on the VEB. To minimize the development, and recurring costs, the ATV concept fully complies to the idea of maximum use of existing hardware and software, mainly from the AR5, Hermes and Columbus programs thus minimizing development and recurring costs. The ATV is compatible to ISS, MTFF and OMV and is able to transport logistic modules compatible with NSTS and U.S.-expendable launchers.     

The applications of lower power satellites for direct television broadcasting

The use of 12 GHz satellites for TV broadcasting directly to individual homes and small communities has been the subject of analysis and design study by groups in many countries. Implementation of the concept has been slow to follow because of the high satellite transmitter powers of from 100 to 450 W that have usually been determined to be necessary. Accumulated experience in Canada with 12 GHz operation and the evolution of technology are leading to changes in the concept of direct broadcasting such that lower power satellites may be capable of meeting the requirements.

Hermes, the Canadian/U.S. 12/14 GHz Communications Technology Satellite, has been in use for over 3 years in a program of experiments and measurements. This program has included an extensive six month experiment in direct broadcasting to 7 small communities. Experience with Hermes has shown that the signal strength is stable over long periods of time and that in Canada, significant precipitation attenuation at 12 GHz is of relatively short duration and typically occurs only during certain seasons. Operation with low propagation margins is feasible if some picture degradation and some outages at these times are acceptable. The frequency and duration of occurrence of outages can be controlled by the Earth station G/T which is cost sensitive. An individual may choose to use a low cost system with a small antenna and accept a degraded picture and outages at some times. A small community may choose to pay more for a larger antenna and lower noise receiver to achieve better performance.

Developments in technology are reducing the noise figure of mass-producible receivers from more than 6 dB to as low as 4 dB. Another technology contribution is the use of reduced bandwidth and other signal processing techniques in low-cost receivers. While use of such techniques may introduce distortions that would be unacceptable in rebroadcasting systems, there is little impact for individual and community reception. Use of both technologies reduce the required satellite EIRP or ground terminal G/T.

A field trial was begun in April 1979 to test these concepts for use in television program delivery. One hundred Earth stations capable of being tuned across a 500 MHz band and having antennas with diameters of either 1.2 m or 1.8 m are being installed for a test in Canada to receive TV signals from the 20 W transponders of ANIK-B (peak EIRP of 51 dBw) on an experimental basis. The acceptability of the video signals and the technical performance of the low-cost terminals in the bands of non-technical users are being evaluated.

The paper will summarize the concept of TV broadcasting with lower power satellites and describe the results to date of the ANIK-B field trials.     

调频多工数据传输技术在交通诱导系统中的应用

针对我国智能型交通的现状,提出了基于调频多工数据传输技术的交通诱导系统。本文在分析研究RDS-TMC技术的基础上,设计了利用RDS技术传输实时交通信息的车载动态导航装置,并介绍了该装置的主要功能模块。在实验室条件下进行了测试,证明设计可行,运行可靠。     

液体火箭发动机地面试车过程的实时故障检测方法研究

为解决液体火箭发动机地面试车过程中故障检测的及时性、实时性、可靠性和稳健性等关键问题,研究建立了稳态和启动工作过程实时故障检测与报警的自适应相关算法和包络线算法,并进行了大量试车数据的验证和地面试车的实时考核。结果表明,算法能对发动机启动和稳态工作过程中的故障及时准确地检测,并在地面试车的实时和强干扰环境下具有良好的可靠性和稳健性。研究结果对研制工程实用的我国运载火箭健康监控系统具有重要的理论和应用价值。     

基于主元分析法的液体火箭发动机传感器故障检测与诊断

针对液体火箭发动机的压力、温度、流量等传感器数据,给出了一种基于主元分析法的传感器故障检测与诊断方法。该方法能够在对测量参数相关性分析的基础上,将传感器测量值所组成的测量空间分解为主元和残差两个子空间,通过传感器实际测量数据与正常数据矩阵在残差子空间投影的比较,对传感器的故障进行检测与诊断。以某型LRE传感器组为研究对象,通过故障模拟,给出了该方法对4种典型传感器故障的检测与诊断实例。结果表明主元分析法对LRE传感器具有很好的故障检测和故障诊断能力。     

导弹电液伺服机构的模糊滑模变结构跟踪控制研究

为减小导弹电液伺服机构滑模变结构跟踪控制中的抖振,研究了一种模糊滑模变结构控制(FS-MVSC)方法。给出了模糊滑模控制器的构成,以及模糊化、模糊规则与推理、反模糊化处理的方法。在保持系统对参数变化和外干扰不确定强鲁棒性的同时,可使系统具有较优的动态响应和稳态控制精度。仿真结果表明,该控制方案有效。     

构建无线自组网仿真场景

计算机仿真是测试评估网络协议性能的基本技术，而无线自组网技术是一项新兴的热门无线网络技术。目前为止还没有文章对无线自组网计算机仿真技术进行综合介绍。因此，本文以构建易用合理的无线自组网仿真场景为目标，从仿真软件、仿真场景和移动模型这三个方面综合说明了构建无线自组网仿真场景的相关技术。本文对三种通用网络仿真软件NS-2，Glomosim和OPNET进行了分析比较，介绍了无线自组网研究中几种典型的仿真场景，最后介绍了常用的几个节点移动模型，分析了移动模型存在的问题及解决方法。本文对构建无线自组网仿真环境具有指导借鉴意义。