Integration of lessons from recent research for “Earth to Mars” life support systems

Development of reliable and robust strategies for long-term life support for planetary exploration must be built from real-time experimentation to verify and improve system components. Also critical is incorporating a range of viable options to handle potential short-term life system imbalances. This paper revisits some of the conceptual framework for a Mars base prototype which has been developed by the authors along with others previously advanced (“Mars on Earth^®”) in the light of three years of experimentation in the Laboratory Biosphere, further investigation of system alternatives and the advent of other innovative engineering and agri-ecosystem approaches. Several experiments with candidate space agriculture crops have demonstrated the higher productivity possible with elevated light levels and improved environmental controls. For example, crops of sweet potatoes exceeded original Mars base prototype projections by an average of 46% (53% for best crop) ultradwarf (Apogee) wheat by 9% (23% for best crop), pinto bean by 13% (31% for best crop). These production levels, although they may be increased with further optimization of lighting regimes, environmental parameters, crop density etc. offer evidence that a soil-based system can be as productive as the hydroponic systems which have dominated space life support scenarios and research. But soil also offers distinct advantages: the capability to be created on the Moon or Mars using in situ space resources, reduces long-term reliance on consumables and imported resources, and more readily recycling and incorporating crew and crop waste products. In addition, a living soil contains a complex microbial ecosystem which helps prevent the buildup of trace gases or compounds, and thus assist with air and water purification. The atmospheric dynamics of these crops were studied in the Laboratory Biosphere adding to the database necessary for managing the mixed stands of crops essential for supplying a nutritionally adequate diet in space. This paper explores some of the challenges of small bioregenerative life support: air-sealing and facility architecture/design, balance of short-term variations of carbon dioxide and oxygen through staggered plantings, options for additional atmospheric buffers and sinks, lighting/energy efficiency engineering, crop and waste product recycling approaches, and human factor considerations in the design and operation of a Mars base. An “Earth to Mars” project, forging the ability to live sustainably in space (as on Earth) requires continued research and testing of these components and integrated subsystems; and developing a step-by-step learning process.     

新型环氧树脂潜伏性促进剂的合成、表征及性能研究

合成了新型环氧树脂潜伏性促进剂三(乙酰乙酸十八酯)铝,采用DSC,FT-IR,H-NMR、元素分析分别对其热分解机理、化学结构、物质纯度进行了表征.研究了以环氧ZH92-21∶双酚S∶三(乙酰乙酸十八酯)铝=l00∶3∶0.5为配比的树脂体系的固化制度、潜伏性和力学性能,树脂体系的表观粘度在室温储藏7个月后基本没有变化,相分离是其具有优异潜伏性的主要原因.     

三氢化铝的合成及性能研究

采用LiAlH4还原AlCl3的方法制备了AlH3,产品的产率大于90%。采用不同的稳定剂对合成的样品进行了稳定化处理,将经处理的样品通过在70℃进行放气量测试比较了热稳定性,发现经稀酸处理的AlH3样品稳定性最好。研究了AlH的安全性能,并通过DSC法研究了AlH与常用推进剂组分的相容性。     

A theoretical model of semi-elliptic surface crack growth

A theoretical model of semi-elliptic surface crack growth based on the low cycle strain damage accumulation near the crack tip along the cracking direction and the Newman–Raju formula is developed. The crack is regarded as a sharp notch with a small curvature radius and the process zone is assumed to be the size of cyclic plastic zone. The modified Hutchinson, Rice and Rosengren(HRR) formulations are used in the presented study. Assuming that the shape of surface crack front is controlled by two critical points: the deepest point and the surface point.The theoretical model is applied to semi-elliptic surface cracked Al 7075-T6 alloy plate under cyclic loading, and five different initial crack shapes are discussed in present study. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical results is obtained.     

Storage life of silicone rubber sealing ring used in solid rocket motor

It is urgent to carry out detailed research on storage performance of rubber sealing ring to get the criterion for its storage life. This paper acquires material ageing regularity by theoretical analysis and experimental confirmation. On this condition, failure mode and failure criterion of typical sealing structure is studied, and the failure mechanism is found. Thus by analyzing the stress distribution, the relationship between ageing state and sealing condition is established. Rationalization proposal is put forward and storage life of sealing ring is evaluated. The research mentionedabove has special reference to the design of sealing structures and can provide reference for prolonging their service life.     

舰载直升机金属动部件寿命控制技术研究

在分析现役老龄化舰载直升机动部件载荷特点的基础上,结合直升机所处的海洋腐蚀环境,讨论了舰载直升机的损伤类型和损伤容限寿命管理方法在其寿命分析中的应用,比较了损伤容限法应用于舰载直升机动部件与应用于固定翼飞机的不同点,重点讨论了损伤容限方法应用于工程实践亟待解决的关键技术。     

基于损伤力学预估点蚀疲劳寿命有限元法

飞机使用环境谱的不断变化会对机体结构造成腐蚀损伤,工程上难以在外场环境下进行实时损伤检测与疲劳性能试验。点蚀作为腐蚀的初始阶段,危害性大,部位也难以预测。采用损伤力学和有限元相结合的方法,以材料疲劳S-N数据为基础,将点蚀损伤认为是一种初始缺陷,建立基于损伤力学假设的点蚀损伤疲劳寿命预估方法,并提出一种改进型损伤参数反演方法。对点蚀疲劳失效过程进行数值模拟,模拟结果与试验结果吻合,证明该方法应用于金属材料点蚀疲劳问题中是合理的、可行的,为后续实际预腐蚀损伤疲劳研究奠定了基础。     

积木式方法与试验金字塔的历史沿革与发展趋势

采用积木式方法构建试验金字塔是目前已经被广泛接受的用来完成大型飞机结构强度验证的基本手段。本文概述了积木式方法和试验金字塔的发展历程和趋势，介绍了不同型号的美军机在研制过程中所建立的强度验证试验金字塔的统计结果，并且从试验层级、对象、目的和类型等四个方面比较了试验内容的数量与经费占比，由此来说明基础层级试验验证工作在强度验证试验金字塔中重要性和经济性。通过对虚拟试验在强度验证工作中的发展趋势、应用和限制的介绍，为顺利完成相关的全尺寸部件和整机的强度验证提供可靠的保障手段。     

波音737—200／300／500飞机尾部结构疲劳裂纹的探伤检查

波音系列飞机一定时间后，飞机尾部结构出现疲劳裂纹，需用涡轮检测法进行损伤检查。     

Assessing the feasibility of involving gaseous products resulting from physicochemical oxidation of human liquid and solid wastes in the cycling of a bio-technical life support system

The study addresses the possible ways of involving gaseous products produced by “wet” incineration of human wastes mixed with H₂O₂ in an alternating electric field in the cycling of the physical model of a bio-technical life support system (BTLSS). The resulting gas mixture contains CO₂ and O₂, which are easily involved in the cycling in the closed ecosystem, and NH₃, which is unacceptable in the atmosphere of the BTLSS. NH₃ fixation has been proposed, which is followed by nitrification and involvement of the resulting products in the mass exchange of the closed system. Experiments have been performed to show that plants can be grown in the atmosphere resulting from the closing of the gas loop that includes a physicochemical installation and a growth chamber with plants representing the phototrophic compartment of the BTLSS. The results of the study suggest the conclusion that the proposed method of organic waste oxidation can be a useful tool in creating a physical model of a closed-loop integrated BTLSS.