A Far Infrared Photometer (FIRP) for the Infrared Telescope in Space (IRTS)

We describe the design and calibration of the Far-Infrared Photometer (FIRP), one of four focal plane instruments on the Infrared Telescope in Space (IRTS). The FIRP will provide absolute photometry in four bands centered at 150, 250, 400, and 700 μm with spectral resolution λ/Δλ ≈ 3 and spatial resolution ΔΘ = 0.5 degrees. High sensitivity is achieved by using bolometric detectors operated at 300 mK in an AC bridge circuit. The closed-cycle ³He refrigerator can be recycled in orbit. A 2 K shutter provides a zero reference for each field of view. More than 10% of the sky will be surveyed during the ≈3 week mission lifetime with a sensitivity of <10⁻¹³ W·cm⁻²·sr⁻¹ per 0.5 degree pixel.     

Adaptation of neuromuscular activation patterns during treadmill walking after long-duration space flight

The precise neuromuscular control needed for optimal locomotion, particularly around heel strike and toe off, is known to he compromised after short duration (8- to 15-day) space flight. We hypothesized here that longer exposure to weightlessness would result in maladaptive neuromuscular activation during postflight treadmill walking. We also hypothesized that space flight would affect the ability of the sensory-motor control system to generate adaptive neuromuscular activation patterns in response to changes in visual target distance during postflight treadmill walking. Seven crewmembers, who completed 3- to 6-month missions, walked on a motorized treadmill while visually fixating on a target placed 30 cm (NEAR) or 2 m (FAR) from the subject's eyes. Electronic foot switch data and surface electromyography were collected from selected muscles of the right lower limb. Results indicate that the phasic features of neuromuscular activation were moderately affected and the relative amplitude of activity in the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris around toe off changed after space flight. Changes also were evident after space flight in how these muscles adapted to the shift in visual target distance.     

Vertical density and temperature structure over Northern Europe

During the Energy Budget Campaign, several profiles of the density and temperature of the upper atmosphere were obtained. The measurements were made using rocket-borne instrumentation launched from ESRANGE, Sweden and Andoya Rocket Range, Norway during November and December, 1980. The techniques included meteorological temperature sondes, passive falling spheres, accelerometer instrumented falling spheres, density gauges, mass spectrometers and infrared emission experiments. The instruments provided data within the altitude range from 20 km to 150 km. The measurements were made during periods which have been grouped into three categories by level of geomagnetic activity. Analysis has been made to compare the results and to examine the oscillations and fluctuations in the vertical profiles for scales ranging between hundreds of meters and tens of kilometers. Most of the features observed fit qualitatively within the range expected for internal gravity waves. The geomagnetic storm conditions may be associated with enhanced wave activity and heating observed in the lower thermosphere.     

The German infrared laboratory (girl) — a progress report

The liquid helium cooled 50 cm-IR-telescope is equipped with a 4-band-camera, a photopolarimeter, a grating spectrometer and a Michelson interferometer. These focal plane instruments allow measurements with high spectral resolution, high sensitivity and diffraction limited spatial resolution in the wavelength region 2.5 … 200 μm. - The “thermal model” phase of the project was successfully completed in 1983. This phase included the development and construction of a full size cryostat, which was thoroughly tested by an experiment simulator. Prototypes of all focal plane instruments have been developed and severral have already been tested under the expected flight conditions. - At present the “flight model” phase to be entered in 1984 is being prepared. The first Spacelab flight of the reusable IR observatory is planned for 1988. It will include measurements in astrophysics, atmospheric science and helium II physics.     

Erythropoietic effects of space flight

Various factors which are important in the regulation of erythropoiesis have been studied in dehydrated mice in the belief that some information would be gained relevant to the erythropoietic effects of space flight. Dehydration reduced the plasma volume and, because changes in red cell volume were minimal, the hematocrit was elevated. Thus a state of relative erythrocytosis was produced. Our understanding of the mechanism whereby these changes decreased red cell production is uncertain and appears to differ somewhat from the erythroid suppression seen following elevation of the hematocrit in animals with an absolute erythrocytosis. It is suggested that factors outside of the normal erythropoietic control pathway (such as energy balance) may play an important role in the decrease in red cell volume seen in man following space flight.     

Variations of mesopause temperatures in Europe

Mesopause temperatures were derived from ground measurements of the near infrared OH1 spectrum. Preliminary data are presented. Seasonal variations at Wuppertal (51° N, 7° E) are well represented if the Cole and Kantor (1978) model [1] is raised by 10 K and shifted by about 18 days. Latitudinal variations from 68° N to 51° N are found much smaller than the model variations. During a stratospheric warming, mesopause and stratosphere temperatures were found to be in anticorrelation only if a substantial longitudinal shift is introduced.     

A novel bolometer for infrared and millimeter-wave astrophysics

We are developing a novel bolometer which uses a fine mesh to absorb radiation. The filling factor of the mesh is small, providing a small heat capacity and a low geometric cross-section to cosmic rays. The mesh is patterned from a free-standing silicon nitride membrane and is thermally isolated by long radial legs of silicon nitride. A thin metallic film evaporated on the mesh absorbs radiation by matching the surface impedance to that of free space. A neutron transmutation doped germanium thermistor attached to the center of the mesh detects the temperature increase from absorbed radiation. The low thermal conductivity and heat capacity of silicon nitride provide improved performance in low background applications. We discuss the theoretical limits of the performance of these devices. We have tested a device at 300 mK with an electricalNEP=4×10^–17 W Hz^–1/2 and a time constant =40 ms.     

The BOOMERANG experiment

The BOOMERANG (Balloon Observations Of Millimetric Extragalactic RAdiation aNd Geophysics) experiment is an international effort to measure the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropy on angular scales of 20 to 4°, with unprecedented sensitivity, sky and spectral coverage. The telescope will be flown from Antarctica by NASA-NSBF with a long duration stratospheric balloon (7–14 days), and is presently scheduled for flight in 1995–1996. The experiment is designed to produce an image of the Cosmic Microwave Background with high sensitivity and large sky coverage. These data will tightly constrain the baryon density, the reionization history, and the formation of large-scale structure in the universe. BOOMERANG will test technologies and return science data that are essential to the design of a future space-borne mission to map CMB anisotropy.     

The Far Infrared Explorer (FIRE)

We describe the Far IR Explorer, a MIDEX-class orbital mission designed to survey the entire sky at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. The primary science goal of FIRE is to map the Cosmic Microwave Background with 20 resolution and 1 ppm precision. In addition, FIRE will measure diffuse radio and infrared emission from the Galaxy with unprecedented sensitivity, and will uniformly survey the entire sky to a limiting flux density of <100 mJy (3 ).     

Development of thermal protective seal for hot structure control surface actuator rod

For the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) the deflection of the highly loaded body flap is performed by an actuator system which is connected to the body flap by a rod. Besides the thermal and mechanical loads the sealing of the inner vehicle against the possible leaking hot plasma is an important issue whereby the special challenge for the design results from the spatial movement of the rod. This requires a design consisting of different parts and various materials in order to satisfy the mechanical flexibility and the resistance to the thermal and mechanical loads under the aspect of reusability. This paper describes the MT Aerospace approach for the thermal protection system for the actuator as presented for the critical design review of IXV. The design is presented and described including all necessary performed analysis steps toward such a design.