月球勘测者"月球勘测轨道器"

美国计划在未来十年内重返月球,向月球发射机器人月球登陆器,并再次实现载人登月.为了给这一宏伟计划做准备,NASA将在2008年十月发射"月球勘测轨道器"(LRO).     

实现机队的最大价值

KealizingtheGreatestValuefromYourFleet编者按：经营性租赁对于中国航空界来说已不是什么新概念，中国南方航空公司就曾在国内率先采用经营性租赁并收到了良好的效果。但是，与传统的购买飞机的航空公司运营方式相比，经营性租赁所占的比例仍较低。本文从经济学的角度详细论述了这种租赁方式的优点，它能令航空公司拥有一文灵活的机队，而无需占用过多的资金，应该说这对于那些新成立的航空公司，或急于占领市场的承运人来说无疑具有十分重要的意义。目前，在经历了1998年亚洲金融危机后，亚太地区，尤其是中国的航空公司普遍面临着效益…     

A quarantine protocol for analysis of returned extraterrestrial samples

A quarantine protocol is presented for analysis of samples of extraterrestrial material that might be returned from space to an Earth-orbiting quarantine facility. The protocol is designed to detect biologically active agents in extraterrestrial soil. Its goal is either to certify the sample safe to return to a terrestrial containment facility where extensive biological, chemical, geological and physical investigations can be conducted, or to detect “biological effects” thus dictating second order testing. The protocol requires 46 grams of a one kilogram returned sample plus 54 grams to be reserved for second order testing should that become necessary. The protocol operates at two levels. First, it seeks to detect the presence of any replicating organisms or toxic substances using chemical analyses, microscopy, metabolic tests, and microbiological culturing techniques. The second level involves hazard evaluation by adding any agents found at the first level (or the extraterrestrial soil) to challenge cultures of terrestrial species. The specific types of experiments and the means of executing them were chosen by participants in an American Society for Engineering Education Summer Systems Design Group to provide maximum life detection sensitivity, yet are compatible with a small crew operating behind biological barriers in a condition of weightlessness.     

The Antaeus project: An orbital quarantine facility for analysis of planetary return samples

A systems design study group jointly sponsored by the American Society for Engineering Education, Stanford University and NASA's Ames Research Center, was requested to develop a design for an orbiting quarantine facility. The proposed facility is constructed of Spacelab shells formed into five modules of different sizes, each compatible with missions of other objectives. Once placed in a low Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle, each component is linked via the international docking system. Radiating from the docking module are a replaceable logistics module which stores a thirty day supply of consumables and waste, a module providing living quarters for five crew members, a power system module, and a quarantine testing laboratory. Within the laboratory module is a primary barrier system of sealed cabinets in which the sample is assessed for life forms. These chambers isolate the sample from terrestrial contamination and protect the researchers. A combination of procedures and mechanisms separates the laboratory module from the remainder of the facility and provides a secondary barrier. The conditions of space provide a tertiary barrier protecting the Earth's biosphere.