Asymmetries in Mars' Exosphere

Observations and simulations show that Mars' atmosphere has large seasonal variations. Total atmospheric density can have an order of magnitude latitudinal variation at exobase heights. By numerical simulations we show that these latitude variations in exobase parameters induce asymmetries in the hydrogen exosphere that propagate to large distances from the planet. We show that these asymmetries in the exosphere produce asymmetries in the fluxes of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) and soft X-rays produced by charge exchange between the solar wind and exospheric hydrogen. This could be an explanation for asymmetries that have been observed in ENA and X-ray fluxes at Mars.     

Late Stages of Stellar Evolution

A large fraction of ISO observing time was used to study the late stages of stellar evolution. Many molecular and solid state features, including crystalline silicates and the rotational lines of water vapour, were detected for the first time in the spectra of (post-)Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. Their analysis has greatly improved our knowledge of stellar atmospheres and circumstellar environments. A surprising number of objects, particularly young planetary nebulae with Wolf-Rayet (WR) central stars, were found to exhibit emission features in their ISO spectra that are characteristic of both oxygen-rich and carbon-rich dust species, while far-IR observations of the PDR around NGC 7027 led to the first detections of the rotational line spectra of CH and CH⁺. Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), and with the participation of ISAS and NASA.     

High energy-density propulsion—reducing the risk to humans in planetary exploration

The potential benefits to humankind of space exploration are tremendous. Space is not only the final frontier but is also the next marketplace. The orbital space above Earth offers tremendous opportunities for both strategic assets and commercial development. The critical obstacle retarding the use of the space around the Earth is the lack of low cost access to orbit. Further out, the next giant leap for mankind will be the human exploration of Mars. Almost certainly within the next 30 years, a human crew will brave the isolation, the radiation, and the lack of gravity to walk on and explore the Red planet. Both of these missions will change the outlook and perspective of every human being on the planet. However, these missions are expensive and extremely difficult. Chemical propulsion has demonstrated an inability to achieve orbit cheaply and is a very high-risk option to accomplish the Mars mission. An alternative solution is to develop a high performance propulsion system. Nuclear propulsion has the potential to be such a system. The question will be whether humanity is willing to take on the challenge.     

风量与风机的安全运行

本文阐明了离心式通风机在通风除尘(或排毒净化)系统中的作用,以及离心式通风机产生风压.风量的工作工程,从而引出风机的性能参数风量L、风压P、功率N、效率η等.文章突出地论述了风量对风压、功率、效率的影响;详尽地分析了离心式通风机的性能曲线,特别是N—L曲线;根据性能曲线分析得知,风量L为零(L=0)时,风消耗的功率N最小.从而得出结论;系统中的离心式通风机必须是在关闭状态下启动,以确保通风机的安全运行.     

Global Response of Martian Plasma Environment to an Interplanetary Structure: From Ena and Plasma Observations at Mars

As a part of the global plasma environment study of Mars and its response to the solar wind, we have analyzed a peculiar case of the subsolar energetic neutral atom (ENA) jet observed on June 7, 2004 by the Neutral Particle Detector (NPD) on board the Mars Express satellite. The “subsolar ENA jet” is generated by the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian exosphere, and is one of the most intense sources of ENA flux observed in the vicinity of Mars. On June 7, 2004 (orbit 485 of Mars Express), the NPD observed a very intense subsolar ENA jet, which then abruptly decreased within ∼10 sec followed by quasi-periodic (∼1 min) flux variations. Simultaneously, the plasma sensors detected a solar wind structure, which was most likely an interplanetary shock surface. The abrupt decrease of the ENA flux and the quasi-periodic flux variations can be understood in the framework of the global response of the Martian plasma obstacle to the interplanetary shock. The generation region of the subsolar ENA jet was pushed towards the planet by the interplanetary shock; and therefore, Mars Express went out of the ENA jet region. Associated global vibrations of the Martian plasma obstacle may have been the cause of the quasi-periodic flux variations of the ENA flux at the spacecraft location.     

论航天火星探测

回顾了 2 0世纪航天火星探测的历史和成就 ,论述了火星探测器飞行轨道的特点 ,展望了 2 1世纪初期航天火星探测的前景     

开发月球车用的月表环境的地面模拟方法研究

当前中国正在进行自己的探月工程,预计将会发射月球车登陆月球表面.在研制月球探测器过程中,为了在地面验证月球车的可靠性和各项功能(如着陆冲击、自主巡航和遥控),必须建立相应的地面试验中心.根据目前对月球表面环境的认识和现有的仿真技术,文章提出了实现月表综合环境模拟的试验设施的设想.由于月球表面环境非常恶劣并且月表的地形也非常复杂,文章提出了一种组合式月表环境模拟器的设想.主要部分是模拟各种月貌特征(如陨石坑、斜坡、沟壑等)的可移动单元.每个单元是一个用模拟月壤制作的小沙盘,其化学成分、组成颗粒分布和力学性能和已经获取的真实月壤样品相似.根据不同的试验要求,选择相应的单元按照一定的规律组合成为试验场.这样在有限的场地面积内可以按需实现对月表不同地域的地貌特征模拟.同时,可以选择少量单元的组合构成更小规模的试验场,以方便与其它环境模拟器(如落塔,热/真空容器等)联合,实现模拟月表的综合环境.     

火星探测用降落伞研制试验简介

文章主要介绍了美国火星探测用降落伞研制过程以及在研制过程中的一些主要试验，并同时指出了试验中的一些特点。     

火星探测着陆系统开伞控制方法研究

文章通过对火星探测进入轨道的分析，提出了一种以动压为控制目标的开伞控制方法，并借鉴过载-时间控制法的相关思想，结合火星探测进入轨道的特点，研究了该开伞控制法的原理和实现方法。根据火星探路者的实际进入条件，采用该方法的分析结果与实际飞行中的开伞情况基本吻合。