Better ways of getting into the space business: microeconomic reform in Australian space affairs

This personal view of trends in global space enterprise suggests that, unless they adapt and re-structure, large-scale national and regional space agencies built on traditional lines may struggle to survive, at least in the developed world. With the growing maturity of speculative private sector space initiatives, the role of traditional space agencies as project managers and mediators between providers and the market may become redundant, while in the absence of a cogent national security argument, public interest in space is no longer to be relied upon to deliver large national space budgets. Australia’s newest space mission, the FedSat scientific microsatellite, was announced at the same time as the former national space program was terminated. This process and its consequences are examined as an instance of microeconomic reform, which seeks to improve productivity and competitiveness by producing a regulatory and infrastructure environment that gives business more flexibility. Historical circumstances unique to Australia may have contributed to this change of direction, but many contributing elements also apply elsewhere. The features of the new approach are identification of public sector space needs; selecting the most suitable team from both public and private sectors to manage the project; and the acceptance of a large proportion of the risk by the proponents.     

Making space law relevant to basic space science in the commercial space age

Space science has been at the heart of humanity's activity in space, a fact reflected in the body of space law set up to regulate such activity. The increase in commercial utilisation of space may threaten the conduct of space science; reform of space law, however, could alleviate this situation. Using the examples of radio and light interference, and space debris, this articles examines ways in which the law could be reformed to improve conditions for scientists. It also discusses the need for, and equitable ways of, prioritising space activities. The forthcoming IHY 2007 should provide an opportunity for scientists to showcase their achievements.     

Criteria for developing and testing Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs) for outer space activities

Space systems play an important role in sustaining the development, prosperity and security of many nations. As more nations become critically reliant on space systems, questions of maintaining safety and strategic stability in outer space have come to the fore. Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs) for outer space activities have an important role to play in providing clarity about the intentions of States and in articulating norms of behaviour in outer space. TCBMs take several forms. They may be the elaboration of basic principles related to the exploration and use of outer space, political measures related to establishing norms of conduct, information-sharing activities to improve the transparency of outer space activities, operational practices which demonstrate a commitment to mutual cooperation in outer space, or consultative mechanisms. We present an analytical framework for evaluating potential TCBMs and illustrate the application of this framework to examples of potential operational, regulatory, treaty-based and declaratory TCBMs.     

Will China become a military space superpower?

China's ambitious space program was born in extremely poor national conditions in 1956. By 15 October 2003, with the successful return of the Shenzhou-4 manned space flight, it had developed dramatically. While this flight is a milestone in China's space capabilities, the Shenzhou-4 mission should be considered not as an end, but as the entry ticket to the space power club of the USA and Russia. China may now be a space power, but it is not yet a military space superpower in the way of the latter two countries. This paper investigates whether China will become a military space superpower by reviewing the development of its space program. It examines Chinese military space capabilities in terms of their military space potential, and discusses the political, military and economic implications of this issue. Finally, the paper suggests that China should continue to take the road to openness, focusing on commercial and economic efforts. This will be an alternative direction in which the country can consider exactly what space capabilities it needs in order to continue its economic development.     

逐步建立亚太空间合作组织框架下的潜在冲突解决机制（英文）

Competition among countries has evolved from just on Earth but into space as space technology and space power is a key attribute in the world today. Today space technology has spread, due to the enormous development, into every sector of life in the Earth for the benefit of mankind. Every country has the ambition to be a part of the space initiative. Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization(APSCO) is an organization that tries to promote space activities through cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. This paper attempts to explore the nature and categories of potential conflict that may arise under the APSCO framework program. Furthermore, it also endeavors to establish an effective and better dispute settlement mechanism under the overall APSCO framework. Finally, this paper introduces the institutional framework and working procedures of the arbitration body for future smooth cooperation and space exploration by APSCO.     

Management of outer space

Outer space, a valuable natural resource, has to be managed in order to improve safety, efficiency and economy of space missions and to protect the space environment for future exploration and use. There are several aspects of the management of outer space, few in a satisfactory state, others receiving little attention from the international community, and still others not yet addressed at all. Some of the tasks following from the above requirements may have to be performed by an international space organization, created, possibly and preferably, within the UN system of organizations.     

Buying Russian technology — pros and cons for the US programme

A marriage between Russian space technology and US space ambitions was unthinkable only a short time ago, but that potential union is now the talk of the town. With the dizzying pace of changes in US-Russian relationships, what is written here in July 1992 may well have changed by the time this article is published. Nevertheless, a glance at what the Russians are selling, what the USA may want to buy and the major policy issues involved is worth a look. Traditional cooperative ventures remain an important part of US-Russian space relations, but are not the focus of this article.     

国外深空探测态势特点与启示（上）

通过对国外主要航天大国在深空探测领域发展过程的梳理,重点分析了各国在无人深空探测技术、载人深空探测技术和地面测控通信技术三个方面的技术发展特点,并从总体角度对其主要技术特征和关键技术进行了深入剖析,从中提炼出对我国深空探测活动的启示,以期对我国深空探测的开展有所借鉴和推动。     

国外深空探测态势特点与启示（下）

通过对国外主要航天大国在深空探测领域发展过程的梳理,重点分析了各国在无人深空探测技术、载人深空探测技术和地面测控通信技术三个方面的技术发展特点,并从总体角度对其主要技术特征和关键技术进行了深入剖析,从中提炼出对我国深空探测活动的启示,以期对我国深空探测的开展有所借鉴和推动。     

U.S. manned space flight: the first twenty years, a biomedical status report.

In the last 20 years, the biomedical problems facing man in space have been brought into sharper focus. Space motion sickness is presently our most serious problem. Its etiology remains obscure, but the "sensory conflict" theory appears most plausible. No valid predictive tests of susceptibility exist and presently we must rely on medication for prevention or mitigation of symptoms. Adaptation/biofeedback techniques may prove useful. Cardiovascular "deconditioning" may be effectively attenuated by use of anti-g suits or plasma expanding techniques. Recent bedrest simulation studies would seem to indicate that concerns about chronically elevated central venous pressure during space flight are unfounded. The loss of red cell mass in space flight appears to be self-limited, independent of mission duration, and not of clinical concern, based on recent Soviet experiences. And finally, clodronate, a new diphosphonate effective in preventing hypercalciuria and negative calcium balance in normal human bedrested subjects, may prove effective in preventing or lessening skeletal mineral loss in space.     

近地轨道飞行器的光辐射背景环境

文章简要介绍了在可见光和红外波段深空和地球高层大气的光辐射源和辐射特性,包括辐射机制和强度、辐射的各向异性等,通过比较表明空间红外波段的背景辐射明显高出可见光波段近1个数量级;分析了在地球大气外进行对地观测时大气辉光辐射的角分布,指出了辐射的临边增亮特性。以上研究对于研制和开发新型航天器、利用太空资源以及未来的深空探测都具有实用价值。     

Exploration for the masses? Or joyrides for the ultra-rich? Prospects for space tourism

A space tourism industry appears to be about to take off. Businesses have announced plans to launch people into suborbital space for $200,000/person, with flights beginning as early as 2008. A brief review of the history of the idea of space tourism over the past four decades—and an awareness that many ventures have quietly shelved their grandiose plans—might aid thinking about the prospects for development of a safe and thriving space tourism industry. Today's space tourism model emphases the concept of luxury, and the lifestyle of hyper-consumption. It may be worth considering whether and how this conception of space tourism might affect the future of space exploration.     

Commercial space and international trade rules: an assessment of the WTO''s influence on the sector

This paper explores how the WTO process may affect the development of commercial space industries in Asia. It does so by examining how the ever greater reach of trade rules may constrain industrial and technology policies aimed at developing an indigenous space capability. The role of the USA is also examined, as it is the US industry that will be among the most affected by increased competition in satellite and launcher services.     

Issues in deep space radiation protection.

The exposures in deep space are largely from the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) for which there is as yet little biological experience. Mounting evidence indicates that conventional linear energy transfer (LET) defined protection quantities (quality factors) may not be appropriate for GCR ions. The available biological data indicates that aluminum alloy structures may generate inherently unhealthy internal spacecraft environments in the thickness range for space applications. Methods for optimization of spacecraft shielding and the associated role of materials selection are discussed. One material which may prove to be an important radiation protection material is hydrogenated carbon nanofibers.     

Man and space – The Isle of Man, the IISC and the new space economy

With the arrival of private entrepreneurs and the appearance of such things as prizes to stimulate space initiatives, the space economy is changing rapidly from its initial government-driven character. A number of countries and territories, such as the Isle of Man, have understood the growing role of this new space economy and are preparing the appropriate boundary conditions to support its further development. This article shows why the Isle of Man may be uniquely placed to take advantage of recent developments in the space economy, thanks to its business-friendly tax and regulatory regime, and discusses the island’s strategy to attract space businesses. The establishment of the International Institute of Space Commerce, a recently formed think-tank, is an integral part of this strategy.     

空间站常用元器件的霉菌敏感性研究

为研究空间站常用元器件的霉菌敏感性,选取空间站常用11大类元器件,针对霉菌对元器件的可能影响进行深入分析。基于空间站特定霉菌环境设计了加速试验方案,研究建立了基于元器件损伤程度的敏感等级分类方法,获取了不同元器件对霉菌的敏感性结果以及对应的敏感部位,为后续空间站用元器件质保工作的完善奠定基础。     

US export controls and Canadian autonomy to collaborate on international space missions

Canada is a space power with unique technical niches that support opportunities for collaboration on space technologies. When U.S.-origin space technologies are involved Canada's ability to collaborate internationally may be conditional on US law and policy. As a result, US export control law can be directly linked to the success or failure of Canadian collaboration. This article examines the strategic impact of U.S. export controls on Canadian autonomy to collaborate on international missions, including multi-use missions. Canadian space export control policy is also examined more broadly with the goal of providing specific policy recommendations that will enhance Canada's future as an international space actor.     

微小碎片对航天器舷窗玻璃损伤状况的跟踪研究

空间微小碎片环境比较复杂,其来源包括人为产生的碎片及微流星体。空间微小碎片不仅速度较高,而且数量庞大。它们频繁撞击航天器外表面,包括舷窗部位,特别是对航天飞机舷窗已造成巨大危害,使长期服役的国际空间站舷窗玻璃存在安全隐患。文章简要介绍了空间微小碎片对航天飞机和空间站舷窗玻璃的损伤状况,以及NASA对此做出的改进措施,这些跟踪研究成果可为我国长寿命、高可靠航天器舷窗结构设计提供参考依据。     

When inspiration fails to inspire: A change of strategy for the US space program

A pressing issue facing the US space program is the projected shortfall in the skilled aerospace workforce, as the number of students in space-related fields wanes. This has prompted many to emphasize the rhetoric of inspiration that prevailed during the Cold War, at the expense of concrete arguments for space that are thought to be lackluster and insufficient. This essay argues that the logic of inspiration fails to consider the changed context and attitudes of this younger public. Instead, such an approach proves counterproductive in attracting generations compelled by a host of ideas, some incompatible with the rhetoric of competition and prestige that prevailed before. Arguments that draw attention to the pragmatic elements of space, and that successfully align space with the notions that make sense now, may in turn prove to be the solution to draw the best and the brightest to the space program.     

Human dimensions in space development

Space exploration is now moving beyond the stage when technical development dominated research. As thinking shifts towards the problems of long-term colonization of the Solar System, the biological and behavioural sciences must make major contributions. This article outlines some of the issues which must be addressed, such as group behaviour and dynamics in space flight, the environment created at space stations and other outposts, recruitment and training of suitable spacefarers, and the planning and governing of space settlements. Ten dimensions of the human aspect of space habitation are described and an indication given of how they may form the basis for a new taxonomy of space planning, operations and management.