The participation of developing countries in space research

The Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (Unispace 82) identified crucial problems and made recommendations on strategies for developing countries to bridge the gap with advanced nations in the area of space technology. This article addresses some issues which, although implicit in the Unispace Report, are not discussed in detail therein. The role of space science and related scientific research is particularly emphasized. Close attention is paid to the role of human factors, such as the motivation to conduct research, the motivation to engage in international cooperation, and the motivation to utilize and exploit space. Possible opportunities for space research for developing countries, as well as relevant issues concerning management of space, are briefly discussed.     

Outer space exploitability: International law and developing nations

This article outlines the principles upon which international space law is based. Space law has been successful so far in benefiting the developing countries without hampering the spacefaring nations. The principal treaty provisions that are of special interest to developing nations are discussed, and issues associated with remote sensing, communications and environmental harms are examined in detail. Since 1967 there has been a sharp change in the focus of legal concern towards ‘taking into account the particular needs of developing countries’, a principle that will be central to arrangements for the equitable sharing of the benefits of exploiting the space environment and its natural resources.     

A framework for evaluating national space activity

Space technology and resources are used around the world to address societal challenges. Space provides valuable satellite services, unique scientific discoveries, surprising technology applications and new economic opportunities. Many developing countries formally recognize the advantages of space resources and pursue national level activity to harness them. There is limited data or documentation on the space activities of developing countries. Meanwhile, traditional approaches to summarize national space activity do not necessarily capture the types of activity that developing countries pursue in space. This is especially true if they do not have a formal national space program or office. Developing countries pursue national space activity through activities of many types—from national satellite programs to commercial use of satellite services to involvement with international space institutions. This research aims to understand and analyze these trends. This paper introduces two analytical frameworks for evaluating space activity at the national level. The frameworks are specifically designed to capture the activity of countries that have traditionally been less involved in space. They take a broad view of space related activity across multiple societal sectors and disciplines. The discussion explains the approach for using the frameworks as well as illustrative examples of how they can be applied as part of a research process. The first framework is called the Mission and Management Ladders. This framework considers specific space projects within countries and ranks them on “Ladders” that measure technical challenge and managerial autonomy. This first method is at a micro level of analysis. The second framework is called the Space Participation Metric (SPM). The SPM can be used to assign a Space Participation score to countries based on their involvement in various space related activities. This second method uses a macro level of analysis. The authors developed both frameworks as part of a long term research program about the space activities of developing countries. This aspect of the research focuses on harnessing multiple techniques to summarize complex, multi-disciplinary information about global space activity.     

临近空间测控系统技术特征分析

临近空间飞行器的兴起对测控与信息传输（以下可简称测控）系统提出了与传统航天、航空     

Technical and legal issues surrounding space debris—India''s position in the UN

This article briefly presents the historical background, as seen by ISRO and India, to the growing problem of space debris. It describes the technical aspects of ISRO's activities in the field of space debris, and the grey areas in technical understanding, which may impede legal discussions. Analysis of the cost and technical aspects of reorbiting satellites from geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) is detailed, since this is an important area for India and other developing countries. The article also briefly describes ISRO's views of the applicability and relevance of the existing space treaties to a possible future legal regime for space debris. Debates are currently taking place in the UN and other multilateral fora on the subject of space debris and the situation is dynamic. The main aim of this article is to inform readers of ISRO's and India's position in the UN on the subject of space debris, in terms of its technical, political and legal aspects. Certain issues of importance from the legal point of view, though not of immediate urgency, are also discussed.     

Progress in basic space science education and research: The UNBSSI

This report describes recent progress in the UN Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI), which aims to facilitate space science education and research, and attendant resources in developing countries. In addition to holding workshops across the developing world, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) successfully implemented the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) as a catalyst for improving understanding of the Sun and of solar-terrestrial physics. Building on this it is now preparing for the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI). Achievements of the former are discussed, as are the goals and anticipated activities of the latter.     

Developing countries, the GEO and the WARC-ORB 85 conference

This article considers the problems to be discussed at the WARC-ORB 85 Conference from the perspective of the developing countries. Two main concerns have been expressed by developing countries: access to the geostationary orbit and the technical and financial burdens imposed by technical standards for satellites and earth stations. It is argued that cooperation in outer space particularly in the field of telecommunications is essential, and that programmes such as the UN technical assistance programmes offer the basis for such cooperation.     

反临近空间高超声速飞行器若干研究进展

为了支撑我国反临近空间高超声速飞行器相关领域的基础研究和工程研制,在分析典型临近空间高超声速目标飞行特性和作战任务剖面的基础上,综述了目标预警探测、轨迹跟踪预测、制导控制方法、拦截攻击策略四个方面的若干研究成果,讨论了每个方面存在的技术难题和可行的解决方案,并建议从天/临/空/地/海体系预警、红外多模复合敏感、可攻击区轨迹预测、直/气复合等先进控制、协同拦截防御等方面给予重点研究。     

近地空间飞艇发展现状与趋势

近地空间飞艇今天不但在军事上得到了应用,就是在民用中也得到各领域的关注。因此,近年来各国竟相发展,使得飞艇在军事上成为近地空间的首选装备。文章针对国外飞艇发展现状与发展趋势进行论述,旨在阐述飞艇在未来军事领域中的应用与地位。     

Space commercialization: Lessons from history

Private enterprise seeks to undertake virtually any activity that is institutionally and technologically feasible and that promises a high return on investment. Commercial activities in space would seem to be no exception. Indeed, it is reasonable to expect that, at some future date, commercial activities in space will overshadow government-sponsored research and military activities combined. But this date remains well into the future, it is highly uncertain, and it depends on government policies. Two major factors inhibiting further space commercialization are the current lack of necessary infrastructure and the lack of viable commercial activities. The necessary infrastructure is developing with the increasing operational status of the Space Shuttle and plans for a space station. It remains, however, to place increasing emphasis on the conduct of research in space to identify valid commercial uses of space.     

卫星空间辐射效应及防护技术飞行试验初步设想

文章分析了国内外卫星空间辐射效应飞行试验的现状和发展趋势,根据我国卫星空间辐射效应及防护技术的具体情况,对卫星空间辐射效应及防护技术空间飞行试验的开展提出了建议。     

Ensuring equal access to the benefits of space technologies for all countries

There is a concern in the developing world that industrialized countries have not done all they might under Article 1 of the Outer Space Treaty to make the benefits of space technology available to all countries; some are now seeking codification of rights and responsibilities in this sphere. This article discusses recent debate on the issues by COPUOS and its Legal Subcommittee on whether an additional legal framework is necessary to ensure a fairer distribution of benefits. G77 countries were strongly in favour of some form of technology and information transfer, while industrialized countries favoured the existing practice of developing international cooperative space projects. The author believes that a new set of principles will be formulated in the next few years and that organizations like Intelsat and Inmarsat can provide valuable models for ensuring access through cooperative programmes.     

可组装轻质空间结构技术研究进展

概述了当前可组装轻质空间结构的构建技术方法,具体包含嵌锁组装、堆叠组装、折叠成型、充气成型和张拉整体成型五种主流技术;以太空建造、月面栖息地和近空间飞行器为典型应用,介绍了现有可组装轻质空间结构技术的航空航天应用。最后,对比分析了各空间结构技术,讨论了现有挑战和技术难点,并对其未来发展方向进行了展望,旨在为今后航空航天任务中所需的轻量化空间结构研究提供参考。     

Stepping stones toward global space exploration

Several nations are currently engaging in or planning for robotic and human space exploration programs that target the Moon, Mars and near-Earth asteroids. These ambitious plans to build new space infrastructures, transport systems and space probes will require international cooperation if they are to be sustainable and affordable. Partnerships must involve not only established space powers, but also emerging space nations and developing countries; the participation of these new space actors will provide a bottom-up support structure that will aid program continuity, generate more active members in the space community, and increase public awareness of space activities in both developed and developing countries. The integration of many stakeholders into a global space exploration program represents a crucial element securing political and programmatic stability. How can the evolving space community learn to cooperate on a truly international level while engaging emerging space nations and developing countries in a meaningful way? We propose a stepping stone approach toward a global space exploration program, featuring three major elements: (1) an international Earth-based field research program preparing for planetary exploration, (2) enhanced exploitation of the International Space Station (ISS) enabling exploration and (3) a worldwide CubeSat program supporting exploration. An international Earth-based field research program can serve as a truly global exploration testbed that allows both established and new space actors to gain valuable experience by working together to prepare for future planetary exploration missions. Securing greater exploitation of the ISS is a logical step during its prolonged lifetime; ISS experiments, partnerships and legal frameworks are valuable foundations for exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Cooperation involving small, low-cost missions could be a major stride toward exciting and meaningful participation from emerging space nations and developing countries. For each of these three proposed stepping stones, recommendations for coordination mechanisms are presented.     

空间环境对航天器热设计影响分析

空间环境对航天器热设计技术、热控材料的选择、热设计的试验验证等都带来了重要的影响,在满足总体要求的情况下,必须考虑空间环境的影响因素。同时,发展对空间环境有较强适应能力的设计技术和热控材料的研究是今后需要认真考虑的问题。     

在轨服务中空间系绳的应用及发展

针对空间系绳在空间在轨服务中的应用与发展问题,在简述空间系绳传统应用及试验情况的基础上,综述了空间绳系机器人、空间绳网机器人两类新在轨应用方式的研究和发展,主要包括动力学建模、结构设计、相对状态测量、逼近/抓捕控制、拖曳变轨等。最后进一步讨论了空间系绳未来的研究方向。     

国外空间反射镜材料及应用分析

空间反射镜材料的选取与反射镜镜坯加工工艺直接影响光学遥感卫星的戍像能力。提高空间相机分辨率的直接途径是增大光学系统的口径,因此大口径空间反射镜的材料技术和镜坯加工技术受到了高度关注。在未来相当长的时间内,相关技术都是研究热点。文章重点研究了常用空间反射镜材料的特性,这些材料包括美国康宁公司的超低膨胀玻璃、德国肖特集团的微晶玻璃、碳化硅和碳化硅复合材料,并对熔接法、浇铸法、烧结法等常用的大口径反射镜镜坯加工方法进行了研究,调研了各类材料的实际在轨应用情况。最后根据上述材料的热膨胀系数和反射镜结构强度等特征,分析总结了这些材料的适用范围。     

Developing countries and space: From awareness to participation

As space commercialization is becoming a reality, and with the growing tendency for such activity to be transferred to the private sector, it is time for developing countries to assume a role in space. Space law could be of help if the interpretation of terms such as ‘common heritage’ were agreed on and sensible rules for the regulation of competition in space elaborated. But it is up to the developing states themselves to become aware of the situation, educate their public and train their personnel through participation in cooperative space ventures with the developed world.     

空间太阳能发电系统及其关键材料

考虑到未来世界能源的发展,文章综述了空间太阳能发电系统国内外研究和发展现状,包括空间太阳能发电系统的结构演化以及世界各国相关项目的实施和进展,重点讨论了空间太阳能发电系统相关材料技术的发展。针对目前我国在航天和新材料领域的基础,提出了我国发展空间太阳能发电系统的建议。     

空间机械臂技术及发展建议

空间机械臂是一个机、电、热、控一体化的高集成度的空间机电系统。文章概述了国内外该技术的发展情况;论述了空间机械臂在目标监视与观测、在轨试验和建设、行星与深空探测三个方面的任务;讨论了系统构成与功能。结合工程应用,提出了空间生存与性能保持、空间驱动与伺服、空间建标与测量、天地协同控制与示教、地面仿真训练与环境模拟五项关键技术。文章还对我国在该技术领域的发展思路提出了建议,并展望了我国空间机械臂技术的发展前景。