A symbiotic approach to SETI observations: use of maps from the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope

High spatial resolution continuum radio maps produced by the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) of The Netherlands at frequencies near the 21 cm HI line have been examined for anomalous sources of emmission coincident with the locations of nearby bright stars. From a total of 542 stellar positions investigated, no candidates for radio stars or ETI signals were discovered to formal limits on the minimum detectable signal ranging from 7.7 x 10(-22) W/m2 to 6.4 x 10(-24) W/m2. This preliminary study has verified that data collected by radio astronomers at large synthesis arrays can profitably be analysed for SETI signals (in a non-interfering manner) provided only that the data are available in the form of a more or less standard two dimensional map format.     

Responsibility,capability, and Active SETI: Policy,law, ethics,and communication with extraterrestrial intelligence

With recently growing interest in the Active Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), in which humankind would send intentional signals to extraterrestrial civilizations, there have been increased concerns about appropriate policy, as well as the role of space law and ethics in guiding such activities. Implicit in these discussions are notions of responsibility and capability that affect judgments about whether humans or other civilizations should initiate transmissions. Existing protocols that guide SETI research address transmissions from Earth, but there is debate over whether these guidelines should inform de novo transmissions as well. Relevant responsibilities to address include (1) looking out for the interests of humankind as a whole, (2) being truthful in interstellar messages, and (3) benefiting extraterrestrial civilizations. Our capabilities as a species and a civilization affect how well we can fulfill responsibilities, as seen when we consider whether we will be able to reach consensus about message contents (and whether that would be desirable), and whether we have the capacity to decode messages from beings that rely on different sensory modalities. The interplay of these responsibilities and capabilities suggests that humankind should place increased emphasis on Active SETI.     

Detection of the Earth with the SETI microwave observing system assumed to be operating out in the galaxy

This paper estimates the maximum range at which radar signals from the Earth could be detected by a search system similar to the NASA Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Microwave Observing Project (SETI MOP) assumed to be operating out in the galaxy. Figures are calculated for the Targeted Search, and for the Sky Survey parts of the MOP, both operating, as currently planned, in the second half of the decade of the 1990s. Only the most powerful terrestrial transmitters are considered, namely, the planetary radar at Arecibo in Puerto Rico, and the ballistic missile early warning systems (BMEWS). In each case the probabilities of detection over the life of the MOP are also calculated. The calculation assumes that we are only in the eavesdropping mode. Transmissions intended to be detected by SETI systems are likely to be much stronger and would of course be found with higher probability to a greater range. Also, it is assumed that the transmitting civilization is at the same level of technological evolution as ours on Earth. This is very improbable. If we were to detect another technological civilization, it would, on statistical grounds, be much older than we are and might well have much more powerful transmitters. Both factors would make detection by the NASA MOP a much more likely outcome.     

A language based on analogy to communicate cultural concepts in SETI

The present paper is a synthesis of three presentation given by myself at the Toulouse IAC 2001 (Analogy as a tool to communicate abstract concepts in SETI), the Bremen IAC 2003 (From maths to culture: towards an effective message), and the Vancouver IAC 2004 (Philosophical and religious implications of extraterrestrial intelligent life). Its aim is to find a way to make our cultural concepts understandable to hypothetical extraterrestrials (ETs) in a SETI communication. First of all, I expose the reasons why I think that analogy could be a good tool for this purpose. Then, I try to show that this is possible only in the context of an integrated language, using both abstract symbols and pictures, also sketching two practical examples about some basic concepts of our moral and religious tradition. Further studies are required to determine whether this method could be extended to the higher-level abstract concepts in the other fields of our culture. Finally, I discuss the possible role of mathematics, logic and natural science in the construction of an analogy-based language for interstellar messages with a cultural content and a possible way of managing this matter from a social point of view.     

The relative stability of belligerent and peaceful societies: implications for SETI

Although initially we will know virtually nothing about any society that our microwave search detects, in all likelihood their society will be far older than ours. It will have evolved mechanisms to ensure longevity. A pessimistic hypothesis would lead us to expect a powerful, aggressive and self-serving society that has vanquished all challengers. If this hypothesis were true, a response by us to their signal could be dangerous. An optimistic hypothesis, that it is the peaceful societies that survive, would lead us to expect a benign or even friendly civilization. If this second hypothesis were true, our response would gratify their scientific curiosity and perhaps lead to a useful exchange of information. Convergent evidence from the quantitative analyses of long-term historical trends and computer modeling support the optimistic hypothesis. Although not conclusive, this analysis suggests that revealing our presence in the Universe is a low risk activity.     

基于地球椭球特性的红外地球敏感器测量值的修正算法

基于地球的椭球特性，讨论了对扫描式红外地球敏感器的测量值进行修正的问题。利用地球椭球的小扁率特性，给出了相应的一阶修正算法。与现有文献中的方法相比，给出的算法计算简单，具有较高的精度，仿真结果表明，对于中、低轨道而言该算法的精度优于0．01°     

Earth observations: the view from the ground

A ground-level view of Earth observations reveals that emerging ground segments are of at least two major categories: those that are satellite-driven and which have top-down organizations and those that are data-driven and organized from the bottom up. Or put differently, the former are generally data users. A ground-level perspective also suggests that continually rising scientific and economic value of data and decreasing national budgets require balancing satellite investment with effective ground segment evolution to provide demonstrable reasons to continue funding both satellites and ground activities.     

一种卫星对地观测需求分析方法

针对卫星对地观测任务需求分析方法研究的复杂性和迫切需要,文章通过把文本化的卫星观测需求编码成数值向量的形式,提出需求之间的相似度度量方法。进而基于无监督学习的相关理论和算法,给出向量化表示的需求聚类算法。同时为了能在二维平面直观展示分析高维需求数据,在引入需求之间距离计算方法的基础上介绍了高维数据的降维算法,并且通过测试数据验证了算法的有效性和可行性。通过把繁杂的需求信息转换成高维空间向量,能大大降低分析人员对领域专业知识的依赖,提升需求分析的效率和科学性。     

多星联合任务规划中的启发式求解方法研究

多譬联合任务规划问题需要考虑卫星侧视、星载存储容量、星上能量、数据传输等多种约束,是一个复杂的组合优化问题.通过对卫星成像约束条件抽象,建立联合规划的数学模型,将问题归约为特殊的多时间窗约束车辆装卸问题,面向应急条件下的应用,结合领域应用特点,提出基于动态装载概率模型和估算总装载量的启发式搜索任务规划算法(HADPPEC),并与实际运行的多星任务规划系统进行了大量实验比较.结果表明本方法比传统方法在运行时间和算法结果卜都更出色.     

全太阳系深空探测轨迹全局优化(英文)

针对太阳系中全部的248997颗行星的探测问题,给出了一种关于探测飞行器的深空探测全局四维轨迹(t,x,y,z)优化方案,即飞行器从地球发射进入太阳系并采用小推力控制,优化方案的性能指标为飞行器与太阳系中全部行星中相遇和交会的星的数量最多并且燃料消耗最少。本方案给出了四维飞行轨迹进行全局优化的一套算法,该算法由搜索算法和四维轨迹优化算法组成。此搜索算法从太阳系的248997颗行星中寻找获得尽可能多的经过近地球3维走廊内的行星;而四维轨迹优化算法由改进的动态规划算法、基于最优控制理论的共轭梯度算法和静态参数优化算法组成,其中静态参数优化算法用于搜索最优发射时间窗口。基于该组合算法,通过长时间的大规模的飞行数字仿真,最终计算出探测器的四维最优飞行轨迹,在一年内路过了太阳系中全部行星中的12颗行星。     

一种卫星成像调度的约束修正方法

约束修正是卫星成像调度的重要组成部分,负责处理成像调度方案的约束满足与优化的问题.为得到优化可行的成像调度方案,针对一类带有卫星存储器和数据下传等约束的卫星成像调度问题,提出一种新的约束修正方法.首先构建时间序有向图模型,将约束修正问题归结为点带约束成本的路径搜索问题,针对该模型提出一种基于标记更新的约束修正算法.通过针对实际问题的实验分析,表明该方法能够在规定的时间内求得问题的最优解,有效的解决了卫星成像调度的约束满足与优化问题.     

The extraterrestrial Earth: Antarctica as analogue for space exploration

The polar regions have often been suggested as surrogates for the exploration and colonization of space. In particular, Antarctica's greater isolation makes it a useful analogue. Its features—abiotic, acultural, alien to human habitation—all echo the regions of interest to contemporary exploration, notably the solar system and the deep oceans. But more than a century of Antarctic experience also suggests that exploration will likely resemble the Renaissance's Great Voyages and their outposts rather than become portals for wholesale colonization. These sites will traffic mostly in information—the spices and luxury goods of interest to their sustaining societies.     

A failure of international space cooperation: the International Earth Observing System

This paper examines the failure of the Earth Observation International Coordination Working Group to implement an International Earth Observation System. Tracing the history of both the Group and the mission concept, it explains the political and organizational failures that took place. It shows that these failures were linked to different approaches to international cooperation in Earth observation data policy. The main points of contention existed between Working Group members, NASA and ESA. NASA favored formal and binding legal arrangements, while ESA preferred to avoid institutionalized legal commitments. Success in coordinating and harmonizing data policy on a multilateral basis for Earth observation missions is more likely to be achieved by pursuing agreement on general principles and terms of reference than by seeking specific legal agreements.     

The Earth Observation Summit: heralding a new era for international cooperation

The world's first political summit on Earth observation was attended by senior policy makers and expert organizations from a range of scientific disciplines. Its aim was to improve global cooperation in Earth observation and increase its use as a decision-making tool for sustainable development and resource conservation. This article presents a brief survey of the progress made in Earth observation since its birth, along with the specific events driving the convening of the summit. The summit produced a declaration outlining four key areas requiring support, and an ad hoc group was established to produce a 10-year plan and drive implementation of policy.     

Astromedicine and astrolaw: Emerging issues for advanced missions beyond Earth orbit

It is generally agreed within the scientific community that provision of appropriate medical facilities and administration of quality health care to astronauts are of great importance. However, for the more complex and remote missions envisaged for the future, issues of liability, responsibility and damage relating to medical practice may take on a greater significance and will need to be addressed. The author briefly reviews potential issues which may arise in the context of medical emergencies, crew autonomy and environmentally altered physiological status which characterize some projected advanced space missions and argues that the law of outer space will need to be expanded to take account of them.     

Innovations in mission architectures for exploration beyond low Earth orbit

Through the application of advanced technologies and mission concepts, architectures for missions beyond Earth orbit have been dramatically simplified. These concepts enable a stepping stone approach to science driven; technology enabled human and robotic exploration. Numbers and masses of vehicles required are greatly reduced, yet the pursuit of a broader range of science objectives is enabled. The scope of human missions considered range from the assembly and maintenance of large aperture telescopes for emplacement at the Sun-Earth libration point L2, to human missions to asteroids, the moon and Mars. The vehicle designs are developed for proof of concept, to validate mission approaches and understand the value of new technologies. The stepping stone approach employs an incremental buildup of capabilities, which allows for future decision points on exploration objectives. It enables testing of technologies to achieve greater reliability and understanding of costs for the next steps in exploration.