Bone mineral measurement: Skylab experiment M-078

The observation that bone mineral is lost in patients who are either immobilized or remain in bed for extended periods of time formed the basis for the concern that large amounts of bone mineral may be lost during long periods of weightlessness. This concern was magnified when early X-ray densitometry studies suggested that rather large amounts of mineral could be lost during rather short periods of weightlessness (4-14 days). Even though these Gemini results have recently been modified, they still reflect substantial losses in the upper extremity. This led to a series of prolonged bed-rest studies (30-36 weeks) which, in addition to careful calcium balance, also employed a newer, more precise method of estimating bone mineral in the radius, ulna, and os calcis. It employed an essentially monoenergetic photon source (125I) and a scintillation detector operating in a rectilinear scanning mode to measure bone mineral by the absorptiometric technique. Bed-rest studies revealed variable mineral losses but suggested that little if any is lost during 4-6 weeks, with variable amounts being lost in 8 weeks. Losses up to 40% were noted in the os calcis after 9 months, with essentially none in the radius and ulna. When this technique was employed during the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 missions, only one crewman (CMP Apollo 15) showed significant losses in the os calcis and none in the radius or ulna. These results were, therefore, in concert with the bed-rest data but at variance with the earlier Gemini data. The variability observed during bed rest was reconciled when it was observed that the rate of loss could be correlated with the initial 24-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion and the initial os calcis mineral content. Prediction terms were established. Measurements of the SL-II crew after 28 days of weightlessness revealed no significant bone mineral losses. The Skylab data lie within the predicted limits obtained from the bed-rest data. The relevance of the prediction terms to the Skylab and longer missions discussed.     

Skylab experiment M-092: results of the first manned mission

Blood pressure at 30-sec intervals, heart rate, and percentage increase in leg volume continuously were recorded during a 25-min protocol in the M092 Inflight Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) experiment carried out in the first manned Skylab mission. These data were collected during six tests on each crewman over a 5-month preflight period. The protocol consisted of a 5-min resting control period, 1 min at -8, 1 min at -16, 3 min at -30, 5 min at -40, and 5 min at -50 mm Hg LBNP. A 5-min recovery period followed. Inflight tests were performed at approximately 3-day intervals through the 28-day mission. Individual variations in cardiovascular responses to LBNP during the preflight period continued to be demonstrated in the inflight tests. Measurements of the calf indicated that a large volume of fluid was shifted out of the legs early in the flight and that a slower decrease in leg volume, presumably due to loss of muscle tissue, continued throughout the flight. Resting heart rates tended to be low early in the flight and to increase slightly as the flight progressed. Resting blood pressure varied but usually was characterized by slightly elevated systolic blood pressure, lower diastolic pressure, and higher pulse pressures than during preflight examinations. During LBNP inflight a much greater increase in leg volume occurred than in preflight tests. Large increases occurred even at the smallest levels of negative pressure, suggesting that the veins of the legs were relatively empty at the beginning of the LBNP. The greater volume of blood pooled in the legs was associated with greater increases of heart rate and diastolic pressure and larger falls of systolic and pulse pressure than seen in preflight tests. The LBNP protocol represented a greater stress inflight, and on three occasions it was necessary to stop the test early because of impending syncopal reactions. LBNP responses inflight appeared to predict the degree of postflight orthostatic intolerance. Postflight responses to LBNP during the first 48 hours were characterized by marked elevations of heart rate and instability of blood pressure. In addition, systolic and diastolic pressures were typically elevated considerably both at rest and also during stress. The time required for cardiovascular responses to return to preflight levels was much slower than in the case of Apollo crewmen.     

Skylab experiment M-171 "Metabolic Activity"--results of the first manned mission

The experiment was performed to ascertain whether man's ability to perform mechanical work would be altered as a result of exposure to the weightless environment. Skylab II crewmen were exercised on a bicycle ergometer at loads approximating 25%, 50%, and 75% of their maximum oxygen uptake while their physiological responses were monitored. The results of these tests indicate that the crewmen had no significant decrement in their response to exercise during their exposure to zero gravity. Immediately postflight, however, all crewmen demonstrated an inability to perform the programmed exercise with the same metabolic effectiveness as they did both preflight and inflight. The most significant changes were elevated heart rates for the same work load and oxygen consumption (decreased oxygen pulse), decreased stroke volume, and decreased cardiac output at the same oxygen consumption level. It is apparent that the changes occurred inflight, but did not manifest themselves until the crewmen attempted to readapt to the 1-G environment.     

The Skylab sleep monitoring experiment: methodology and initial results

The sleep monitoring experiment permitted an objective evaluation of sleep characteristics during the first two manned Skylab flights. Hardware located onboard the spacecraft accomplished data acquisition, analysis, and preservation, thereby permitting near-real-time evaluation of sleep during the flights and more detailed postmission analysis. The crewman studied during the 28-Day Mission showed some decrease in total sleep time an increase in the percentage of Stage 4 sleep, while the subject in the 59-Day Mission exhibited little change in total sleep time and a small decrease in Stage 4 and REM sleep. Some disruption of sleep characteristics was seen in the final days of both missions, and both subjects exhibited decreases in REM-onset latency in the immediate postflight period. The relatively minor changes seen were not of the type nor magnitude which might be expected to be associated with significant degradation of performance capability.     

Mineral and nitrogen balance study: results of metabolic observations on Skylab II 28-day orbital mission

Prediction that the various stresses of flight, particularly weightlessness, would bring about significant derangements in the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system has been based on various observations of long-term immobilized or inactive bed rest. The only attempt at controlled measurement of metabolic changes in space prior to Skylab, a study during the 14-day Gemini VII flight, revealed rather modest losses of important elements. The three astronauts of Skylab II consumed a planned day-by-day, quite constant, dietary intake of major metabolic elements in mixed foods and beverages and provided virtually complete collections of excreta for 31 days preflight, during the 28 days inflight, and for 17 days postflight. Analyses showed that, in varying degree among the crewmen, urinary calcium increased gradually during flight in a pattern similar to that observed in bed-rest studies: the mean plateau peak of urinary calcium excretion in the latter part of flight was double preflight levels. Fecal calcium excretion did not change significantly, but calcium balance, owing to the urinary calcium rise, became either negative or less positive than in preflight measurement. Increased excretion and negative balance of nitrogen and phosphorus indicated appreciable loss of muscle tissue in all three crewmen. Significant losses also occurred inflight in potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Based on the similarity in pattern and degree between these observations and those in bed rest of the losses in calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, musculoskeletal integrity would not be threatened in space flights of up to at least 3 months. However, if similar changes occur, indicative of continuing losses of these elements, in the planned Skylab flights for considerably more than 28 days, concern for capable musculoskeletal function should be serious for flights of very many months' duration, and greater research attention will need to be given to development of protective counter-measures.     

Propagation experiment with Japanese satellite,ETS-II (KIKU-2)

The first Japanese geostationary satellite, Engineering Test Satellite Type II [Kiku-2], has been successfully placed at 130°E at the beginning of March 1977.Using beacon transmitters at three coherent frequencies of 1.7, 11.5 and 34.5 GHz which are installed in ETS-II, the Radio Research Laboratories (RRL) of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MOPT) conduct propagation experiments to obtain preliminary information for the Experimental Communication Satellite (ECS) experiment.The experimental system for propagation experiment with ETS-II is composed of a main receiving station, a rain radar, a radio-meter, meteorological instruments and data handling computers.The receiving data, including signal levels of co- and cross-polarization in these frequencies and phase differences between each of these frequencies and polarization, are sampled every 200 msec.The satellite-to-Earth propagation experiment at the highest frequency has been satisfactorily started on 11 March 1977.     

二(2,2-二硝基丙基)硝胺的合成及热性能

以2,2-二硝基丙醇为原料,经缩合、硝化反应合成了二(2,2-二硝基丙基)硝胺(BDNPN)。用红外光谱、核磁共振、元素分析对中间体及目标化合物的结构进行了表征。优化了反应条件,硝化反应的最佳条件为nBDNPA:nHNO3=1∶30,反应温度为50℃,反应时间为1 h,收率92.1%。用DSC和TG-DTG考察了目标化合物的热性能。结果表明,BDNPN的热分解峰温为212.3℃,具有较好的热稳定性。     

Uncontrolled motion of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Foton M-2</Emphasis> satellite and quasistatic microaccelerations on its board

The results of determining the uncontrolled rotational motion of the Foton M-2 satellite (in orbit from May 31 to June 16, 2005) are presented. The determination was made using the data of onboard measurements of the Earth’s magnetic field strength. Segments 270 min long (three orbits) were selected from these data covering the first two thirds of the flight. On each such segment the data were processed jointly by the least squares method using integration of the equations of attitude motion of the satellite. In processing, the initial conditions of motion and parameters of the used mathematical model were estimated. The thus obtained results gave a complete overview of the satellite motion. This motion, having started with a small angular velocity, gradually accelerated, and in two days became close to the regular Euler precession of an axisymmetric solid body. On June 09, 2005 (the last day of measurements) the angular velocity of the satellite relative to its lengthwise axis was about 1.1 deg/s, while the projection of the angular velocity onto a plane perpendicular to this axis had an absolute value of about 0.11 deg/s. Deviations of the lengthwise axis from a normal to the orbit plane did not exceed 60°. Based on the results of determination of the rotational motion of the satellite, calculations of quasi-static microaccelerations on its board are performed.     

The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) experiment for NASA's 2009 Mars Science Laboratory

We present a summary of the physical principles and design of the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument onboard NASA's 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The DAN instrument will use the method of neutron-neutron activation analysis in a space application to study the abundance and depth distribution of water in the martian subsurface along the path of the MSL rover.     

热防护系统多层隔热结构传热分析及性能研究

由外部高温合金壳板及内部多层隔热结构组成的金属热防护系统被认为将在未来重复使用运载器上大面积采用。分析了多层隔热结构内导热与辐射的复合换热问题。采用二热流近似方法分析了纤维席内的辐射热流。分析了多孔介质纤维席内气体、固体有效导热系数。并应用有限差分法建立了多层隔热结构瞬态传热数值分析模型。反射屏层数、发射率及纤维席厚度、密度是多层隔热结构重要的设计参数。详细的分析了这些参数对多层隔热结构隔热性能的影响，总结了提高多层隔热结构隔热性能的方法。     

GPS C／A码与P（Y）码抗干扰性能分析

讨论C/A码与P(Y)码重复周期的不同对各自抗干扰性能的影响。探讨涉及P(Y)码接收机抗干扰性能的认定问题。分析表明:多数情况下P(Y)码接收机具有比C/A码接收机远高出10dB的抗干扰性能;转发式干扰对P(Y)码接收机很难达到欺骗效果。     

Engineering aspect of the microwave ionosphere nonlinear interaction experiment (MINIX) with a sounding rocket

The Microwave Ionosphere Nonlinear Interaction Experiment (MINIX) is a sounding rocket experiment to study possible effects of strong microwave fields in case it is used for energy transmission from the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) upon the Earth's atmosphere. Its secondary objective is to develop high power microwave technology for space use. Two rocket-borne magnetrons were used to emit 2.45 GHz microwave in order to make a simulated condition of power transmission from an SPS to a ground station. Sounding of the environment radiated by microwave was conducted by the diagnostic package onboard the daughter unit which was separated slowly from the mother unit. The main design drivers of this experiment were to build such high power equipments in a standard type of sounding rocket, to keep the cost within the budget and to perform a series of experiments without complete loss of the mission. The key technology for this experiment is a rocket-borne magnetron and high voltage converter. Location of position of the daughter unit relative to the mother unit was a difficult requirement for a spin-stabilized rocket. These problems were solved by application of such a low cost commercial products as a magnetron for microwave oven and a video tape recorder and camera.     

Design, performance, and experiment capabilities of the AGHF: ESA''s advanced gradient furnace for spacelab

AGHF is a Bridgman Furnace Facility for directional solidification experiments in microgravity environment with very well controlled heater temperatures up to 1400°C. A laboratory model and an engineering model exist, the flight model will be built at the end of 1991. The furnace uses heater elements made of W-Re wire wound on a solid TZM heat diffuser, diffuser temperature control by Pt/PtRh thermocouples to ±0.2 K, and a water cooled cooling zone regulated by a thermostatic valve to ±0.3 K. AGHF experiments use front loaded cartridges, which can use conductive coupling to the cooling zone by a liquid metal ring or radiative cooling. The laboratory model furnace, mounted in a dedicated vacuum chamber with peripherals controlled by a commercial computer, was intensively tested up to 1400°C, as specified for the AGHF by ESA, and at 1500°C in a life test under a technology development programme of ESA. Notable laboratory model results are gradients of 95 K/cm in solid Ni of 18 mm dia, with conductive cooling zone coupling by liquid metal, and 70 K/cm with radiative cooling in ZrO₂. EM test are not yet complete, but first tests indicate similar or better results, especially of gradient constancy vs pulling stroke over 140 mm. The first heater model sustained 400 h at 1000°C, 800 h at 1300°C, and 400 h at 1500°C.     

镍基单晶冷却叶片高温持久性的理论与试验研究

采用含有0~4排气膜孔的薄壁平板试样模拟镍基单晶冷却叶片,研究了气膜孔排布对镍基单晶冷却叶片高温持久性的影响,并基于晶体塑性理论建立单晶材料蠕变数值计算模型,将其编入Abaqus用户子程序中,对不同气膜孔排布的薄壁平板试件进行有限元分析。试验结果表明,在气膜孔数相同的情况下,随着气膜孔排数的逐渐增多,冷却叶片高温持久寿命不断降低,且下降趋势逐渐加剧。文中提出了基于有限元数据的高温持久寿命预测幂函数模型,在对应孔排布、应力、温度条件下,其相对误差均小于3%,有限元分析得到的应力场分布结果与试样的断口形貌相吻合。     

Investigation of the motion of (99942) apophis asteroid using the SKIF cyberia multiprocessor computing system

We present the results of investigation of the dynamics of (99942) Apophis asteroid, which will undergo a very close encounter with the Earth on April 13, 2029. The region of possible motions of the asteroid is considered on the time interval (2004, 2040). In addition, it is shown that an increase of the observational interval (2004, 2006) until 2008 allowed us to reduce significantly the area of possible motions. All investigations were performed by numerical methods with the help of algorithms and software developed by us in the environment of parallel programming using the SKIF Cyberia multiprocessor computer of the Tomsk State University.     

热处理对PBO纤维分子链结构和性能的影响

利用红外光谱分析(FTIR)、示差扫描量热法(DSC)和磷含量分析方法研究了热处理对PBO纤维结构和性能的影响。结果表明,热处理使PBO纤维分子链中聚合后期少量的未关环反应趋向完全,使得PBO分子的共轭链长增加,弱键消失,提高了PBO纤维的力学性能;提高了分子链与链之间排列的有序性,使链与链之间堆砌更加紧密,使得热处理后的纤维较难溶于MSA中;热处理使PBO纤维表面化学组成发生变化,并使其表面粗糙化,能改善其表面润湿性能;热处理对纤维强度影响甚微,提高热处理温度、延长热处理时间和增大热处理张力,能提高PBO纤维的模量。     

Evolution of asteroid orbits at the 3 : 1 their mean motion resonance with Jupiter (planar problem)

The 3 : 1 mean motion resonance is studied in the planar elliptic restricted three-body problem (Sun-Jupiter-asteroid). Using double numerical averaging, the equations are constructed that describe the secular evolution of eccentricity and perihelion longitude of the asteroid orbit. The region of adiabatic chaos is isolated in the phase space of the system under study.     

潜入式喷管背区空腔对压强振荡及旋涡运动影响的实验研究

通过转角涡脱落二维缩比实验器的冷流实验,验证了声-涡耦合机理,即当转角涡脱落频率与声腔固有频率接近时将引起压强振荡,并通过改变潜入式喷管背区空腔体积,研究了空腔体积大小对压强振荡以及旋涡运动的影响。实验结果表明,实验器中压强振荡的振幅随着潜入式喷管背区空腔体积的减小而降低,当背区空腔体积为0时,压强振荡消失。通过高速流场显示技术,获得了不同背区空腔体积时的旋涡运动情况。分析表明,随着空腔体积的逐渐减小,旋涡脱落变得杂乱而没有规则,无法与实验器声腔耦合,从而不能产生压强振荡。     

On the conditions of gas inclusions formation in melts under zero gravity state (after “Pirin” experiment)

Thermodynamics relations have been considered under which gas inclusions may form in melts (closed systems), due to both volatility of components and the presence of dissolved gases. It has been shown that in the melts with sufficient volatility of components, gas inclusions may form under equilibrium conditions if the ampoule is wetted well by the melt, whereas in case of low wettability they form under non-equilibrium state only. The foaming in the tellurium-selenium system has been analysed (“Pirin”, KP-4 experiment).In the melts containing dissolved gases, gas inclusions form under conditions of deviation from equilibrium and it is the main mechanism of outgassing. It has been demonstrated that the melt foaming method using hydrid compounds may be applied to the materials exhibiting a hysteresis of temperature dependence of diluted hydrogen concentration. Production of foam aluminium under zero gravity state has been considered as an example (“Pirin”, SP-3 experiment).     

Mg粉/CO2点火燃烧性能实验研究

利用自行设计的点火实验装置对Mg粉/CO2的点火燃烧性能开展了实验研究.通过记录的实验现象验证了Mg 粉/CO2组合作为推进剂的可行性的同时,由测量到的不同粒径的Mg粉在CO2中的点火温度,对点火燃烧性能作出详细的分析和评估,得到了中等粒径的Mg粒子在CO2中的点火温度约为960 K,且随着粒径的增大,点火温度会逐渐升...