Transfer of space science and technology: A third world point of view

In contrast to the more common discussions on the how, where and when of transfer of space science and technology, we open a general discussion on the consequences of the space era in the developing countries and draw attention to the fact that space science and technology create a scientific and economic dependence on the industrially developed countries. Recommendations are made to render the space programs more beneficial to the Third World. These include : formation of local groups of high level space scientists and experts; instead of sophisticated transferred technology the use of space technologies appropriate to local economic and social status; services to the poorest fraction of the population and educational programs that protect the indigenous cultures.     

A distant look at the cryosphere

Ninety nine per cent of all the fresh water on the surface of the Earth is in the form of ice. Observations from space have revealed more about the ice than about most other parts of the environment because at the dawn of the satellite era, less was known about it. The cryosphere includes all forms of naturally occurring ice but here we review what space science has done for knowledge of glaciers and ice sheets. Whereas in global terms the cryosphere exists as a response to climate, over large areas it controls climate. While imaging spacecraft systems have proved easiest to interpret, microwave sensors with poor spatial resolution are able to distinguish transient and stable surface features that are invisible to the eye. Imaging radars quite effectively describe sea ice, but precision altimetry is the only practicable method for monitoring changes in the total mass of ice on land.     

A preliminary look at the dust in comet Halley

Highlights of infrared observations of the dust are discussed and compared with first results from the space probes. An emission feature was detected at 3.4 μm; the 10 and 20 μm silicate features were well-observed; and far-infrared data out to 160 μm were obtained. Organic material seems to be abundant in grains and may explain the 3.4 μm emission. Calculations are presented for one example of organic material. A component of the grains may volatize at temperatures around 300 K.     

Establishing satellite data bases in developing countries: A critical view

Remote sensing is a data gathering and analysis technique that offers the possibility of natural resource evaluation. Countries that have not yet evaluated their main resources owing to the lack of basic knoweldge of their territory, are attracted by the idea of rapidly creating data banks through the use of remote sensing. While such a technique offers advantages over traditional means of data acquisition, it requires special systems and methods of analysis that are not particularly easy to assimilate. The building of data bases is taken here as the framework for analyzing some problems confronted by developing countries when trying to incorporate the techniques of teledetection.     

Experiences of the GDR in space sciences and technology

Following a historical review of the first activities of GDR scientists in the fields of space research, especially on astronomical and geodetical satellite-observations and in atmospheric and magnetospheric research, the growing scientific and increasingly efficient technological and economic benefits of the cooperation of the Academy of sciences and other scientific and technological institutions of the GDR within the Intercosmos-programme are described. Especially, the experiences in connection with remote sensing, of the cooperation with countries as Cuba and the Peoples Republic of Vietnam and of the common USSR - GDR manned spaceflight are discussed under the viewpoint of the mutual interests of developing and developed countries in the fields of space science and technology.     

Establishing space industry in developing countries: Opportunities and difficulties

Although it is generally agreed that the outer space should be used for the benefit of all mankind, only a fraction of the countries have the necessary technological base for accessing space. Space technology, with its implications on science, economy and well-being of citizens, is mostly chosen as one of the priority areas for technological development by developing countries. However, there is already an over-capacity in global space industry and there are doubts on necessity of additional capacity establishment by developing countries. In this study, the importance and benefits of capacity-building in these countries are emphasized and the advantages and disadvantages that developing countries have in the framework of space technology acquisition are briefly presented. The feasibility of certain levels of space technology is discussed and the necessity of combining existing indigenous capabilities with technology obtained from foreign sources in the optimal way is stressed. We have also mentioned various general mechanisms of technology transfer and argued the importance of licensing in catching-up developed countries. After considering the necessary conditions of efficiency of technology, such as establishment of regional centers of space science and technology education by United Nations, joint development of space systems, complete technology transfer packages, cooperative space projects within regional organizations, coordinated constellations and special agreements with large space agencies, which are specific mechanisms already in use, are reviewed. Some typical examples of mechanisms are also given with special emphasize on small satellite technology that makes access to space affordable for many countries. Through sharing and analyzing the experience of developing countries in their odyssey of space capacity-building, the difficulties can be negotiated and the vicious circles can be broken. This study, in our view, is a step to incite a general discussion of obstacles and opportunities for developing countries, that could help them in using their limited resources effectively, hence, enable them to offer better conditions to their citizens and to contribute space science to a larger extend.     

深空撞击载荷总体技术分析与效能仿真

以近地小行星2016HO3为深空撞击目标开展科学探测,从爆炸成型弹丸技术、安全可靠爆炸技术、撞击载荷分离技术、撞击效能仿真技术等7个方面系统详细地进行了基于聚能爆炸成型弹丸的撞击载荷技术体系解析与技术内涵阐述,给出了深空撞击载荷初步总体设计方案;通过弹丸撞击靶板的数值模拟仿真,得到了撞击速度在0.2～0.4 cm/μs...     

Impact of space research and technology on small countries

Results of an analysis on impact of space research and technology on developing countries undertaken by the UNISPACE 82 Secretariat on base on national papers submitted by UN member countries to the Conference are reviewed.Experience concerning the implications of a co-operative program on satellite geodesy between the Astronomical Council of the USSR Academy of Sciences and several small countries of Africa, Asia and South America is discussed.     

The ultraviolet view of the Magellanic Clouds from GALEX: A first look at the LMC source catalog

The Galaxy Evolution Exporer (GALEX) has performed unprecedented imaging surveys of the Magellanic Clouds (MC) and their surrounding areas including the Magellanic Bridge (MB) in near-UV (NUV, 1771-2831 Å) and far-UV (FUV, 1344-1786 Å) bands at 5^″$5^{″}$ resolution. Substantially more area was covered in the NUV than FUV, particularly in the bright central regions, because of the GALEX FUV detector failure. The 5σ$\sigma$ depth of the NUV imaging varies between 20.8 and 22.7 (ABmag). Such imaging provides the first sensitive view of the entire content of hot stars in the Magellanic System, revealing the presence of young populations even in sites with extremely low star-formation rate surface density like the MB, owing to high sensitivity of the UV data to hot stars and the dark sky at these wavelengths.     

Status of space science and technology — An Australian perspective

The “Tyranny of Distance” has had a profound influence on Australian history and reaction to it has been an important factor in determining national scientific and technological goals. Because of its size and geographical remoteness, Australia is one of the countries to have gained substantially from the applications of space technology particularly in the fields of communications, meteorology and remote sensing. Australia is the fifth largest investor in INTELSAT which carries a major fraction of the nation's overseas telecommunications. A domestic satellite system, AUSSAT, is being acquired to improve telecommunications within the country. Australia is heavily dependent on satellite data for routine meteorological forecasting. Data from the Australian Landsat Station are in strong demand, particularly for mineral exploration. In the field of space science, Australia is collaborating with Canada and the United States in feasibility studies for STARLAB, a free-flying UV-optical one metre telescope proposed for launch by the US Space Shuttle beginning in 1989. These scientific and technological programs in which Australia is participating are all dependent upon the space programs of other nations and in describing the status of space science and technology from an Australian perspective some comments will be made on particular aspects of the space programs of the United States and Japan.     

Impact of space research and technology on small countries (A case study for Austria)

Austria, being a small country, has no possibilities to carry out space research on a mere national basis. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation is essential.     

A parametric study of space radiation exposures to critical body organs for low earth orbit missions.

The geomagnetically-trapped and galactic cosmic radiation environments are two of the major sources of naturally-occurring space radiation exposure to astronauts in low earth orbit. The exposure is dependent primarily on altitude, spacecraft shielding, crew stay-times, and solar cycle effects for a 28.5 deg orbital inclination. Based on Space Shuttle experience, the calculated results of a parametric study are presented for several mission scenarios using a computerized anatomical man model and are compared with the NASA crew exposure limits for several critical body organs.     

Solar-terrestrial research opportunities — A look to the future

In the late 1980's and in the 1990's we will have the opportunity to increase our knowledge of the sun, the heliosphere, and their influences on the earth's magnetosphere/ionosphere/atmosphere system. We should be able to gain increased knowledge of the physical mechanisms that drive the sun, the three-dimensional structure of the heliosphere, and the flow of energy and momentum from the sun through the interplanetary medium to the magentosphere/ionosphere/atmosphere system. We also may be able to evaluate the influence of the solar radiative output on the earth's atmosphere. Through well-coordinated national and international efforts we can plan and carry forward successful programs to accomplish these scientific goals. Space missions, ground-based observing networks, and rocket and balloon campaigns are needed and should be well-coordinated. Wide and easy access of data will help ensure the effectiveness of these programs. Retrospective studies, theory, modelling, simulations, and data analysis are also vital elements of research in this area. There are important scientific opportunities for scientists from all countries.     

Cubesats: Cost-effective science and technology platforms for emerging and developing nations

The development, operation, and analysis of data from cubesats can promote science education and spur technology utilization in emerging and developing nations. This platform offers uniquely low construction and launch costs together with a comparative ubiquity of launch providers; factors that have led more than 80 universities and several emerging nations to develop programs in this field. Their small size and weight enables cubesats to “piggyback” on rocket launches and accompany orbiters travelling to Moon and Mars. It is envisaged that constellations of cubesats will be used for larger science missions. We present a brief history, technology overview, and summary of applications in science and industry for these small satellites. Cubesat technical success stories are offered along with a summary of pitfalls and challenges encountered in both developed and emerging nations. A discussion of economic and public policy issues aims to facilitate the decision-making process for those considering utilization of this unique technology.     

增材制造技术在载人航天工程中的应用与展望

近年来,增材制造技术在载人航天工程中的应用迅速发展。对熔融沉积成型技术、激光选区熔化技术、线材电弧增材制造技术、热喷涂增材技术、月壤增材制造技术等用于载人航天工程的增材制造技术及这些技术的应用领域进行了总结。对增材制造技术在在轨制造飞行器替换件、制造大型桁架等难以在地面制造或发射的部件、制造飞行器复杂部件等应用领域进行了总结。提出未来载人航天工程技术的增材制造中应发展适合载人航天工程的材料体系,应研究微重力环境下的增材制造技术,同时未来还应发展相关工艺。     

Gamma-ray burst and spectroscopy instrumentation development at the goddard space flight center

This paper summarizes the activities within the Low-Energy Gamma-Ray Group of the Laboratory for High-Energy Astrophysics at the Goddard Space Flight Center that are specifically related to the development of instrumentation for gamma-ray astronomy. Three programs are described: 1) the Gamma-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (GRIS), a balloon-borne array of seven germanium detectors for high-resolution spectrographic studies of persistent gamma-ray sources, 2) the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (TGRS), a single radiatively-cooled germanium detector for the spectrographic study of gamma-ray bursts, and 3) the Rapidly Moving Telescope (RMT), a ground-based optical telescope for the detection and study of short-lived optical transients, particularly those that occur in coincidence with gamma-ray bursts.     

真实感DVE时空一致性技术

传统的一致性解决方案大多将重点放在构建完全一致性模型,缺少对虚拟环境本身运动规律的分析.从认知虚拟环境客观规律出发,提出基于真实感的一致性模型,遵从以人为本的原则,构建描述分布式虚拟环境下时空一致的数学模型,判断虚拟环境下的节点是否达到时空一致,并加以验证.在充分利用一致性模型的基础上通过单向数据传输减少时间扭曲后的回滚节点数目,增强用户沉浸感;利用时延神经网络对大于传输延迟上限的节点状态进行预测;完成节点的状态修复,从而保证时空同步一致.经过独立实验测试,验证了模型的有效性以及解决方法的可行性.     

基于三维点云模型的空间目标光学图像生成技术

空间探测任务中大量先验图像数据的缺乏,使得基于光学图像的态势感知和导航算法无法被有效定量测试和评估。针对此问题,提出了一种基于三维点云模型和射影变换基本理论的空间目标光学图像生成方法。在完成对空间目标三维点云模型和仿真摄像机模型构建基础之上,利用射影变换基本理论依次计算像平面所有像素点与空间目标三维点云模型空间点的对应关系,并基于Lambertian漫反射模型和相对应空间目标三维点云模型空间点的光照方向,得到所有像素点的灰度值,从而生成给定空间目标的光学图像。大量仿真实验表明:与传统的基于解析模型的仿真图像生成方法相比,所提的空间目标光学图像生成技术能够以更快的速度生成更加真实的仿真图像,且生成的仿真图像可以广泛应用于椭圆拟合、陨石坑检测、着陆器视觉导航、航天器交会对接、空间目标跟踪等典型空间应用算法的定性与定量评估。      

A VLF transmitter on the space shuttle

The feasibility of VLF wave injection using space-borne transmitters is discussed and the radiating antenna characteristics are reported.