The SERENDIP SETI project: new instrumentation for SETI and results of recent observations

Over the past 30 years research into the existence of extraterrestrial life has focused on attempts to detect stable narrowband radio signals emitted in the microwave portion of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The SERENDIP SETI group is currently conducting search operations on the world’s largest radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.The third generation SERENDIP system, SERENDIP III, is a 4 million channel FFT-based spectrum analyzer with 0.6 Hz frequency resolution. In this paper, we will discuss the results of our recent 3.5 year sky survey. SERENDIP looked at 95% of the sky visible from Arecibo in the 424–436 MHz range, analyzed 10¹⁴ spectral bins, and logged information on over 2.5×10⁸ signals.The fourth generation SERENDIP system expands on the SERENDIP III design. SERENDIP IV computes 2×10¹¹ operations each second, providing spectral analysis on 160 million channels in 1.7 s. We will discuss the design and use of the SERENDIP IV system and future observing plans.     

Legal consequences of a SETI detection

If a detection of ETI takes place, this will in all probability be the result of either: (a) detecting and recognising a signal or other emission of ETI; or (b) the finding of an alien artifact (for instance on the Moon or other Celestial Body of our Solar System); or (c) the highly improbable event of an actual encounter. First and foremost, legal consequences regarding any of these contingencies will result from immediate consultations between nations on Earth. Understandings, memoranda and even agreements might be proposed and/or concluded. Such results within the field of terrestrial law will surely be a new branch of International Law, and particularly of International Space Law. At the same time, terrestrial nations will have to realize that any ETI will be self-determined intelligent individualities or organizations who might have their own understanding of “rules of behaviour” and thus, be legal subjects. Whether one calls such rules “law” or not: if two intelligent races—both of which have specific rules of behaviour—come into contact with each other, the basic understanding of such mutual rules will lead to a kind of “code of conduct”. This might be the starting point for a kind of Law—Metalaw—between different races in the Universe.     

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.     

SETI meets a social intelligence: Dolphins as a model for real-time interaction and communication with a sentient species

In the past SETI has focused on the reception and deciphering of radio signals from potential remote civilizations. It is conceivable that real-time contact and interaction with a social intelligence may occur in the future. A serious look at the development of relationship, and deciphering of communication signals within and between a non-terrestrial, non-primate sentient species is relevant. Since 1985 a resident community of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins has been observed regularly in the Bahamas. Life history, relationships, regular interspecific interactions with bottlenose dolphins, and multi-modal underwater communication signals have been documented. Dolphins display social communication signals modified for water, their body types, and sensory systems. Like anthropologists, human researchers engage in benign observation in the water and interact with these dolphins to develop rapport and trust. Many individual dolphins have been known for over 20 years. Learning the culturally appropriate etiquette has been important in the relationship with this alien society. To engage humans in interaction the dolphins often initiate spontaneous displays, mimicry, imitation, and synchrony. These elements may be emergent/universal features of one intelligent species contacting another for the intention of initiating interaction. This should be a consideration for real-time contact and interaction for future SETI work.     

Analysis and pre-development of an imaging spectrometer for in-situ cometary soil analysis on-board the esa rosetta mission

The CIVA-M instrument, a highly integrated infrared/visible microscope for the Rosetta mission (ESA — 2003) is presented. It will enable scientists to study in great detail the composition of the Wirtanen Comet: minerals, organic compounds and ices. A monochromator will illuminate a cometary sample, drilled from the comet sub-surface (≈40cm). An infrared detector will give an image of the sample for each wavelength, from 1 to 4μm with a spectral resolution of 6nm and a spatial resolution of 50 μm. In order to analyze accurately spectra a signal to noise ratio of 50 is needed (for ALBEDO = 0.04). We will use a 128×128 elements photovoltaic mercury cadmium telluride bi-dimensional array working at intermediate temperature (110K to 150K), from the French company SOFRADIR. At such relatively high temperature the critical parameter is the dark current: it limits the exposure time, preventing a high signal to noise ratio. I am in charge of the electronic board, which is the interface between the detector and the on-board processor. Some preliminary results obtained with this board, on a test detector, are then discussed.     

Using the Very Large Array (VLA) and other radio telescopes to perform a parasitic Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)

This paper describes several attempts to utilize various radio telescopes in a manner that we term "parasitic," that is in a manner that does not interrupt or seriously impact the standard astronomical observing programs in progress at the radio observatories. In the extreme case, only recorded astronomical data are accessed off-line, after the fact, without any burden on the observatory at all.     

用于空间探测飞行时间质谱仪的真空系统和取样系统设计

文章介绍了可用于空间探测飞行时间质谱仪的真空系统和取样系统设计,并建立了该TOFMS原理样机的地面试验系统。为适应空间探测和地面试验2种不同工作模式,设计了2套不同的真空系统。根据文章建立的气体样本进样的理论分析模型进行理论分析计算,并通过地面适应性试验测定了质谱室的真空度、空气的Voltage-Amu谱图、Kr样本Voltage-Amu谱图及进样时间。试验结果表明:真空系统和取样系统设计合理,能够满足试验需求;理论分析模型正确,能够用于指导试验。     

微尺度质谱仪离子源结构设计及离子光学系统仿真

文章针对多领域对便携式质谱仪的需求,对微尺度质谱仪的核心部件离子源进行结构设计,并利用离子光学模拟软件SIMION进行仿真,探究电极电压、透镜结构、电极结构等对离子传输的影响并进行优化,获取相关参数研究规律,为微尺度质谱仪的研制提供设计依据。     

Spectral behavior of hydrated sulfate salts: implications for Europa mission spectrometer design

Remote sensing of the surface of Europa with near-infrared instruments has suggested the presence of hydrated materials, including sulfate salts. Attention has been focused on these salts for the information they might yield regarding the evolution of a putative interior ocean, and the evaluation of its astrobiological potential. These materials exhibit distinct infrared absorption features due to bound water. The interactions of this water with the host molecules lead to fine structure that can be used to discriminate among these materials on the basis of their spectral behavior. This fine structure is even more pronounced at the low temperatures prevalent on icy satellites. Examination of hydrated sulfate salt spectra measured under cryogenic temperature conditions provides realistic constraints for future remote-sensing missions to Europa. In particular, it suggests that a spectrometer system capable of 2-5 nm spectral resolution or better, with a spatial resolution approaching 100 m, would be able to differentiate among proposed hydrated surface materials, if present, and constrain their distributions across the surface. Such information would provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of Europa.     

紫外成像光谱仪焦面CCD散热设计及验证

为保证空间紫外成像光谱仪焦面电荷耦合器件（CCD）在低温环境下的工作性能,需对焦面CCD进行散热设计。首先,根据焦面CCD的热耗、工作模式及温度要求,提出以高性能柔性石墨导热索为主要措施的散热设计方案,建立热仿真模型并进行热分析。然后,在真空环境下进行焦面CCD热平衡试验,结果显示：柔性导热索的CCD连接端与热管连接端温差仅为2.3 ℃,以此推算出导热索自身热阻为0.65 ℃/W,满足热阻小于1 ℃/W的指标要求,具有良好的导热性能;焦面CCD在长期工作模式下的温度为-21.4 ℃,满足低于-20 ℃的工作温度要求。仿真分析和试验结果基本一致,表明采用柔性石墨导热索结合热管的焦面CCD散热设计方案合理可行。     

Analysis of a spacecraft life support system for a Mars mission

This report summarizes a trade study conducted as part of the Fall 2002 semester Spacecraft Life Support System Design course (ASEN 5116) in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department at the University of Colorado. It presents an analysis of current life support system technologies and a preliminary design of an integrated system for supporting humans during transit to and on the surface of the planet Mars. This effort was based on the NASA Design Reference Mission (DRM) for the human exploration of Mars [NASA Design Reference Mission (DRM) for Mars, Addendum 3.0, from the world wide web: http://exploration.jsc.nasa.gov/marsref/contents.html.]. The integrated design was broken into four subsystems: Water Management, Atmosphere Management, Waste Processing, and Food Supply. The process started with the derivation of top-level requirements from the DRM. Additional system and subsystem level assumptions were added where clarification was needed. Candidate technologies were identified and characterized based on performance factors. Trade studies were then conducted for each subsystem. The resulting technologies were integrated into an overall design solution using mass flow relationships. The system level trade study yielded two different configurations--one for the transit to Mars and another for the surface habitat, which included in situ resource utilization. Equivalent System Mass analyses were used to compare each design against an open-loop (non-regenerable) baseline system.     

模块化卫星的多螺杆连接分析

相对于单螺栓连接或平均受力的多螺栓连接,模块化卫星的多根螺杆连接涉及被连接件的非均匀连接刚度,各螺杆处的不同连接刚度的耦合作用与影响还有待深入分析。本文基于单螺栓的载荷分析方法,通过计算被连接件的连接刚度矩阵参数,并融入到螺杆载荷分析中,从而得到计算螺杆直径与预紧力的公式。最后,给出一个模块化卫星多螺杆连接分析的算例,计算结果显示,使用M3钛螺杆、每个螺杆施加最小1Nm拧紧力矩,可以满足此模块化卫星的使用要求。     

某型号液体火箭发动机可靠性分析

基于逐步增加Ⅱ型截尾样本,讨论了某型号液体火箭发动机可靠性指标的Bayes估计及E-Bayes估计.在刻度平方误差损失函数下,给出了火箭发动机寿命分布参数、可靠度函数及失效率函数的Bayes估计及E-Bayes估计.最后运用Monte Carlo方法对各种估计的均方误差进行了模拟比较.结果表明,E-Bayes估计给出的估计精度高.     

动态神经网络的稳定性分析

应用李亚普诺夫稳定性理论推导出Ｈｏｐｆｉｅｌｄ网络绝对稳定的充分条件。对本文的结果与其它Ｈｏｐｆｉｅｌｄ网络稳定性判据的关系作出讨论。为Ｈｏｐｆｉｅｌｄ网络稳定性分析提供了新的途径。     

某降落伞伞绳断裂仿真分析

分析了在降落伞充气过程伞衣织物的传力路线 ,得出当连接伞衣的某根伞绳断裂之后其上的力将由与其邻的伞绳承担。并且采用动力学仿真软件ADAMS进行建模 ,针对 5种情况进行分析得出伞绳间隔断裂时最危险伞绳承受的力比伞绳连续断裂时要大     

关于金融报表系统的分析及其设计

报表系统为金融管理信息系统的一个组成部分,该系统综合利用金融系统的贷款类数据生成各种信报表,满足银行风险监控部门、信贷管理部门和信息中心的需要。本文阐述了在当前金融系统数据大集中的背景下,如何分析及设计准确、高效的报表系统。     

一种用于土卫六探测的热机浮空器性能分析

针对土卫六大气环境的特点,提出利用大气温度梯度发电的热机浮空器解决探测器能源问题。介绍该热机浮空器的系统组成和基本工作原理,分析应用于土卫六探测的可行性和发电性能。结果表明热机浮空器能够将土卫六低品位的大气热能转换为电能;涡轮机喷管喉部的半径和飞行高度等设计参数对热机的性能有较大的影响。     

关于金融报表系统的分析及其设计

报表系统为金融管理信息系统的一个组成部分,该系统综合利用金融系统的贷款类数据生成各种信报表,满足银行风险监控部门、信贷管理部门和信息中心的需要.本文阐述了在当前金融系统数据大集中的背景下,如何分析及设计准确、高效的报表系统.     

Closed theoretical model of a detonation cell

A model for an elementary detonation cell is postulated. On its basis, the geometry of the cell pattern and the kinematics of the wave fronts forming the cells are evaluated. The cell size is determined assuming that the induction time obeys an Arrhenius relationship with temperature. Thus, it is shown that some kinetic parameters of the mixture, such as the activation energy, can be deduced from the cell size. It is also demonstrated that by combining the cell model with the experimental data on the propagation of the detonation wave in a rapidly expanding channel, the initiation energy for a cylindrical detonation wave can be estimated.