Gravity and perceptual stability during translational head movement on earth and in microgravity

We measured the amount of visual movement judged consistent with translational head movement under normal and microgravity conditions. Subjects wore a virtual reality helmet in which the ratio of the movement of the world to the movement of the head (visual gain) was variable. Using the method of adjustment under normal gravity 10 subjects adjusted the visual gain until the visual world appeared stable during head movements that were either parallel or orthogonal to gravity. Using the method of constant stimuli under normal gravity, seven subjects moved their heads and judged whether the virtual world appeared to move “with” or “against” their movement for several visual gains. One subject repeated the constant stimuli judgements in microgravity during parabolic flight. The accuracy of judgements appeared unaffected by the direction or absence of gravity. Only the variability appeared affected by the absence of gravity. These results are discussed in relation to discomfort during head movements in microgravity.     

柔索驱动式航天员虚拟微重力训练系统控制与实验

针对现有的航天员地面微重力训练设备存在成本高、单次训练时间短、模拟精度低等问题,提出了一种柔索驱动的航天员虚拟微重力训练系统。通过采样航天员对作业对象的操作力,控制柔索驱动虚拟物体(末端执行器)运动,使虚拟物体符合在微重力环境中的运动规律。建立了柔索驱动训练系统的动力学模型,分析了系统的特性。针对传统力伺服系统多余力对控制力精度影响较大且难以克服的问题,提出了一种使用弹簧产生柔索张力的并联柔索全位置型控制方法,并引入力/速局部反馈的控制策略。实验结果表明,系统克服多余力效果明显,可以获得较高的驱动力控制精度;虚拟质量在操作力作用下的运动符合在微重力环境中的运动规律,且有较高的模拟精度;系统稳定性良好,可以实现微重力环境中移动不同质量物体的虚拟作业训练。     

斜装冗余传感器的分布式导航系统研究

为了满足低成本、高性能惯性导航要求,解决传统单一主惯导系统的成本高、体积大等问题,利用低成本MEMS惯性传感器,采用传感器斜装冗余配置,在最优卡尔曼滤波的基础上提出了一种基于虚拟传感器的最优信息融合技术,简化了测量系统的动态模型,减小计算的同时提高了测量精度。将斜装冗余惯性测量节点安装在载体的不同位置构成基于斜装冗余传感器的分布式导航系统,分析了分布式结构,利用基于虚拟传感器的等效模型,设计了分布式导航系统的测量融合系统。通过仿真试验,校验了基于虚拟传感器的最优信息融合有效地提高了测量精度,基于斜装冗余传感器的分布式导航具有较高的导航精度,同时证明此方法具有一定的抗干扰能力,能够抑制载体局部随机扰动对导航性能的影响。     

Human thermohomeostasis onboard "Mir" and in simulated microgravity studies.

Significant changes of thermogomeostatic parameters was obtained by thermotopometric method using the techniques simulate of microgravity effects: bed rest, pressurized isolation, suit immersion (SI). However, each of ground models made rectal temperature (T) trend downward. The autothermometric study (24 and 12 sessions, 2-13th and 6-174th flight days) was carried out onboard "Mir" by two flight engineers who had preliminary tested at SI (1-2 days). Studies of German investigators onboard "Mir" confirmed: rectal T must be higher in space flight as compared to the normal environment (n=4). Comparative studies suggest that microgravity is a key factor for the human body surface T raise and abolishment of the external/internal T-gradient. T-homeostasis was not really changing during missions and could be regarded as acute effect of microgravity. After delineation of changes in body surface T--by Carnot's thermodynamic law--rectal T raise should have been anticipated. Facts pointing to the excess entropy of human body must not be passed over.     

多模式柔索驱动航天员训练机器人力控制

为解决长期在失重环境下生活和工作的航天员的康复训练问题,针对现有的航天员训练设备功能单一、训练效果不理想的现状,研制了多模式柔索驱动航天员训练机器人。基于模块化、可重构的机器人构型,通过机器人模拟重力环境的负载特征,把相应的载荷施加到人体上,实现航天员在失重环境下进行跑步、卧推和负重深蹲等体育训练,帮助航天员减轻或者克服空间适应综合征带来的不利影响;在此基础上提出一种机器人双闭环力控制策略,人机跑步训练实验结果表明,本文研制的多模式航天员训练机器人构型合理,控制策略有效,可以辅助在失重环境下生活和工作的航天员开展体育训练。     

The future of space medicine.

In November 2000, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and its partners in the International Space Station (ISS) ushered in a new era of space flight: permanent human presence in low-Earth orbit. As the culmination of the last four decades of human space flight activities. the ISS focuses our attention on what we have learned to date. and what still must be learned before we can embark on future exploration endeavors. Space medicine has been a primary part of our past success in human space flight, and will continue to play a critical role in future ventures. To prepare for the day when crews may leave low-Earth orbit for long-duration exploratory missions, space medicine practitioners must develop a thorough understanding of the effects of microgravity on the human body, as well as ways to limit or prevent them. In order to gain a complete understanding and create the tools and technologies needed to enable successful exploration. space medicine will become even more of a highly collaborative discipline. Future missions will require the partnership of physicians, biomedical scientists, engineers, and mission planners. This paper will examine the future of space medicine as it relates to human space exploration: what is necessary to keep a crew alive in space, how we do it today, how we will accomplish this in the future, and how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to achieve future goals.     

Ground based ISS payload microgravity disturbance assessments

In order to verify that the International Space Station (ISS) payload facility racks do not disturb the microgravity environment of neighboring facility racks and that the facility science operations are not compromised, a testing and analytical verification process must be followed. Currently no facility racks have taken this process from start to finish. The authors are participants in implementing this process for the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF). To address the testing part of the verification process, the Microgravity Emissions Laboratory (MEL) was developed at GRC. The MEL is a 6 degree of freedom inertial measurement system capable of characterizing inertial response forces (emissions) of components, sub-rack payloads, or rack-level payloads down to 10(-7) g's. The inertial force output data, generated from the steady state or transient operations of the test articles, are utilized in analytical simulations to predict the on-orbit vibratory environment at specific science or rack interface locations. Once the facility payload rack and disturbers are properly modeled an assessment can be made as to whether required microgravity levels are achieved. The modeling is utilized to develop microgravity predictions which lead to the development of microgravity sensitive ISS experiment operations once on-orbit. The on-orbit measurements will be verified by use of the NASA GRC Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS). The major topics to be addressed in this paper are: (1) Microgravity Requirements, (2) Microgravity Disturbers, (3) MEL Testing, (4) Disturbance Control, (5) Microgravity Control Process, and (6) On-Orbit Predictions and Verification.     

Severe disruption of the cytoskeleton and immunologically relevant surface molecules in a human macrophageal cell line in microgravity—Results of an in vitro experiment on board of the Shenzhou-8 space mission

During spaceflight the immune system is one of the most affected systems of the human body. During the SIMBOX (Science in Microgravity Box) mission on Shenzhou-8, we investigated microgravity-associated long-term alterations in macrophageal cells, the most important effector cells of the immune system. We analyzed the effect of long-term microgravity on the cytoskeleton and immunologically relevant surface molecules. Human U937 cells were differentiated into a macrophageal phenotype and exposed to microgravity or 1g on a reference centrifuge on-orbit for 5 days. After on-orbit fixation, the samples were analyzed with immunocytochemical staining and confocal microscopy after landing. The unmanned Shenzhou-8 spacecraft was launched on board a Long March 2F (CZ-2F) rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) and landed after a 17-day-mission. We found a severely disturbed actin cytoskeleton, disorganized tubulin and distinctly reduced expression of CD18, CD36 and MHC-II after the 5 days in microgravity. The disturbed cytoskeleton, the loss of surface receptors for bacteria recognition, the activation of T lymphocytes, the loss of an important scavenger receptor and of antigen-presenting molecules could represent a dysfunctional macrophage phenotype. This phenotype in microgravity would be not capable of migrating or recognizing and attacking pathogens, and it would no longer activate the specific immune system, which could be investigated in functional assays. Obviously, the results have to be interpreted with caution as the model system has some limitations and due to numerous technical and biological restrictions (e.g. 23 °C and no CO₂ supply during in-flight incubation). All parameter were carefully pre-tested on ground. Therefore, the experiment could be adapted to the experimental conditions available on Shenzhou-8.     

The relative role of visual and non-visual cues in determining the perceived direction of "up": experiments in parabolic flight

In order to measure the perceived direction of "up", subjects judged the three-dimensional shape of disks shaded to be compatible with illumination from particular directions. By finding which shaded disk appeared most convex, we were able to infer the perceived direction of illumination. This provides an indirect measure of the subject's perception of the direction of "up". The different cues contributing to this percept were separated by varying the orientation of the subject and the orientation of the visual background relative to gravity. We also measured the effect of decreasing or increasing gravity by making these shape judgements throughout all the phases of parabolic flight (0 g, 2 g and 1 g during level flight). The perceived up direction was modeled by a simple vector sum of "up" defined by vision, the body and gravity. In this model, the weighting of the visual cue became negligible under microgravity and hypergravity conditions.     

Internal reference frames for representation and storage of visual information: the role of gravity.

Experimental studies of visual mechanisms suggests that the CNS represents image information with respect to preferred horizontal and vertical axes, as shown by a phenomenon known as the "oblique effect". In the current study we used this effect to evaluate the influence of gravity on the representation and storage of visual orientation information. Subjects performed a psychophysical task in which a visually-presented stimulus line was aligned with the remembered orientation of a reference stimulus line presented moments before. The experiments were made on 5 cosmonauts during orbital space flight and additionally on 13 subjects in conditions of normal gravity with a tilting chair. Data were analyzed with respect to response variability and timing. On earth, these measurements for this task show a distinct preference for horizontally and vertically oriented stimuli when the body and gravitational axes were aligned. This preference was markedly decreased or disappeared when the body axis was tilted with respect to gravity; this effect was not connected with ocular counter-rolling nor could we find a preference of any other intermediate axis between the gravity and body aligned axes. On the other hand, the preference for vertical and horizontal axes was maintained for tests performed in microgravity over the course of a 6 month flight, starting from flight day 6. We concluded that subjects normally process visual orientation information in a multi-modal reference frame that combines both proprioceptive and gravitational cues when both are available, but that a proprioceptive reference frame is sufficient for this task in the absence of gravity after a short period of adaptation. Some of the results from this study have been previously published in a preliminary report. Grant numbers: 99-04-48450.     

Body orientation and center of mass control in microgravity

The control of the body orientation and the center of mass position with respect to the feet was investigated under normo- and microgravity (space flight Altair), during erect posture and at the end of a forward or backward upper trunk movement.

It was observed that during erect posture, the trunk orientation with respect to the vertical was inclined some 6 ° forward in both subjects under microgravity, whereas it was vertical or slightly backward oriented under normogravity. Under microgravity, on the contrary, the initial position CM changed either backwards or forwards. This result suggests that the inclined trunk posture might be due to misevaluating the vertically under microgravity and that different control mechanisms are involved in orienting the trunk and placing the CM.

It was also noted that the final position of the CM at the end of the movement did not differ markedly between microgravity and normogravity. This result suggests that the kinematic synergies which stabilize the CM during uppertrunk movements may result from an automatic central control which is independent from the gravity constraints.     

考虑状态约束的二体旋转库仑卫星系统重构控制

研究考虑控制输入饱和与状态约束的深空旋转二体库仑卫星构型控制问题,只采用卫星之间的库仑力作为控制力,提出一种基于反步法的非线性控制方法。首先推导了二体库仑卫星在地-月系平动点附近的相对运动方程,利用旋转二体库仑卫星的特性,对方程进行了简化。为了完成禁止相对运动区域的回避,设计了新的状态限制辅助函数,结合抗饱和方法与反步法得到了二体库仑卫星的构型控制器。接着证明了由于状态限制辅助函数的加入,所设计的控制器可以保证卫星相对运动不超出限制范围。进一步应用Lyapunov稳定性定理证明了其闭环系统的一致最终有界性。最后在Matlab/Simulink平台上进行了仿真校验,结果表明了方法的有效性。     

航天员微重力作业训练系统重力补偿控制策略

针对航天员微重力作业训练系统的重力场补偿控制这一关键技术,进行了理论和实验研究。分析了模拟微重力环境的机理,确定了微重力作业训练系统的总体结构方案,提出了一种基于电流反馈的重力补偿控制及多干扰力补偿控制策略。通过虚拟重力补偿控制实验,验证了在地面环境、动态作业过程中,模拟物体在不同空间重力加速度环境下的运动规律,实现了在重力方向模拟空间环境下物体移动的作业训练效果。研究成果为在地面实现三维作业训练系统的控制奠定了基础。     

捷联惯导与星跟踪器组合导航算法研究

捷联惯导与小视场星跟踪器构成惯性/天文组合导航系统,核心思想是利用星体跟踪器的高精度测角信息设计滤波修正算法对捷联惯导的导航姿态、方位和位置误差进行滤波估计并修正,以限制捷联惯导系统导航误差随时间的发散,最终提高系统长航时导航的导航精度。在分析小视场星体跟踪器量测量与SINS导航误差之间关系的基础上,设计了两种不同的组合导航算法：位置+方位修正算法和误差角组合导航修正算法。在此基础上对两种算法的导航精度进行了理论分析,并通过长航时仿真飞行数据进行了仿真验证。结果表明：位置+方位修正算法不受载体的位置误差的影响,更适用于星体跟踪器间断工作的情况;误差角组合算法不受载体姿态误差的影响,更适用于SINS初始位置误差得到有效修正的情况。     

Evaluation of bleomycin-induced chromosome aberrations under simulated microgravity conditions in human lymphocytes using "FISH" techniques

In the present investigation we report the effects of simulated microgravity conditions (clinostat) on the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro by (R) Bleomycin. Chromosomal aberrations have been analysed by means of fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and chromosome-specific composite DNA probes (chromosome painting). The results obtained show that, under simulated microgravity conditions, the levels of both symmetrical and asymmetrical (dicentrics, rings), the number of cells bearing "complex" aberrations and hence the total numbers of aberrations were significantly elevated at any of the dose-levels assayed, compared to the parallel treatments performed as 1g control ("ground"). Furthermore, the ratio symmetrical:asymmetrical translocations was markedly elevated under simulated microgravity conditions, compared to the findings usually observed under "normal" 1g conditions. On these bases, we are much inclined to believe that simulated microgravity, rather than limiting the resealing of DNA double strand breaks (DSB's) induced by genotoxic agents is influencing in terms of enhancement the misrejoining of DSB's which is actually responsible for the fixation of the original lesions to DNA into chromosomal aberrations. In addition, the possible different misrepair processes leading to the formation of symmetrical and asymmetrical translocations might be differentially influenced by microgravity being the symmetrical translocations significantly more represented.     

Crickets in space.

"Crickets in Space" (CRISP) was a Neurolab experiment by which the balance between genetic programs and the gravitational environment for the development of a gravity sensitive neuronal system was studied. The model character of crickets was justified by their external gravity receptors, identified position-sensitive interneurons (PSI) and gravity-related compensatory head response, and by the specific relation of this behavior to neuronal activation systems. These advantages allowed us to study the impact of modified gravity on cellular processes in a complex organism. Eggs, 1st, 4th and 6th stage larvae of Acheta domesticus were used. Post-flight experiments revealed a low susceptibility of the behavior to microgravity and hypergravity (hg) while the physiology of the PSI was significantly affected. Immunocytological investigations revealed a stage-dependent sensitivity of thoracic GABAergic motoneurons to 3g-conditions concerning their soma sizes but not their topographical arrangement. Peptidergic neurons from cerebral sensorimotor centers revealed no significant modifications by microgravity. The contrary physiological and behavioral results indicate a facilitation of 1g-readaptation by accessory gravity. proprioceptive and visual sense organs. Absence of anatomical modifications point to an effective time window of microgravity or hg-exposure related to the period of neuronal proliferation. Grant numbers: 50WB9553-7.     

Effects of buoyancy on gas-jet diffusion flames: Experiment and theory

Theoretical and experimental research on the effects of buoyancy on gas-jet diffusion flames is described in this paper. Part of this research involves an assessment of existing data obtained under reduced-gravity conditions. The results show that uncertainties in our understanding of flame structure exist and further research is required before reliable predictions of ignition, stabilization and propagation of flames under microgravity conditions can be made. Steady-state and transient theories have been developed and used in the analysis of existing drop-tower data and new data obtained from a stationary experiment involving inverted flames. The result of this research has led to the definition of a microgravity experiment to be performed in space.     

Development of an advanced rocket propellant handler's suit.

Most launch vehicles and satellites in the US inventory rely upon the use of hypergolic rocket propellants, many of which are toxic to humans. These fuels and oxidizers, such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide have threshold limit values as low as 0.01 PPM. It is essential to provide space workers handling these agents whole body protection as they are universally hazardous not only to the respiratory system, but the skin as well. This paper describes a new method for powering a whole body protective garment to assure the safety of ground servicing crews. A new technology has been developed through the small business innovative research program at the Kennedy Space Center. Currently, liquid air is used in the environmental control unit (ECU) that powers the propellant handlers suit (PHE). However, liquid air exhibits problems with attitude dependence, oxygen enrichment, and difficulty with reliable quantity measurement. The new technology employs the storage of the supply air as a supercritical gas. This method of air storage overcomes all of three problems above while maintaining high density storage at relatively low vessel pressures (<7000 kPa or approximately 1000 psi). A one hour prototype ECU was developed and tested to prove the feasibility of this concept. This was upgraded by the design of a larger supercritical dewar capable of holding 7 Kg of air, a supply which provides a 2 hour duration to the PHE. A third version is being developed to test the feasibility of replacing existing air cooling methodology with a liquid cooled garment for relief of heat stress in this warm Florida environment. Testing of the first one hour prototype yielded data comparable to the liquid air powered predecessor, but enjoyed advantages of attitude independence and oxygen level stability. Thermal data revealed heat stress relief at least as good as liquid air supplied units. The application of supercritical air technology to this whole body protective ensemble marked an advancement in the state-of-the-art in personal protective equipment. Not only was long duration environmental control provided, but it was done without a high pressure vessel. The unit met human performance needs for attitude independence, oxygen stability and relief of heat stress. This supercritical air (and oxygen) technology is suggested for microgravity applications in life support such as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit.     

一种多源测距与视觉惯性融合的月球车定位方法

针对月球车月面探测活动任务中对高精度定位的需求,当前视觉惯性定位方法存在误差累积,并且在缺乏先验环境信息时无法消除,基于三角测量原理的无线电定位方法可以通过测量接收端到至少三个不同发射端的距离来确定目标物体位置,但需要架设三台以上基站,因此难以满足月面环境下大范围定位的需求。文章提出了一种基于基站无线测距和视觉惯性里程计融合定位方法,以解决上述定位手段存在的问题。该方法首先利用视觉惯性里程计构建的环境模型将WIFI、UHF和UWB三类无线电基站测距信息进行融合,然后将测距结果和视觉IMU信息进行位置联合解算来确定月球车位置,最后在Matlab和Gazebo软件平台上进行仿真验证,在距离基站最远行进1500米的条件下实现了0.92米定位误差。实验结果表明,该方法能够在满足月面探测任务对于精准定位的需求。     

组态技术在PLC实践教学中的应用

本文针对PLC课程传统实验平台的缺点,基于"组态王"软件,开发了虚拟的PLC教学仿真实验系统。文中详细介绍了该组态系统的设计思路、内容和实现方法。将组态技术应用于PLC实践教学中,不仅可以模拟工业现场,使原来枯燥和抽象的程序变得生动和具体,而且能极大提高学生的学习兴趣,取得了良好的教学效果。