The effect of microgravity on plasma-osteocalcin

The rapid loss of bone mass is one of the serious problems which have to be solved before long-lasting manned spaceflights may be considered. In this paper we describe investigations in which we have checked whether the bone loss in astronauts as well as in osteoporotic patients may be related to abnormalities in a recently discovered calcium-binding protein, named osteocalcin. It was observed that in all subjects of a limited number of osteoporotic patients, the amount of calcium-binding groups (Gla-residues) in the circulating osteocalcin was substantially reduced. The Gla-content could be normalized, however, by the oral administration of vitamin K (1 mg/day). We also analyzed the Gla-content of plasma-osteocalcin from 4 astronauts before and after the D-1 mission. The amount of Gla-residues was reduced by more than 50% in the post-flight samples. It seems probable, that an increased vitamin K-intake by the astronauts will correct the observed abnormality, but whether this will lead to a decrease of the microgravity-induced bone-loss remains to be seen.     

Long-term effects of microgravity and possible countermeasures.

It is well known that long-term exposure to microgravity causes a number of physiological and biochemical changes in humans; among the most significant are: 1) negative calcium balance resulting in the loss of bone; 2) atrophy of antigravity muscles; 3) fluid shifts and decreased plasma volume; and 4) cardiovascular deconditioning that leads to orthostatic intolerance. It is estimated that a mission to Mars may require up to 300 days in a microgravity environment; in the case of an aborted mission, the astronauts may have to remain in reduced gravity for up to three years. Although the Soviet Union has shown that exercise countermeasures appear to be adequate for exposures of up to one year in space, it is questionable whether astronauts could or should have to maintain such regimes for extremely prolonged missions. Therefore, the NASA Life Sciences Division has initiated a program designed to evaluate a number of methods for providing an artificial gravity environment.     

月面无人自主采样返回任务动力下降点确定及验证

动力下降点确定是实施月面软着陆的重要环节，是多系统间复杂迭代的过程，涉及轨道设计、制导律设计、着陆目标的采样区确定、着陆及起飞安全分析。其设计结果直接影响了最终着陆点的位置和着陆过程的着陆安全，也间接影响采样安全和采样工程目标的实现结果。针对嫦娥五号在实施月面软着陆前确定动力下降点的任务需求，提出了通过多次轨道控制与最优标称制导轨迹搜索联合控制策略的动力下降点确定方法。首先，根据月面无人自主采样返回任务设计总结了动力下降点确定原理和约束条件；然后，详细论述了月面无人自主采样返回任务软着陆过程动力下降点确定方法；最后，通过嫦娥五号在着陆前主要的几次轨控实施结果分析了其对动力下降点的影响，同时综合了着陆区地形分析及着陆、起飞安全性分析，对动力下降点进行确定并根据最终在轨飞行结果进行验证。验证结果表明，基于“逐次逼近寻优方法”的月面软着陆环节动力下降点的确定方法有效，可以为后续地外天体软着陆等任务提供参考和借鉴。     

Adaptive response studies may help choose astronauts for long-term space travel.

Long-term manned exploratory missions are planned for the future. Exposure to high-energy neutrons, protons and high charge and energy particles during a deep space mission, needs protection against the detrimental effects of space radiation. It has been suggested that exposure to unpredictable extremely large solar particle events would kill the astronauts without massive shielding. To reduce this risk to astronauts and to minimize the need for shielding, astronauts with highest significant adaptive responses should be chosen. It has been demonstrated that some humans living in very high natural radiation areas have acquired high adaptive responses to external radiation. Therefore, we suggest that for a deep space mission the adaptive response of all potential crew members be measured and only those with high adaptive response be chosen. We also proclaim that chronic exposure to elevated levels of radiation can considerably decrease radiation susceptibility and better protect astronauts against the unpredictable exposure to sudden and dramatic increase in flux due to solar flares and coronal mass ejections.     

基于工程约束的火星着陆区选择

火星着陆区选择是火星着陆及巡视任务的重要工作之一,着陆区选择需要兼顾科学目标和工程约束,考虑高风险的任务特点,火星着陆任务的工程约束更为重要。工程约束涉及着陆区表面特征、任务轨道、大气等。表面特征包括地理高程、斜坡及地形起伏、岩石分布、尘土厚度、光照、热约束情况。这些因素将影响探测器进入、下降和着陆(EDL)过程的安全性和火星车移动能力。首先针对这些工程约束进行了排序与筛选;然后建立了基于模糊算法的分析模型,通过模糊推理得到各着陆区域的评价指标,从而进行着陆区选择;最后基于ExoMars2020任务的备选着陆区进行了方法验证。     

无人机自主降落地基/舰基引导方法综述

近年来,随着自主控制技术与任务载荷的快速发展,越来越多的无人机(UAV)具备了良好的任务自主能力。在执行任务过程中,降落阶段的安全风险最大,导航定位精度较差、人员决策失误等是造成降落过程中事故多发的主要原因。通过总结无人机自主降落过程中对引导控制的需求,对国内外无人机军用和民用自主降落解决方案进行了梳理和介绍,对无人机自主降落关键技术和研究现状进行了分析,提出了该领域未来发展的重点方向。      

Effects of rectilinear acceleration, caloric and optokinetic stimulation of human subjects in the Spacelab D-1 mission

A set of vestibular experiments was performed during the course of the German Spacelab D-1 mission from 30 October to 6 November 1985 by a consortium of experimenters from various european countries. Similar to the Spacelab SL-1 mission all of the scientific crew members were theoretically and practically trained for the experiments. Baseline measurements for all tests were collected 113, 86, 44, 30 and 18 days prior to the mission and compared with data taken inflight, on the landing day and the consecutive 7 to 14 days.

The hardware comprised mainly a motordriven accelerating platform, the SPACE SLED, and the vestibular helmet, a multi-purpose instrument in support of a variety of vestibular experiments including air-calorisation of the ears, optokinetic stimulation pattern presentation and optical and nystagmographic recording of eye movements.

Measurements of the threshold for the perception of detection of whole body movement did not reveal any dramatic changes in the 2 measured axes inflight when compared to preflight values. Early postflight values show a significantly elevated threshold for all axes in 3 out of 4 subjects.

The caloric nystagmus, already found during the SL-1 mission, was confirmed on all three tested subjects during the D-1 mission. It's amplitude and in some instances it's direction were influenced by horizontal acceleration on the SLED.

The amplitude of optokinetic nystagmus increased when subjects were allowed to free-float over that seen when subjects were fixed.

Stimulation of the neck receptors by roll movements of the body against the fixated head resulted in illusory object motion to the contralateral side. Torsional movements of the eyes during such neck receptor stimulation was present inflight and postflight, while it had not been observed preflight. Most results point to a reduction of otolithic effects in favour of visual and proprioceptive influences for spatial orientation.     

行星着陆自主导航与制导控制研究现状与趋势

行星着陆自主导航与制导控制技术是行星着陆过程的核心技术之一,关系到行星着陆任务的成败。本文基于未来火星和小天体着陆对自主导航与制导控制技术的发展需求,阐述了进一步开展自主导航与制导控制研究的必要性,围绕行星着陆过程环境特点,分析了自主导航与制导控制技术所遇到的挑战,随后概括了行星着陆自主导航与制导控制所涉及的关键技术,并综述了关键技术的研究现状。最后对我国未来行星着陆探测自主导航与制导控制技术的发展方向进行了展望。     

美国2020火星车着陆区遴选进展及对2020中国火星任务着陆探测部分的一些思考

总结了近20年来火星探测的重要发现以及生命、气候和地质3个方面尚未解决的关键科学问题;介绍了美国国家航空航天局(NASA)2020火星探测任务的科学目标、科学载荷和着陆区选择的工程条件限制,并重点分析了经过3次着陆区选择研讨会,上百位行星科学家投票选取的排名前3的预选着陆区的地质情况。在此基础上,提出了对我国2020年火星任务的着陆探测部分的一些思考,并根据不同的任务目标(聚焦生命、气候和地质问题;支持载人火星探测的资源勘察;工程技术验证)提出了3个候选着陆区。     

Readaptation of fish to 1g after long-term microgravity: behavioural results from the STS 89 mission.

The swimming behaviour of adult and neonate swordtail fish Xiphophorus helleri was qualitatively analysed from video recordings taken throughout the STS 89 spaceshuttle mission from launch to landing and thereafter. After the flight, the swimming behaviour of neonate samples was quantitatively assessed in the course of the readaptation to 1g earth gravity at days 0, 1 and 4 after recovery. Regarding the swimming behaviour during the mission, the adult fish swam thigmotactically (i.e., responding to tactile stimuli) along the walls of their aquarium, but like the neonates, they did not show any aberrant behavioural patterns. This indicates that they could easily adapt themselves to microgravity. On mission day 9, however, looping responses (most probably initiated by mechanical disturbances) occurred indicating a continuously performed "C-start" escape response (the respective body bend looks like the letter "C"). Immediately after landing (observed in videos recorded onboard the space shuttle), the adults performed a head-up swimming beating heavily with the caudal and pectoral fins; this aberrant behaviour gradually decreased during the first hours after recovery.     

Assessing attitude error of FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC satellites and its impact on orbit determination

An attitude determination and control system (ADCS) is critical to satellite attitude maneuvers and to the coordinate transformation from the inertial frame to the spacecraft frame. This paper shows specific sensors in the ADCS of the satellite mission FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (F3/C) and the impact of the ADCS quality on orbit accuracy. The selection of main POD antenna depends on the beta angles of the different F3/C satellites (for FM2 and FM4) during the inflight phase. In particular, under the eclipse, alternative attitude sensors are activated to replace the Sun sensors, and such a sensor change leads to anomalous GPS phase residuals and a degraded orbit accuracy. Since the nominal attitude serves as a reference for ADCS, the 3-dimensional attitude-induced errors in reduced dynamic orbits over selected days in 2010 show 9.35, 10.78, 4.97, 5.48, 7.18, and 6.89 cm for FM1–FM6. Besides, the 3-dimensional velocity errors induced by the attitude effect are 0.10, 0.10, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, and 0.10 for FM1–FM6. We analyze the quality of the observed attitude transformation matrix of F3/C and its impact on kinematic orbit determination. With 249 days of GPS in 2008, the analysis leads to the following averaged 3-dimensional attitude-induced orbit errors: 2.72, 2.62, 2.37, 1.90, 1.70, and 1.99 cm for satellites FM1–FM6. Critical suggestions of geodetic payloads for the follow-on mission of F3/C are presented based on the current result.     

First results of the growing of PbTe single crystals under microgravity conditions

Two sublimation experiments with PbTe were performed at 850°C and 750°C under microgravity conditions during the “Salyut-6”-“Soyuz-31” mission in 1978. The sublimation took place on the (100)-face of a PbTe crystal. The condensate grown at 850°C shows in the upper part the formation of a pyramidal habit. The bulk consists of parallel growth colums with [100]-boundary faces. The charge carrier concentration of the electrons (N=1,5·10¹⁹ cm^?3) is higher than the homogeniety limit for 800°C should permit. This is in contrast to the result obtained on the PbTe crystal of the parallel experiment on the earth. At 750°C a laminated condensate is grown with a low growth rate. The microphotograph of the substrate shows the beginning whisker formation according to the VLS-mechanism.     

A lunar L2-Farside exploration and science mission concept with the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and a teleoperated lander/rover

A novel concept is presented in this paper for a human mission to the lunar L2 (Lagrange) point that would be a proving ground for future exploration missions to deep space while also overseeing scientifically important investigations. In an L2 halo orbit above the lunar farside, the astronauts aboard the Orion Crew Vehicle would travel 15% farther from Earth than did the Apollo astronauts and spend almost three times longer in deep space. Such a mission would serve as a first step beyond low Earth orbit and prove out operational spaceflight capabilities such as life support, communication, high speed re-entry, and radiation protection prior to more difficult human exploration missions. On this proposed mission, the crew would teleoperate landers/rovers on the unexplored lunar farside, which would obtain samples from the geologically interesting farside and deploy a low radio frequency telescope. Sampling the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the oldest impact basins in the solar system, is a key science objective of the 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Observations at low radio frequencies to track the effects of the Universe’s first stars/galaxies on the intergalactic medium are a priority of the 2010 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Such telerobotic oversight would also demonstrate capability for human and robotic cooperation on future, more complex deep space missions such as exploring Mars.     

火星大气进入下降着陆段测控通信关键技术研究

着眼于我国首次火星探测任务着陆器EDL(Entry Descent and Landing)飞行段高风险特性,结合火星大气和地表环境分析了这一飞行阶段的主要特点和难点,系统地回顾了国外历次火星着陆任务的基本概况和任务失败的经验教训,并以美国"好奇号"着陆任务为例介绍了EDL期间可采用的主要通信手段,详细梳理了火星大气黑障段通信策略、调制体制选择以及高动态弱信号检测处理方案等测控通信需要解决的关键技术。最后对我国首次火星探测任务的关键技术攻关,任务准备和实施提出了建议。     

月球软着陆过程高精度自主导航避障方法

针对未知地形和障碍会危及着陆安全的问题,给出了一种月球软着陆过程高精度自主导航避障方法,主要包括基于IMU配以测距测速修正的自主绝对导航、障碍识别与目标着陆点选取、针对目标着陆点的相对导航与相对避障控制等算法。该方法在保证着陆精度的同时也大大降低了着陆过程遇到障碍的风险,提高了系统的安全性,已成功应用于实际工程任务。     

月球背面地形对软着陆探测的影响分析

相对于月球正面大面积平坦的月海区域,月球背面地形整体崎岖复杂,因此地形地貌的变化会对探测器的软着陆探测产生一定的影响。从任务设计、着陆器设计和月面工作程序3个方面分析了"嫦娥4号"着陆区南极–艾特肯盆地(South-Pole Aitken Basin,SPA),及其相对于"嫦娥3号"着陆区的变化,主要结论包括:1)着陆区范围缩小,由"嫦娥3号"着陆区经度范围16.4°和纬度范围3°,减小到经度范围约4°和纬度范围约2°;2)动力下降策略更改,动力下降过程主减速段结束后,着陆器由斜向前运动轨迹改为接近垂直向下运动轨迹,同时更改测距敏感器的引入时机;3)提高微波测距测速敏感器信号发射功率和信噪比;4)着陆后需要预测着陆器的光照和测控被地形遮挡的情况,然后制定如休眠或月食模式等相应策略等。通过以上优化设计,"嫦娥4号"任务可适应月球背面地形地貌的变化,有效降低着陆过程和月面工作的风险。     

地外天体着陆点选择综述与展望

行星表面具有科学研究价值的区域往往地形复杂,对着陆的安全性提出了很高的要求。如何选择既满足工程约束又具有很好科学价值的着陆点,在提高任务可靠性的同时获得最优的科学回报,成为未来行星着陆任务需要解决的首要问题之一。回顾了以往地外天体着陆任务的着陆点分布情况,总结归纳了着陆点选取过程中需要考虑的因素,分析了当前的研究现状并给出一般选取流程,最后针对我国未来深空探测任务着陆点选择问题提出了一些思考与建议。     

Network science landers for Mars

The NetLander Mission will deploy four landers to the Martian surface. Each lander includes a network science payload with instrumentation for studying the interior of Mars, the atmosphere and the subsurface, as well as the ionospheric structure and geodesy. The NetLander Mission is the first planetary mission focusing on investigations of the interior of the planet and the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere. A broad consortium of national space agencies and research laboratories will implement the mission. It is managed by CNES (the French Space Agency), with other major players being FMI (the Finnish Meteorological Institute), DLR (the German Space Agency), and other research institutes. According to current plans, the NetLander Mission will be launched in 2005 by means of an Ariane V launch, together with the Mars Sample Return mission. The landers will be separated from the spacecraft and targeted to their locations on the Martian surface several days prior to the spacecraft's arrival at Mars. The landing system employs parachutes and airbags. During the baseline mission of one Martian year, the network payloads will conduct simultaneous seismological, atmospheric, magnetic, ionospheric, geodetic measurements and ground penetrating radar mapping supported by panoramic images. The payloads also include entry phase measurements of the atmospheric vertical structure. The scientific data could be combined with simultaneous observations of the atmosphere and surface of Mars by the Mars Express Orbiter that is expected to be functional during the NetLander Mission's operational phase. Communication between the landers and the Earth would take place via a data relay onboard the Mars Express Orbiter.     

一种行星安全着陆点综合评估方法

随着精确着陆技术的发展,探测器在行星表面可到达的地区形貌状况越来越复杂。为了保障着陆的安全性,在下降过程中探测器需要结合敏感器信息对视野范围内的着陆区形貌进行评估分析,从而选取出最适宜着陆的地区。针对这一问题,本文提出一种行星安全着陆点选取思路,并设计出着陆点选取的参考指标,通过对形貌以及燃耗的评估,实时选取安全着陆点。MATLAB仿真结果表明,针对快速选取过程和遍历选取过程,该方法均能够在两种过程中有效选取出满足要求的着陆点,从而提高了任务的成功率与安全性。     

月地转移轨道中应急调整异面着陆场的轨道控制及优化方法

摘要： 针对月地返回轨道周期较长、不确定性较大的特点,结合我国主、副着陆场的分布情况,提出一种通过在月地返回轨道中实施双脉冲机动,以实现在应急条件下将再入平面调整至原再入平面以外的异面再入落区方法.应用一种迭代算法实现了在月地系统复杂引力场中求解Lambert问题的精确解;而后,结合最优的必要性判定条件以及模拟退火算法,应用一种交互式脉冲优化方法,可求得双脉冲机动的最优解为0.025 2 km/s,满足工程实际约束.