Satellite solar power: Renewed interest in an age of climate change?

The concept of generating electricity using satellite solar power (SSP) has recently enjoyed renewed interest as a source of non-fossil fuel energy. First proposed in the 1960s, then studied sporadically in the past decade, SSP offers a potentially large supply of power but without the carbon emissions associated with evidence of global climate change. SSP faces challenges: competition from other non-fossil renewable energy, such as wind power, and the lead-time and costs required to assemble, test, and deploy an SSP system. At the request of a consortium of electric utilities, of NASA, and of the US National Science Foundation, this paper estimates the value of SSP in four distinct geographic regions, each differing in terms of their resource base for conventional renewable energy. Because deployment of SSP would be sometime in the future, we explicitly incorporate uncertainty in the model. We find the cost-effectiveness of SSP is highly sensitive to geographic region, to the reliability of SSP, and to the cost of carbon damages avoided by its use. The results offer guidance for decision makers in space, energy, and environment programs who must allocate scarce budgetary resources among competing public investment alternatives for clean energy.     

Possibilities of remote sensing to determine parameters needed for climate change studies

The second objective of GARP—climate research—comes more and more into the focus of the scientific community, and the use of satellites and spacelabs to acquire the necessary data is discussed widely. From an inspection of the results of current climate model computations it is attempted in this paper to deduce the criticality of atmospheric parameters with respect to climate and to deduce the required measuring accuracy to get useful data for further climate studies. It emerges that some quantities as the solar flux and albedo have to be determined to better than 1%, and that much improved global information about particles, clouds and gas distribution is necessary. The impact of these requirements on future satellite systems is discussed. One result is the need for comparative and calibrating spacelab missions as well as for adequate ground truth or in situ operations.     

Detour Strategies in Humans: Testing the Predictions of a Cognitive Map Model

In this paper, we test the predictions of a model developed by Voicu and Schmajuk (2002) in a paradigm that consists of placing an obstacle on a path between a start place and a goal after that path has been experienced by human participants several times. The model predicts that more experience with the path increases the likelihood of the participants performing a detour, e.g., circumventing the obstacle and resuming the original path, and decreases the probability of taking a shortcut to the goal. This prediction is tested in humans in a computed-simulated virtual environment. The experimental results agree with the prediction of the model for the case in which subjects have a limited view of the environment. In the case where they have an unrestricted view of the environment, they are more likely to move directly to the goal irrespective of the experience with the path between the two places.     

改变显示处理器主机IP地址脚本的编写

由于受资金限制,目前空管自动化系统设备除必要备份外,都不会有太多主机冗余,特别是应急系统,大多没有冗余显示处理器主机。我们杭州自动化应急系统情况类似,全部显示处理器主机都处于在线使用状态,无一冗余。这样就出现一个需要考虑的问题,当重要管制席位的显示处理器主机遇故障时,如何实现其正确、方便、快捷的物理换位？     

一种新型卫星转发器测试系统设计与应用

从卫星转发器分系统测试项目特点出发,设计了一种新型转发器测试系统,首次将变频矢量校准、系统级测试夹具及去嵌入方法运用在卫星转发器测试中,旨在解决传统转发器测试系统测试准备效率和测试效率低下且无法进行相位特性测试等问题。此转发器测试系统在卫星转发器测试中进行了实际验证,实测结果表明:该转发器系统测试效率比传统测试系统平均提高了3倍以上,测试精度也优于传统转发器测试系统,在一定程度上加快了了卫星装配、总装和测试(AIT)的研制进度。     

利用陕西南部MCS个例对一个概念模型的讨论和验证

引言 中尺度对流系统（MCS）是造成我国夏季暴雨的主要影响天气系统,我国学者对中国及其周边地区MCSs做了大量的研究。根据马禹等对中国及邻近地区1993～1995年三年夏季MCS的天气气候的普查和研究发现：华南西部及高原东侧、长江中下游、黄河下游都是MαCS多发区。从MaCS和MβCS散布图（图略）还可看到：陕西南部（以下简称陕南）也有少量的MCS发生,虽然数量不多,但相对西北地区,是一个高发区。由于陕南暴雨具有强度大,局地性和骤发性强,     

雷神二次雷达CMS通讯板典型故障排除实例

引言CMS(control and monitor system)为雷达维护使用者提供了用户良好的人机操作界面。它由1部专用PC组成,内部安装有专用硬件和厂方提供的专用软件,并通过通讯板与询问机连接。用户可以通过CMS进行查看系统信息、各部件运行状况、修改系统参数、系统周期性维护等重要工作。通讯板故障,     

Studying the change in characteristics of optical surfaces of a spacecraft

The change in the working characteristics of the optical element sample depending on the thickness of the contamination film applied to the sample has been estimated experimentally. As sources of contamination, the coatings of lens hoods were chosen, which are located in close proximity to the contamination- sensitive optical system of a spacecraft. A series of experiments for applying contamination films of different thickness to the sample of the optical element has been carried out. Based on preliminary estimations, the thickness of the contamination during the entire period of the active existence of the spacecraft will not exceed 3500 Å.     

Male and female characteristics in vestibular testing: a step toward the selection of the best participants for space flight

Vestibular disturbances in connection with space flight were reported by a majority of participating astronauts and cosmonauts. These include motion sickness symptoms in the first few days of the space flight, as well as standing, gait and orientation disturbances after the return to Earth. The Aerospace Medical Community has been trying to select those people that are particularly adapted to the above stresses or that can be further adapted through training programs. As the circle of selectees extends to women, the problem arises as to whether differences between men and women exist under the conditions of space flight. In seeking answers to this question we studied a group of 42 women and 44 men, who were further subdivided according to their subjective motion sickness sensitivity, as determined by a questionnaire. Using this material, 26 men and 22 women were designated as motion sickness resistant, and 18 men and 20 women were designated as nonresistant. The vestibular test battery given these test subjects consisted of caloric, rotatory, optokinetic, vestibulo-spinal and vestibulo-vegetative testing. Because of the mixed orthostatic and vestibular problems seen after space flights, we also studied the response of the vestibular apparatus during peripheral blood pooling as induced by lower body negative pressure. The collected historical and test data are analyzed in this paper with emphasis on the relationship to motion sickness tendency.     

固体发动机O形橡胶圈密封性能试验研究

分析了O形橡胶圈自然贮存、热空气加速老化、相容性及全尺寸发动机密封结构自然贮存等一系列单项试验结果,得到了O形橡胶圈在压缩状态下的密封贮存性能及其使用期,这些结果可供发动机设计使用.     

Orbit selection and its impact on radiation warning architecture for a human mission to Mars

With the recent announcement of the discovery of the possibility of life on Mars, there is renewed interest in Mars missions, perhaps eventually in human missions. Astronauts on such missions are at risk to occasional periods of enhanced high energy particle flux from the sun known as Solar Particle Events. These events can pose a substantial risk to the health of the astronauts and to the on-board electronics. Effective forecast and warning of these events could provide time to take steps to minimize the risk (retreating to a safe haven, shutting down sensitive equipment, etc.) Providing that forecast capability, will require additional monitoring capability. The extent of this architecture is sensitive to the orbit selected for the transfer to and from Mars. This paper looks at the major classes of Mars missions (Conjunction and Opposition) and sub-categories of these classes and draws conclusions on the number of monitoring satellites needed for each, with a goal to reducing total system cost through optimum orbit selection.     

Searching for life on Mars: selection of molecular targets for ESA's aurora ExoMars mission

The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission will seek evidence of organic compounds of biological and non-biological origin at the martian surface. One of the instruments in the Pasteur payload may be a Life Marker Chip that utilizes an immunoassay approach to detect specific organic molecules or classes of molecules. Therefore, it is necessary to define and prioritize specific molecular targets for antibody development. Target compounds have been selected to represent meteoritic input, fossil organic matter, extant (living, recently dead) organic matter, and contamination. Once organic molecules are detected on Mars, further information is likely to derive from the detailed distribution of compounds rather than from single molecular identification. This will include concentration gradients beneath the surface and gradients from generic to specific compounds. The choice of biomarkers is informed by terrestrial biology but is wide ranging, and nonterrestrial biology may be evident from unexpected molecular distributions. One of the most important requirements is to sample where irradiation and oxidation are minimized, either by drilling or by using naturally excavated exposures. Analyzing regolith samples will allow for the search of both extant and fossil biomarkers, but sequential extraction would be required to optimize the analysis of each of these in turn.     

The 2002 Space Cooperation Protocol between China and Brazil: An excellent example of South–South cooperation

China and Brazil have been cooperating in space since 1986 and, after 15 years of successful joint creative work, the two sides agreed a 2002 Protocol, providing a more concrete framework for further cooperation in space projects. This bilateral agreement was heralded as an authentic bilateral effort amplifying the so-called South–South relationship. A close examination of the Protocol has revealed that the document, while responding to the UN Declaration on International Cooperation, has made a significant contribution and set a good example for space cooperation among developing countries. Placed against the background of ongoing space commercialization, the success of this model can test the viability of existing space commercial rules and help introduce further improvements.     

When inspiration fails to inspire: A change of strategy for the US space program

A pressing issue facing the US space program is the projected shortfall in the skilled aerospace workforce, as the number of students in space-related fields wanes. This has prompted many to emphasize the rhetoric of inspiration that prevailed during the Cold War, at the expense of concrete arguments for space that are thought to be lackluster and insufficient. This essay argues that the logic of inspiration fails to consider the changed context and attitudes of this younger public. Instead, such an approach proves counterproductive in attracting generations compelled by a host of ideas, some incompatible with the rhetoric of competition and prestige that prevailed before. Arguments that draw attention to the pragmatic elements of space, and that successfully align space with the notions that make sense now, may in turn prove to be the solution to draw the best and the brightest to the space program.     

Testing interplanetary transfer of bacteria between Earth and Mars as a result of natural impact phenomena and human spaceflight activities

Interplanetary transport of microbes between Earth and Mars can be envisioned to occur either naturally as a consequence of impacts (lithopanspermia) or as a result of human and robotic spaceflight. In either case, the considerations for modeling successful transfer of microbial life are similar. The probability of microbes surviving either natural or human-mediated transfer is a function of: the initial population size and composition (i.e., the bioload); survival of launch, transit through space, entry and deposition; and ability to survive and proliferate on the recipient planet. Modeling this process for testing lithopanspermia and for mitigation of forward and back contamination for planetary protection purposes calls for accurate simulation of all aspects of transfer.     

Weightlessness: a case history

The facts presented represent, for convenience, a composite clinical picture of the three crewmen aboard Skylab II as observed by me.     

PHYSIOLAB: a cardiovascular laboratory

PHYSIOLAB is a cardio-vascular laboratory designed by CNES in cooperation with IMBP, with double scientific and medical goals: -a better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in blood pressure and heart rate regulation, in order to predict and control the phenomenon of cardio-vascular deconditionning. -a real-time monitoring of cosmonauts during functional tests. Launched to the MIR station in 1996, this laboratory was set up and used for the first time by Claudie Andre-Deshays during the French mission "Cassiopeia". The scientific program is performed pre, post and in-flight to study phenomena related to the transition to microgravity as well as the return to the earth conditions. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of the real-time telemetry to monitor LBNP test. This function was successful during the Cassiopeia mission, providing the medical team at TSOUP (MIR Control Center in Moscow) with efficient means to control the physiological state of the cosmonaut. Based on the results of this first mission, IMBP and CNES will go on using Physiolab with Russian crews. CNES will take advantage of the upcoming French missions on MIR to improve the system, and intends to develop a new laboratory for the International Space Station.