Certain approaches to the development of on-board automated training system

Perspectives of long-term space programs make it necessary to develop autonomous computer expert system for crew-members physical state control. The purpose of the work--to develop a set of objective formalizable physiological indices of working capacity suitable for reliable algorithmization of physical state control. Investigations were performed in on-earth microgravity simulation (3- and 7-day dry immersion, 6 subjects; 4-month antiorthostatic hypokinesy, 10 subjects) with volunteers' participation as well with 34 members of MIR-station expeditions during flights. Model exercise investigations were made also with 20 young male volunteers to evaluate the validity of different physical state indices. A set of indices was found which, being simple enough for measuring, performs to get satisfactory adequate evaluations of current organism physical state in long-term real or simulated microgravity. It was proved that some ergometric indices along with heart rate derivatives could reflect real working ability even better than traditional characteristics of organism energy systems state.     

A review of muscle atrophy in microgravity and during prolonged bed rest

With the prospect of long duration space missions in Earth orbit or to Mars, there is a need for adequate information on the physiological adaptations that will occur. One consequence of prolonged exposure to microgravity is muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass). After a long duration space flight, muscle atrophy along with skeletal calcium loss would affect the capacity of astronauts to re-adapt to gravity on return to Earth. Of importance are any countermeasures which can attenuate the adaptive responses to microgravity. Experimentation is difficult in space with small subject numbers and mission constraints. Prolonged bed rest using healthy volunteers is used as an Earth-based model to simulate the muscle atrophy which occurs in the microgravity environment.     

基于FCMAC的空间零重力环境 地面模拟装置控制

文章提出了一种新型的空间零重力地面模拟系统,该系统采用机械传动、电机驱动和气悬浮组合的方式来实现空间零重力环境的模拟,即:水平方向采用气悬浮方式,竖直方向采用永磁同步电机（PMSM）作为其执行器件,经减速器后利用滚珠丝杠及带直线轴承的导向杆的传动装置,通过力反馈控制方式来实时抵消目标重力。考虑到永磁同步电机具有非线性、强耦合的特点以及机械摩擦等不确定性及外界干扰,为保证实时性,内环采用动态性较好的滑模变结构控制器,外环采用学习速度快的模糊小脑模型关联控制（FCMAC）神经网络的控制策略来自适应学习并补偿各种不确定及非线性影响。仿真结果表明:所设计的试验系统具有整体重量轻、使用方便及零重力环境模拟精度高等优点,适用于复杂运动的大中型飞行器三维空间零重力地面模拟试验。     

Ethical problems of interaction between ground-based personnel and orbital station crewmembers.

Manned missions onboard orbital stations Salyut-6 and Salyut-7 have led us to the conclusion that a long-term space mission can be viewed as a complex socio-man-machine system whose effectiveness largely depends on the quality of interaction between its subsystems. When analyzing and assessing the reliability of this system, it is important to consider ethical aspects, because they concern human relations, permeating its very component and in the long run determining its efficiency. Psychological and medical examinations before, during and after manned missions have helped us to identify the major points of interaction of the subsystems which require adequate monitoring and optimization using socio-psychological and organization-technical approaches: arrangement and evaluation of the quality of work, arrangement of proper leisure, psychological comfort in the interpersonality and intergroup relations during prolonged space missions. This paper also discusses adaptive changes in the mental and physical state due to prolonged exposure to space flight factors such as microgravity and confinement.     

用高空气球实现的微重力环境模拟实验系统

本文主要阐述利用高空气球落舱进行微重力环境模拟实验的可行性,工程系统的构成,系统控制时序以及试验结果。     

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。     

载人航天器在轨维修地面仿真验证技术

为满足载人航天器型号对微重力和真空环境下的维修性仿真验证需求,文章提出并实现了一种混合式仿真验证平台。阐述了在轨维修仿真验证平台整体构架,建立了航天员模型、航天服模型及舱体维修模型,给出了在轨微重力和真空环境下进行维修的可视性、可达性及维修操作时间的仿真验证方法。利用该平台对在轨维修任务进行仿真验证,结果表明,该平台可以有效仿真和验证在轨维修,为维修性设计和优化提供了手段。     

Some experimental progresses in the study of self-rewetting fluids for the SELENE experiment to be carried in the Thermal Platform 1 hardware

SELENE (SELf-rewetting fluids for thermal ENErgy management) is a microgravity experiment proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) in response to the Announcement of Opportunities for Physical Sciences. Main objectives of the microgravity research onboard the International Space Station (ISS) include the quantitative investigation of heat transfer performances in model heat pipes and validation of adequate theoretical and numerical models. In particular the research is focused on “self-rewetting fluids”, i.e. fluid mixtures with unusual surface tension properties. This article summarizes preliminary ground-based research activities in preparation of the microgravity experiments. They include: (1) thermophysical properties measurements; (2) study of thermo-soluto-capillary effects in micro-channels; (3) numerical modeling; (4) measurements with optical (e.g. interferometric) and intrusive techniques; (5) surface tension-driven effects and thermal performances test on different capillary structures and heat pipes; and (6) breadboards development and support to definition of scientific requirements.     

Effects of Microgravity on Human Physiology and Ground-Based Models for Space Physiological Studies

With the development of manned spaceflight, more and more researches are involved in the area of gravitation physiology. When astronauts are exposed to microgravity, a series of special physiological or pathological changes will occur, which will start self-regulation mechanisms to reduce abnormalities and help the organism to better adapt to microgravity. However, these adaptive changes may also induce degradation or damage to physiological functions. This paper summarizes the physiological effects of microgravity on the human body from the aspects of skeletal and mineral metabolism, muscle structure and function, vestibular functions, cardiovascular function and pulmonary function, as well as expounds some commonly used ground-based space analogies. The paper will provide a reference for further study on the physiological effects of microgravity.     

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。     

不同高度通道内热薄燃料火焰传播特性的研究

为探究通道高度对逆风火焰传播特性的影响,采用实验、数值模拟、理论分析方法对微重力条件下不同高度通道内热薄燃料火焰传播特性进行了研究。通道高度分别为10mm, 14mm和60mm的短时落塔微重力实验结果表明,相同逆风气流速度时,随通道高度增加,火焰传播速度逐渐增大,且10mm, 14mm和16mm高度通道下的火焰长度比约为通道半高度比的二次方关系。数值模拟与理论分析表明,微重力条件下,随通道高度增加,火焰传播速度、火焰长度先增大再减小,呈非单调的变化趋势。燃烧热释放速率随高度变化呈非单调变化趋势,同火焰传播速度变化规律基本一致。     

表面张力贮箱的微重力实验验证--静平衡与重定位

新研制的表面张力贮箱保证在微重力或无重力环境下、在任何时候都能向系统提供不含气的推进剂，因而需要确定液体的空间分布以及在给定微重力加速度下的重定位过程，以便为贮箱的设计提供依据。为此，按照相似理论用缩比模型进行了一系列微重力落塔实验，然后根据测定的重定位时间计算出原型表面张力贮箱的重定位时间。     

基于准零刚度技术的微重力模拟悬吊装置设计与试验研究

微重力地面模拟试验对验证航天器在轨运行的可靠性有重要意义。通常采用低刚度悬吊装置模拟微重力环境,但存在着承载能力低和自振干扰的问题。为解决这些问题,文章提出了一种考虑弹簧自振的准零刚度悬吊装置。首先,通过合理简化推导了承载弹簧在装置中的自振频率计算式,并分析了准零刚度悬吊装置的工作原理,得出设计参数应满足的条件。然后,根据试验承载需求和位移要求提出了参数设计流程,依此流程设计得到了一种可调节平衡位置与几何参数的准零刚度悬吊装置。最后,对装置进行了静力测试与悬吊-隔振试验,结果表明,该装置不仅具有准零刚度特性和较大承载能力,而且解决了自振干扰的问题,能较好地模拟微重力环境。     

Induction of vascular endothelial phenotype and cellular proliferation from human cord blood stem cells cultured in simulated microgravity

Recent studies have demonstrated that stem cells derived from adult hematopoietic tissues are capable of trans-differentiation into non-hematopoietic cells, and that the culture in microgravity (microg) may modulate the proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the application of microg to human umbilical cord blood stem cells (CBSC) in the induction of vascular endothelial phenotype expression and cellular proliferation. CD34+ mononuclear cells were isolated from waste human umbilical cord blood samples and cultured in simulated microg for 14 days. The cells were seeded in rotary wall vessels (RWV) with or without microcarrier beads (MCB) and vascular endothelial growth factor was added during culture. Controls consisted of culture in 1 G. The cell cultures in RWV were examined by inverted microscopy. Cell counts, endothelial cell and leukocyte markers performed by flow cytometry and FACS scan were assayed at days 1, 4, 7 and at the termination of the experiments. Culture in RWV revealed significantly increased cellular proliferation with three-dimensional (3D) tissue-like aggregates. At day 4, CD34+ cells cultured in RWV bioreactor without MCB developed vascular tubular assemblies and exhibited endothelial phenotypic markers. These data suggest that CD34+ human umbilical cord blood progenitors are capable of trans-differentiation into vascular endothelial cell phenotype and assemble into 3D tissue structures. Culture of CBSC in simulated microg may be potentially beneficial in the fields of stem cell biology and somatic cell therapy.     

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.     

French research program on the physiological problems caused by weightlessness. Use of the primate model

The need to acquire a better knowledge of the main biological problems induced by microgravity implies--in addition to human experimentation--the use of animal models, and primates seem to be particularly well adapted to this type of research. The major areas of investigation to be considered are the phospho-calcium metabolism and the metabolism of supporting tissues, the hydroelectrolytic metabolism, the cardiovascular function, awakeness, sleep-awakeness cycles, the physiology of equilibrium and the pathophysiology of space sickness. Considering this program, the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches de Medecine Aerospatiale, under the sponsorship of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, developed both a program of research on restrained primates for the French-U.S. space cooperation (Spacelab program) and for the French-Soviet space cooperation (Bio-cosmos program), and simulation of the effects of microgravity by head-down bedrest. Its major characteristics are discussed in the study.     

Microgravity research and user support in the Space Station era: The Microgravity User Support Centre

Future space systems, such as Columbus, the planned European contribution to the International Space Station, offer ample possibilities for microgravity research and application. These new opportunities require adequate user support on ground and novel operational concepts in order to ensure an effective utilization. Extensive experience in microgravity user support has been accumulated at DFVLR during the past Spacelab 1 and D1 missions. Based on this work, a Microgravity User Support Centre (MUSC) has been built and is active for the forthcoming EURECA-A1 and D2 missions, to form an integrated support centre for the disciplines life sciences and material sciences in the Space Station era. The objective of the user support at MUSC is to achieve:

• easy access to space experiments for scientific and commercial users,

• efficient preparation of experiments,

• optimum use of valuable microgravity experimentation time,

• cost reduction by concentration of experience.

This is implemented by embedding the MUSC in an active scientific environment in both disciplines, such that users can share the experience gained by professional personnel. In this way, the Space Station system is operated along the lines established on ground for the utilization of large international research facilities, such as accelerators or astronomical observatories. In addition, concepts are developed to apply advanced telescience principles for Space Station operations.     

失重模拟技术的发展及其比较研究

失重或称微重力环境是载人航天轨道飞行中的重要环境因素,地面上失重模拟实验是航天前的重要准备工作之一。失重模拟方法及其设备多种多样,要依其目的不同而进行选择。文章对上述问题进行了充分的比较研究,并在此基础上指出了中性浮力水槽和失重飞机是失重模拟设备中最常用和最有效的工具。建议从我国的实际情况出发,适时的加以建造。     

不同重力环境下空间机械臂神经自适应鲁棒控制

针对空间机械臂从地面装调到空间应用过程中重力项的变化问题,提出了一种神经网络自适应鲁棒补偿控制策略用于空间机械臂的末端控制,从而实现在地面重力环境下装调好的空间机械臂在空间微重力环境下实现在轨操控任务。通过神经网络在线建模来逼近系统模型中变化的重力项,逼近误差及系统的不确定性通过自适应鲁棒控制器来补偿。该控制策略不依赖于系统的模型,避免了回归矩阵的复杂计算及未知参数的估计,降低了计算量。基于李亚普诺夫理论证明了闭环系统的渐近稳定性。仿真结果表明该控制器对不同重力环境下空间机械臂的末端控制均能达到较高的控制精度,具有重要的理论研究和工程应用价值。