The space life sciences strategy for the 21st century

In the past, space life sciences has focused on gaining an understanding of physiological tolerance to spaceflight, but, for the last 10 years, the focus has evolved to include issues relevant to extended duration missions. In the 21st century, NASA's long-term strategy for the exploration of the solar system will combine the assurance of human health and performance for long periods in space with investigations aimed at searching for traces of life on other planets and acquiring fundamental scientific knowledge of life processes. Implementation of this strategy will involve a variety of disciplines including radiation health, life support, human factors, space physiology and countermeasures, medical care, environmental health, and exobiology. It will use both ground-based and flight research opportunities such as those found in current on-going programs, on Spacelab and unmanned biosatellite flights, and during Space Station Freedom missions.     

An international symbol for the sustained exploration of space

As humanity prepares to extend its reach beyond low-Earth-orbit for the first time since the 1970s, a new symbol of international cooperation is needed to further promote the message of peace and collaboration such exploration entails. The space race that occurred between the USSR and the USA is an ill-suited model for long-term sustained space exploration because it is too costly and too resource-intensive for a single nation to bear. While competition is healthy for technology development, the success of a sustained space exploration strategy lies beyond technological capabilities. It lies in international cooperation, space policy, and public support. Without these, no program can realistically achieve a sustained presence in space beyond low-Earth orbit. To this effect, this paper proposes a cost-effective first step in the form of a universal symbol which, when placed alongside national flags displayed on hardware and astronaut/cosmonaut/taikonaut flight-suits, would send a strong message to the world that space exploration is done for the benefit of humanity as a whole, not just for spacefaring nations. The “Blue Marble”, the first complete picture of Earth taken from space by humans in 1972, fits this universally appealing symbol. This symbol requires no political collaboration between countries, yet is an image that anyone, anywhere in the world, can relate to regardless of nationality, ethnic origin or religious beliefs. Placed on the shoulder pads of human ’nauts – ambassadors of planet Earth – or prominently displayed on spacebound hardware, this symbol would send a universal message to present and future generations that, in space, our planet is working together for the benefit of everyone.     

火星载人探测中辐射防护综述

火星探测是人类太空探索的重要组成部分,火星载人探测中航天员的辐射安全问题是人们最为关心的问题。文章扼要介绍了美国/俄罗斯火星载人探测技术的发展过程,重点阐述了探测中的辐射环境、辐射效应以及国外探测结果;在此基础上,对火星探测中的辐射剂量进行了预示,提出了辐射防护建议。     

The benefits of remote sensing for energy policy

A strong remote sensing regime is a necessary component of any contemporary national or international energy policy. Energy is essential to the functioning of modern industrial society, and as such it is the responsibility of governments to produce sound national energy policies in order to ensure stable economic growth, ecologically responsible use of energy resources and the health and safety of citizens. Comprehensive, accurate and timely remote sensing data can aid decision making on energy matters in several areas. This paper looks at the benefits that can be realized in resource exploration, weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. Improvements in the technology of remote sensing platforms would be of great value to buyers of energy, sellers of energy and the environment. Furthermore, the utility of such information could be enhanced by efforts of government agencies to communicate it more effectively to the end-user. National energy policies should thus include investments not only in satellite system hardware to collect data, but also in the services required to interpret and distribute the data.     

深空探测重力模拟飞行器方案设想

为解决失重环境对航天员生理健康的影响,在调研国内外重力飞行器研究现状的基础上,结合重力模拟飞行器的原理及人造重力舒适度影响因素,提出了一种通过自旋产生人造重力的深空探测飞行器方案设想。最后给出了重力模拟飞行器建设的实施规划、总体方案、在轨组装流程及技术难点。深空探测重力模拟飞行器稳定运转可为空间工作生活的航天员提供与地面无异的重力环境,将为执行深空探测任务提供必要的环境保障。     

Reconfigurability in planetary surface vehicles

Traditionally, space systems have been built for fixed requirements and optimized for highest performance. Future systems for human exploration of Moon and Mars, however, require focus on new architectural strategies geared towards increased affordability and survivability in addition to performance. Reconfigurability is a new paradigm in system design that enhances these qualities. Reconfigurable systems can attain different states with new or modified capabilities, as required with changing needs, over time. Such systems can lower mission costs through mass savings by efficient use of a fixed set of hardware for multiple functions. Their survivability is improved through their ability to reconfigure into different states so that some level of over-all functionality is retained. This study, with a focus on planetary surface vehicles, presents a methodology for determining optimal designs of reconfigurable systems. It also proposes metrics for assessing the impact of reconfigurability. It is found that for the specific scenario considered, the mass utilization efficiency in a fleet of reconfigurable vehicles is increased by 27% while the survivability can be increased by a factor of 3.     

Psychological countermeasures for extended manned spaceflights

The authors examine psychological issues and countermeasures in extended space flight. Individual-oriented pre-flight countermeasures include basic psychological selection and training of astronaut candidates. Crew-oriented pre-flight countermeasures include crew composition based on psychological compatibility and psychological mission preparation. Psychological inflight support measures include those that address the emotional state and well-being of astronauts, performance efficiency, and prevention of task overload. Suggestions for an integrated approach to psychological countermeasures for extended flights are presented. Case reports examine psychological selection and training of German astronauts in preparation for the STS-55 mission.     

The physical price of a ticket into space

As a direct consequence of exposure to microgravity astronauts experience a number of physiological changes, which can have serious medical implications when they return to Earth. Most immediate and significant are the head-ward shift of body fluids and the removal of gravitational loading from bone and muscles, which lead to progressive changes in the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiovascular adaptations result in an increased incidence of orthostatic intolerance (fainting) post-flight, decreased cardiac output and reduced exercise capacity. Changes in the musculoskeletal system contribute significantly to the impaired functions experienced in the post-flight period. The underlying factor producing these changes is the absence of gravity. Countermeasures, therefore, are designed primarily to simulate Earth-like movements, stresses and system interactions. Exercise is one approach that has received wide operational use and acceptance in both the US and Russian space programmes, and has enabled humans to stay relatively healthy in space for well over a year. Although it remains the most effective countermeasure currently available, significant physiological degradation still occurs. The development of other countermeasures will therefore be necessary for longer duration missions, such as the human exploration of Mars.     

火星探测天线组阵数据接收技术研究和验证实验

为了满足我国首次火星探测任务的需要，确保探测器有效载荷科学数据的顺利下传，将采用天线组阵的方式进行数据接收。天线组阵数据接收技术在航天工程中的应用国内尚属首次，为此开展了信号合成方法和处理流程的研究，提出了利用模型计算和基于科斯塔斯环的搜索估计相结合的初始时延和多普勒频差快速估计方法。利用现有的密云站50 m天线和昆明站40 m天线，以嫦娥3号着陆器数传信号为实验对象，开展了天线组阵与数据接收技术检验实验。研究和实验结果表明，全频谱合成方法优于符号流合成方法，其合成损耗小于等于 0.45 dB ，可用于我国首次火星探测任务天线组阵的信号合成；初始时延和多普勒频差快速估计方法可提高广域组阵信号互相关的搜索效率；所确定的信号合成技术流程和数据处理方法可用于后续信号合成软硬件设备的研制和开发。     

一种基于相干叠加的复合载波导航信号捕获方法

针对复合载波导航信号多载波结构特征,基于检测性能、运算复杂度、硬件资源占用情况三方面的综合考虑,提出了一套适用于该信号的捕获架构和处理方法。该架构采用PMF-FFT算法对复合载波各子载波进行分别或统一处理,然后利用各子载波频点间隔信息,对信号进行循环移位并相干叠加,以充分利用信号能量进行检测判决。理论分析和仿真实验表明,与传统的卫星导航信号单载波捕获架构相比,该架构在有限的硬件资源和计算能力的情况下获得了较好的检测性能。     

基于CORDIC算法实现双曲函数的计算

研究基于CORDIC算法如何应用简单的硬件实现双曲正弦/余弦函数的计算。文章首先介绍了CORDIC算法原理,探讨了一种易于硬件实现的结构,并通过对双曲正弦/余弦函数计算的实例分析了CORDIC算法的性能,为扩大其应用奠定理论基础。     

A gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit

Despite the use of several countermeasures, significant physiological deconditioning still occurs during long duration spaceflight. Bone loss – primarily due to the absence of loading in microgravity – is perhaps the greatest challenge to resolve. This paper describes a conceptual Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit (GLCS) that induces loading on the body to mimic standing and – when integrated with other countermeasures – exercising on Earth. Comfort, mobility and other operational issues were explored during a pilot study carried out in parabolic flight for prototype suits worn by three subjects. Compared to the 1- or 2-stage Russian Pingvin Suits, the elastic mesh of the GLCS can create a loading regime that gradually increases in hundreds of stages from the shoulders to the feet, thereby reproducing the weight-bearing regime normally imparted by gravity with much higher resolution. Modelling shows that the skinsuit requires less than 10 mmHg (1.3 kPa) of compression for three subjects of varied gender, height and mass. Negligible mobility restriction and excellent comfort properties were found during the parabolic flights, which suggests that crewmembers should be able to work normally, exercise or sleep while wearing the suit. The suit may also serve as a practical 1 g harness for exercise countermeasures and vibration applications to improve dynamic loading.     

Physiology, medicine, long-duration space flight and the NSBRI

The hazards of long-duration space flight are real and unacceptable. In order for humans to participate effectively in long-duration orbital missions or continue the exploration of space, we must first secure the health of the astronaut and the success of such missions by assessing in detail the biomedical risks of space flight and developing countermeasures to these hazards. Acquiring the understanding necessary for building a sound foundation for countermeasure development requires an integrated approach to research in physiology and medicine and a level of cooperative action uncommon in the biomedical sciences. The research program of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) was designed to accomplish just such an integrated research goal, ameliorating or eliminating the biomedical risks of long-duration space flight and enabling safe and productive exploration of space. The fruits of these labors are not limited to the space program. We can also use the gained understanding of the effects and mechanisms of the physiological changes engendered in space and the applied preventive and rehabilitative methods developed to combat these changes to the benefit of those on Earth who are facing similar physiological and psychological difficulties. This paper will discuss the innovative approach the NSBRI has taken to integrated research management and will present some of the successes of this approach.     

非规则LDPC码译码量化问题研究

对应用于国家数字电视地面传输标准的非规则LDPC码的log-BP译码算法实现中的量化问题进行研究,针对三种不同的编码效率的码字,对接收数据和中间变量进行均匀和变精度量化方案设计,并在高斯信道上仿真。通过对误码率和译码硬件复杂度两方面的对比和优化,得出了标准采用的LDPC码log-BP算法量化的实用性结论,作为硬件实现及其他应用的重要依据和参考。进一步指出对中间变量采用“变精度量化”方案,可使误码率非常接近无量化处理。     

Odyssey: Principles for enduring space exploration

As the USA, Europe and other nations embark on a new voyage of exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond, they should lay the foundations and establish precedents that invite a host of participants and followers. We argue that international cooperation, driven by foreign-policy and cost-sharing considerations, has taken a prominent role but must be pragmatically and flexibly balanced with economic and strategic self-interest. Since exploration visions are likely to differ, the steps each country will pursue, the funding provided, and schedules followed will also differ. To support an enduring exploration vision, it will be important to remain flexible to changing priorities and amenable to the inclusion of new, non-traditional participants. Open-systems principles and metaprinciples should be employed at all levels—hardware, software, programmatic, political and cultural. Equally important, national leadership and decision makers should be mindful of the potential pitfalls that might undermine the venture. While the new vision inspires us all, it will take creativity, resourcefulness, hard work and cooperation to succeed.     

深空探测器表面采样技术适应性研究

对探测器硬件表面的生物负载进行有效评估,是深空探测任务中行星保护的重要环节。文章对比了两种植绒拭子在不同材料表面对不同产芽孢菌的采集效率。结果显示,国产CY-93050T植绒拭子的采集效率高于ESA常用的Copan 552C植绒拭子,两者的平均采集效率分别为45.38%±13.46%和29.43%±8.2%;材料表面物理性质对采集效率有明显影响,两种拭子对表面光滑的铝合金5A06材料的采集效率高于对阻燃混纺斜纹布的采集效率;两种拭子对不同产芽孢菌的采集效率也存在差异。研究结果可为我国开展深空探测器硬件表面微生物检测提供数据和技术支持。     

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。     

Control system design of the Korean lunar lander demonstrator

In preparation for the lunar exploration program scheduled to be launched during the early 2020s in Korea, a lunar lander demonstrator, which will be used for developing and demonstrating lunar landing technologies, is being developed. The control configuration of the lunar lander demonstrator is determined with the consideration of available technologies and flight requirements. It is suggested that altitude control be achieved by clustering five 200 N monopropellant thrusters and attitude control with eight 3 N thrusters. A control algorithm designed to follow a predefined trajectory is developed using quaternion feedback. Control system configuration and control logic are verified by using computer simulations. Simulation results show that a soft landing with a touchdown velocity of less than 3 m/s is achieved. Attitude control performance is also verified using computer simulations. The developed control configuration will be further tested by hardware in the loop simulations and ground based firing tests during the next phase of the study.