The X/X/KA-band deep space transponder for the BepiColombo mission to mercury

This paper reports the main characteristics of the deep space transponder (DST) equipment that has been designed, developed and tested by Thales Alenia Space—Italy (TAS-I) for the European Space Agency (ESA) BepiColombo mission to Mercury.     

The PROCESS experiment: an astrochemistry laboratory for solid and gaseous organic samples in low-earth orbit

The PROCESS (PRebiotic Organic ChEmistry on the Space Station) experiment was part of the EXPOSE-E payload outside the European Columbus module of the International Space Station from February 2008 to August 2009. During this interval, organic samples were exposed to space conditions to simulate their evolution in various astrophysical environments. The samples used represent organic species related to the evolution of organic matter on the small bodies of the Solar System (carbonaceous asteroids and comets), the photolysis of methane in the atmosphere of Titan, and the search for organic matter at the surface of Mars. This paper describes the hardware developed for this experiment as well as the results for the glycine solid-phase samples and the gas-phase samples that were used with regard to the atmosphere of Titan. Lessons learned from this experiment are also presented for future low-Earth orbit astrochemistry investigations.     

Six-month space greenhouse experiments--a step to creation of future biological life support systems

SVET Space Greenhouse (SG)--the first automated facility for growing of higher plants in microgravity was designed in the eighty years to be used for the future BLSS. The first successful experiment with vegetables was carried out in 1990 on the MIR Space Station (SS). The experiments in SVET SG were resumed in 1995, when an American Gas Exchange Measurement System (GEMS) was added. A three-month wheat experiment was carried out as part of MIR-SHUTTLE'95 program. SVET-2 SG Bulgarian equipment of a new generation with optimised characteristics was developed (financed by NASA). The new SVET-GEMS equipment was launched on board the MIR SS and a successful six-month experiments for growing up of two crops of wheat were conducted in 1996 - 97 as part of MIR-NASA-3 program. The first of these "Greenhouse" experiments (123 days) with the goal to grow wheat through a complete life cycle is described. Nearly 300 heads developed but no seeds were produced. A second crop of wheat was planted and after 42 days the plants were frozen for biochemical investigations. The main environmental parameters during the six-month experiments in SVET (substrate moisture and lighting period) are given. The results and the contribution to BLSS are discussed.     

European materials science investigations and associated experimental equipment within the Spacelab demonstration missions

This paper reviews shortly the results obtained by a preliminary call for experiment proposals for future Spacelab flights issued by the European Space Agency in April 1978. The results of this call indicate clearly the trend towards experiments performing studies on the state and the evolution of fluid media. The instrumentation used are mainly multipurpose instruments (furnaces, process chambers) already under development for the first Spacelab flight and new equipment currently under study.     

Europe without fractures: a Spanish view of the European Space Strategy

On 16 November 2000, the Council of the European Space Agency (ESA) meeting at Ministerial level and the European Research Council of the European Union (EU) gathered in Brussels to adopt in parallel two resolutions on a European Strategy for Space. This political impetus indicates a clear motivation to support the further development of the European space sector, based on a much closer collaboration between the two European institutions, thereby exploiting their respective competencies and synergies. This paper presents some Spanish viewpoints relative to the common European Strategy for Space of the EU and ESA. Spain is supportive of the new strategy and the paper describes how its co-ordinated approach could be translated into action across various European programmes.     

EXPOSE-E: an ESA astrobiology mission 1.5 years in space

The multi-user facility EXPOSE-E was designed by the European Space Agency to enable astrobiology research in space (low-Earth orbit). On 7 February 2008, EXPOSE-E was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) on the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) platform in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle STS-122 Atlantis. The facility was installed at the starboard cone of the Columbus module by extravehicular activity, where it remained in space for 1.5 years. EXPOSE-E was returned to Earth with STS-128 Discovery on 12 September 2009 for subsequent sample analysis. EXPOSE-E provided accommodation in three exposure trays for a variety of astrobiological test samples that were exposed to selected space conditions: either to space vacuum, solar electromagnetic radiation at >110?nm and cosmic radiation (trays 1 and 3) or to simulated martian surface conditions (tray 2). Data on UV radiation, cosmic radiation, and temperature were measured every 10?s and downlinked by telemetry. A parallel mission ground reference (MGR) experiment was performed on ground with a parallel set of hardware and samples under simulated space conditions. EXPOSE-E performed a successful 1.5-year mission in space.     

一种卫星数管中心计算机软件的工程实现

文章主要针对一种卫星数管中心计算机的软件需求,进行了操作系统和应用软件的设计和实现,并在数管分系统内部联试及与其它分系统接口匹配试验中对设计进行了验证。在软件的设计中,借鉴了空间数据系统咨询委员会的航天器星载接口业务(SOIS)和欧洲航天局的包应用标准(PUS),有助于软件的构件化和产品化。     

EDEN: a payload dedicated to neurovestibular research for Neurolab

The European Space Agency contributes to the Neurolab mission through the delivery of the ESA Developed Elements for Neurolab (EDEN). Those elements include one set supporting the Autonomic Nervous System experiment and one set supporting the Neurovestibular (so-called ATLAS) experiment. This second set is called the Visual and Vestibular Investigation System (VVIS). This paper describes the main characteristics of the VVIS and its various subsystems. The scientific objectives and operational constraints of the ATLAS experiment to be carried out with this equipment during Neurolab are presented to underline the correspondence between the VVIS design and the scientific requirements. Further scientific and technical perspectives for the VVIS, particularly within the scope of the International Space station, are also proposed.     

The European Astronaut Centre prepares for International Space Station operations

The European Space Agency (ESA) contribution to the International Space Station (ISS) goes much beyond the delivery of hardware like the Columbus Laboratory, its payloads and the Automated Transfer Vehicles. ESA Astronauts will be members of the ISS crew. ESA, according to its commitments as ISS international partner, will be responsible to provide training on its elements and payloads to all ISS crewmembers and medical support for ESA astronauts. The European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne has developed over more than a decade into the centre of expertise for manned space activities within ESA by contributing to a number of important co-operative spaceflight missions. This role will be significantly extended for ISS manned operations. Apart from its support to ESA astronauts and their onboard operations, EAC will have a key role in training all ISS astronauts on ESA elements and payloads. The medical support of ISS crew, in particular of ESA astronauts has already started. This paper provides an overview on status and further plans in building up this homebase function for ESA astronauts and on the preparation towards Training Readiness for ISS crew training at EAC, Cologne. Copyright 2001 by the European Space Agency. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. Released to IAF/IAA/AIAA to publish in all forms.     

Results of impact simulation for the GIOTTO mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) has decided to carry out a fly-by mission to the comet Halley. The spacecraft will be launched by an ARIANE II and intercept the retrograde Halley orbit on 13 March, 1986. One group of experiments is designed to obtain data on size, mass and composition of the dust in the cometary tail. Because of the very high relative velocity during fly-by (69 km/s) laboratory experiments are necessary to develop and calibrate the experiments. These experiments are presently under way in the laboratory of the Lehrstuhl für Raumfahrttechnik of the Technische Universität München. First results have been obtained for both the Dust Impact Detection System (DIDSY) and the P?articulate Impact Analyzer (PIA). These results are compared with the theoretical models for hypervelocity impact craters. The agreement is good at impact velocities around 15 km/s.     

Marangoni heat pipe: An experiment on board MIOsat Italian microsatellite

This article summarizes the activities in preparation of a microgravity experiment to be carried out by using a small technological payload onboard a microsatellite developed by the Italian Space Agency. A dedicated hardware will be developed to investigate innovative heat pipes filled with self-rewetting fluids, i.e. dilute aqueous alcoholic solutions with unique surface tension properties. After a general introduction of the scientific background, the paper is focused on the main activities in preparation of the flight experiment, on the design of the flight hardware and on the experimental planned procedure. The laboratory results achieved on ground in preparation of a flight experiment are also presented, including measurements of fluids physical properties and preliminary heat pipes performances characterization test. From the engineering point of view, the activities dealing with heat pipes filling and sealing are included. The activities for heat pipe characterization conclude the paper.     

航天发射塔回转平台滚动轴承状态检测方法与试验研究

研究航天发射塔回转平台特殊工况滚动轴承的状态检测与试验方法。提出应用冲击脉冲法（SPM方法）进行不解体检测的变参数对比试验和SPM方法检测指标筛选试验方案。针对某航天发射塔回转平台滚动轴承的实际运行状况和使用维修记录，对该塔66个回转平台滚动轴承进行了现场检测试验和综合分析评判。成功地解决了该塔超低速、大负荷、变速、欠润滑运转回转平台滚动轴承的状态检测问题，充分发挥了现役轴承的使用寿命．节约了大量的维修时间与维修费用。     

Small missions: exploiting the opportunities

This is an edited part of a report by the European consortium Eurospace on the potential for the continent of small missions. A growing feature of the space market for communications, Earth observations and science and technology development, they represent both a threat of missing an important future market and an opportunity to develop a new capability offering better value for money and increasing the effectiveness of European space endeavours. A new pump-priming programme, the European Small Space Missions Initiative (ESSMI), is put forward to avoid the present vicious circle in which small missions are not proposed because of the lack of launch opportunities and launch vehicles are not developed because of lack of demand.     

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.     

EVA Suit 2000: a joint European/Russian space suit design

A feasibility study in 1992 showed the benefits of a common European Russian space suit development, EVA Suit 2000, replacing the Russian space suit Orlan-DMA and the planned European Hermes EVA space suit at the turn of the century. This EVA Suit 2000 is a joint development initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Space Agency (RKA). The main objectives of this development program are: first utilization aboard the Russian Space Station MIR-2; performance improvement with respect to current operational suits; development cost reduction. Russian experience gained with the present extravehicular activity (EVA) suit on the MIR Space Station and extensive application of European Technologies will be needed to achieve these ambitious goals. This paper presents the current status of the development activities, the space suit system design and concentrates in more detail on life support aspects. Specific subjects addressed will include the overall life support conceptual architecture, design features, crew comfort and operational considerations.     

Simulation by personal workstation for man-machine interface design

This paper presents a simulation tool which has been developed for Man-Machine interface (MMI) design study, in the context of the European EVA Space Suit System development, under contract of ESA/ESTEC. The main new point is that this simulation is based on a personal workstation, and not on a heavy real-time computer, as in most simulation centres. It will be used in ESTEC to perform low cost simulations of the front part of a manned system, to improve and develop MMI with efficiency.     

The Soviet/Russian spacesuit history: Part III—The European connection

The European spacesuit system (ESSS) initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the late 1980s had many similarities with the Soviet/Russian ORLAN spacesuit system, due to the Hermes system requirements. First, direct contacts in 1989 permitted closer comparison of the two suit systems, and soon the ORLAN manufacturer Zvezda could be contracted as support to the European spacesuit team. In particular, the suit enclosure design and predevelopment testing and operational analysis were performed in close cooperation between Zvezda and the European team under Dornier.

With the changing system requirements and a closer cooperation between ESA and the new Russian Space Agency (RKA) a new joint spaceplane/stations mission scenario came about. This scenario could be served by one spacesuit system, EVA SUIT 2000, which was to be jointly developed by a team headed by Zvezda and Dornier for ESA and RKA. ORLAN-DMA and ESSS experience and hardware were the initial platforms for these activities to create a new generation spacesuits for the Mir 2 and later the ISSs.

A suit demonstrator was manufactured and tested by the end of 1994 when ESA stopped its spacesuit development activities and the joint EVA SUIT 2000 project was terminated. However, many of the features designed, manufactured and tested for the EVA SUIT 2000 were then implemented by Zvezda in the new Russian spacesuit system ORLAN-M, now in full operation onboard the ISS.     

Software assisted authoring and viewing of ISS crew procedures

The European Space Agency (ESA) initiated a joint project with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and industry partners for improved authoring and execution of Operations Data File (ODF) procedures. The system consists of an authoring tool and a viewer. The authoring tool is currently used by NASA and ESA to write/convert ODF procedures. The viewer will be used onboard the International Space Station (ISS) starting from Flight Increment 11. The new system, thanks to its interaction capability, will help astronauts and operators in the execution of checklist and logic flow procedures that ensure precise performance of experiments and smooth operation of the various systems.     

Attached payloads on SPACEHAB, growing from the Space Shuttle to the Space Station

Although NASA's Space Shuttle is largely dedicated in the near term to Space Station assembly, 10–16 day flight opportunities still abound for spacecraft technology demonstration payloads, and experiments for the established earth and space science communities. This paper will present the latest developments of SPACEHAB flight systems in order to accommodate the flight needs of these communities on the Space Shuttle today and the Space Station tomorrow. In particular, some examples of payloads from these disciplines will be introduced together with the accommodation and experiment objectives.     

The Brazilian scientific microsatellite SACI-1

The National Space Research Institute (INPE) is developing the first Brazilian Scientific Microsatellite (SACI-1) based on the vanguard technology and on the experience acquired through projects developed by Brazilian Space Program. The SACI-1 is a 750km polar orbit satellite. The spacecraft will combine spin stabilization with geomagnetic control and has a total mass of 60 kg. The overall dimensions are 640×470×470 mm. The SACI-1 satellite shall be launched together with CBERS (China-Brazil Earth Resource Satellite). Its platform is being designed for multiple mission applications. The Brazilian Academy of Sciences has selected four scientific payloads that characterize the mission. The scientific experiments are: ORCAS (Solar and Anomalous Cosmic Rays Observation in the Magnetosphere), PLASMEX (Study of Plasma Bubbles), FOTSAT (Airglow Photometer), and MAGNEX (Geomagnetic Experiment).