Surface and downhole prospecting tools for planetary exploration: tests of neutron and gamma ray probes

The ability to locate and characterize icy deposits and other hydrogenous materials on the Moon and Mars will help us understand the distribution of water and, therefore, possible habitats at Mars, and may help us locate primitive prebiotic compounds at the Moon's poles. We have developed a rover-borne neutron probe that localizes a near-surface icy deposit and provides information about its burial depth and abundance. We have also developed a borehole neutron probe to determine the stratigraphy of hydrogenous subsurface layers while operating within a drill string segment. In our field tests, we have used a neutron source to "illuminate" surrounding materials and gauge the instruments' efficacy, and we can simulate accurately the observed instrument responses using a Monte Carlo nuclear transport code (MCNPX). An active neutron source would not be needed for lunar or martian near-surface exploration: cosmic-ray interactions provide sufficient neutron flux to depths of several meters and yield better depth and abundance sensitivity than an active source. However, for deep drilling (>or=10 m depth), a source is required. We also present initial tests of a borehole gamma ray lithodensity tool and demonstrate its utility in determining soil or rock densities and composition.     

钻取式自动采样机构螺旋钻杆结构参数的多目标优化

分析了螺旋钻杆的输出月壤原理和输出月壤阻力（阻力矩）以及综合考虑了螺旋槽内月壤对钻杆驱动力矩的影响、螺旋升角的取值范围和钻杆的轴向钻进功率后建立了钻杆驱动力矩、轴向加载力及功耗的模型。利用该模型分析了钻杆外径、螺旋槽深、槽宽比及螺旋升角等结构参数对钻杆驱动力矩和轴向加载力的影响,获得了钻杆结构参数对钻杆驱动力矩和轴向加载力的影响规律。以钻杆质量和功耗最小为双优化目标,以钻杆外径、螺旋槽深、槽宽比及螺旋升角等结构参数为设计变量,基于遗传算法对钻杆结构参数进行了优化,优化后的功耗较优化前降低了31.8%,钻杆质量减小了23.3%。总体减少了钻探风险,可为钻取式自动采样机构的设计提供理论依据。     

Aspartic acid racemization and age-depth relationships for organic carbon in Siberian permafrost

We have analyzed the degree of racemization of aspartic acid in permafrost samples from Northern Siberia, an area from which microorganisms of apparent ages up to a few million years have previously been isolated and cultured. We find that the extent of aspartic acid racemization in permafrost cores increases very slowly up to an age of approximately 25,000 years (around 5 m in depth). The apparent temperature of racemization over the age range of 0-25,000 years, determined using measured aspartic acid racemization rate constants, is -19 degrees C. This apparent racemization temperature is significantly lower than the measured environmental temperature (-11 to -13 degrees C) and suggests active recycling of D-aspartic acid in Siberian permafrost up to an age of around 25,000 years. This indicates that permafrost organisms are capable of repairing some molecular damage incurred while in a "dormant" state over geologic time.     

A viable microbial community in a subglacial volcanic crater lake, Iceland

We describe a viable microbial community in a subglacial lake within the Grímsv?tn volcanic caldera, Iceland. We used a hot water drill to penetrate the 300-m ice shelf and retrieved lake water and volcanic tephra sediments. We also acquired samples of borehole water before and after penetration to the lake, overlying glacial ice and snow, and water from a nearby subaerial geothermal lake for comparative analyses. Lake water is at the freezing point and fresh (total dissolved solids = 260 mg L(-1)). Detectable numbers of cells were found in samples of the lake water column and tephra sediments: 2 x 10(4) ml(-1) and 4 x 10(7) g(-1), respectively. Plate counts document abundant cold-adapted cultivable organisms in the lake water, but not in the borehole (before penetration) or glacial ice. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from genomic DNA extracted from Grímsv?tn samples indicates that the lake community is distinct from the assemblages of organisms in borehole water (before penetration) and the overlying ice and snow. Sequencing of selected DGGE bands revealed that many sequences are highly similar to known psychrophilic organisms or cloned DNA from other cold environments. Significant uptake of 14C-labeled bicarbonate occurred in dark, low-temperature incubations of lake water samples, indicating the presence of autotrophs. Acetylene reduction assays under similar incubation conditions showed no significant nitrogen fixation potential by lake water samples. This may be a consequence of the inhibition of diazotrophy by nitrogen in the lake.     

月壤剖面锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头设计

针对月壤剖面钻进成孔探测需求,提出一种锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头,建立其钻进排屑性能的理论模型,并以此开展钻头结构参数的优化设计。在此基础上,分析螺旋刃切削姿态及其切削参数,基于直线刃平面切削理论建立锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头钻进切削负载预估模型,开展锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头模拟月壤剖面钻进负载特性试验验证。研究结果表明,相比于直线刃钻头,锥型螺旋刃成孔钻头的钻进排屑性能更优,而且钻进切削负载模型与试验结果具有较好的吻合度。研究成果对我国拟实施的月面钻取采样工程具有重要的借鉴价值。     

DAME: planetary-prototype drilling automation

We describe results from the Drilling Automation for Mars Exploration (DAME) project, including those of the summer 2006 tests from an Arctic analog site. The drill hardware is a hardened, evolved version of the Advanced Deep Drill by Honeybee Robotics. DAME has developed diagnostic and executive software for hands-off surface operations of the evolved version of this drill. The DAME drill automation tested from 2004 through 2006 included adaptively controlled drilling operations and the downhole diagnosis of drilling faults. It also included dynamic recovery capabilities when unexpected failures or drilling conditions were discovered. DAME has developed and tested drill automation software and hardware under stressful operating conditions during its Arctic field testing campaigns at a Mars analog site.     

月球极区水冰钻取模拟试验系统研究

探测并利用月球极区的水资源一直是月球探测的研究热点。针对钻取及凝华装置开展系统级真空低温试验的需要,建立月球极区水冰钻取模拟试验系统,根据水的三相转化关系设计了2个阶段的试验流程,试验中混合物容器中的水可保持固态。初步试验结果表明,所建立的试验系统能够满足现阶段开展月球极区真空低温试验的需求,为验证产品性能、优化产品工况、促进月球极区水冰获取工程技术的发展提供条件。     

利用低轨道卫星间微波信号探测反演温湿廓线

通过同时测量微波信号的折射和吸收信息,低地球轨道卫星间（LEO-LEO）微波掩星探测技术能够独立反演温度和水汽廓线。通过仿真手段,首先,正演模拟了微波信号穿过大气层后由折射和吸收效应分别导致的相位延迟和振幅衰减,在此基础上,对温度、水汽和云中液态水反演廓线进行了个例分析,然后,统计分析了温度和水汽在不同纬度带的反演性能,以及云对反演精度的影响。结果表明：温度在约35 km以上存在明显正偏差,高纬度的最大,中纬度次之,低纬度最小。水汽反演误差在约4 km以下明显增大,低纬度的最大,中纬度次之,高纬度最小。有云存在时,需要去除云的吸收作用,否则温度和水汽会出现明显的正偏差。上述研究为进一步发展LEO-LEO掩星探测计划提供了理论参考依据。     

月球钻取采样钻头结构参数对力学性能的影响

基于对螺旋钻头的输出月壤阻力、驱动力矩及月壤失效区的分析,建立了钻头的力学模型,该模型综合考虑切削具内外侧面与月壤之间的压力及摩擦力,考虑月壤侧向失效面的面载荷对钻头切削具周向力矩、总功耗及月壤失效距离的影响,数值仿真与试验结果校验了模型的正确性。在数值仿真过程中采用深层月壤本构关系的Mohr-Coulomb模型,使仿真更加符合月壤内摩擦角大于22°的真实情况。利用该模型分析并获得了钻头结构参数对切削具功耗和失效距离的影响规律,以钻头功耗最小为优化目标,用遗传算法对钻头结构参数进行了优化,优化结果降低了钻探过程中的烧钻风险。可为钻取式自动采样机构的钻头设计提供理论依据。     

Parameterization of surface temperature retrieval for remote sensing experiments

A simple parameterization has been developed for determining the actual surface temperature from the effective brightness temperature measured radiometrically in the 11 μm window region. This algorithm allows the computation of atmospheric correction without performing detailed radiative transfer calculations. Correction due to atmospheric water vapor is represented in terms of the integrated water vapor burden. Correction due to variation of surface emittance is represented in terms of its deviation from unity. Parameteric representation has also been developed for simultaneous variation of both parameters. The parameterization is based on model calculations performed with a line-by-line radiative transfer program. Sensitivity of the retrieved surface temperature to uncertainties of water vapor burden and surface emittance have also been examined.     

Thermal drilling in planetary ices: an analytic solution with application to planetary protection problems of radioisotope power sources

Abstract Thermal drilling has been applied to studies of glaciers on Earth and proposed for study of the martian ice caps and the crust of Europa. Additionally, inadvertent thermal drilling by radioisotope sources released from the breakup of a space vehicle is of astrobiological concern in that this process may form a downward-propagating "warm little pond" that could convey terrestrial biota to a habitable environment. A simple analytic solution to the asymptotic slow-speed case of thermal drilling is noted and used to show that the high thermal conductivity of the low-temperature ice on Europa and Titan makes thermal drilling qualitatively more difficult than at Mars. It is shown that an isolated General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) "brick" can drill effectively on Earth or Mars, whereas on Titan or Europa with ice at 100 K, the source would stall and become stuck in the ice with a surface temperature of <200 K. Key Words: Planetary protection-Planetary environments-Ice-Titan. Astrobiology 12, 799-802.     

Drilling systems for extraterrestrial subsurface exploration

Drilling consists of 2 processes: breaking the formation with a bit and removing the drilled cuttings. In rotary drilling, rotational speed and weight on bit are used to control drilling, and the optimization of these parameters can markedly improve drilling performance. Although fluids are used for cuttings removal in terrestrial drilling, most planetary drilling systems conduct dry drilling with an auger. Chip removal via water-ice sublimation (when excavating water-ice-bound formations at pressure below the triple point of water) and pneumatic systems are also possible. Pneumatic systems use the gas or vaporization products of a high-density liquid brought from Earth, gas provided by an in situ compressor, or combustion products of a monopropellant. Drill bits can be divided into coring bits, which excavate an annular shaped hole, and full-faced bits. While cylindrical cores are generally superior as scientific samples, and coring drills have better performance characteristics, full-faced bits are simpler systems because the handling of a core requires a very complex robotic mechanism. The greatest constraints to extraterrestrial drilling are (1) the extreme environmental conditions, such as temperature, dust, and pressure; (2) the light-time communications delay, which necessitates highly autonomous systems; and (3) the mission and science constraints, such as mass and power budgets and the types of drilled samples needed for scientific analysis. A classification scheme based on drilling depth is proposed. Each of the 4 depth categories (surface drills, 1-meter class drills, 10-meter class drills, and deep drills) has distinct technological profiles and scientific ramifications.     

Supercooled water brines within permafrost-an unknown ecological niche for microorganisms: a model for astrobiology

This study describes brine lenses (cryopegs) found in Siberian permafrost derived from ancient marine sediment layers of the Arctic Ocean. The cryopegs were formed and isolated from sediment ~100,000-120,000 years ago. They remain liquid at the in situ temperature of -10 degrees C as a result of their high salt content (170-300 g/L). [(14)C] Glucose is taken up by the cryopeg biomass at -15 degrees C, indicating microbial metabolism at low temperatures in this habitat. Furthermore, aerobic, anaerobic heterotrophs, sulfate reducers, acetogens, and methanogens were detected by most probable number analysis. Two psychrophilic microbes were isolated from the cryopegs, a Clostridium and a Psychrobacter. The closest relatives of each were previously isolated from Antarctica. The cryopeg econiche might serve as a model for extraterrestrial life, and hence is of particular interest to astrobiology.     

针刺预制体参数对C/C复合材料力学性能的影响

通过针刺与化学气相沉积分别制备碳纤维预制体与碳基体,获得针刺C/C复合材料.研究了针刺密度、针刺深度、网胎面密度等预制体成型工艺参数对C/C复合材料力学性能的影响,并探讨了预制体体积密度与C/C复合材料力学性能关联关系.结果表明,针刺密度在20～ 50针/cm2之间时,C/C复合材料拉伸强度先增后减,而层间剪切强度一直上升;针刺深度在10～16 mm之间时,拉伸强度和层间剪切强度随针刺深度的提高而增加;网胎面密度在100～300 g/m2之间时,拉伸强度和层间剪切强度随网胎面密度的提高而降低;当只改变针刺密度、针刺深度、网胎面密度其中一个成型参数时,拉伸强度和层间剪切强度受预制体密度影响显著,预制体密度可作为预测C/C复合材料力学性能的一个宏观成型参数.     

基于激光旋切法的陶瓷材料盲孔加工方法研究

介绍了激光打孔的基本原理,对激光能量、离焦量、轨迹在激光旋切法加工盲孔过程中对孔形和表面质量的影响进行了分析和试验验证,并给出了一般规律.依据试验结果确定了合理工艺参数,采用旋切法在碳纤维增强碳化硅陶瓷基复合材料（Cf/SiC）上打出了孔径为1 mm,孔深为1.1 mm,锥度小于15°的盲孔.     

倾角对含油工质冷凝换热影响的实验研究

随着航天器热控制的发展,蒸气压缩热泵排热系统等热控方式逐渐受到人们的重视,其中冷凝换热对热泵的性能好坏有重要的影响。为了研究重力场对冷凝换热的影响,将紫铜直管冷凝器置于蒸气压缩热泵系统中,通过改变重力场与流动方向的夹角,测量得到了不同倾角下的冷凝换热系数和压降。实验结果表明,倾角对直管内冷凝换热系数的影响较大,不同倾角下的换热系数差别达30%,远大于不同倾角对直管内蒸发换热的影响;压缩机润滑油对冷凝换热的影响也很大,相比较无润滑油冷凝换热系数低30%以上。随着质量流量的增加,压缩机润滑油的影响逐渐减弱。
     

月面钻取采样回转齿轮副啮合生热试验研究

针对月面钻取采样装置的回转齿轮副啮合热进行理论分析,依据辐射换热定律建立了理论温升模型;模拟实际月面真空、带载工况并开展试验研究。分析了啮合热在月面高真空环境的制约条件下,向机体外传播的方式、传热途径以及散发不畅时的积聚作用对附近运动副工作特性的影响。研究结果表明：回转齿轮副作为钻具驱动单元动力传递的中间环节,在20Nm负载转矩工况下持续运行40分钟,理论预测最大温升28.66℃,与试验测量的最大温升结果28℃相吻合,充分验证了钻进驱动单元热设计的正确性,准确地识别出回转齿轮副啮合热积聚的潜在风险。     

Martian water: are there extant halobacteria on Mars?

On Earth, life exists in all niches where water exists in liquid form for at least a portion of the year. On Mars, any liquid water would have to be a highly concentrated brine solution. It is likely, therefore, that any present-day Martian microorganisms would be similar to terrestrial halophiles. Even if present-day life does not exist on Mars, it is an interesting speculation that ancient bacteria preserved in salt deposits could be retrieved from an era when the climate of Mars was more conducive to life.     

The structure of resting bacterial populations in soil and subsoil permafrost

The structure of individual cells in microbial populations in situ of the Arctic and Antarctic permafrost was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods and compared with that of cyst-like resting forms generated under special conditions by the non-spore-forming bacteria Arthrobacter and Micrococcus isolated from the permafrost. Electron microscopy examination of microorganisms in situ revealed several types of bacterial cells having no signs of damage, including "dwarf" curved forms similar to nanoforms. Intact bacterial cells in situ and frozen cultures of the permafrost isolates differed from vegetative cells by thickened cell walls, the altered structure of cytoplasm, and the compact nucleoid, and were similar in these features to cyst-like resting forms of non-spore-forming "permafrost" bacterial strains of Arthrobacter and Micrococcus spp. Cyst-like cells, being resistant to adverse external factors, are regarded as being responsible for survival of the non-spore-formers under prolonged exposure to subzero temperatures and can be a target to search for living microorganisms in natural environments both on the Earth and on extraterrestrial bodies.