Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems based on the C.E.B.A.S. biotechnology [correction of biotechnilogy

Most concepts for bioregenerative life support systems are based on edible higher land plants which create some problems with growth and seed generation under space conditions. Animal protein production is mostly neglected because of the tremendous waste management problems with tetrapods under reduced weightlessness. Therefore, the "Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System" (C.E.B.A.S.) was developed which represents an artificial aquatic ecosystem containing aquatic organisms which are adapted at all to "near weightlessness conditions" (fishes Xiphophorus helleri, water snails Biomphalaria glabrata, ammonia oxidizing bacteria and the rootless non-gravitropic edible water plant Ceratophyllum demersum). Basically the C.E.B.A.S. consists of 4 subsystems: a ZOOLOGICAL (correction of ZOOLOGICASL) COMPONENT (animal aquarium), a BOTANICAL COMPONENT (aquatic plant bioreactor), a MICROBIAL COMPONENT (bacteria filter) and an ELECTRONICAL COMPONENT (data acquisition and control unit). Superficially, the function principle appears simple: the plants convert light energy into chemical energy via photosynthesis thus producing biomass and oxygen. The animals and microorganisms use the oxygen for respiration and produce the carbon dioxide which is essential for plant photosynthesis. The ammonia ions excreted by the animals are converted by the bacteria to nitrite and then to nitrate ions which serve as a nitrogen source for the plants. Other essential ions derive from biological degradation of animal waste products and dead organic matter. The C.E.B.A.S. exists in 2 basic versions: the original C.E.B.A.S. with a volume of 150 liters and a self-sustaining standing time of more than 13 month and the so-called C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE with a volume of about 8.5 liters. In the latter there is no closed food loop by reasons of available space so that animal food has to be provided via an automated feeder. This device was flown already successfully on the STS-89 and STS-90 spaceshuttle missions and the working hypothesis was verified that aquatic organisms are nearly not affected at all by space conditions, i.e. that the plants exhibited biomass production rates identical to the sound controls and that as well the reproductive, and the immune system as the embryonic and ontogenic development of the animals remained undisturbed. Currently the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODLULE is prepared for a third spaceshuttle flight (STS-107) in spring 2001. Based on the results of the space experiments a series of prototypes of aquatic food production modules for the implementation into BLSS were developed. This paper describes the scientific disposition of the STS-107 experiment and of open and closed aquaculture systems based on another aquatic plant species, the Lemnacean Wolffia arrhiza which is cultured as a vegetable in Southeastern Asia. This plant can be grown in suspension culture and several special bioreactors were developed for this purpose. W. arrhiza reproduces mainly vegetatively by buds but also sexually from time to time and is therefore especially suitable for genetic engineering, too. Therefore it was used, in addition, to optimize the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE to allow experiments with a duration of 4 month in the International Space Station the basic principle of which will be explained. In the context of aquaculture systems for BLSS the continuous replacement of removed fish biomass is an essential demand. Although fish reproduction seems not to be affected in the shortterm space experiments with the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE a functional and reliable hatchery for the production of siblings under reduced weightlessness is connected with some serious problems. Therefore an automated "reproduction module" for the herbivorous fish Tilapia rendalli was developed as a laboratory prototype. It is concluded that aquatic modules of different degrees of complexity can optimize the productivity of BLSS based on higher land plants and that they offer an unique opportunity for the production of animal protein in lunar or planetary bases.     

Novel aquatic modules for bioregenerative life-support systems based on the closed equilibrated biological aquatic system (C.E.B.A.S.)

The closed equilibrated biological aquatic system (C.E.B.A.S) is a man-made aquatic ecosystem which consists of four subcomponents: an aquatic animal habitat, an aquatic plant bioreactor, an ammonia oxidizing bacteria filter and a data acquisition/control unit. It is a precursor for different types of fish and aquatic plant production sites which are disposed for the integration into bioregenerative life-support systems. The results of two successful spaceflights of a miniaturized C.E.B.A.S version (the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE) allow the optimization of aquatic food production systems which are already developed in the ground laboratory and open new aspects for their utilization as aquatic modules in space bioregenerative life support systems. The total disposition offers different stages of complexity of such aquatic modules starting with simple but efficient aquatic plant cultivators which can be implemented into water recycling systems and ending up in combined plant/fish aquaculture in connection with reproduction modules and hydroponics applications for higher land plants. In principle, aquaculture of fishes and/or other aquatic animals edible for humans offers optimal animal protein production under lowered gravity conditions without the tremendous waste management problems connected with tetrapod breeding and maintenance. The paper presents details of conducted experimental work and of future dispositions which demonstrate clearly that aquaculture is an additional possibility to combine efficient and simple food production in space with water recycling utilizing safe and performable biotechnologies. Moreover, it explains how these systems may contribute to more variable diets to fulfill the needs of multicultural crews.     

Aquatic modules for bioregenerative life support systems based on the C.E.B.A.S. biotechnology

Most concepts for bioregenerative life support systems are based on edible higher land plants which create some problems with growth and seed generation under space conditions. Animal protein production is mostly neglected because of the tremendous waste management problems with tetrapods under reduced weightlessness. Therefore, the “Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System” (C.E.B.A.S.) was developed which represents an artificial aquatic ecosystem containing aquatic organisms which are adpated at all to “near weightlessness conditions” (fishes Xiphophorus helleri, water snails Biomphalaria glabrata, ammonia oxidizing bacteria and the rootless non-gravitropic edible water plant Ceratophyllum demersum). Basically the C.E.B.A.S. consists of 4 subsystems: a ZOOLOGICASL COMPONENT (animal aquarium), a BOTANICAL COMPONENT (aquatic plant bioreactor), a MICROBIAL COMPONENT (bacteria filter) and an ELECTRONICAL COMPONENT (data acquisition and control unit). Superficially, the function principle appears simple: the plants convert light energy into chemical energy via photosynthesis thus producing biomass and oxygen. The animals and microorganisms use the oxygen for respiration and produce the carbon dioxide which is essential for plant photosynthesis. The ammonia ions excreted by the animals are converted by the bacteria to nitrite and then to nitrate ions which serve as a nitrogen source for the plants. Other essential ions derive from biological degradation of animal waste products and dead organic matter. The C.E.B.A.S. exists in 2 basic versions: the original C.E.B.A.S. with a volume of 150 liters and a self-sustaining standing time of more than 13 month and the so-called C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE with a volume of about 8.5 liters. In the latter there is no closed food loop by reasons of available space so that animal food has to be provided via an automated feeder. This device was flown already successfully on the STS-89 and STS-90 spaceshuttle missions and the working hypothesis was verified that aquatic organisms are nearly not affected at all by space conditions, i . e. that the plants exhibited biomass production rates identical to the ground controls and that as well the reproductive, and the immune system as the the embryonic and ontogenic development of the animals remained undisturbed. Currently the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODLULE is prepared for a third spaceshuttle fligt (STS-107) in spring 2001. Based on the results of the space experiments a series of prototypes of aquatic food production modules for the implementation into BLSS were developed. This paper describes the scientific disposition of the STS-107 experiments and of open and closed aquaculture systems based on another aquatic plant species, the Lemnacean Wolffia arrhiza which is cultured as a vegetable in Southeastern Asia. This plant can be grown in suspension culture and several special bioreactors were developed for this purpose. W. arrhiza reproduces mainly vegetatively by buds but also sexually from time to time and is therefore especially suitable for genetic engineering, too. Therefore it was used, in addition, to optimize the C.E.B.A.S. MINI MODULE to allow experiments with a duration of 4 month in the International Space Station the basic principle of which will be explained. In the context of aquaculture systems for BLSS the continuous replacement of removed fish biomass is an essential demand. Although fish reproduction seems not to be affected in the short-term space experiments with the C.E.B.A.S. MIMI MODULE a functional and reliable hatchery for the production of siblings under reduced weightlessness is connected with some serious problems. Therefore an automated “reproduction module” for the herbivorous fish Tilapia rendalli was developed as a laboratory prototype. It is concluded that aquatic modules of different degrees of complexity can optimize the productivity of BLSS based on higher land plants and that they offer an unique opportunity for the production of animal protein in lunar or planetary bases.     

Animal protein production modules in biological life support systems: novel combined aquaculture techniques based on the Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (C.E.B.A.S.)

Based on the experiences made with the Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (C.E.B.A.S.) which was primarily deveoloped for long-term and multi-generation experiments with aquatic animals and plants in a space station highly effective fresh water recycling modules were elaborated utilizing a combination of ammonia oxidizing bacteria filters and higher plants. These exhibit a high effectivity to eliminate phosphate and anorganic nitrogen compounds and arc. in addidition. able to contribute to the oxygen supply of the aquatic animals. The C.E.B.A.S. filter system is able to keep a closed artificial aquatic ecosystem containing teleost fishes and water snails biologically stable for several month and to eliminate waste products deriving from degraded dead fishes without a decrease of the oxygen concentration down to less than 3.5 mg/l at 25 °C. More advanced C.E.B.A.S. filter systems, the BIOCURE filters, were also developed for utilization in semiintensive and intensive aquaculture systems for fishes. In fact such combined animal-plant aquaculture systems represent highly effective productions sites for human food if proper plant and fish species are selected The present papers elucidates ways to novel aquaculture systems in which herbivorous fishes are raised by feeding them with plant biomass produced in the BIOCURE filters and presents the scheme of a modification which utilizes a plant species suitable also for human nutrition. Special attention is paid to the benefits of closed aquaculture system modules which may be integrated into bioregenerative life support systems of a higher complexity for, e. g.. lunar or planetary bases including some psychologiccal aspects of the introduction of animal protein production into plant-based life support systems. Moreover, the basic reproductive biological problems of aquatic animal breeding under reduced gravity are explained leading to a disposition of essential research programs in this context.     

航天产品试验数据分析与管理系统设计研究

结合航天产品研制特点,针对研制过程产生的大量不同种类试验数据,提出了试验数据分析与管理系统的设计目标、组成与基本要求,解决试验数据有效便捷使用、深层次价值挖掘问题.从整体设计角度,对系统设计思想、软件架构技术( B/S,C/S)、数据库技术(ORACLE,SQLSERVER等)进行了研究.并对设计实施过程中所采用的策略、开发平台、技术手段进行了论述.实践表明,采用B/S软件架构和“富”客户端技术构建的系统,能够较好地解决试验数据分析与管理问题.     

A regenerable carbon dioxide removal and oxygen recovery system for the Japanese Experiment Module

The Japanese Space Station Program is now under Phase B study by the National Space Development Agency of Japan in participation with the U.S. Space Station Program. A Japanese Space Station participation will be a dedicated pressurized module to be attached to the U.S. Space Station, and is called Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Astronaut scientists will conduct various experimental operations there. Thus an environment control and life support system is required. Regenerable carbon dioxide removal and collection technique as well as oxygen recovery technique has been studied and investigated for several years. A regenerable carbon dioxide removal subsystem using steam desorbed solid amine and an oxygen recovery subsystem using Sabatier methane cracking have a good possibility for the application to the Japanese Experiment Module. Basic performance characteristics of the carbon dioxide removal and oxygen recovery subsystem are presented according to the results of a fundamental performance test program. The trace contaminant removal process is also investigated and discussed. The solvent recovery plant for the regeneration of various industrial solvents, such as hydrocarbons, alcohols and so on, utilizes the multi-bed solvent adsorption and steam desorption process, which is very similar to the carbon dioxide removal subsystem. Therefore, to develop essential components including adsorption tank (bed), condenser. process controller and energy saving system, the technology obtained from the experience to construct solvent recovery plant can be easily and effectively applicable to the carbon dioxide removal subsystem. The energy saving efficiency is evaluated for blower power reduction, steam reduction and waste heat utilization technique. According to the above background, the entire environment control and life support system for the Japanese Experiment Module including the carbon dioxide removal and oxygen recovery subsystem is evaluated and proposed.     

同步与数据缓冲系统的同步定时器

同步定时器是ＣＤＡＳＳ／ＤＢ系统的重要部件。它用高精度数字锁相环，精确地恢复地球同步气象卫星采集的原始云图数据的同步基准信息。数字锁相环由用高速器件组成的相位比较器和用计算机软件实现的滤波器构成，采用标准频率计数方式，完成对模拟太阳（ＳＰ）和数字太阳（ＳＳＤ）的锁相及卫星上时钟频率测量等任务。     

Effect on the cardiac function of repeated LBNP during a 1-month head down tilt

Cardiovascular assessment by ultrasound methods was performed during two long duration (1 month) Head Down Tilt (HDT) on 6 healthy volunteers. On a first 1 month HDT session, 3 of the 6 subjects (A, B, C) had daily several lower body negative pressure tests (LBNP), whereas the 3 subjects remaining (D, E, F) rested without LBNP. On a second 1 month HDT session subjects D, E, and F had daily LBNP tests and the A, B and C subjects did not. The cardiac function was assessed by Echocardiography, (B mode, TM mode). On all the "6 non LBNP" subjects the left ventricule diastolic volume (LVDV), the stroke volume (SV) and the cardiac output (CO) increase (+10%, -15%) after HDT then decrease and remain inferior (-5%, -5%) or equal to the basal value during the HDT. Immediately after the end of the HDT the heart rate (HR) increase (+10%, +30%) whereas the cardiac parameters decrease weakly (-5%, -10%) and normalize after 3 days of recovery. On the "6 LBNP" subjects the LVDV, SV and CO increase (+10%, 15%) after 1 h HDT as in the previous group then decrease but remain superior (+5%, +15%) or equal to the basal value. After the HDT session, the HR is markedly increased (+20%, +40%) the LVDV and SV decrease (-15%, -20%) whereas the CO increases or decreases depending on the amplitude of the HR variations. These parameters do not completely normalize after 3 day's recovery. Repeated LBNP sessions have a significant effect on the cardiovascular function as it maintains all cardiac parameters above the basal value. The LBNP manoeuvre can be considered as an efficient countermeasure to prevent cardiac disadaptation induced by HDT position and probably microgravity.     

利用气浮技术进行贮箱晃动试验方法研究

针对某型号大容积贮箱,其晃动特性直接影响到整个系统的动力学特性及轨道控制系统。为了获得该贮箱不同工况下的一阶自由晃动频率,首次提出利用气垫悬浮技术进行贮箱晃动试验的新方法,利用该方法设计出一整套试验系统,该系统包含试验件、激励系统、气浮控制系统、数据采集系统及加注排放系统等。使用试验系统开展不同工况条件下的液体晃动试验,并用CFD软件对该贮箱进行时域分析,结合傅立叶变换最终获得仿真结果。分析比较晃动试验结果、理论计算结果及CFD仿真计算结果,结果显示3种结果一致吻合,测试系统的可靠性和理论CFD仿真结果的正确性均得到验证。     

基于高效垂直互连的X频段三维交叉合路网络

针对射频微波系统小型化、一体化、低成本设计需求,利用HFSS软件3D建模仿真研究微波毫米波多层板高密度垂直互连技术,对比不同结构参数的频率特性,在结构上通过加载层间焊盘改善特定频段内传输性能,在DC^20GHz内回波损耗小于–20dB。基于该高效垂直互连技术,实现32路信号输入4波束输出交叉网络3D垂直合成,体积仅为125mm×30mm×1.8mm,经测试带内插损≤10.95dB,驻波比≤1.4,较好地实现了X频段合路输出功能。     

Construction of QIAN Xuesen's Meta-Synthetic Wisdom System and Aerospace Hall for Workshop for Meta-Synthetic Engineering

China's aerospace industry is facing a major task of increasing the reform of aerospace management system and speeding up civil-military integration, which leads to an urgent demand for new aerospace think tank products. Thankfully, with "information space" as the carrier, the "systems science" as the guidance, and QIAN Xuesen's "metasynthetic wisdom system" as the core, QIAN Xuesen think tank provides the decision support for China to develop an aerospace knowledge economy and to continuously enhance the "space soft power". In this paper, the framework of the meta-synthetic wisdom system guided by systems science is presented, the relationship between basic ideas of QIAN Xuesen think tank and meta-synthetic wisdom system is explained and the construction items of aerospace hall of the workshop for meta-synthetic engineering(aerospace HWMSE) are analyzed.     

Interaction between exercising humans and growing plants in a Closed Ecological Life Support System

The purpose of this study was to quantify the gas exchange between plants growing in a Closed Environmental Life Support System (CELSS) and the metabolism of human subjects undergoing various levels of physical exercise, and subsequently determine the buffer characteristics in relation to the carbon exchange established for plants in this closed loop life support system. Two men (ages 42 and 45 yr) exercised on a cycle ergometer at three different work intensities, each on a separate day. The CELSS, a 113 m³ chamber, was sized to meet the needs of one human. The plants, consisting of 20 m² of potato, provided oxygen to the human during an artificially lighted photosynthesis phase and the human provided CO₂ to the plants. The average rates of exchange for the subjects were 0.88, 1.69, and 2.47 liters O₂/min and 0.77, 1.47, and 2.21 liters CO₂/min at approximately 25%, 50%, and 75% of their maximal aerobic capacity, respectively. The photosynthetic rate for the CELSS was 0.95 liters/ min. A balance between human CO₂ production and plant utilization was noted at approximately the 50% VO_2max level. The oxygen balance and changes were not within detectable limits of the CELSS instrumentation for the durations of these exercise exposures. If a CELSS environment is the methodology selected for long term spaceflight, it will be important to select plants that efficiently grow at the available light and nutrient levels while balancing the needs for the human crew at their levels of physical activity.     

膜盒贮箱推进剂补加过程的建模与仿真

推进剂在轨补加是确保空间站长期工作的重要条件。为了使补加工作顺利实施,需要对推进剂补加过程进行专门的研究。航天器常用推进剂如一甲基肼、四氧化二氮等有剧毒,地面模拟补加试验常采用无毒的模拟工质。但由于两种物质的物性参数存在差异,导致模拟的补加过程和效果与实际情况有差异。文章参考国外空间站补加系统构成形式和补加过程,建立膜盒贮箱推进剂补加过程的数学模型,通过将仿真结果与地面试验数据对比验证了数学模型的准确性。进一步对两种推进剂的补加过程进行仿真分析,并与纯净水补加数据对比。结果表明:液体工质的体积流率与密度存在反比关系,即一甲基肼的补加速率高于纯净水,四氧化二氮的补加速率则低于纯净水。     

碘工质电推进储供系统设计及实验

霍尔推力器越来越多地用于空间电推进,由于高纯度氙气获取难度大、成本高昂,故需要寻找其他种类的工质代替氙气用于空间推进。碘的升华温度较低,且常温储存时为固态,作为推力剂具有减小系统体积、降低成本等优势,但是适配的储供系统尚不成熟。通过比较碘和其他工质的相关特性,阐明碘作为空间电推进工质的优势,总结了国内外相关实验,说明使用碘作为推进剂的可行性,设计新型热辐射加热储罐,完成了碘工质储供系统的初步实验,对系统设计进行规划。实验结果表明:热辐射加热储罐相比于传统外部加热储罐具有更好的调节性能。     

Benefits from incorporation of combined cycle propulsion

The X-33 program was initiated to develop a testbed for integrated RLV technologies that pave the way for a full scale development of a launch vehicle (Venture Star). Within the Nasa Future X Trailblazer program there is an Upgrade X-33 that focuses on materials and upgrades. The authors propose that the most significant gains can be realized by changing the propulsion cycle, not materials. The cycles examined are rocket cycles, with the combustion in the rocket motor. Specifically, these rocket cycles are: turbopump, topping, expander, air augmented, air augmented ram, LACE and deeply cooled. The vehicle size, volume, structural weight remain constant. The system and propellant tank weights vary with the propulsion system cycle. A reduction in dry weight, made possible by a reduced propellant tank volume, was converted into payload weight provided sufficient volume was made available by the propellant reduction. This analysis was extended to Venture Star for selected engine cycles. The results show that the X-33 test bed could carry a significant payload to LEO (10,000 Ib) and be a valuable test bed in developing a frequent flight to LEO capability. From X-33 published information the maximum speed is about 15,000 ft/sec. With a LACE rocket propulsion system Venture Star vehicle could be sized to a smaller vehicle with greater payload than the Venture Star baseline. Vehicle layout and characteristics were obtained from: http:// www.venturestar.com.     

5A06铝合金薄壁贮箱焊接

材料为5A06铝合金的贮箱组件存在壁薄、结构复杂、尺寸大且容易变形,在试验中多次出现低压力爆破现象。为提高焊缝强度,满足产品焊接质量要求,对焊接工艺过程中焊接线能量对强度的影响进行了分析,对比了变极性手工TIG与自动TIG焊接方法,并改进了焊接结构。试验采取的措施有效地提高了产品的焊缝强度,满足了产品焊接质量要求。     

卫星气体工质剩余量高精度显式计算方法

为获取卫星气体工质在高压下的剩余量,研究气体密度的不同算法,结果显示:基于理想气体状态方程的密度计算在高压下存在误差;Redliche-Kwong（RK）方程对氮气密度的计算与NIST数据库查询结果最为接近。为在判读卫星实时遥测数据期间快速获取气体工质剩余量,基于数学拟合公式提出一种气体工质剩余量的显式计算方法,并采用气瓶容积随压力变化的线性模型对气瓶膨胀的影响进行修正。地面试验结果表明,该显式计算方法与实际测试结果符合良好,气瓶随压力的膨胀量呈线性变化,气瓶容积修正能够有效减小计算结果的误差。该方法针对某卫星冷气推进系统的计算结果显示,计算剩余量的不确定度为180 g,相对不确定度为0.62%。     

贮箱容积偏差及测量精度分析

贮箱一般采用称重法进行容积测量,但测量值与理论设计值偏差较大。分析了贮箱在生产制造、液压试验、介质加注、称重、容积计算和变形等环节出现偏差的原因。通过贮箱计算实例分析了各环节偏差大小,提出了减小偏差的对策,并对贮箱容积测量提出了改进方案。     

卫星推进剂剩余量测量技术地面试验研究

根据气体注入压力激励测量方法，研制了动态、高精度测量卫星液体推进剂剩余量原理样机，该样机以通信卫星双组元推进系统为测量对象。详细给出了利用该样机进行的地面试验情况，特别是测量数据平滑处理技术和液体蒸汽压误差修正技术。试验结果表明，当推进系统工作状态正常时，剩余液体体积量的测量误差小于贮箱总体积的１．０％，而当推进系统有小泄漏时，则小于２．０％。     

水击问题的Fourier谱方法计算

给出了推进剂供应系统管路内流体瞬变流动的数学模型,提出了采用Fourier谱方法求解瞬变流非线性偏微分方程的新方法。以一段两端分别连接贮箱和阀的直管道为例,利用该方法对阀门关闭后管道中形成的水击和压力振荡特性进行了求解,给出了相应的仿真结果,与已发表的采用特征线法和有限元法求解结果进行了比较。对数值计算中的非物理振荡问题进行了讨论。