Some novel aspects of cometary research

In spite of numerous observations and intense theoretical work already accomplished, many important questions concerning comets remain unsolved. The origin of comets is far from being elucidated. The nature of comets, of their nuclei seems to be reasonably described by the model of Whipple, yet their very structure and constitution remain hypothetical. The complex internal dynamics of active comets awaits a detailed explanation. One of the outstanding problems pertains to the very nature of the residual material remaining after the outgasing of the cometary nucleus. The problem is connected with the presence of organic matter, of their constituents as well as aggregates important to the development of life and to the hypothetical influence of such ingredients on the evolution of its forms already existing on some celestial bodies.It is obvious that irrespective to the recently devised methods and instruments new developments are needed. The paper attempts to show some novel ways of exploration of comets by the use of astronautical means. Recommendations for the realization of such future cometary missions are presented.     

Some fluid dynamic problems in the studies of planetary collisions with cometary comas

The flow field in a cometary coma varies from free molecular flow to transition flow and finally to continuum flow. General discussions of these flow regimes with two-phase effects are given. Some numerical results of similarity solution of a strong shock propagation in a two-phase flow are presented.     

Role of sample return and sample science in low cost missions

Sample return is an essential component of solar system exploration. Samples provide a unique data set that is critical for understanding formation and evolution of our solar system. This uniqueness is based on the scale of observations, precision of measurements, the ability to modify experiments as logic and technology dictate, and the ability to use instruments free of the constraints on mass, power, reliability, and data rate of flight instruments. Advances in analytical capabilities in recent years enable fundamental measurements to be made on extremely small samples, greatly reducing mass constraints on robotic sample return spacecraft. Sample studies provide irreplaceable ground truth for remotely-sensed data on planetary surfaces and fit within a variety of architectures for human exploration of the solar system.     

大型振动试验的辅助支撑系统设计

给出了解决大型振动试验中静支撑和稳定性问题的方法及悬挂辅助支撑系统的设计过程和使用范围。     

MarcoPolo-R: Near-Earth Asteroid sample return mission selected for the assessment study phase of the ESA program cosmic vision

This paper presents the sample return mission to a primitive Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) MarcoPolo-R proposed to the European Space Agency in December 2010. MarcoPolo-R was selected in February 2011 with three other missions addressing different science objectives for the two-year Assessment Phase of the Medium-Class mission competition of the Cosmic Vision 2 program for launch in 2022. The baseline target of MarcoPolo-R is the binary NEA (175706) 1996 FG3, which offers an efficient operational and technical mission profile. A binary target also provides enhanced science return. The choice of a binary target allows several scientific investigations to occur more easily than through a single object, in particular regarding the fascinating geology and geophysics of asteroids. MarcoPolo-R will rendezvous with a primitive, organic-rich NEA, scientifically characterize it at multiple scales, and return a bulk sample to Earth for laboratory analyses. The MarcoPolo-R sample will provide a representative sample from the surface of a known asteroid with known geologic context, and will contribute to the inventory of primitive material that is probably missing from the meteorite collection. The MarcoPolo-R samples will thus contribute to the exploration of the origin of planetary materials and initial stages of habitable planet formation, to the identification and characterization of the organics and volatiles in a primitive asteroid and to the understanding of the unique geomorphology, dynamics and evolution of a binary asteroid that belongs to the Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) population.     

Conceptual study and key technology development for Mars Aeroflyby sample collection

Conceptual study of Mars Aeroflyby Sample Collection (MASC) is conducted as a part of the next Mars exploration mission currently entertained in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In the mission scenario, an atmospheric entry vehicle is flown into the Martian atmosphere, collects the Martian dust particles as well as atmospheric gases during the guided hypersonic flight, exits the Martian atmosphere, and is inserted into a parking orbit from which a return system departs for the earth to deliver the dust and gas samples. In order to accomplish a controlled flight and a successful orbit insertion, aeroassist orbit transfer technologies are introduced into the guidance and control system. System analysis is conducted to assess the feasibility and to make a conceptual design, finding that the MASC system is feasible at the minimum system mass of 600 kg approximately. The aerogel, which is one of the candidates for the dust sample collector, is assessed by arcjet heating tests to examine its behavior when exposed to high-temperature gases, as well as by particle impingement tests to evaluate its dust capturing capability.     

Investigation of phase transition-based tethered systems for small body sample capture

This paper summarizes the modeling, simulation, and testing work related to the development of technology to investigate the potential that shape memory actuation has to provide mechanically simple and affordable solutions for delivering assets to a surface and for sample capture and possible return to Earth. We investigate the structural dynamics and controllability aspects of an adaptive beam carrying an end-effector which, by changing material equilibrium phases, is able to actively decouple the end-effector dynamics from the spacecraft dynamics during the surface contact phase. Asset delivery and sample capture and return are at the heart of several emerging potential missions to small bodies, such as asteroids and comets, and to the surface of large bodies, such as Titan.     

Exosemiotics: an inter-disciplinary approach

Over the past several hundred years, many ideas have been expressed as to how human beings might communicate with extraterrestrials. These ideas have been put forth by experts from a diverse range of fields including physical scientists, mathematicians, behavioral scientists, philosophers and creative writers who have widely differing views on how to express ourselves coherently with civilizations from other worlds.This paper will look at some of these differing viewpoints and stress the need for an inter-disciplinary approach to the challenges of sending and, perhaps most important, receiving messages. Could we decipher a message if we got one? Who is doing the listening and what advantages could an inter-disciplinary approach bring to these efforts? What are some inter-disciplinary approaches to sending messages to extraterrestrials?     

Weightlessness: a case history

The facts presented represent, for convenience, a composite clinical picture of the three crewmen aboard Skylab II as observed by me.     

PHYSIOLAB: a cardiovascular laboratory

PHYSIOLAB is a cardio-vascular laboratory designed by CNES in cooperation with IMBP, with double scientific and medical goals: -a better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in blood pressure and heart rate regulation, in order to predict and control the phenomenon of cardio-vascular deconditionning. -a real-time monitoring of cosmonauts during functional tests. Launched to the MIR station in 1996, this laboratory was set up and used for the first time by Claudie Andre-Deshays during the French mission "Cassiopeia". The scientific program is performed pre, post and in-flight to study phenomena related to the transition to microgravity as well as the return to the earth conditions. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of the real-time telemetry to monitor LBNP test. This function was successful during the Cassiopeia mission, providing the medical team at TSOUP (MIR Control Center in Moscow) with efficient means to control the physiological state of the cosmonaut. Based on the results of this first mission, IMBP and CNES will go on using Physiolab with Russian crews. CNES will take advantage of the upcoming French missions on MIR to improve the system, and intends to develop a new laboratory for the International Space Station.     

Erratum to: Postvolcanic Aerosols: Measurements of Altitude and Particle Sizes with Twilight-Sky Polarimetry

Cosmic Research - An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952521110010     

Editorial: Show Us the Data

Journal of Reducing Space Mission Cost -     

Avoiding collisions: the Spaceguard Foundation

The Earth has a long and violent history of collisions with extraterrestrial bodies such as asteroids and comet nuclei. Several of these impacts have been large enough to produce major environmental changes, causing mass extinctions and severe alterations to weather patterns and geography. There is no reason to suppose that the likelihood of such collisions will be any less in the future and the spread of human settlement, civilisation, and particularly urbanisation, makes it much more likely that a future impact, even relatively small, could result in the massive loss of human life and property. Despite the fact that the technology exists to predict and to some extent prevent such events, there is currently no co-ordinated international response to this threat. This article presents a realistic assessment of the threat to Earth from NEOs, describes the (underfunded) efforts so far made to counter it and makes a plea for further action to produce a fully functioning Spaceguard Foundation.