Why implementing the space option is necessary for society

For several years, specialized agencies have been searching for "new programs" that could reinvigorate the support for space activities and stop their budgets' decline of. But the same time, they have been retrenching by focusing on collecting and distributing information, putting scientific research as their core projects. On a planet soon to host a 10-billion population that will impact the biosphere's workings as never before, at a time when many governments and organizations see the virtue in the management of scarcity, musing on the origins of life and of the solar system can hardly be expected to be invested with high priority. The space option arose from the analysis of the issues confronting humanity. In reviewing the material needs of the human population in the near future, the analysis finds that the impact on the biosphere will perforce be much larger than it usually seems to be acceptable to assume.     

Readaptation of the vestibuloocular reflex to 1g-condition in immature lower vertebrates (Xenopus laevis) after micro- or hypergravity exposure

The effects of altered gravitational conditions (AGC) on the development of the static vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and readaptation to 1g were investigated in the amphibian Xenopus laevis. Tadpoles were exposed to microgravity (μg) during the German Space Mission D-2 for 10 days, using the STATEX closed survival system, or to 3g for 9 days during earth-bound experiments. At the beginning of AGC, the tadpoles had not yet developed the static VOR.

The main results were: (i) Tadpoles with ug- or 3g-experience had a lower gain of the static VOR than the 1g-controls during the 2nd and 5th post-AGC days, (ii) Readaptation to response levels of 1g-reared controls usually occurred during the following weeks, except in slowly developing tadpoles with 3g-experience. Readaptation was less pronounced if, during the acute VOR test, tadpoles were rolled from the inclined to the normal posture than in the opposite test situation.

It is postulated that (i) gravity is necessarily involved in the development of the static VOR, but only during a period including the time before onset of the first behavioural response; and (ii) readaptation which is superimposed by the processes of VOR development depends on many factors including the velocity of development, the actual excitation level of the vestibular systems and the neuroplastic properties of its specific pathways.     

Status and efficacy of countermeasures to physiological deconditioning from space flight

The recent biomedical investigations conducted on the Space Shuttle and Spacelab have provided a wealth of biomedical information, including the ability to test the efficacy of proposed countermeasures. This achievement was made possible by the ability to conduct mechanistic and control-interventive studies simultaneously with a large number of individuals over a relatively brief period and to compare these data with results obtained from the Skylab missions. Comparisons between short- and long-duration results were limited to establishing trends or extrapolating from short-duration missions. To date, we have evaluated several protocols involving the lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) device, the bicycle-ergometer, the treadmill and preparations for body-fluid replenishment. In many instances, the traditional means of applying these protocols were not sufficient to protect against space-related deconditioning. This paper will review current countermeasures and compare their efficacy to that of existing protocols. Results from in-flight and ground-based experiments will be presented to illuminate the recommended protocols and procedures.     

Natural killer cells after ALTAIR mission

Reduced in vitro NK cytotoxic activity have routinely been observed after both prolonged and short-term space flights. This study investigated the effects of space flight on NK cell functions, NK cell counts and the production of IL-2 and TNF by lymphocytes of French-Russian crew members. In the French cosmonaut, after 21 days space flight, the cytotoxic activity of NK cells, the capacity the NK cells to bind and lyse the individual target cells and the percentage of NK cells were decreased. In this cosmonaut a twofold reduction TNF production in cultures of lymphocytes stimulated with PMA and with the mixture of PHA and PMA was observed on the first day after landing. However, the activity of the production of TNF in 48-hour PHA-cultures of lymphocytes was unchanged and the biological activity of IL-2 was not reduced. The immunological examination did not detecte any substantial deviations from the norm in both russian cosmonauts after 197 days space flight. Various explanations for decreased cytotoxicity in cosmonauts after space flight can be proposed, and these include the defective function of NK cells and reduced numbers of circulating effector cells.     

Recent results of the joint ESA-DARA/IBMP experiments Biokosmos "Seeds"

Comparison of experimental data obtained from short (SDEF) and long duration exposure flights (LDEF) have recently led to results which will be significant for longer and/or repeated sojourn of man in space. Under orbital conditions biological stress and damage are induced in test subjects by cosmic radiation, especially the high energetic, densely ionizing component of heavy ions. Plant seeds were successful model systems for a biotest in studying the physiological damages and mutagenic effect caused by ionizing cosmic radiation in particular stem cells. Dosimetrically, the subdivision into charge- and Let-groups reveals the contribution of the intermediate group (LET = 350-1000 MeV/cm) due to the medium heavy ions (Z = 6-10). Their relative contribution increases with the lower inclination of the orbit of LDEF-1; on the other hand, the total fluence becomes higher with longer duration of the flight. The observed endpoints of the biological radiation damage hint at a correlation with particle dose rate rather than with the dose; additionally, data on shielding effects inside and outside the space craft and its exposure were gained from the different SDEF- and LDEF-missions.     

飞行模拟的虚象显示

利用简单的未经校正的塑料透镜给出飞行模拟器中飞行景象的虚象。虚象显示给模拟器驾驶员以真实的印象,因为象似乎离开模拟器一个实在的距离。好多飞行员在飞行模拟器中作了着陆和起飞试验,以客观地评价虚象显示。这种显示包括斯密特彩色投影器,后投影屏和一个大直径长焦距的平凸塑料透镜。还评述了另一种利用一个彩色电视监视器和两个平凸塑料透镜的虚象显示,但没有正式飞行员的评论。对各种透镜参数进行了研究以决定它们对飞行景象的影响。结论是:在某些条件下,简单的透镜是可以使用的,以利用斯密特投影系统或电视监视器得到有用的飞行景象的虚象模拟。     

用燃料电池作动力的"大黄蜂"

美国Aero Vironment公司在5月21日对一架由燃料电池作为动力的微型飞行器"大黄蜂"(Hornet)进行了试飞,目的是验证用燃料电池作为动力的微型飞行器可以作长航时电子飞行的可能性.     

弹上测量仪器用的编码器

本文介绍的PCM—480编码器是高可靠的器件,平均无故障时间达48000小时。它包含串行和并行计算机接口,主/从能力,频率计数器、数据块,两个帧格式、两种码速率,加速度计信号调节单元等。文中讨论了系统结构、计算机接口、相位锁决环、信号调节器等部件。由于使用了CMOS电路的新技术,电源的功耗己减至最低限度。其结构紧凑,能更有效地利用空间。     

数字磁记录器用的高性能误差修正系统

本文叙述并行高密度数字记录器用消去型误差修正系统。该系统能修正任何长度的单磁道或同时发生的二个磁道的突发性错误。文中比较了它的理论特性和实测特性,并比较了几种典型系统的质量因数。     

单片集成温度传感器

本文介绍利用双极型晶体管和集成电路构成温度传感器的各种方法。讨论了单晶体管敏感元件的性能。文中提出二种集成电路,其一的输出电流精确地正比于绝对温度。另一种新型的集成电路的输出电流可按°C、°F或任意分度。此外还介绍了一些供特殊应用的集成温度传感器,其中包括精密的小量程温度传感器、具有逻辑及模似信号输出的温度传感器和温控振荡器。