Physiological and biomechanical considerations for a human Mars mission

Evolving on Earth has made humans perfectly adapted, both physiologically and biomechanically, to its gravity and atmospheric conditions. Leaving the Earth and its protective environment, therefore, results in the degradation of a number of human systems. Long-duration stays on the International Space Station (ISS) are accompanied by significant effects on crew's cardiovascular, vestibular and musculoskeletal systems. Bone loss and muscle atrophy are experienced at a rate of 1-3% and 5% per month respectively, while VO2 (oxygen consumption) measurements are reduced by approximately 25% after a few weeks in space. If these figures are simply extrapolated, a future human mission to Mars will be seriously jeopardised and crews may find they cross the threshold of bone and muscle loss and aerobic fitness--ultimately with them being unable to return to Earth. When arriving on Mars, considerable biomechanical alterations will also occur. Optimum walking speeds will be approximately 30% lower and transitioning from a walk to a run will occur at a speed 25% slower. Peak vertical forces will be reduced by as much as 50%, while stride length, stride time and airborne time will all increase. On Mars, half as much energy will be required to travel the equivalent distance on Earth and it will be 65% more economical to run rather than to walk.     

关于串联使用涡轮流量计的研究

本文重点论述了在试验室的条件下,串联使用二个以上涡轮流量计测量流量时,由于前一涡轮旋转,使液流产生较强的旋回流,使后一涡轮流量计的仪表系数有较大的偏差。并且为了消除其旋回流的影响,而研制出一种新型的非均匀多孔板的整流装置,效果很好。从而不但找到了二个以上串联流量计所测得数据不一的原因,而且找到了消除其影响的简便方法。     

先进的航天发动机试验

本文报导一种航天发动机的高空模拟点火试验。这种发动机综合利用了几种先进技术:90%固体燃料的端羟基聚丁二烯/铝粉/过氯酸铵/奥克托金推进剂;在凯夫拉壳体内的头端满装药;无支撑的整体喉部和收敛段入口;特轻的喷管和用充气膨胀的作动筒展开的可延伸出口锥。这次试验结束了法国欧洲动力公司和美国联合工艺公司化学系统分部之间为期两年的分工协作的研究和试制工作。所达到的比冲值被认为是复合推进剂在样机发动机中的一个最高记录。     

带有补片电极的矩形AT切石英片的厚度切变、厚度扭转和弯曲振动

本文研究了补片《矩形》电极尺寸和质量对镀膜矩形晶体片的振动和能陷的影响。文中采用晶体片振动的Mindlin二维近似方程来保留厚度切变、厚度扭转和弯曲的耦合膜。通过采用位移公式以有限元法获得数值解,此解满足晶体片的边缘静止条件和在晶体片镀膜与非镀膜交界处的应力和位移的连续条件。文內对位置对称的补片电极矩形AT切石英片进行了数值计算,获得了晶体片和电极不同尺寸和不同质量时的谐振频率及其相应的二维振动膜。Mindlin和Lee,Lee和Spencer及Tiersten把计算结果同现有的分析结果做了比较,而Curran和Koneval把计算结果与实验数据进行了比较。所得二维Bechmann数基本上取决于三个参数:电极长度与晶体片厚度之比;电极宽度与晶体片厚度之比;以及电极质量与晶体单位面积质量之比。     

卫星通信系统的现状与动向

CCC——卫星通信系统——星上等效全向辐射功率 BPK——(地面频道信号)时分——脉码调制——二重相位键控——(卫星转发器通道信号)频分多     

Water related environment modelling on Mars

During a human Mars exploration because of the lack of time astronauts need fast methods for the interpretation of unexpected observations which give them flexibility and new, important targets. With in-situ modelling it is possible to get information on various past and present processes at the same location on a far wider spectrum than would be realized even during a long mission. This work summarizes the potential technical requirements and benefits of the modelling. Based on a simple estimation with a 300 kg package, and 1-10% of the working time of 1-2 astronauts at the same location, they can get plenty of new and important information for the whole past and present Mars. With the proposed five test groups astronauts will be able to make better and newer kinds of interpretations of observations, and find better targets and methods during the same mission.     

Gravity perception and signal transduction in single cells

Cellular signal processing in multi-, as well as in unicellular organisms, has to rely on fundamentally similar mechanisms. Free-living single cells often use the gravity vector for their spatial orientation (gravitaxis) and show distinct gravisensitivities. In this investigation the gravisensitive giant ameboid cell Physarum polycephalum (Myxomycetes, acellular slime molds) is used. Its gravitaxis and the modulation of its intrinsic rhythmic contraction activity by gravity was demonstrated in 180 °turn experiments and in simulated, as well as in actual, near-weightlessness studies (fast-rotating clinostat; Spacelab D1, IML-1). The stimulus perception was addressed in an IML-2 experiment, which provided information on the gravireceptor itself by the determination of the cell's acceleration-sensitivity threshold. Ground-based experiments designed to elucidate the subsequent steps in signal transduction leading to a motor response, suggest that an acceleration stimulus induces changes in the level of second messenger, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), indicating also that the acceleration-stimulus signal transduction chain of Physarum uses an ubiquitous second messenger pathway.     

Cardiac and vascular adaptation to 0g with and without thigh cuffs (Antares 14 and Altair 21 day Mir spaceflights)

Cardiovascular Actaptation was evaluated on 2 astronauts: one wearing thigh cuffs from flight day 1 to 8 (14d flight), the second without cuffs (21d flight). Ultrasound investigations were performed at rest and during LBNP. Results: Without thigh cuffs the cardiovascular Actaptation consists in (1) the development of a hypovolemia with an increase of the heart rate and the cardiac output, (2) the decrease of the vascular tone in the deep (mesenteric and splanchnic) and peripheral (Lower limbs) vascular areas. The use of thigh cuffs maintains the volemia and the cardiac output at the preflight level (without heart rate increase) and prevents the loss of vascular tone in the deep and peripheral areas. Moreover the adaptative process changes since the cuffs are removed and even the volemia seems to be unaffected at this stage the vascular tone decreases to a comparable extend as during the flight without cuffs. Nevertheless during the flight without cuffs or 3 days after removing the cuffs hemodynamic signs of decreased orthostatic tolerance are present during the inflight and the 3 days post flight LBNP. Presently the possible contribution of the thigh cuffs to the reduction of the vascular deconditioning has not been tested yet.     

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.