GPS/GLONASS组合接收机

美国和苏联都已研制出了各自的全球定位系统-GPS 和 GLONASS,预计它们在90年代初期将投入工作。本文讨论使用 GPS/GLONASS 组合接收机的优点。报道 GLONASS 系统运行状态的观测结果:对 GPS 和 GKONASS两系统做了比较,给出了两系统的覆盖情况。最后,介绍一台试验接收机,它使用两个系统卫星的信号,完成了导航、测绘及时间传输等实验。     

重新设计的航天飞机固体火箭助推器现场接头——锡奥科尔公司开始全尺寸试验

介绍了航天飞机固体助推器的一种新式现场接头设计,以及航天飞机恢复飞行前安排的各项必须试验。     

Biosignatures from Earth-like planets around M dwarfs

Coupled one-dimensional photochemical-climate calculations have been performed for hypothetical Earth-like planets around M dwarfs. Visible/near-infrared and thermal-infrared synthetic spectra of these planets were generated to determine which biosignature gases might be observed by a future, space-based telescope. Our star sample included two observed active M dwarfs-AD Leo and GJ 643-and three quiescent model stars. The spectral distribution of these stars in the ultraviolet generates a different photochemistry on these planets. As a result, the biogenic gases CH4, N2O, and CH3Cl have substantially longer lifetimes and higher mixing ratios than on Earth, making them potentially observable by space-based telescopes. On the active M-star planets, an ozone layer similar to Earth's was developed that resulted in a spectroscopic signature comparable to the terrestrial one. The simultaneous detection of O2 (or O3) and a reduced gas in a planet's atmosphere has been suggested as strong evidence for life. Planets circling M stars may be good locations to search for such evidence.     

The flight experiment ANITA--a high performance air analyser for manned space cabins

Analysing Interferometer for Ambient Air (ANITA) is a flight experiment as precursor for a permanent continuous trace gas monitoring system on the International Space Station (ISS). For over 10 years, under various ESA contracts the flight experiment was defined, designed, breadboarded and set up. For the safety of the crew, ANITA can detect and quantify quasi on-line and simultaneously 32 trace gases with ppm or sub-ppm detection limits. The self-standing measurement system is based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) technology. The system represents a versatile air monitor allowing for the first time the detection and monitoring of trace gas dynamics of a spacecraft atmosphere. It is envisaged to accommodate ANITA in a Destiny (US LAB) Express Rack on the ISS. The transportation to the ISS is planned with the first ATV 'Jules Verne'. The options are either the Space Shuttle or the Automated Transfer Vehicle.     

The feasibility of Doppler monitoring during EVA

During extravehicular activities (EVA) outside the spacecraft, astronauts have to work under reduced pressure in a space suit. This pressure reduction induces the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) by the formation of gas bubbles from excess nitrogen dissolved in the organism by breathing air at normal pressure. Under laboratory conditions the gas bubbles moving in the blood stream can be detected by the non-invasive ultrasonic Doppler method. By early detection of excessive bubble formation the development of DCS symptoms may be prevented by early application of preventative measures. The method could also be useful when applied in the space suit in order to compare the results of laboratory tests with operational results, because there is a discrepancy according to the DCS risk of laboratory experiments and actual EVA missions, where no symptoms have been reported yet. A prototype Doppler sensor has been developed and implemented in the Russian Orlan suit. To investigate the feasibility of this method under simulated space conditions, the equipment has been used in a series of 12 thermovacuum chamber tests with suited subjects, where intravenous bubble formation was compared to unsuited control experiments. In more than 50% of the suited tests good Doppler recordings could be achieved. In some cases with unsatisfying results the signal could be improved by breathholding. Although the results do not yet allow any conclusion about a possible difference between suited and unsuited subjects due to the small number of tests performed, the method proved its feasibility for use in EVA suits and should be further developed to enhance the safety of EVA procedures.     

The physical price of a ticket into space

As a direct consequence of exposure to microgravity astronauts experience a number of physiological changes, which can have serious medical implications when they return to Earth. Most immediate and significant are the head-ward shift of body fluids and the removal of gravitational loading from bone and muscles, which lead to progressive changes in the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Cardiovascular adaptations result in an increased incidence of orthostatic intolerance (fainting) post-flight, decreased cardiac output and reduced exercise capacity. Changes in the musculoskeletal system contribute significantly to the impaired functions experienced in the post-flight period. The underlying factor producing these changes is the absence of gravity. Countermeasures, therefore, are designed primarily to simulate Earth-like movements, stresses and system interactions. Exercise is one approach that has received wide operational use and acceptance in both the US and Russian space programmes, and has enabled humans to stay relatively healthy in space for well over a year. Although it remains the most effective countermeasure currently available, significant physiological degradation still occurs. The development of other countermeasures will therefore be necessary for longer duration missions, such as the human exploration of Mars.     

Quantitative analysis of motion control in long term microgravity

In the frame of the 179-days EUROMIR '95 space mission, two in-flight experiments have foreseen quantitative three-dimensional human movement analysis in microgravity. For this aim, a space qualified opto-electronic motion analyser based on passive markers has been installed onboard the Russian Space Station MIR and 8 in flight sessions have been performed. Techhology and method for the collection of kinematics data are described, evaluating the accuracy in three-dimensional marker localisation. Results confirm the suitability of opto-electronic technology for quantitative human motion analysis on orbital modules and raise a set of "lessons learned", leading to the improvement of motion analyser performance with a contemporary swiftness of the on-board operations. Among the experimental program of T4, results of three voluntary posture perturbation protocols are described. The analysis suggests that a short term reinterpretation of proprioceptive information and re-calibration of sensorimotor mechanisms seem to end within the first weeks of flight, while a continuous long term adaptation process allows the refinement of motor performance, in the frame of never abandoned terrestrial strategies.     

液氧/烃三组元推进剂助推发动机的设计思想

讨论了液氧/烃三组元推进剂助推发动机的设计思想,这种液氧/甲烷助推发动机的初步设计还使用了液氢.试验表明,液氧/甲烷/液氢三组元推进剂发动机具有燃烧稳定、燃烧效率高、冷却性能好、能与铜合金燃烧室壁很好兼容等优点,因而可消除或大大减少设计可重复使用的高压烃类助推发动机时可能出现的风险.     

利用大气阻力对卫星星座的控制

大气阻力对卫星轨道的影响通常被看作是一种扰动因素,是人们所不期望并需要加以克服的,对于近地轨道的长寿命应用卫星尤其如此。近来,随着小卫星星座的各种应用系统的研究和发展,人们已经发现可以将这种影响变害为利,将其用来实现对卫星星座的控制。本文用分析方法讨论了这个问题,首先对单颗卫星的轨道在大气阻力影响下的变化特性进行了较详细的分析,给出了相应的关系式,然后将这些基本的关系式用于两星的场合,设计了控制策略并导出了基于这种策略的一个非常有用的公式,它给出了实现所需控制的时间间隔与两星的分离量、卫星轨道高度、大气密度、卫星面积质量比的关系,根据这个关系可以定量地分析出采用这种控制方法所能达到的效果以及所需的条件。本文通过一个具体的卫星实倒来说明方法的应用。