Genetic differentiation induced by spaceflight treatment of Cistanche deserticola and identification of inter-simple sequence repeat markers associated with its medicinal constituent contents

The dried, fleshy stems of Cistanche deserticola (Orobanchaceae) are popular tonics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat the inability of kidney in expelling extra fluid in the body, causing fluid retention, and reform reproductive system. However, the wild plants of C. deserticola have become endangered due to habitat downsizing and over-harvesting for its medicinal usages. The present research was carried out for the following purposes: (1) promoting the space-breeding research; (2) providing molecular evidence for agricultural selective breeding; and (3) protecting this endangered herbal medicine and conserving its genetic resources.     

Water feed influence on nitric oxide emission under oxidation of near-stoichiometric air-methane mixtures

We considered the influence of temperature on the nitric oxide emission under combustion of the near-stoichiometric mixtures with and without water feed. We revealed the advantage of the method of fuel-water-air mixture combustion over that of the leaned mixture combustion.     

Calculations of shock wave energy parameters in the presence of high-voltage electrical discharge in water for the transition region

A technique for calculating the energy parameters of shock waves at electrical discharge in water is presented for the transition region of discharge channel expansion using as the base the predetermined characteristics of discharge circuit. The technique is based on the solution of energy transport equation that is similar in form to that of radiative transfer. The validity of the presented approach was experimentally verified.     

Aerodynamics of smart flap under ground effect

Aerodynamic characteristics of two-dimensional smart flap under the ground effect have been assessed by a numerical simulation. In this process, a pressure-based implicit procedure to solve Navier–Stokes equations on a nonorthogonal mesh with collocated finite volume formulation is used. The boundedness criteria for this procedure are determined from the Normalized Variable Diagram (NVD) scheme. The procedure incorporates the k–ε eddy–viscosity turbulence model. Cantilever beam with uniformly varying load with roller support at the free end is considered for the configuration of the smart flap. The method is first validated against experimental data. Then, the algorithm is applied for turbulent aerodynamic flows around airfoil with smart and conventional flaps for different attack angle, flap angle and ground clearance where the results of two flaps are compared. The comparisons show that the quality of the solution is considerable.     

Determination of characteristic frequencies of elastic oscillations of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">International Space Station</Emphasis> construction

The results of investigating free oscillations of the International Space Station construction appearing during spacecraft docking and undocking are described. The study is carried out using the measurement data of the low-frequency MAMS accelerometer. Several intervals of measurements performed in 2005 and 2006 were chosen to be studied. For chosen intervals, only the data intervals corresponding to the process of free attenuation of the oscillations construction elements were analyzed. Characteristic frequencies of elastic oscillations of the station construction and attenuation coefficients corresponding to them are found. The comparative analysis of the results obtained for various docking ports (nodes) is carried out. The described study is performed as a part of the technical experiment “The ISS Environment” carried out onboard the station in accordance with the Russian program of scientific and engineering experiments.     

The Relativistic Proton Spectrometer (RPS) for the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

The Relativistic Proton Spectrometer (RPS) on the Radiation Belt Storm Probes spacecraft is a particle spectrometer designed to measure the flux, angular distribution, and energy spectrum of protons from ～60 MeV to ～2000 MeV. RPS will investigate decades-old questions about the inner Van Allen belt proton environment: a nearby region of space that is relatively unexplored because of the hazards of spacecraft operation there and the difficulties in obtaining accurate proton measurements in an intense penetrating background. RPS is designed to provide the accuracy needed to answer questions about the sources and losses of the inner belt protons and to obtain the measurements required for the next-generation models of trapped protons in the magnetosphere. In addition to detailed information for individual protons, RPS features count rates at a 1-second timescale, internal radiation dosimetry, and information about electrostatic discharge events on the RBSP spacecraft that together will provide new information about space environmental hazards in the Earth’s magnetosphere.     

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.