Biological studies of martian soil analogues

Results of the study of the influence of Martian soil analogues, both as described by American scientists and as prepared by us, and of hydrogen peroxide on the viability of microorganisms are presented. The experiments were carried out using mixtures of soil analogues with desert soil and black earth (chernozem) samples, and pure cultures of microorganism. Microorganisms capable of withstanding a concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the medium as high as 1.5–2.0% were isolated. None of the 40 strains of microorganisms studied, all belonging to different systematic and physiological groups, exhibited growth inhibition on solid media in the presence of Martian soil analogues. In view of the fact that Martian soil cannot contain microorganisms in great quantities, we suggest using electroadsorption for their concentration, to make detection reliable. A device was designed for this purpose, using the principle of electroadsorption on a polarisable carrier (sterile cotton wool or cheesecloth). The concentrated suspension of microorganisms thus obtained was then characterized by various physicochemical methods.     

Experiments with injection of powerful plasma jet into the ionosphere

This paper describes two rocket experiments “Aelita” with high power lithium plasma injection. The results of onboard magnetometer, massspectrometer, photometer, plasma, corpuscular and ground radar measurements are given. Dynamics and structure of plasma formation are discussed.     

LS Localizer Multipath Analysis

The scattering effect of structures on Instrument Landing System localizer signals is analyzed in this paper. A generalized computer program results which can be used to determine the reflection from surfaces of most materials and orientations for which the radius of curvature is large compared with the wavelength. For most reflecting walls, a closed form solution is used and the computation time is short. The program will enable users to determine the placement of hangars, towers, etc., in airports and to find ways to reduce their effect on localizer facilities.     

Chemistry of the outer solar system

Data on the composition of the satellites of the outer planets and the composition and structure of planetary atmospheres are briefly reviewed in light of simple models for the origin of the solar system and the planets. Some crucial tests of present theories are suggested.Contribution No. 52 of the MIT Planetary Astronomy Laboratory.This is one of the publications by the Science Advisory Group.     

Determination of Bounds on Performance Measure and Min-Max Controllers in Time-Lag Systems

The effect of bounded deterministic disturbances (external and/or internal) on a chosen performance index (PI) is investigated. Upper and lower bounds of the PI about a nominal value are determined by the application of the optimum control theory. A computational procedure is also proposed to determine an approximately optimal feedback controller for time-lag systems. Such a controller is designed here on the basis of min-max criteria. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed approach.     

Landsat satellite imagery of the Qattara Depression area,Egypt

The Qattara Depression lies in the northern part of the Western Desert of Egypt at a distance of some tens of kilometers to the south of the Mediterranean Sea Coast. The depression in question is the largest one in the great Sahara extending across North Africa. It covers an area of some 19,000 km² at ? 60 m level and the absolute level of its lowest point is about ? 134 m. The depression extends for about 300 km in a roughly ENE-WSW direction, while its width is variable reaching to a maximum of about 145 km. Feasibility studies are currently carried out for the Qattara solar-hydro-electric project which aims at generating hydro-electric power by the drop of the Mediterranean Sea water into the depression after passing through a canal/tunnel system. Peak load electric power may be also generated by raising the water to the small hollow of Deir Kirayim, situated at a higher level near the depression, and allowing it to drop to a low level.For the purpose of assessing the regional criteria involved in the implementation of the project and the environmental impact of such implementation, the Qattara Depression and the surrounding area has been studied on a regional scale by the utilization of LANDSAT satellite imagery. The maps produced by the interpretation of the images in question include those of the geological and environmental units, structural lineations, drainage and vegetation cover. Lineation density and drainage density maps are derived by the computation of the structural lineation and drainage maps respectively. A map of groundwater conditions is worked out on the basis of the image interpretation, and the observations previously carried out on the groundwater aquifers in the Qattara Depression and the surrounding area. LANDSAT satellite image interpretation and computation are supported by intensive observations carried out in the field as well as chemical, petrological and mineralogical analyses of the samples collected.The LANDSAT satellite images proved to be of great importance in mapping the Qattara Depression floor which is hardly accessible to classical mapping, and especially in view of the large area which could be covered by imagery mapping in a reasonably short time compatible with the duration of the feasibility study. The special characters of the spaceborne multispectral imagery have been paramount in deciphering the major regional features of the investigated area.The overall synoptic picture of the regional setting of the geological and environmental units, faults, fractures and folds, drainage lines and plant cover in the large area studied has been clarified for the first time. It has been demonstrated that the Qattara Depression is actually constituted of several small depressions. The environmental impact of the project implementation has been visualized especially regarding the possible influence of the saline water on the fresh groundwater sources. The thick salt accumulation in the depression has been found to be of such extension as to increase the salinity of the Mediterranean Sea water stored in the depression following the implementation of the project. The lineation density map has been particularly of great help in the localization of sites subjected to intense crustal deformation, greater slope instability and run off surface water flooding.     

Prolonged weightlessness and calcium loss in man

Data have been accumulated from a series of studies in which men have been subjected to weightlessness in orbital space flight for periods of up to 12 weeks. These data are used to predict the long term consequences of weightlessness upon the skeletal system. Space flight induced a loss of calcium which accelerated exponentially from about 50 mg/d at the end of 1 week to approx. 300 mg/d at the end of 12 weeks. The hypercalciuria reached a constant level within 4 weeks while fecal calcium losses continued to increase throughout the period of exposure. This apparent diminution of gastrointestinal absorptive efficiency was accompanied by a slight decline in the plasma level of parathyroid hormone and a slight elevation in the plasma level of calcium and phosphorus. Although losses in mineral from the calcaneus were closely correlated with the calcium imbalance, no changes were detected in the mineral mass of the ulna and radius. From the data presented it is concluded that the process of demineralization observed in space flight is more severe than would be predicted on the basis of observations in immobilized, bed rested, or paralyzed subjects. It is, moreover, suggested that the process may not be totally reversible.     

Radar Doppler Spectra of Turbulent Ionized Wakes

The evaluation of the double convolution integrat involved in the expression of the radar response to scattering from a turbulent ionized wake is simplified by the approximation technique presented here, so that the Doppler spectrum parameters can be explicitly expressed in terms of the wake characteristics.