Science Missions Using CubeSats

As the role of missions and experiments carried out in outer space becomes more and more essential in our understanding of many earthly problems, such as resource management, environmental problems, and disaster management, as well as space science questions, thanks to their lower cost and faster development process CubeSats can benefit humanity and therefore, young scientists and engineers have been motivated to research and develop new CubeSat missions. Not very long after their inception, CubeSats have evolved to become accepted platforms for scientific and commercial applications. The last couple of years showed that they are a feasible tool for conducting scientific experiments, not only in the Earth orbit but also in the interplanetary space. For many countries, a CubeSat mission could prompt the community and young teams around the world to build the national capacity to launch and operate national space missions. This paper presents an overview of the key scientific and engineering gateways opened up to the younger scientific community by the advent and adaptation of new technology into CubeSat missions. The role of cooperation and the opportunities for capacity-building and education are also explored. Thus, the present article also aims to provide useful recommendations to scientists, early-career researchers, engineers, students, and anyone who intends to explore the potential and opportunities offered by CubeSats and CubeSats-based missions.      

Modelling of Geomagnetic Storm Effects in the Ionosphere of East Asia

This paper presents simulated results of the ionospheric behavior during few geomagnetic storms,which were occurred in the different seasons. The numerical model for ionosphere-plasmasphere coupling was used to interpret the observed variation of ionosphere structure. Reasons why the positive storms are dominant in the winter whereas the negative ones are dominant in the summer season present the special interest for the mid-latitude ionosphere. A theoretical analysis of the processes controlling the ionospheric response to the geomagnetic storms has showed a good agreement between the simulated results and measurements, as well as the crucial role of the neutral composition variations to fit the calculated and the observed ionospheric parameters.      

On biogenicity criteria for endolithic microborings on early Earth and beyond

Micron-sized cavities created by the actions of rock-etching microorganisms known as euendoliths are explored as a biosignature for life on early Earth and perhaps Mars. Rock-dwelling organisms can tolerate extreme environmental stresses and are excellent candidates for the colonization of early Earth and planetary surfaces. Here, we give a brief overview of the fossil record of euendoliths in both sedimentary and volcanic rocks. We then review the current understanding of the controls upon the distribution of euendolithic microborings and use these to propose three lines of approach for testing their biogenicity: first, a geological setting that demonstrates a syngenetic origin for the euendolithic microborings; second, microboring morphologies and distributions that are suggestive of biogenic behavior and distinct from ambient inclusion trails; and third, elemental and isotopic evidence suggestive of biological processing. We use these criteria and the fossil record of terrestrial euendoliths to outline potential environments and techniques to search for endolithic microborings on Mars.     

COSMOS自动测量仪

爱丁堡皇家天文台的COSMOS自动测量仪是为现代化的大型施密特望远镜的天文数据测量而设计的测量系统。COSMOS的功能之一是自动地从拍摄到的大量星体图象中分离出星系图象。设在澳大利亚的英国施密特望远镜能拍到南天的23等星。COSMOS对施密特望远镜干板测量后,自动识别出星系图象,这样就能对大量可观测的宇宙天体中的星系分布情况进行研究。     

Unilateral centrifugation of the otoliths as a new method to determine bilateral asymmetries of the otolith apparatus in man

Ten healthy subjects were eccentrically rotated with constant speed on a Barany chair. Setting of a luminous line (LL) to the subjective vertical and ocular counter-roll (OCR) were evaluated. During eccentric position rotation subjects consistently reported illusory rotation and set the LL to an angle correlating to centrifugal force. At the same time an OCR of opposite direction was measured. In one patient, labyrinthectomized on the right side, only counterclockwise rotation of the luminous line was observed. Differences between "inner" and "outer" eye were evident for luminous line settings and OCR in some subjects. The results indicate that eccentric rotation is a valuable method to test for bilateral otolith asymmetries. The method can be applied to preflight tests of astronaut candidates for susceptibility to spacesickness. It is also offered for clinical evaluation of unilateral otolith impairments.     

95GHz测量雷达频率稳定度的要求

本文介绍95GHz 相干雷达系统采用频控方法所能得到的频谱纯度特性。该雷达设计成具有多方面功能的通用仪器。它能在脉宽、极性以及脉冲重复周期变化的情况下,保证对目标及杂乱回波后向散射数据的采集。将此类数据以数字形式存贮在磁带上,并用来研究对目标检测、鉴别和分类的有效算法。为了达到研究算法的目的,将该系统设计成能够提供最小为40dB 的杂波中能见度。由于数据的完整性相干几乎完全取决于系统的频谱纯度,所以系统的主要设计就着重于有关信号的产生和控制。该系统的信号产生技术是采用了一个100MHz 的振荡器作信号源来建立系统的定时信号、发射信号以及本振信号。在发送接收状态时,利用一个相位锁定甘氏振荡器和一个注入锁定连续波(CW)式和脉冲式 IMPATT 振荡器来保证信号的相干性。在信号通路的关键点上,测量信号的相位噪声谱密度数据,并把它所要求的指标进行比较。本文扼要地介绍有关测量技术问题。该系统的处理数据表明,在大于2公里的目标距离上,杂波中能见度大于40dB。     

中巴地球资源卫星在巴西的应用

重点介绍了当前巴西以用户为导向的中巴地球资源卫星(CBERS-1)数据在森林采伐监测、土地利用规划、影像制图和科学应用等方面的应用项目，对今后利用中巴地球资源卫星开展国家项目发表了一些看法。     

树脂/纤维界面对凯夫拉压力容器性能的影响

本文报导了凯夫拉-49纤维缠绕的直径为5.75英寸各种压力容器的环向纤维应力特性,在这些容器制作中,分别采用了不同的环氧树脂系统,一种松粘剂预处理的纤维/环氧系统,一种环向纤维材料上不加树脂的系统以及一种未经预处理的系统。树脂系统以三类常用的环氧树脂为代表:刚性环氧树脂、半柔性环氧树脂、及橡胶增韧的粘性环氧树脂。曾通过压力容器试验温度的变化来导致纤维/基体界面的变化。由于纤维/基体的高度偶联,引起了压力容器中纤维拉伸性能的降低,其值为凯夫拉-49浸胶纱带公称拉伸强度的51-77%。本文并提出了解释这些现象的机理。     

在直升机平台上进行高分辨率SAR／ISAR成像

海上监视对高分辨率雷达成像模式特别感兴趣。在海上监视应用中，可以使用高分辨率雷达成像模式来支持对已经用传统搜索功能和跟踪功能检测到的海面目标的分类和可能的识别。     

Tírez lake as a terrestrial analog of Europa

Tírez Lake (La Mancha, central Spain) is proposed as a terrestrial analogue of Europa's ocean. The proposal is based on the comparison of the hydrogeochemistry of Tírez Lake with the geochemical features of the alteration mineralogy of meteoritic precursors and with Galileo's Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data on Europa's surface. To validate the astrobiological potential of Tírez Lake as an analog of Europa, different hydrogeochemical, mineral, and microbial analyses were performed. Experimental and theoretical modeling helped to understand the crystallization pathways that may occur in Europa's crust. Calculations about the oxidation state of the hypothetical Europan ocean were estimated to support the sulfate-rich neutral liquid model as the origin of Europa's observed hydrated minerals and to facilitate their comparison with Tírez's hydrogeochemistry. Hydrogeochemical and mineralogical analyses showed that Tírez waters corresponded to Mg-Na-SO(4)-Cl brines with epsomite, hexahydrite, and halite as end members. A preliminary microbial ecology characterization identified two different microbial domains: a photosynthetically sustained community represented by planktonic/benthonic forms and microbial mat communities, and a subsurficial anaerobic realm in which chemolithotrophy predominates. Fluorescence in situ hybridization has been used to characterize the prokaryotic diversity of the system. The subsurficial community seemed to be dominated by sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens. Frozen Tírez brines were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared techniques providing spectra similar to those reported previously using pure components and to the Galileo spectral data. Calorimetric measurements of Tírez brines showed pathways and phase metastability for magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride crystallization that may aid in understanding the processes involved in the formation of Europa's icy crust. The use of fluorescence hybridization techniques for microbial detection and characterization in hypersaline environments makes this methodology strongly advisable for future Europa astrobiological missions.