China's Space Activities In 2007

THE FOURTH BEIDOU NAVIGATION EXPERIMENTAL SATELLITE LAUNCHED The fourth Beidou experimental navigation satellite was launched into snace aton a LM-3A launch vehicle at Xichang Satellite Launch Center on February 3 at 00:28(Beijing Time).24 minutes later,the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and     

Debut Flight Of LM-3C:Launching Tianlian-1 Successfully

FY-3A,the first satellite of China's new generation of polar-orbiting meteorological satellites,was launched into space atop a modified LM-4C launch vehicle.The satellite separated from the rocket 19 minutes after the takeoff.Flying at an altitude of 807km with an inclination of 98.8 degrees,the satellite circles in polar orbit 14 times everyday,covering the whole globe twice a day. FY-3A has a design lifetime of three years.Weighing 2295kg,the three-axis stabilized satellite is equipped with 11 remote s...     

Searching for life on Mars: selection of molecular targets for ESA's aurora ExoMars mission

The European Space Agency's ExoMars mission will seek evidence of organic compounds of biological and non-biological origin at the martian surface. One of the instruments in the Pasteur payload may be a Life Marker Chip that utilizes an immunoassay approach to detect specific organic molecules or classes of molecules. Therefore, it is necessary to define and prioritize specific molecular targets for antibody development. Target compounds have been selected to represent meteoritic input, fossil organic matter, extant (living, recently dead) organic matter, and contamination. Once organic molecules are detected on Mars, further information is likely to derive from the detailed distribution of compounds rather than from single molecular identification. This will include concentration gradients beneath the surface and gradients from generic to specific compounds. The choice of biomarkers is informed by terrestrial biology but is wide ranging, and nonterrestrial biology may be evident from unexpected molecular distributions. One of the most important requirements is to sample where irradiation and oxidation are minimized, either by drilling or by using naturally excavated exposures. Analyzing regolith samples will allow for the search of both extant and fossil biomarkers, but sequential extraction would be required to optimize the analysis of each of these in turn.     

Temporal changes in fluid chemistry and energy profiles in the vulcano island hydrothermal system

In June 2003, the geochemical composition of geothermal fluids was determined at 9 sites in the Vulcano hydrothermal system, including sediment seeps, geothermal wells, and submarine vents. Compositional data were combined with standard state reaction properties to determine the overall Gibbs free energy (DeltaG(r) ) for 120 potential lithotrophic and heterotrophic reactions. Lithotrophic reactions in the H-O-N-S-C-Fe system were considered, and exergonic reactions yielded up to 120 kJ per mole of electrons transferred. The potential for heterotrophy was characterized by energy yields from the complete oxidation of 6 carboxylic acids- formic, acetic, propanoic, lactic, pyruvic, and succinic-with the following redox pairs: O(2)/H(2)O, SO(4) (2)/H(2)S, NO(3) ()/NH(4) (+), S(0)/H(2)S, and Fe(3)O(4)/Fe(2+). Heterotrophic reactions yielded 6-111 kJ/mol e(). Energy yields from both lithotrophic and heterotrophic reactions were highly dependent on the terminal electron acceptor (TEA); reactions with O(2) yielded the most energy, followed by those with NO(3) (), Fe(III), SO(4) (2), and S(0). When only reactions with complete TEA reduction were included, the exergonic lithotrophic reactions followed a similar electron tower. Spatial variability in DeltaG(r) was significant for iron redox reactions, owing largely to the wide range in Fe(2+) and H(+) concentrations. Energy yields were compared to those obtained for samples collected in June 2001. The temporal variations in geochemical composition and energy yields observed in the Vulcano hydrothermal system between 2001 and 2003 were moderate. The largest differences in DeltaG(r) over the 2 years were from iron redox reactions, due to temporal changes in the Fe(2+) and H(+) concentrations. The observed variations in fluid composition across the Vulcano hydrothermal system have the potential to influence not only microbial diversity but also the metabolic strategies of the resident microbial communities.     

Towards a coherent remote sensing data policy

Access to space-based remote sensing data is critical for Earth science and the study of global change. This article summarizes a variety of US government Earth science data policies and problems. The authors examine current efforts to develop data policies for the next generation of US remote sensing programmes, noting likely problems based on past experiences. They argue that the goal of US Earth science data policy should be to provide the widest possible dissemination of data. Setting such a goal permits the development of a simple, coherent data policy that serves scientific, commercial and US government interests.     

Effect of Semi-solid Isothermal Heat Treatment on Microstructure of VW63Z Alloy

The effects of isothermal heat treatment on the semi-solid microstructure evolution of VW63Z (Mg-6Gd-3Y-0.4Zr, wt.%) alloy are studied. It shows that the microstructure of VW63Z alloy could transform from equiaxed crystal to semi-solid spherical crystal after isothermal heat treatment above 620 ºC. With the heating temperature elevating from 620 ºC to 635 ºC and the holding time prolonging from 10 min to 35 min, the liquid fraction increases gradually. The semi-solid microstructure evolution of VW63Z alloy can be divided into three stages, i.e., particle coarsening and spheroidization;particle necking, coalescence, and Ostwald ripening;and dynamic equilibrium. The semi-solid process window of VW63Z alloy ranges from 620 ºC to 635 ºC, where the best process parameters are holding at 635 ºC for 20 min?30 min. The solid fraction, the average particle size, and the shape factor are 41.1%?53.8%, 81.5 μm?83.2 μm, and 0.70?0.75, respectively. The maximum relative deviations of the solid fraction, the particle size, and the shape factor at different heights of the same billet are 44.6%, 17.4%, and 16.6%, respectively, which means that it should pay attention to the uniformity of edge and core of VW63Z alloy during isothermal heat treatment. The driving force of microstructure is supposed to be the reduction of solid-liquid interface free energy.     

Superluminous supernovae: no threat from eta Carinae

Recently, Supernova 2006gy was noted as the most luminous ever recorded, with a total radiated energy of approximately 10(44) Joules. It was proposed that the progenitor may have been a massive evolved star similar to eta Carinae, which resides in our own Galaxy at a distance of about 2.3 kpc. eta Carinae appears ready to detonate. Although it is too distant to pose a serious threat as a normal supernova, and given that its rotation axis is unlikely to produce a gamma-ray burst oriented toward Earth, eta Carinae is about 30,000 times nearer than 2006gy, and we re-evaluate it as a potential superluminous supernova. We have found that, given the large ratio of emission in the optical to the X-ray, atmospheric effects are negligible. Ionization of the atmosphere and concomitant ozone depletion are unlikely to be important. Any cosmic ray effects should be spread out over approximately 10(4) y and similarly unlikely to produce any serious perturbation to the biosphere. We also discuss a new possible effect of supernovae-e-ndocrine disruption induced by blue light near the peak of the optical spectrum. This is a possibility for nearby supernovae at distances too large to be considered "dangerous" for other reasons. However, due to reddening and extinction by the interstellar medium, eta Carinae is unlikely to trigger such effects to any significant degree.     

Gravity and perceptual stability during translational head movement on earth and in microgravity

We measured the amount of visual movement judged consistent with translational head movement under normal and microgravity conditions. Subjects wore a virtual reality helmet in which the ratio of the movement of the world to the movement of the head (visual gain) was variable. Using the method of adjustment under normal gravity 10 subjects adjusted the visual gain until the visual world appeared stable during head movements that were either parallel or orthogonal to gravity. Using the method of constant stimuli under normal gravity, seven subjects moved their heads and judged whether the virtual world appeared to move “with” or “against” their movement for several visual gains. One subject repeated the constant stimuli judgements in microgravity during parabolic flight. The accuracy of judgements appeared unaffected by the direction or absence of gravity. Only the variability appeared affected by the absence of gravity. These results are discussed in relation to discomfort during head movements in microgravity.     

Odyssey: Principles for enduring space exploration

As the USA, Europe and other nations embark on a new voyage of exploration to the Moon, Mars and beyond, they should lay the foundations and establish precedents that invite a host of participants and followers. We argue that international cooperation, driven by foreign-policy and cost-sharing considerations, has taken a prominent role but must be pragmatically and flexibly balanced with economic and strategic self-interest. Since exploration visions are likely to differ, the steps each country will pursue, the funding provided, and schedules followed will also differ. To support an enduring exploration vision, it will be important to remain flexible to changing priorities and amenable to the inclusion of new, non-traditional participants. Open-systems principles and metaprinciples should be employed at all levels—hardware, software, programmatic, political and cultural. Equally important, national leadership and decision makers should be mindful of the potential pitfalls that might undermine the venture. While the new vision inspires us all, it will take creativity, resourcefulness, hard work and cooperation to succeed.