RF band high resolution sounding of building structures and works

A subsurface radar using a multi-frequency signal has been developed. It is designated for surveying building structures and works. The characteristic feature of this device is the possibility of obtaining sounding plane radio images featuring a high resolution attaining 1…2 cm. The main applications of this device includes the survey of building structures to reveal their heterogeneities and defects and the investigation of premises to detect bugging devices     

Radiation environment at the end of active functioning of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Vernov</Emphasis> satellite

Factors of radiation environment in near-Earth space in a period from December 1 to 10, 2014 have been analyzed, which could affect serviceability of the onboard systems of Vernov spacecraft.     

Dynamics of debye-scale nonstationary plasma structures in the region of auroral field-aligned currents

We consider the formation of small-scale nonstationary plasma structures in the region of relatively strong field-aligned electric currents. The formation of these structures has been shown to be associated with the density instability developed when the current velocity exceeds a critical value. The conditions for the development of this instability can be most favorable in the region of low-density plasma. Numerical calculations have been performed for the initial nonlinear stage of the structure development. The main parameters of the structure, i.e., the times of its formation and destruction, spatial scales, and electric field, have been estimated. The features of the structures are consistent with the existing data from space experiments in the region of auroral field-aligned currents of the Earth.     

New results for the space radiation environment of MIR space station obtained by Liulin dosimeter-radiometer. Comparison with LET spectrometer NAUSICAA

Since 1988 high sensitivity semiconductor dosimeter-radiometer “Liulin” worked on board of MIR space station. Device measured the absorbed dose rate and the flux of penetrating particles. The analysis of the data hows the following new results:

In October 1989 and after March 24, 1991, two additional stable maximums in flux channel were observed in the southern-eastern part of South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). These two maximums existed at least several months and seem to be due to trapped high energy electron and proton fluxes. In April 1991 additional maximums were localized in the following geographical coordinates regions: LATITUDE = (−35 °)–(−50 °) LONGITUDE = 332 ° − 16 ° and lat.(−46 °)–(−52 °) long. 360 ° − 60 °. Additional maximums diffusion occurs inside radiation belt. Appearance of these maximums seems to be closely connected with preceding powerful solar proton events and associated geomagnetic dynamics of new belt disturbances. After the series of solar proton events in June 1991 we observed significant enhancement of this new radiation belt formation. To achieve sufficient accuracy of dose rate predictions in low Earth orbits the structure and dynamics of new belt should be carefully analyzed to be included in a new environment model.

From the inter comparison of the data from “Liulin” and French developed tissue equivalent LET spectrometer NAUSICAA in the time period August–November 1992 we come to the following conclusions: Mainly there is good agreement between both data sets for absorbed dose in the region of SAA; Different situation of the instruments on the station can explain the cases when differences up to 2 times are observed; At high latitudes usually the tissue equivalent absorbed dose observations are 2 times larger than “Liulin” doses.     

Energy utilization rates during shuttle extravehicular activities

The work rates or energy utilization rates during EVA are major factors in sizing of life support systems. These rates also provide a measure of ease of EVA and its cost in crew fatigue. From the first Shuttle EVA on the STS-6 mission in 1983, we have conducted 59 man-EVA and 341 man-hours of EVA. Energy utilization rates have been measured on each of these EVA. Metabolic rate was measured during each EVA using oxygen utilization corrected for suit leakage. From 1981–1987, these data were available for average data over the EVA or over large segments of the EVA. Since 1987, EVA oxygen utilization data were available at 2-minute intervals. The average metabolic rate on Shuttle EVA (194 kcal/hr.) has been significantly lower than metabolic rates during Apollo and Skylab missions. Peak rates have been below design levels, infrequent, and of short duration. The data suggest that the energy cost of tasks may be inversely related to the degree of training for the task. The data provide insight on the safety margins provided by life support designs and on the energy cost of Station construction EVA.     

Role of the astronaut in operating the Advanced Fluid Physics Module

The role of man in space is investigated in the operation of the Advanced Fluid Physics Module (AFPM), a scientific instrument dedicated to fluid physics research in a microgravity environment and flown on the Spacelab D2 mission. The astronaut involvement is addressed by applying the criteria of the THURIS study, conducted by NASA for the optimization of future manned space flights. Outcomes of the THURIS study are first summarized. The AFPM characteristics and interfaces are briefly presented. The five experiments performed on board Spacelab D2 are introduced and the involvement of the astronaut is described. Finally, THURIS criteria are applied to an AFPM experiment scenario. Results show that, of all the activities involved in the AFPM nominal operation, two thirds are related to hardware manipulation and to procedure following, while the last third uses the unique astronaut intellectual capabilities, making his presence in orbit mandatory for successful experiment completion.     

Biaxial Mode of Rotation of a Satellite in the Orbit Plane

A mode of motion of a satellite with respect to its center of mass is studied, which is called the biaxial rotation in the orbit plane. In this mode of rotation, an elongated and nearly dynamically symmetric satellite rotates around the longitudinal axis, which, in turn, rotates around the normal to the plane of an orbit; the angular velocity of rotation around the longitudinal axis is several times larger than the orbital angular velocity, deviations of this axis from the orbit plane are small. Such a rotation is convenient in the case when it is required to secure a sufficiently uniform illumination of the satellite's surface by the Sun at a comparatively small angular velocity of the satellite. The investigation consists of the numerical integration of equations of the satellite's motion, which take into account gravitational and restoring aerodynamic moments, as well as the evolution of the orbit. At high orbits, the mode of the biaxial rotation is conserved for an appreciable length of time, and at low orbits it is destroyed due to the impact of the aerodynamic moment. The orbit altitudes and the method of constructing the initial conditions of motion that guarantee a sufficiently prolonged period of existence of this mode are specified.     

Astromedicine and astrolaw: Emerging issues for advanced missions beyond Earth orbit

It is generally agreed within the scientific community that provision of appropriate medical facilities and administration of quality health care to astronauts are of great importance. However, for the more complex and remote missions envisaged for the future, issues of liability, responsibility and damage relating to medical practice may take on a greater significance and will need to be addressed. The author briefly reviews potential issues which may arise in the context of medical emergencies, crew autonomy and environmentally altered physiological status which characterize some projected advanced space missions and argues that the law of outer space will need to be expanded to take account of them.     

Dynamics of the Nightside Boundaries of the Auroral Oval during Magnetic Storm on May 27–29, 2017

Cosmic Research - Using the Meteor M2 low-orbit satellite, the dynamics of the boundaries of the auroral oval on the nightside during the magnetic storm observed from May 27 to 29, 2017, was...