Changes in organ perfusion and weight ratios in post-simulated microgravity recovery

Head-down tilt models have been used as ground-based simulations of microgravity. Our previous animal research has demonstrated that there are significant changes in fluid distribution within 2 h after placement in a 45 degrees head-down tilt (45HDT) position and these changes in fluid distribution were still present after 14 days of 45HDT. Consequently, we investigated changes in fluid distribution during recovery from 16 days of 45HDT. Changes in radioactive tracer distribution and organ/body weight ratio were examined in rats randomly assigned to a 45HDT or prone control group. The 45HDT rats were suspended for 16 days and then allowed to recover at the prone position 0, 77, 101, or 125 h post-suspension. Animals were injected with technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTcDTPA, MW=492 amu, physical half-life of 6.02 h) and then killed 30 min post-injection. Lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain were harvested, weighed, and measured for radioactive counts. Statistical analyses included two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) that compared 45HDT versus controls at the four experimental time points. The organ weight divided by the body weight ratio for the brain, heart, kidneys and liver in the 45HDT rats was significantly different than the control rats, regardless of time (treatment). There was no difference between the different time points (time). The average 99mTcDTPA count divided by the organ weight ratio values for the heart, liver, and spleen were significantly higher in the 45HDT group than the control group. The average counts for the heart and spleen were significantly higher at 77, 101, and 125 h than at time zero. We conclude that the major organs have different recovery patterns after 45HDT for 16 days in the rat.     

Loading effects on rat craniomandibular morphology: a system for gravity studies

Gravity effects on muscle and bone are a major impediment to long-term space travel. We introduce a model for studying these effects, the craniomandibular system. Some advantages of this system include: (1) craniomandibular morphology is determined by epigenetic factors including gravity, (2) relatively light forces can significantly alter its morphology, and (3) soft diet and tooth loss produce effects that are similar to those produced in lower limbs by weightlessness. In the study, implants made either of gold (experimental group) or lightweight acrylic (controls) were attached to adult rats' mandibles. After 13 weeks, the animals' skulls and mandibles were dissected. Pair-wise comparisons indicated that the experimental animals showed significantly shortened and narrowed cranial bases, and significant changes in the posterior zygomatic arch region. These results indicate that simulated macrogravity influences bone remodeling in the adult craniomandibular system.     

Choroidal responses in microgravity. (SLS-1, SLS-2 and hindlimb-suspension experiments)

Fluid and electrolyte shifts occuring during human spaceflight have been reported and investigated at the level of blood, cardio-vascular and renal responses. Very few data were available concerning the cerebral fluid and electrolyte adaptation to microgravity, even in animal models. It is the reason why we developed several studies focused on the effects of spaceflight (SLS-1 and SLS-2 programs, carried on NASA STS 40 and 56 missions, which were 9- and 14-day flights, respectively), on structural and functional features of choroid plexuses, organs which secrete 70–90 % of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and which are involved in brain homeostasis. Rats flown aboard space shuttles were sacrificed either in space (SLS-2 experiment, on flight day 13) or 4–8 hours after landing (SLS-1 and SLS-2 experiments). Quantitative autoradiography performed by microdensitometry and image analysis, showed that lateral and third ventricle choroid plexuses from rats flown for SLS-1 experiment demonstrated an increased number (about x 2) of binding sites to natriuretic peptides (which are known to be involved in mechanisms regulating CSF production). Using electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, we studied the cellular response of choroid plexuses, which produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain lateral, third and fourth ventricles. We demonstrated that spaceflight (SLS-2 experiment, inflight samples) induces changes in the choroidal cell structure (apical microvilli, kinocilia organization, vesicle accumulation) and protein distribution or expression (carbonic anhydrase II, water channels,…). These observations suggested a loss of choroidal cell polarity and a decrease in CSF secretion. Hindlimb-suspended rats displayed similar choroidal changes. All together, these results support the hypothesis of a modified CSF production in rats during long-term (9, 13 or 14 days) adaptations to microgravity.     

一种少烟固体火箭发动机的结构使用寿命估计

少烟幼畜(Maverich)固体火箭发动机的结构使用寿命估计是以解剖发动机的推进剂性能数据为基础进行的。为了在两年的时间里模拟五年的使用寿命,这些发动机经历了实验室加速化学和力学老化。用经验老化模型来推测发动机推进剂的性能和药柱横截面上的性能梯度,建立了有限元计算机模型来计算这些性能梯度,并确定发动机安全裕度与时间的函数关系。根据分析,预计这种发动机的使用寿命在10年之上。     

星30/CE和星37FM——改进性能的顶级固体火箭发动机

本文介绍了星30C、30E和37FM三种火箭发动机的设计结构,给出了各种分析结果,并报导了鉴定试验的累积数据。     

改善推进剂老化和低温物理性质的键合剂系统

新的混合键合剂系统用于端羟基聚丁二烯推进剂配方时,推进剂的高温老化特性和低温物理性质都有很大改善。混合键合剂系统由 MT_4[2.0克分子三-1-(2-甲基氮丙啶)膦化氧、0.7克分子已二酸和0.3克分子酒石酸的反应产物]、HX752[双-间苯二酰-1-(2-甲基)氨丙啶]和 BIDE(丁基亚胺二乙醇)组成,其重量百分含量分别占推进剂组成的0.10～0.20%、0.10～0.20%和0.02～0.05%。     

在开孔区补强的玻璃钢壳体变形研究

复合材料结构设计的实际提出了带有局部开孔的层壳应力状态理论与实验研究的课题。由于在壳体中存在非中心开孔,因而引起具有局部特征的应力集中区,它在确定结构的承载能力时起很主要的作用。在开孔区增强纤维失去承载能力决定了要适当加强同时对开孔区边缘进行补强的必要性。这些问题的理论研究已进行了一系列基础工作。在纤维     

螺栓挤压推力终止系统验证试验

本文总结了螺栓挤压推力终止系统(BETTS)的设计、研制和验证试验。该系统在阿诺德工程研制中心(AEDC)进行了多次冷试,一次海平面热试和两次高空点火推力终止试验,试验所用的发动机是政府向化学系统分公司提供的“民兵”发动机空壳体装药后制成的。通过大发动机热试,证明本计划所验证的这种BETTS可以消除前部碎片,大大地简化药柱和发动机壳体的设计,提高末级性能。另外,这种方法设计简单,从而可以降低推进系统的成本。BETTS用爆炸螺栓和挤压螺栓的组合代替连接喷管法兰和发动机壳体法兰的普通螺栓。接到指令后,爆炸螺栓立即打开,喷管循着挤压螺栓向后平移,发动机气体迅速排出,从而使推进剂熄火。挤压螺栓控制着喷管的移动速度和最大运动行程。以前根据NO.F04611—75—C—0044合同(CSD计划2549)曾成功地在缩比发动机上进行了BETTS热试和在飞行重量的“民兵”Ⅲ第三级发动机上进行了冷试。     

HTPB推进剂的老化及使用寿命

为了进行老化评价研究,选择和研制了三种不同固体含量的(88～91%)端羟基聚丁二烯(HTPB)推进剂。已经证实,88%固体含量的HTPB推进剂符合以前提出的老化模型。这种老化模型已成功地进一步用于较高固体含量的推进剂以及其它计划用的HTPB推进剂的实测力学性能老化数据。采用这种老化模型,根据加速热老化试验数据予测了长期力学性能,予测数据与六年实测老化数据相当一致。利用予测的推进剂破坏性能,结合火箭发动机的要求,来确定予先选定安全裕度的发动机药柱的使用寿命。本文列出了各种复合推进剂老化速率的比较数据。根据老化结果的分析,提出了一个宽范围老化行为的数学表达式。     

1980年固体火箭技术的成就

虽然美航宇局的航天飞机一再推迟发射日期,而赛奥科尔公司研制的固体火箭助推器(SRB)仍取得了明显的进展。1980年2月第三台即最后一台鉴定发动机进行了静态试车。航天飞机初次飞行用的第一段发动机在9月26日运到肯尼迪空间中心。赛奥科尔公司已完成了第二次飞行用的发动机和喷管出口锥的生产工作,第三次飞行用的发动机将于80年底生产出来。