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.     

Kites are Fun-Composing Technical Material Using New Methods

"I can't get that stupid kite in the air! I can't! I can't!" "Oh, come on now, Charlie Brown ... that's no way to talk. The whole trouble with you is that you don't believe in yourself! You don't believe in your own abilities. You've got to say to yourself, 'I believe that I can fly this kite.' Now, go ahead, say to yourself, ' I believe that I can fly this kite.'" "I believe that I can fly this kite." "All right, now say it out loud. Say it over and over." "I believe that I can fly this kite! I believe that I can fly this kite! I actually believe I can fly this kite!" "You do? I'll bet you ten-to-one you're wrong!"     

Performance Degradation Due to Specular Multipath Intersymbol Interference

Plots of performance degradation are used to compare the effects of fading and intersymbol interference in a two- component specular multipath digital communications channel. Similar plots are then used to compare two practical receivers designed to combat the interference. Degradation plots are shown to allow easy identification of each receiver's range of usefulness, as well as identification of variance bounds demanded of channel parameter estimates which the receivers require.     

Attitude Determination Via Nonlinear Filtering

The theory of nonlinear filtering has been applied to the problem of the attitude determination of a satellite. Two approximation methods have been studied with a view to practical implementation. Computer simulation results are included.     

Logistics Transportation for Space Station Support

Logistics support of a long duration space station will dictate a high degree of space flight activity to rotate personnel and transport supplies and equipment. Systems characteristics and mission requirements for space station logistics have been analyzed within the context of a broad spectrum of space missions. Preliminary concepts for a space shuttle system (space transportation) have been developed. This system can support not only a space station program, but a wide variety of space missions for both NASA and the DOD.     

Long term observations of Cyg X-3 with Vela 5B

We present long-term (1969–1979) observations of Cygnus X-3, obtained by the Vela 5B satellite. The 3–12 keV light curve has 10 day time resolution. Cyg X-3 is a peculiar high-luminosity X-ray source, radiating from the radio region to hard gamma rays of more than 10¹⁶ eV. It has a 4.8 hour period, probably orbital, which is not resolved by our present analysis. Long term periodicities of 17, 20, and 33–34 days have been reported by several authors, and explained as the effects of apsidal motion, precession, or an eccentric orbit. We do not observe the 17 and 33–34 day variations, and set upper limits significantly lower than the reported amplitude of the 33–34 day variation. There is weak evidence for a 20 day flux variation. The light curve shows high and low states which alternate with a characteristic timescale of 1 year. There is no counterpart, at this time resolution, of the giant radio outburst of 1972 September.     

Temperature Cycling Effects on Solar Panels

Temperature cycling for more than 300 cycles and for temperatures down to - 175°C performed on soldered silicon cell assemblies with copper, Kovar, and molybdenum interconnectors showed a wide range in failures depending both upon the materials used and on interconnector thickness and substrate material. The solder fatigue failure rate is strongly dependent on stress level in agreement with analytical predictions.