Autonomic regulation of circulation and cardiac contractility during a 14-month space flight

The space flight of physician cosmonaut V.V. Polyakov, the longest to date (438 days), has yielded new data about human adaptation to long-term weightlessness. Autonomic regulation of circulation and cardiac contractility were evaluated in three experiments entitled Pulstrans, Night, and Holter. In the Pulstrans experiment electrocardiographic (ECG), ballistocardiographic (BCG), seismocardiographic (SCG), and some other parameters were recorded. In the Night experiment, only the ballistocardiogram was recorded, but a special feature of this experiment is that the BCG records were obtained with a contactless method. This method has several advantages, the most important of which are the possibility of studying slow-wave variations in physiologic parameters (ultradian rhythms) on the basis of recordings made under standard conditions over a prolonged period. The Holter experiment (24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring) used a portable cardiorecorder (Spacelab, USA). The obtained electrocardiographic data were used to analyze heart rate variability. In the first 6 months of the 14-month flight, the dynamics of cardiovascular parameters in V.V. Polyakov was virtually the same as in the other cosmonauts. The data obtained after the first 6 months of Polyakov's sojourn in space are unique and mention should be made of at least three important aspects: (1) activation of a new, additional adaptive mechanism in the 8th-9th months of flight, as is evidenced by alterations in the periodicity and power of superslow wave oscillations (ultradian rhythms) reflecting the activity of the subcortical cardiovascular centers and of the higher levels of autonomic regulation; (2) growth of cardiac contractility accompanied by a decrease in heart rate during the last few months of flight; (3) a considerable increase in the daily average values of absolute power of heart rate's variability MF component, which reflects the activity of the vasomotor center. Specific mechanisms of adaptation to weightless conditions appear to be associated with activation of higher autonomic centers. The hypothesis that central levels of circulation regulation are activated in a long-term space flight was investigated by analyzing of ultradian rhythms in nighttime. The data, received during the flight of V. V. Polyakov, show, that the process of human adaptation to long influence of weightlessness consists of a number of consecutive stages, during which the activation of more and more high levels of control system of physiological functions occurs.     

Astrobiology through the ages of Mars: the study of terrestrial analogues to understand the habitability of Mars

Mars has undergone three main climatic stages throughout its geological history, beginning with a water-rich epoch, followed by a cold and semi-arid era, and transitioning into present-day arid and very cold desert conditions. These global climatic eras also represent three different stages of planetary habitability: an early, potentially habitable stage when the basic requisites for life as we know it were present (liquid water and energy); an intermediate extreme stage, when liquid solutions became scarce or very challenging for life; and the most recent stage during which conditions on the surface have been largely uninhabitable, except perhaps in some isolated niches. Our understanding of the evolution of Mars is now sufficient to assign specific terrestrial environments to each of these periods. Through the study of Mars terrestrial analogues, we have assessed and constrained the habitability conditions for each of these stages, the geochemistry of the surface, and the likelihood for the preservation of organic and inorganic biosignatures. The study of these analog environments provides important information to better understand past and current mission results as well as to support the design and selection of instruments and the planning for future exploratory missions to Mars.     

Mission to Mars using integrated propulsion concepts: considerations, opportunities, and strategies

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of a mission to Mars using the Integrated Propulsion Systems (IPS) which means to couple Nuclear-MPD-ISPU propulsion systems. In particular both mission analysis and propulsion aspects are analyzed together with technological aspects. Identifying possible mission scenarios will lead to the study of possible strategies for Mars Exploration and also of methods for reducing cost. As regard to IPS, the coupling between Nuclear Propulsion (Rubbia's engine) and Superconductive MPD propulsion is considered for the Earth-Mars trajectories: major emphasis is given to the advantages of such a system. The In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) concerns on-Mars operations; In Situ Propellant Utilization (ISPU) is foreseen particularly for LOX-CH4 engines for Mars Ascent Vehicles and this possibility is analyzed from a technological point of view. Tether Systems are also considered during interplanetary trajectories and as space elevators on Mars orbit. Finally strategic considerations associated to this mission are considered also.     

采用非旁视天线的机械地面动目标检测

众所周知，采用机械雷达进行目标检测会因为平台引起的杂回波谱扩展而变得复杂起来，因此，常规的脉冲多普勒雷达要求目标具有最小可检速度（ＭＤＶ）以便消除主波束（和旁瓣）杂波，为了减少机载预警（ＡＥＷ）雷达对ＭＤＶ的要示，近年来，人们对采用空－时自适应处理（ＳＴＡＰ）技术和移相中天线（ＤＰＣＡ）处理技术的旁视，多通道（即多孔径）雷达进行了大量的研究，象ＪＳＴＡＲＳ那样的ＧＭＴＩ（地面动目标检测）雷达也采用类似的技术来检测象坦克、吉普车之类持面慢速运动目标。大多数文章都涉及到旁视机载雷达（ＳＬＡＲ），在这种情况下也径相位中心们于飞行路径的一条平行线上，本文讨论了一般的非旁视的机载ＧＭＴＩ雷达的设计与性能，此时阵列不是正侧视的，极端情况为前视机载雷达（ＦＬＡＲ）。非旁视的机载ＧＭＴＩ格外引入注目，因为它适合于经常用于大视角     

中PRF组的选择：一处组合方法

现代战斗机运用多种技术来搜索和探测中空中目标。其中一项技术就运用了脉冲多普勒原理和一群“中”脉冲重复频率（ＰＲＦ）的波形。这要一群中ＰＲＦ在距离和速度（多普勒频率）上都是模糊的，但是可以通过使来自一组ＰＲＦ中不同ＰＲＦ的数据进行相关解除模糊。ＰＲＦ组选择是复杂的，受特定雷达系统及其预定用途限制。本文在简要讨论了约束条件之后，得出一些涉及重影最小值和区线性概率的结果，并给出了一咱计算ＰＲＦ组娄得的有