CFD评估框架的进展及其最佳实践: QNET-CFD知识库

QNET—CFD是欧盟R＆D项目开发的一个主题网络，该网络讨论了计算流体力学（CFD）供工业应用应具有的品质和可信度，其主要目的是以系统和质量控制的方式收集CFD和实验数据，建立两者相容的知识库（KB），以此为基础，支持对CFD进行指导和评估。QNET—CFD围绕覆盖下述工业部门的6个主题（TA）组成：外流空气动力学；燃烧和传热；化学过程、热水力学和核安全：土木建筑和HVAC；环境；涡轮机内流。其主要成果是建立了具有面向用户界面及丰富的实验和CFD数据的知识库，这些数据来自于大量实验数据，分为53种应用挑战（AC）和43种基本流动状态（UFR）。除对上述6个主题领域中每一个的科学发展动态给出述评外，KB还包含了对大多数应用挑战如何利用CFD的最实际的建议，这被视为QNET—CFD最有意义的贡献，CFD的可信度和质量水平将因此得以进一步提高。     

Survival of spores of the UV-resistant Bacillus subtilis strain MW01 after exposure to low-earth orbit and simulated martian conditions: data from the space experiment ADAPT on EXPOSE-E

In the space experiment "Molecular adaptation strategies of microorganisms to different space and planetary UV climate conditions" (ADAPT), bacterial endospores of the highly UV-resistant Bacillus subtilis strain MW01 were exposed to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and simulated martian surface conditions for 559 days on board the European Space Agency's exposure facility EXPOSE-E, mounted outside the International Space Station. The survival of B. subtilis MW01 spores from both assays (LEO and simulated martian conditions) was determined by a colony-formation assay after retrieval. It was clearly shown that solar extraterrestrial UV radiation (λ≥110?nm) as well as the martian UV spectrum (λ≥200?nm) was the most deleterious factor applied; in some samples only a few spore survivors were recovered from B. subtilis MW01 spores exposed in monolayers. However, if shielded from solar irradiation, about 8% of MW01 spores survived in LEO conditions, and 100% survived in simulated martian conditions, compared to the laboratory controls. The results demonstrate the effect of shielding against the high inactivation potential of extraterrestrial solar UV radiation, which limits the chances of survival of even the highly UV-resistant strain of B. subtilis MW01 in the harsh environments of outer space and the martian surface.     

EXOSAT observations of active stellar coronae in the Cygnus Loop,T Tau & NGC 2264 regions

A highly variable point X-ray source, first seen by the Einstein IPC, has been positioned with the EXOSAT CMA and identified with a bright (V = 8.5) K0 star. Although in the direction of the southern half of the Cygnus Loop, this star is almost certainly a foreground object and typical of other active cool stars that are related to RS CVn systems.An EXOSAT program to study T Tauri stars failed to detect T Tau itself. However, a strong X-ray source was observed 15 from T Tau, which in its turn had not been seen by Einstein. This new source has been identified with a hitherto unstudied 13 mag star which is likely to be a dMe flare star.The young star cluster NGC 2264 was observed with the EXOSAT CMA in an attempt to identify the sources found during an Einstein IPC study of S Mon. Apart from S Mon itself, only UV-bright objects were seen, but several of these are considered likely counterparts of the Einstein sources.     

The X-Ray Spectrometer on the MESSENGER Spacecraft

NASA’s MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) mission will further the understanding of the formation of the planets by examining the least studied of the terrestrial planets, Mercury. During the one-year orbital phase (beginning in 2011) and three earlier flybys (2008 and 2009), the X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) onboard the MESSENGER spacecraft will measure the surface elemental composition. XRS will measure the characteristic X-ray emissions induced on the surface of Mercury by the incident solar flux. The Kα lines for the elements Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Ti, and Fe will be detected. The 12° field-of-view of the instrument will allow a spatial resolution that ranges from 42 km at periapsis to 3200 km at apoapsis due to the spacecraft’s highly elliptical orbit. XRS will provide elemental composition measurements covering the majority of Mercury’s surface, as well as potential high-spatial-resolution measurements of features of interest. This paper summarizes XRS’s science objectives, technical design, calibration, and mission observation strategy.     

NanoSail-D: A solar sail demonstration mission

In the early to mid-2000s, NASA made substantial progress in the development of solar sail propulsion systems. Solar sail propulsion uses the solar radiation pressure exerted by the momentum transfer of reflected photons to generate a net force on a spacecraft. To date, solar sail propulsion systems were designed for large robotic spacecraft. Recently, however, NASA has been investigating the application of solar sails for small satellite propulsion. The NanoSail-D is a subscale solar sail system designed for possible small spacecraft applications. The NanoSail-D mission flew on board the ill-fated Falcon Rocket launched August 2, 2008, and due to the failure of that rocket, never achieved orbit. The NanoSail-D flight spare is ready for flight and a suitable launch arrangement is being actively pursued. This paper will present an introduction solar sail propulsion systems and an overview of the NanoSail-D spacecraft.     

An extensive phase space for the potential martian biosphere

We present a comprehensive model of martian pressure-temperature (P-T) phase space and compare it with that of Earth. Martian P-T conditions compatible with liquid water extend to a depth of ～310?km. We use our phase space model of Mars and of terrestrial life to estimate the depths and extent of the water on Mars that is habitable for terrestrial life. We find an extensive overlap between inhabited terrestrial phase space and martian phase space. The lower martian surface temperatures and shallower martian geotherm suggest that, if there is a hot deep biosphere on Mars, it could extend 7 times deeper than the ～5?km depth of the hot deep terrestrial biosphere in the crust inhabited by hyperthermophilic chemolithotrophs. This corresponds to ～3.2% of the volume of present-day Mars being potentially habitable for terrestrial-like life.     

Planetary parks—formulating a wilderness policy for planetary bodies

Building on an earlier article, establishment of a planetary park system for other planetary bodies is further developed. Reasons are elaborated for such a system to protect representative regions of other planetary bodies. Although a parks system might seem supererogatory, and an over-reaction to the currently very limited environmental impact of robotic and human exploration and settlement activities, four arguments are provided that suggest that such a system does have a value, even in advance of robotic and human missions. Planetary parks incorporate concepts of planetary protection, but they extend the reasons for practical protection policies beyond the utilitarian protection of scientific resources emphasized by planetary protection, into other utilitarian and intrinsic value arguments. Planetary parks might still allow for the development of non-park areas by commercial enterprise.