Diuretic as a means for rapid adaptation to weightlessness

In a number of flights, cosmonauts and astronauts have experienced aggravation of their health status and general condition in the initial hours and days in a weightless environment. One of the trigger mechanisms for the onset of these unfavourable conditions at the start of space flight is a redistribution of body fluids and a blood shift towards the head. To ensure controlled hypohydration as a countermeasure to the deleterious effects of 0-g and to investigate the feasibility to control adaptation, six cosmonauts were administered lasix once a day during the first 3 days of a mission. All data of the experiment (correction test, questionnaire, hematocrit) were recorded on a special form in the logbook and transmitted to the control centre for processing. Results showed that the diuretic weakened the sensation of discomfort and improved the cosmonauts' general condition. Objective indices of the correction test indicate an increased work ability of cosmonauts. After hypohydration, circulating plasma volumes in the group were reduced by 6.8 + 1.0% on average.     

Amplitude modulation of VLF emission and absorption of cosmic noise by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pc</Emphasis>5 geomagnetic pulsations in the period of geomagnetic storms on October 30–31, 2003

Modulation of the VLF emission and riometric absorption by Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations is studied in the period of strong geomagnetic disturbances on October 30–31, 2003. Some conclusions about the regime of pitch-angular diffusion into the loss cone are made. The better coincidence of VLF emission modulation with geomagnetic pulsations in other longitude sectors is explained by the global character of excitation of the pulsations and by damping of their amplitudes at the meridian of observation of the VLF emission, which is associated with intensification of auroral electrojets.Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2004, pp. 632–639.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Solovyev, Mullayarov, Baishev, Barkova, Samsonov.     

A sulfur-based survival strategy for putative phototrophic life in the venusian atmosphere

Several observations indicate that the cloud deck of the venusian atmosphere may provide a plausible refuge for microbial life. Having originated in a hot proto-ocean or been brought in by meteorites from Earth (or Mars), early life on Venus could have adapted to a dry, acidic atmospheric niche as the warming planet lost its oceans. The greatest obstacle for the survival of any organism in this niche may be high doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here we make the argument that such an organism may utilize sulfur allotropes present in the venusian atmosphere, particularly S(8), as a UV sunscreen, as an energy-converting pigment, or as a means for converting UV light to lower frequencies that can be used for photosynthesis. Thus, life could exist today in the clouds of Venus.     

Transition of Planar Rotational Motion of an Asymmetric Spacecraft into Oscillatory Motion at Its Reentry into the Atmosphere

The motion of a spacecraft with small asymmetry relative to its center of mass is considered. The restoring aerodynamic moment of the spacecraft is described by the Fourier series in terms of the angle of attack with the two first sinusoidal and the first cosinusoidal terms. A solution for the angle of attack in the undisturbed rotational motion is found. The analytical expression is obtained for the integral of action taken along the separatrices that separate the rotational and oscillatory regions of the phase portrait of a system. The transition of the spacecraft's motion from planar rotational to oscillatory is investigated. This transition is caused by a slow variation of moment characteristic coefficients, as well as by the presence of small asymmetry and damping and slow variation of their coefficients. Analytical formulas are obtained for determining the times of transition from rotational to oscillatory motion, as well as for the critical angular velocity of beyond-the-atmosphere rotation. When this critical velocity is exceeded, body rotation proceeds for a long time interval (planar autorotation arises).     

Precipitating Protons and Their Role in Ionization of the Polar Ionosphere

Spatial distributions of the electron density in the latitude range 60°–90° N were calculated on the basis of a physical model of the E and lower Fregions of the high-latitude ionosphere using statistical models of auroral proton and electron precipitation. It is shown that precipitating protons can play the key role in the ionization of the Eregion in the dusk and midnight sectors of the auroral oval. However, quantitative estimates of the contribution of protons to the ionization depend on the used statistical models of electron precipitation. Comparison of the electron density profiles calculated for two incoherent scatter radars, EISCAT (Tromsö) and ESR (Svalbard), for simultaneous precipitation of electrons and protons and for electron precipitation only show that the influence of protons is the most significant in the dusk sector over the EISCAT radar and in the midnight sector over the ESR radar. The results presented indicate the need to take protons into account when radar data are used to derive precipitating electron spectra.     

Surreal estate: addressing the issue of ‘Immovable Property Rights on the Moon’

At a time when scientific and commercial interest in the Moon is being reinvigorated it is becoming fashionable for ordinary individuals to ‘buy’ plots on the lunar surface, with the ‘vendors’ arguing that an absence of specific prohibition of individual private activity in space makes such action legal. It is therefore time for the legal community to address this situation by investigating just how legal such activity is—and bringing their findings to the attention of governments. This can be done through an examination of the relationship between national law and international space law, of the provisions of international space law—especially Article 2 of the Outer Space Treaty—and by answering any claims to private ownership of immovable property. Aside from the fact that individuals appear to be being duped, the pursuit of property claims on the Moon could impede future activities aimed at benefiting society.     

High-Sensitivity Quartz Accelerometer for Measurements of Small Accelerations of Spacecraft

A quartz sensor of small accelerations with a capacitive transducer is designed and produced, allowing one to measure spacecraft accelerations with a resolution of 10^–7 m/s² in the range ±10^–1 m/s². The results of calibration of the sensor by the method of inclinations are presented.     

Optimum Number of Stages in a Staged Vehicle

The problem of optimum partitioning of a staged vehicle (SV) and determination of the minimal number of stages to provide for a maximum velocity in the vertical SV motion in a homogeneous gravity field is considered at a given value of payload mass.     

Russian program of planetary missions

In the area of Solar System Exploration most of recently proposed mission oriented to the studies of Mars. Except MARS-96 and possibly MARS SAMPLE RETURN missions other Mars missions use Molnija class launchers. All Russian missions heavily involve international partners.