Some peculiarities of changes in characteristics of proper atmosphere of space objects

We consider the behavior of the proper atmosphere of space objects in interaction with a flow of incident particles and when the orientation of an object changes. An asymmetry in the behavior of a sorption film with respect to an incident flow of atmospheric particles and the flow’s angular characteristics is shown, as well as the film influence on operation of sensors of the spacecraft’s attitude control system. A recommendation concerning usage of heavy gases for technological operations onboard spacecraft is given.     

Parametric resonance in the solar corona

When studying microwave emission of active regions on the Sun, an effect of parametric resonance between 5-min velocity oscillations in the solar photosphere and sound oscillations of coronal magnetic loops modulating the microwave emission has been discovered for the first time. The effect shows itself as simultaneous excitation in coronal magnetic loop of oscillations with periods 5, 10, and 3 min, which correspond to the pumping frequency, subharmonic, and the first upper frequency of parametric resonance. The parametric resonance can serve as an effective channel of transporting the energy of photospheric oscillations into the upper layers of the solar atmosphere. This effect opens up the important prospects in understanding the mechanisms of coronal plasma heating.     

Impact of helio-and geophysical disturbances on thermobaric and climatic characteristics of the Earth’s troposphere

We present the mechanism and the concept of a model of the solar activity impact on thermobaric and climatic characteristics of the troposphere. Both are based on the idea of parametric action. The results of analysis are presented concerning specific features and regularities of changes in temperature regime of the troposphere in the period of variable helio-and geophysical activity, as well as long-term variations of temperature and heat content of the troposphere. The influence of changes in circulation in the atmosphere and ocean on processes in the system atmosphere-ocean-cryosphere is considered: thermohaline circulation of the oceans and energy exchange between the atmosphere and ocean. The revealed regularities find their complete explanation within the context of a model and mechanism of solar activity impact on climatic characteristics of the troposphere that were suggested previously by the authors.     

Theory of type III radio bursts in the interplanetary space: I. Derivation of permittivity tensor for the system consisting of electron beam and solar wind plasma

The tensor of permittivity for the system “electron beam - plasma of the interplanetary space” is derived in the approximation of geometrical optics. The problem is one-dimensional; all parameters such as density of the beam and of the solar wind plasma, and the induction of the interplanetary magnetic field are assumed to be dependent only on the distance to the Sun. The beam is generated by an active region during a solar flare, and it is a source of radio bursts of type III in the interplanetary space. The tensor of permittivity was obtained to close field equations by a material equation. On the basis of these equations it becomes possible to study theoretically the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the radio bursts as disturbances of the above-described beam-plasma system.     

Effect of geomagnetic field disturbances on the adaptive stress reaction of cosmonauts

Investigations of the effect of geomagnetic activity factors on the cardiac rhythm regulation and arterial pressure of cosmonauts during the expeditions onboard the Soyuz spacecraft, and the MIR and ISS orbital space stations was carried out for various durations of flight in weightlessness and, under control. Groups of cosmonauts were inspected under flight conditions outside the geomagnetic disturbances and in ground preflight conditions, during disturbances without them. The presence of specific effect of geomagnetic disturbances on the system of vegetative regulation of blood circulation of cosmonauts during the flight was demonstrated for the first time. The response of cosmonauts’ cardiac rhythm on the magnetic storm is definitely revealed; however, it depends on the initial functional background and, in particular, on the state of mechanisms of vegetative regulation (the duration of flight and adaptation to it).     

Luminescence of the disturbed upper atmosphere in the visible and infrared spectral ranges in the conditions of injection of a high-velocity plasma jet: II. Theoretical interpretation of the luminescence in the visible spectral range

A theoretical interpretation is given to the experimental data on the luminescence in the visible spectral region of the disturbed upper atmosphere in the conditions of injection of a high-velocity aluminum plasma jet (the “Fluxus” experiment). Mathematical models of optical effects are presented. It is demonstrated that the results of the calculations and the experimental data agree satisfactorily. The principal physical and chemical processes responsible for the observed luminescence are determined.     

One method of controlling the motion of an aerospace vehicle during its long flight in the atmosphere

Based on the methods of the theory of optimum control of dynamic systems, as well as the methods of inverse problems of dynamics and the energy principle, a combined method is developed for control of the motion of a flying vehicle of the Aerospace plane type during the long flight in the atmosphere. The disturbed motion is considered under the conditions when there are constraints on the values of control actions and on functions of phase coordinates.     

Some problems connected with formation of chaotically located relief peculiarities on Europa’s surface

The problem connected with formation of lenses and chaotic bands on Europa’s ice surface are considered. Some assumptions concerning their formation due to temperature stresses in the ice cover of Jupiter’s moon and action of gravitational tidal forces are put forward.     

基于Wiener过程的载人飞船热控泵寿命预测

载人飞船热控制循环泵(以下简称热控泵)属于高可靠性航天产品,在试验和使用中出现的寿命失效数据极少,采用传统的基于大样本寿命数据的可靠性分析方法难以满足工程要求。首先根据热控泵的试验数据和退化失效机理,确定关键性能参数为扬程和功率,采用带有正向漂移的Wiener过程拟合这两项性能的退化数据,建立性能退化轨道模型,并用随机加权方法解决模型参数估计时的小子样问题;根据退化失效的定义确定热控泵的寿命分布模型,与传统寿命分布模型不同的是,分布模型中的参数具有明确的物理含义;最后根据试验数据对热控泵的寿命进行预测,验证方法的有效性。     

Vegetable production facility as a part of a closed life support system in a Russian Martian space flight scenario

A Manned Mars Mission scenario had been developed in frame of the Project 1172 supported International Science & Technology Center in Moscow. The Mars transit vehicle (MTV) supposed to have a crew of 4–6 with Pilot Laboratory compartment volume of 185 m³ and with inner diameter of 4.1 m. A vegetable production facility with power consumption up to 10 kW is being considered as a component of the life support system to supply crew members by fresh vegetables during the mission. Proposed design of conveyor-type plant growth facility (PGF) comprised of 4-modules. Each module has a cylindrical planting surface and spiral cylindrical LED assembly to provide a high specific productivity relative to utilized onboard resources. Each module has a growth chamber that will be from 0.7 m to 1.5 m in length, and a crop illuminated area from 1.7 m² to 4.0 m². Leafy crops (cabbage, lettuce, spinach, chard, etc.) have been selected for module 1, primarily because of the highest specific productivity per consumed resources. Dietitians have recommended also carrot crop for module 2, pepper for module 3 and tomato for module 4. The maximal total PGF light energy estimated as 1.16 kW and total power consumption as about 7 kW. The module 1 characteristics have been calculated using own experimental data, information from the best on ground plant growth experiments with artificial light were used to predict crop productivity and biomass composition in the another modules. 4-module PGF could produce nearly 0.32 kg per crew member per day of fresh edible biomass, which would be about 50% of recommended daily vegetable supplement. An average crop harvest index is estimated as 0.75. The MTV food system could be entirely closed in terms of vitamins C and A with help of the PGF. In addition the system could provide 10–25% of essential minerals and vitamins of group B, and about 20% of food fibers. The present state of plant growth technology allows formulating of requirements specification for the flight-qualified modules.