Crew autonomy for deep space exploration: Lessons from the Antarctic Search for Meteorites

Future piloted missions to explore asteroids, Mars, and other targets beyond the Moon will experience strict limitations on communication between vehicles in space and control centers on Earth. These limitations will require crews to operate with greater autonomy than any past space mission has demonstrated. The Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) project, which regularly sends small teams of researchers to remote parts of the southern continent, resembles a space mission in many ways but does not rely upon a control center. It provides a useful crew autonomy model for planners of future deep space exploration missions. In contrast to current space missions, ANSMET gives the crew the authority to adjust competing work priorities, task assignments, and daily schedules; allows the crew to be the primary monitor of mission progress; demands greater crew accountability for operational errors; requires the crew to make the most of limited communication bandwidth; adopts systems designed for simple operation and failure recovery; and grants the crew a leading role in the selection and stowage of their equipment.     

Pilots for space tourism

This article sheds light on the key player needed for any space tourism adventure: the pilot who flies the spacecraft. The paper addresses the potential benefits of including a pilot at the controls when designing a space tourism spacecraft. It examines the basic qualifications and advanced skills required of space tourism pilots and discusses key training requirements for selected pilots and space pilots' pay and benefits. In addition, the research concludes that, just as the pioneers of passenger transport in aviation entertained and captured the interest of their passengers, the space pilot should have the skills of a tour guide.     

Assessing the feasibility of involving gaseous products resulting from physicochemical oxidation of human liquid and solid wastes in the cycling of a bio-technical life support system

The study addresses the possible ways of involving gaseous products produced by “wet” incineration of human wastes mixed with H₂O₂ in an alternating electric field in the cycling of the physical model of a bio-technical life support system (BTLSS). The resulting gas mixture contains CO₂ and O₂, which are easily involved in the cycling in the closed ecosystem, and NH₃, which is unacceptable in the atmosphere of the BTLSS. NH₃ fixation has been proposed, which is followed by nitrification and involvement of the resulting products in the mass exchange of the closed system. Experiments have been performed to show that plants can be grown in the atmosphere resulting from the closing of the gas loop that includes a physicochemical installation and a growth chamber with plants representing the phototrophic compartment of the BTLSS. The results of the study suggest the conclusion that the proposed method of organic waste oxidation can be a useful tool in creating a physical model of a closed-loop integrated BTLSS.     

Human Mission from Planet Earth: finding a rationale for exploration of the Moon and Mars

This paper advances scenarios for an evolutionary approach to the establishment of a Human Mission from Planet Earth involving exploration and utilization of the Moon and Mars. Of critical importance are the concepts of robotic–human and Moon–Mars synergies. The paper discusses the rationale variables that have an influence on types of space activities pursued and thus the policy that leads to particular scenarios. In this regard, the technological, scientific, and sociopolitical/socioeconomic impacts and consequences related to a Human Mission from Planet Earth are examined.     

Increased BLSS closure using mineralized human waste in plant cultivation on a neutral substrate

The purpose of this work was to study the full-scale potential use of human mineralized waste (feces and urine) as a source of mineral elements for plant cultivation in a biological life support system (BLSS). Plants that are potential candidates for a photosynthesizing link were grown on a neutral solution containing human mineralized waste. Spring wheat Triticum aestivum L., peas Pisum sativum L. Ambrosia cultivar and leaf lettuce Lactuca sativa L., Vitaminny variety, were used. The plants were grown hydroponically on expanded clay aggregates in a vegetation chamber in constant environmental conditions. During plant growth, a determined amount of human mineralized waste was added daily to the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution remained unchanged throughout the vegetation period. Estimated plant requirements for macro-elements were based on a total biological productivity of 0.04 kg day⁻¹ m⁻². As the plant requirements for potassium exceeded the potassium content of human waste, a water extract of wheat straw containing the required amount of potassium was added to the nutrient solution. The Knop’s solution was used in the control experiments.     

正电子素络合形成研究(Ⅱ)

本文讨论了不同测量条件对正电子素络合反应速度常数测定值的影响。实验结果表明,在稀溶液的条件下,使用我们特殊设计的盛装溶液的匣式容器能大大提高放射源的使用率并能完全避免放射性废水。     

Simulation analysis for effects of bone loss on acceleration tolerance of human lumbar vertebra

The purpose of the present study was to analyze and predict the changes in acceleration tolerance of human vertebra as a result of bone loss caused by long-term space flight. A human L3–L4 vertebra FEM model was constructed, in which the cancellous bone was separated, and surrounding ligaments were also taken into account. The simulation results demonstrated that bone loss has more of an effect on the acceleration tolerance in x-direction. The results serve to aid in the creation of new acceleration tolerance standards, ensuring astronauts return home safely after long-term space flight. This study shows that more attention should be focused on the bone degradation of crew members and to create new protective designs for space capsules in the future.     

提升民用飞机水废水系统运营经济性技术研究

基于现代民机绿色环保设计理念和对经济性的追求,减重是飞机设计中重点考虑因素,关于降低民用飞机水废水系统运营载重、提高运营经济性研究,国内外尚未发布公开文献。本文基于对航线用水统计数据研究,形成航线运营所需水量计算技术;基于我国航线飞行时长分布特点,提出基于航线实际运营时间和载客人数为需求、为系统设定分档加水设计技术。结果表明：与同类机型数据对比,本文的水量计算技术是有效的;分档加水设计技术能够有效地降低系统在航线运营过程中的运营重量,可以提升民用飞机水废水系统的运营经济性。     

太阳黑子与疾病的统计关系

本文采用太阳黑子相对数作为太阳活动指标,根据最近20多年的太阳活动观测数据和江苏省防疫站的疾病统计资料,对9种常见疾病的人数的相对比率与太阳黑子相对数对应作图比较,分析二者之间的关系,并求出其相关系数.研究发现,猩红热、肝炎和脊髓灰质炎的发病率与太阳活动有一定的相关性,特别是猩红热,相关系数达到0.72,相关性很好.