A high order method for orbital conjunctions analysis: Sensitivity to initial uncertainties

A high order method to quickly assess the effect that uncertainties produce on orbital conjunctions through a numerical high-fidelity propagator is presented. In particular, the dependency of time and distance of closest approach to initial uncertainties on position and velocity of both objects involved in a conjunction is studied. The approach relies on a numerical integration based on differential algebraic techniques and a high-order algorithm that expands the time and distance of closest approach in Taylor series with respect to relevant uncertainties. The modeled perturbations are atmospheric drag, using NRLMSISE-00 air density model, solar radiation pressure with shadow, third body perturbation using JPL’s DE405 ephemeris, and EGM2008 gravity model. The polynomial approximation of the final position is used as an input to compute analytically the expansion of time and distance of closest approach. As a result, the analysis of a close encounter can be performed through fast, multiple evaluations of Taylor polynomials. Test cases with objects ranging from LEO to GEO regimes are considered to assess the performances and the accuracy of the proposed method.     

Sulfur “concrete” for lunar applications – Sublimation concerns

Melting sulfur and mixing it with an aggregate to form “concrete” is commercially well established and constitutes a material that is particularly well-suited for use in corrosive environments. Discovery of the mineral troilite (FeS) on the moon poses the question of extracting the sulfur for use as a lunar construction material. This would be an attractive alternative to conventional concrete as it does not require water. However, the viability of sulfur concrete in a lunar environment, which is characterized by lack of an atmosphere and extreme temperatures, is not well understood. Here it is assumed that the lunar ore can be mined, refined, and the raw sulfur melded with appropriate lunar regolith to form, for example, bricks. This study evaluates pure sulfur and two sets of small sulfur concrete samples that have been prepared using JSC-1 lunar stimulant and SiO₂ powder as aggregate additions. Each set was subjected to extended periods in a vacuum environment to evaluate sublimation issues. Results from these experiments are presented and discussed within the context of the lunar environment.     

低频靶标法测量CCD相机调制传递函数的仿真

基于用高频靶标法测试调制传递函数（MTF）时不能准确地体现出CCD器件的平均采样的情况。该文探讨用低频靶标法测试MTF，介绍它的原理；通过数字仿真CCD的光学镜头的模糊和采样平均过程，分析不同频率靶标的MTF测试结果，并分析相位造成的影响。     

Minimizing energy utilization for growing strawberries during long-duration space habitation

Strawberry is a candidate crop for space that is rich in protective antioxidants and could also have psychological benefits as a component of crew diets during long-duration space habitation. Energy for electric lighting is a major input to a controlled-environment crop-production system for space habitation. Day-neutral strawberry cultivars were evaluated at several different photoperiods to determine minimum lighting requirements without limiting yield or negatively impacting fruit quality. The cultivars ‘Tribute’, ‘Seascape’, and ‘Fern’ were grown at 14, 17, or 20 h of light per day, and fruit yield was evaluated over a 31-week production period. This amounted to a difference of 2418 kWh m⁻² in energy usage between the longest and shortest photoperiods. All cultivars produced similar total fresh weight of fruit regardless of photoperiod. Volunteer tasters rated organoleptic characteristics including sweetness, tartness, texture, and overall appeal as measures of fruit quality. Generally, organoleptic attributes were not affected by photoperiod, but these attributes were somewhat dependent upon cultivar and harvest time. Cultivars under different photoperiods varied in their production of fruit over time. ‘Seascape’ was the most consistent producer, typically with the largest, most palatable fruit. ‘Seascape’ plants subsequently were grown at 10-, 12-, or 14-h photoperiods over a treatment period of 33 weeks. Photoperiod again had no significant effect on total fruit weight, although there were periodic flushes of productivity. Fruit under all photoperiods had acceptable approval ratings. A large-fruited, day-neutral strawberry cultivar such as ‘Seascape’ remains productive under shortened photoperiods, allowing reductions in energy and crew labor while maintaining flexibility for mixed-cropping scenarios in space.     

Viability of barley seeds after long-term exposure to outer side of international space station

Barley seeds were exposed to outer space for 13 months in a vented metal container without a climate control system to assess the risk of physiological and genetic mutation during long-term storage in space. The space-stored seeds (S0 generation), with an 82% germination rate in 50 seeds, lost about 20% of their weight after the exposure. The germinated seeds showed normal growth, heading, and ripening. The harvested seeds (S1 generation) also germinated and reproduced (S2 generation) as did the ground-stored seeds. The culm length, ear length, number of seed, grain weight, and fertility of the plants from the space-stored seeds were not significantly different from those of the ground-stored seeds in each of the S0 and S1 generation. Furthermore, the S1 and S2 space-stored seeds respectively showed similar β-glucan content to those of the ground-stored seeds. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis with 16 primer combinations showed no specific fragment that appears or disappears significantly in the DNA isolated from the barley grown from the space-stored seeds. Though these data are derived from nine S0 space-stored seeds in a single exposure experiment, the results demonstrate the preservation of barley seeds in outer space for 13 months without phenotypic or genotypic changes and with healthy and vigorous growth in space.     

高阶矩谱分析与空间等离子体非线性相互作用识别

利用高阶矩统计分析方法对ＡＵＲＥＯＬ－３卫星观测数据进行分析处理，所涉及的信号分别为ＥＬＦ频率范围内的电场扰动Ｅｈ（ｔ）和等离子体密度波动δＮｅ／ｎｅ（ｔ），处理结果表明：利用高阶矩谱分析方法可以很好地识别空间等离了波－粒相互作用过程中的非线性成分     

网络环境下的知识产权保护

网络的发展推进了人类信息化进程。但网络也给知识产权的保护带来了难题。文章通过对网络环境下知识产权保护的诸多问题的讨论及其所使用法律法规的分析 ,从而提出了对其进行保护的措施。     

INMARSAT测控网故障应对策略

结合INMARSAT-4F1早期轨道支持任务，介绍了INMARSAT测控网的结构和任务配置，给出了测控网发生故障时的处理方法以及实际应用情况。最后根据故障诊断理论，分析了航天测控网的故障特点。     

NASA深空网（DSN）的现状及发展趋势

详细介绍了美国深空网的发展过程、目前的状况以及未来的主要发展计划。     

基于宽带综合业务数字网／ATM的航天测控网管理系统组成及性能研究

本文根据宽带综合业务数字网／ATM的特点、功能及发展前景，针对我国航天测控网的现状和未来测控任务的需求，提出了我国航天测控网管理系统的构成、管理模式等思想。这些对航天测控网管理系统的发展具有一定的参考价值。