Establishing space industry in developing countries: Opportunities and difficulties

Although it is generally agreed that the outer space should be used for the benefit of all mankind, only a fraction of the countries have the necessary technological base for accessing space. Space technology, with its implications on science, economy and well-being of citizens, is mostly chosen as one of the priority areas for technological development by developing countries. However, there is already an over-capacity in global space industry and there are doubts on necessity of additional capacity establishment by developing countries. In this study, the importance and benefits of capacity-building in these countries are emphasized and the advantages and disadvantages that developing countries have in the framework of space technology acquisition are briefly presented. The feasibility of certain levels of space technology is discussed and the necessity of combining existing indigenous capabilities with technology obtained from foreign sources in the optimal way is stressed. We have also mentioned various general mechanisms of technology transfer and argued the importance of licensing in catching-up developed countries. After considering the necessary conditions of efficiency of technology, such as establishment of regional centers of space science and technology education by United Nations, joint development of space systems, complete technology transfer packages, cooperative space projects within regional organizations, coordinated constellations and special agreements with large space agencies, which are specific mechanisms already in use, are reviewed. Some typical examples of mechanisms are also given with special emphasize on small satellite technology that makes access to space affordable for many countries. Through sharing and analyzing the experience of developing countries in their odyssey of space capacity-building, the difficulties can be negotiated and the vicious circles can be broken. This study, in our view, is a step to incite a general discussion of obstacles and opportunities for developing countries, that could help them in using their limited resources effectively, hence, enable them to offer better conditions to their citizens and to contribute space science to a larger extend.     

Starting to partner with NASA in space and Earth science

NASA research programs offer many opportunities for productive partnerships with investigators in other countries. While spacecraft projects are complex and very expensive, there are other, lower-cost partnerships that can yield important scientific results and offer excellent opportunities for building up new space and Earth science programs and for training new researchers.     

The essential role of human spaceflight

The question is: should the United States and nations at large pursue a human spaceflight program (and if so, why)? I offer an unwavering positive answer to this question, and state the reasons for it while considering the broad challenges and benefits of (human) spaceflight. Space exploration is a human activity that is intrinsically forward-looking, and as such, has positive potential. Both national and international space programs can galvanize the population, inspire the youth, foster job-creation, and motivate the existing workforce. The nature of the enterprises involved—their scale, novelty, and complexity—requires a steady and continuous upward progression toward greater societal, scientific and technological development. That is, in order to overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, progress is required. More to the point, the survival of humanity depends on expanding beyond the confines of our planet. Human spaceflight, in short, presents us with an opportunity to significantly advance the nation and the global community.     

双臂空间机器人利用内部运动的姿态控制

本文对双臂自由漂浮空间机器人系统的姿态控制问题进行了研究 ,推导出了系统的运动学模型 ,证明了系统具有非完整的力学结构 ,并且提出了一种利用内部运动的机器人本体姿态控制算法。该算法可使机器人本体的姿态在机械臂完成任务的过程中保持不变或变化最小 ,仿真结果验证了算法的有效性。     

21世纪:中国人将遨翔太空

发展迅速的空间技术为人类铺设了通向太空和开发利用太空资源的道路。回顾过去,空间开发成就卓著。展望21世纪,空间事业前景光辉,人类将在太空开辟新天地,中国人也将遨翔太空。     

确定高速碰撞试验中碎片特性的测试技术

文章介绍了高速碰撞试验中碎片特性的几种测试技术,软捕获技术、照相技术、间接测量技术,及其适用情况。     

Thermal conductivity studies of a polyurea cross-linked silica aerogel-RTV 655 compound for cryogenic propellant tank applications in space

Silica-based aerogel is an ideal thermal insulator with a makeup of up to 99% air associated with the highly porous nature of this material. Polyurea cross-linked silica aerogel (PCSA) has superior mechanical properties compared to the native aerogels yet retains the highly porous open pore network and functions as an ideal thermal insulator with added load-bearing capability necessary for some applications. Room temperature vulcanizing rubber-RTV 655—is a space qualified elastomeric thermal insulator and encapsulant with high radiation and temperature tolerance as well as chemical resistance. Storage and transport of cryogenic propellant liquids is an integral part of the success of future space exploratory missions and is an area under constant development. Limitations and shortcomings of current cryogenic tank materials and insulation techniques such as non-uniform insulation layers, self-pressurization, weight and durability issues of the materials used, has motivated the quest for alternative materials. Both RTV 655 and PCSA are promising space qualified materials with unique and tunable microscopic and macroscopic properties making them attractive candidates for this study. In this work, the effect of PCSA geometry and volume concentration on the thermal behavior of RTV 655—PCSA compound material has been investigated at room temperature and at a cryogenic temperature. Macroscopic and microscopic PCSA material was encapsulated at increasing concentrations in an RTV 655 elastomeric matrix. The effect of pulverization on the nanopores of PCSA as a method for creating large quantities of homogeneous PCSA microparticles has also been investigated and is reported. The PCSA volume concentrations ranged between 22% and 75% for both geometries. Thermal conductivity measurements were performed based on the steady state transient plane source method.     

空间碎片数据形式及轨道演化算法

根据建立空间碎片工程模型的需要,定义了一种描述单个空间碎片运行位置及其物理特性的数据形式。基于空间碎片运动规律给出了一种用于计算单个空间碎片运行时＂平均位置＂的演化算法。计算的演化结果与STK软件计算的标称轨道比较表明：该演化算法正确。     

光机扫描仪扫描条带宽度变化规律研究

研究了光机扫描仪扫描条带宽度随扫描角变化的变化规律,并推导出扫描条带宽度变化量的计算公式.讨论了卫星侧摆成像时,计算条带宽度变化量的方法.最后,建立了扫面条带的数学模型,并对MODIS扫描条带宽度变化进行了仿真.     

极远紫外成像光谱仪在空间科学中的应用与展望

极远紫外成像光谱仪是空间科学研究中重要的数据获取工具,通过对不同天体目标极远紫外辐射的观测,可以反演出天体中主要物质的含量和变化规律,从而为空间天气、宇宙起源等许多前沿科学提供研究资料。文章分析了极远紫外成像光谱仪在空间科学研究中的优势,介绍了国际发展概况．列举了日地空间环境观测、地外行星体观测和宇宙空间观测3个应用领...