Propagation and interaction of interplanetary transient disturbances. Numerical simulations

We study the heliocentric evolution of ICME-like disturbances and their associated transient forward shocks (TFSs) propagating in the interplanetary (IP) medium comparing the solutions of a hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models using the ZEUS-3D code [Stone, J.M., Norman, M.L., 1992. Zeus-2d: a radiation magnetohydrodynamics code for astrophysical flows in two space dimensions. i – the hydrodynamic algorithms and tests. Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 80, 753–790]. The simulations show that when a fast ICME and its associated IP shock propagate in the inner heliosphere they have an initial phase of about quasi-constant propagation speed (small deceleration) followed, after a critical distance (deflection point), by an exponential deceleration. By combining white light coronograph and interplanetary scintillation (IPS) measurements of ICMEs propagating within 1 AU [Manoharan, P.K., 2005. Evolution of coronal mass ejections in the inner heliosphere: a study using white-light and scintillation images. Solar Physics 235 (1–2), 345–368], such a critical distance and deceleration has already been inferred observationally. In addition, we also address the interaction between two ICME-like disturbances: a fast ICME 2 overtaking a previously launched slower ICME 1. After interaction, the leading ICME 1 accelerates and the tracking ICME 2 decelerates and both ICMEs tend to arrive at 1 AU having similar speeds. The 2-D HD and MHD models show similar qualitative results for the evolution and interaction of these disturbances in the IP medium.     

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.     

Space science education in Egypt and the 2006 solar eclipse

The space science research has been started in Egypt since 1910 by measuring the solar constant as indication of solar radiation at Helwan Observatory. The solar sunspot studies and its influence on the Nile flooding was erected and operated at Helwan as a first solar station in Egypt during 1957. Zeiss-Coude’ refractor was installed in 1964. Astronomy and space science educations started in Egypt at the university level since 1936 at Department of Astronomy and Meteorology of Cairo University. Undergraduate and graduate education in Egypt will be discussed in this work.     

Relativistic electrons high doses at International Space Station and Foton M2/M3 satellites

The paper presents observation of relativistic electrons. Data are collected by the Radiation Risk Radiometer-Dosimeters (R3D) B2/B3 modifications during the flights of Foton M2/M3 satellites in 2005 and 2007 as well as by the R3DE instrument at the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) on the Columbus External Payload Adaptor at the International Space Station (ISS) in the period February 20 – April 28, 2008. On the Foton M2/M3 satellites relativistic electrons are observed more frequently than on the ISS because of higher (62.8°) inclination of the orbit. At both Foton satellites the usual duration of the observations are a few minutes long. On the ISS the duration usually is about 1 min or less. The places of observations of high doses due to relativistic electrons are distributed mainly at latitudes above 50° geographic latitude in both hemispheres on Foton M2/M3 satellites. A very high maximum is found in the southern hemisphere at longitudinal range 0°–60°E. At the ISS the maximums are observed between 45° and 52° geographic latitude in both hemispheres mainly at longitudes equatorward from the magnetic poles. The measured absolute maximums of dose rates generated by relativistic electrons are found to be as follows: 304 μGy h⁻¹ behind 1.75 g cm⁻² shielding at Foton M2, 2314 μGy h⁻¹ behind 0.71 g cm⁻² shielding at Foton M3 and 19,195 μGy h⁻¹ (Flux is 8363 cm⁻² s⁻¹) behind les than 0.4 g cm⁻² shielding at ISS.     

国际空间太阳能电站的技术进展

综述了当前国际空间太阳能电站技术的研究进展与发展趋势。重点介绍了空间太阳能电站系统方案新构思“太阳塔”和“太阳盘”的特点；介绍了空间太阳能电站的主要相关技术———无线电能传输技术、太阳能转换技术和空间运输技术等的发展趋势；最后简要介绍了月球电站的进展情况。     

CAD技术及其在卫星工程中的应用

CAD 技术作为一种高效率、高质量、高精度的设计技术,正在包括航天技术在内的多个领域中广泛应用,发挥其效益。尤其是在机械(MCAD)与电子(ECAD)两方面的应用,更是令人瞩目。本文就CAD 技术的范畸、功能、组成、主要技术等并结合卫星研制的具体应用前景,作一介绍,目的在于推动CAD技术的开展,并为CAD/CAM 一体化做好思想准备。     

Administrative reform of Japanese Space Policy Structures in 2012

In Japan, there are several government ministries and agencies with important roles in the development and use of space. In 2012, Japan restructured its administrative organs related to the development and use of space through legal amendments to the original acts that established these organs. Although this was an important administrative reform that took four years of planning and discussion to accomplish, this restructuring has not been communicated well outside of Japan. This study provides the first comprehensive overview of the recent legal changes in Japanese space policy. In contrast to some reports, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) still has primary responsibility for the finances and personnel of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This continues to be true even after the Cabinet Office begins its new role as the focal point for formulating Japanese space policy. It remains to be seen how the policy direction of the Cabinet Office will interact with the operational, financial, and personnel responsibilities of MEXT. I argue that knowledge of the roles of MEXT and the Cabinet Office in space policy, and the tension between the two organizations, is key to understanding Japan's future space policy decision-making process. By tracing the history of Japanese space policy since 2001, I also suggest that if bureaucrats had thought more deeply before making major reforms to space policy and its administration, there would have been less confusion over the development of national space policy this past decade. This paper concludes by identifying some key elements to monitor in the coming years of Japan's space policy.     

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.     

改进PointNetLK的点云智能配准与位姿图优化方法

针对空间在轨服务任务中的非合作目标相对位姿测量问题,提出一种目标可测部位点云的智能配准方法。首先,通过Straight Through滤波算法对半物理仿真平台采集得到的点云进行目标提取,以消除背景数据等杂乱信息;其次,改进PointNetLK神经网络点云配准算法,将提取后的点云数据作为输入,从而获得初步配准结果,解决非合作目标先验信息缺失导致的无法配准问题;最后,建立基于位姿图的优化模型,以降低配准误差,提高配准精度。实验结果表明,与传统迭代最近点(ICP)算法相比,配准综合误差从6.3598降低到1.7291,精度提高约 72.81% 单次耗时从33.16 s降低到4.2 s,效率提升约87.33%,与当前SM ICP等其他算法相比,也具有一定的优势。     

星间链路在空间态势感知中的应用研究

通过对星间链路和空间态势感知系统国内外发展现状的分析,指出星间链路在空间信息有效获取、安全传输和实时应用以及保障空间态势感知系统战场生存能力等方面起着重要的作用.针对星间链路在未来空间态势感知系统中的应用需求,提出包含空间通信模型和空间导航模型在内的空间感知体系基本架构,并对该架构下星间链路的设计要求或者特点进行分析,指出星间链路应该具有灵活可变的星间路由策略和联网结构,并能够支持高速可变和安全可靠的星间数据传输.分别从空间网络和卫星节点2个层面提出了系统实现的关键技术,并给出部分关键技术的研究重点和研究方法.上述研究结果可以为星间链路及相关领域的研究工作提供一定的借鉴和帮助.