PHITS simulations of the Matroshka experiment

The radiation environment in space is very different from the one encountered on Earth. In addition to the sparsely ionizing radiation, there are particles of different Z with energies ranging from keV up to hundreds of GeV which can cause severe damage to both electronics and humans. It is therefore important to understand the interactions of these highly ionizing particles with different materials such as the hull of space vehicles, human organs and electronics. We have used the Particle and Heavy-Ion Transport code System (PHITS), which is a three-dimensional Monte Carlo code able to calculate interactions and transport of particles and heavy ions with energies up to 100 GeV/nucleon in most matter. PHITS is developed and maintained by a collaboration between RIST (Research Organization for Information Science & Technology), JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency), KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization), Japan and Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. For the purpose of examining the applicability of PHITS to the shielding design we have simulated the ESA facility Matroshka (MTR) designed and lead by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Preliminary results are presented and discussed in this paper.     

Toroidal magnetic fields for protecting astronauts from ionizing radiation in long duration deep space missions

Among the configurations of superconducting magnet structures proposed for protecting manned spaceships or manned deep space bases from ionizing radiation, toroidal ones are the most appealing for the efficient use of the magnetic field, being most of the incoming particle directions perpendicular to the induction lines of the field. The parameters of the toroid configuration essentially depend from the shape and volume of the habitat to be protected and the level of protection to be guaranteed. Two options are considered: (1) the magnetic system forming with the habitat a unique complex (compact toroid) to be launched as one piece; (2) the magnetic system to be launched separately from the habitat and assembled around it in space (large toroid).     

空间数据系统发展的三个阶段

提出把空间数据系统的发展历程分为三个阶段：第一阶段是面向信道传输,主要解决数据如何在空间链路上有效可靠传输;第二阶段是面向数据源,主要解决如何自适应不同数据源的传输要求。这两个阶段的技术已经成熟并应用。文章预测,空间数据系统将走上第三阶段,即面向数据用户的体制,到那时用户可以根据自己的需求,主动从空间分布式数据库中获取数据。文章重点阐述了第三阶段的新概念设想,它的第一步是云遥测,然后进一步建成支持交互的空间云数据系统。     

Virtual Reality-based Teleoperation with Robustness Against Modeling Errors

This article investigates virtual reality (VR)-based teleoperation with robustness against modeling errors. VR technology is an effective way to overcome the large time delay during space robot teleoperation. However, it depends highly on the accuracy of model. Model errors between the virtual and real environment exist inevitably. The existing way to deal with the problem is by means of either model matching or robot compliance control. As distinct from the existing methods, this article tries to combine model matching and robot compliance control. On one hand, the status of the virtual robot is corrected by using the position sensor data from robot joints before and during teleoperation, and the pose of the virtually manipulated object is obtained with visual recognition technology. On the other hand, compliance control algorithms of impedance control based on joint torque sensors and hybrid position/force control based on a wrist sensor have been executed in order to eliminate the small sustaining model errors. A VR-based teleoperation system of satellite on-orbit self-serving is built up. In order to verify the proposed method, an experiment deploying the solar panel troubled by malfunction is carried out through teleoperation. It shows that the large model errors are removed with the model matching method and the adopted compliance control is robust against the remaining small model errors.     

一种模糊飞行冲突实时检测方法研究

为了解决飞行冲突检测中虚警和漏警问题，提出飞机之间的模糊空间接近度概念以及一种模糊冲突检测方法。该方法通过实时计算飞机对之间垂直接近度与水平接近度，并使用模糊推理规则来判断飞机当前相对接近趋势以及是否存在冲突。仿真实验表明：该冲突检测方法能有效减少飞行冲突的虚警和漏警。     

Ozone mini-hole observation over the Balkan Peninsula in March 2005

Areas with dimensions of 1000–3000 km in which the total ozone content (TOC) decreases fast are called ozone mini-holes. They are generated mainly dynamically in two ways, either by poor-ozone air mass transport from the tropics to higher latitudes by planetary wave activity or, they are connected with strong adiabatic uplifting of the tropopause height. An ozone mini-hole, generated by the second mechanism, was observed over the Balkan Peninsula on 19/21 March 2005. In the middle of March, the polar vortex was strongly disturbed by Rossby waves, reaching up to the lower stratosphere. Warming episodes over a geographical area, covering the Barents Sea and the Polar Sea north from Central Siberia, displaced a polar vortex fragment extremely southwards. However, the vorticity was weak and the stratospheric temperatures did not reach low values, providing conditions for ozone chemical destruction via heterogenic reactions. At the same time, a Rossby wave ridge was located below the European polar fragment. In the period from 13 to 19 March, the thermal tropopause over Sofia was uplifted almost by 3 km. Ozone distributions observed by the SCIAMACHY instrument on 18–21 March show a fast TOC decrease westwards from Ireland, which was moving eastwards during the next days, increasing the area in which the ozone content decreased. On 20/21 March low ozone content was observed above the Stara Zagora (42°N, 25°E) ground-based station by means of the GASCOD instrument, using DOAS technique. The TOMS Earth probe instrument detected 237 DU over Sofia. This is a record low March value from the beginning of the TOMS instrument measurements in 1978. In March/April the ozone distribution was characterized by its mean annual maximum of 360 DU at 42°N.     

Response: Against manned space flight programs

Richard Rovetto has done a good job of assembling various arguments that are commonly advanced for a program of manned space flight. I will take them up one by one, and explain why I find them all unconvincing.     

三维体视投影图画法基础

主要介绍三维体视投影图的画法，指出作图的基本规律和图形的表现方法。