Mineral and nitrogen balance study: results of metabolic observations on Skylab II 28-day orbital mission

Prediction that the various stresses of flight, particularly weightlessness, would bring about significant derangements in the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system has been based on various observations of long-term immobilized or inactive bed rest. The only attempt at controlled measurement of metabolic changes in space prior to Skylab, a study during the 14-day Gemini VII flight, revealed rather modest losses of important elements. The three astronauts of Skylab II consumed a planned day-by-day, quite constant, dietary intake of major metabolic elements in mixed foods and beverages and provided virtually complete collections of excreta for 31 days preflight, during the 28 days inflight, and for 17 days postflight. Analyses showed that, in varying degree among the crewmen, urinary calcium increased gradually during flight in a pattern similar to that observed in bed-rest studies: the mean plateau peak of urinary calcium excretion in the latter part of flight was double preflight levels. Fecal calcium excretion did not change significantly, but calcium balance, owing to the urinary calcium rise, became either negative or less positive than in preflight measurement. Increased excretion and negative balance of nitrogen and phosphorus indicated appreciable loss of muscle tissue in all three crewmen. Significant losses also occurred inflight in potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Based on the similarity in pattern and degree between these observations and those in bed rest of the losses in calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, musculoskeletal integrity would not be threatened in space flights of up to at least 3 months. However, if similar changes occur, indicative of continuing losses of these elements, in the planned Skylab flights for considerably more than 28 days, concern for capable musculoskeletal function should be serious for flights of very many months' duration, and greater research attention will need to be given to development of protective counter-measures.     

The Suess-Urey mission (return of solar matter to Earth)

The Suess-Urey (S-U) mission has been proposed as a NASA Discovery mission to return samples of matter from the Sun to the Earth for isotopic and chemical analyses in terrestrial laboratories to provide a major improvement in our knowledge of the average chemical and isotopic composition of the solar system. The S-U spacecraft and sample return capsule will be placed in a halo orbit around the L1 Sun-Earth libration point for two years to collect solar wind ions which implant into large passive collectors made of ultra-pure materials. Constant Spacecraft-Sun-Earth geometries enable simple spin stabilized attitude control, simple passive thermal control, and a fixed medium gain antenna. Low data requirements and the safety of a Sun-pointed spinner, result in extremely low mission operations costs.     

Spatial orientation during locomotion [correction of locomation] following space flight

To investigate changes in spatial orientation ability and walking performance following space flight, 7 astronaut subjects were asked pre- and post-flight to perform a goal directed locomotion paradigm which consisted of walking a triangular path with and without vision. This new paradigm, involving inputs from different sensory systems, allows quantification of several critical parameters, like orientation performance, walking velocities and postural stability, in a natural walking task. The paper presented here mainly focusses on spatial orientation performance quantified by the errors in walking the previously seen path without vision. Errors in length and reaching the corners did not change significantly from pre- to post-flight, while absolute angular errors slightly increased post-flight. The significant decrease in walking velocity and a change in head-trunk coordination while walking around the corners of the path observed post-flight may suggest that during re-adaptation to gravity the mechanisms which are necessary to perform the task have to be re-accomplished.     

用单台摄影机的脱靶量测量

由一台靶载高速摄影机的数据可以给出导弹的弹道和脱靶距离。该报告导出了理论解,并简要地说明了如何修改该解法以便用计算机处理实际数据。还给出了误差源及其数量级。     

建立数字式行点阵记录仪标准特性的必要性

各地的遥测数据接收处理站都在用数字式行点阵记录仪来取代传统的笔式记录仪。前者具有多方面的优越性,并在实际应用中日益成为必不可少的设备。但由于工作原理和记录方式完全不同,人们很难将这两类记录仪的性能进行全面的类比,因此,在打算淘汰已经使用日久的笔式记录仪就使人举棋不定。目的:为数字式记录仪建立一套通用的标准特性;介绍有关的术语,以便对新旧系统进行正确的并且是可重复的比较。     

Conversations with Patricia Grace Smith. Interview by Frank Sietzen Jr

Ms. Smith, associate administrator for commercial space transportation within the Federal Aviation Administration, answers questions about regulations and licensing related to reusable launch vehicles, space passenger vehicles, and commercial space ventures.     

复合固体推进剂浇入发动机时的流变学

浇铸时未固化的复合固体推进剂的流动特性是十分重要的,因为它直接关系到发动机装药的完整性。增加推进剂的固体含量,可以提高能量特性,却导致药浆的流动性变坏。固体含量高的推进剂呈现非牛顿假塑性流动特性,即表观粘度依赖于剪切应力,以及随着未固化推进剂存放时间的增长,假塑性也增加。本文介绍了在 NASA 主办下进行浇铸研究的一些情况。对浇铸过程中剪切应力的三个明显不同区域和每一区域中推进剂的流动特性,进行了讨论。叙述了推进剂组分和工艺条件的变化对表观粘度的影响和浇铸过程中形成药柱缺陷的有关流变性能的实验结果。     

《开普敦公约》来到中国

作为一部关于承认在航空器机身、航空器发动机和直升机上的权利的国际公约，《开普敦公约》最初于三年前在八个国家开始实施，如今（截至2009年5月1日）已经在将近30个国家得以施行。