A laboratory model for interstellar chemical evolution.

The chemistry in a supersonic plasma source flow was studied as a laboratory model for interstellar chemical evolution. It is important to match the similarity parameters for cosmic and laboratory conditions, which connect the temporal and spatial scales of the two cases. The apparatus simulated the conditions in a molecular cloud with respect to molecular-ionic reaction fraction, temperature, and non-equilibrium kinetics. The plasma flow was found to be cold enough, by the radical expansion, to produce polyatomic molecules. From the simple atomic plasma as reactant, cyanopolyyne and unsaturated hydrocarbons were synthesized in the present experiment. These molecules are also inherent in molecular clouds. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

MPD arcjet system performance test

A new MPD (magnetoplasmadynamic) arcjet system was developed and tested to demonstrate its technological readiness for flight model design. The MPD arcjet, of quasisteady type, was repetitively operated. In the endurance test, more than 10⁵ shots were cleared in continuous operation. Some components cleared more than 10⁶ shots. Cathode erosion was markedly reduced through the use of newly developed material. Thermal data were obtained which define the thermal interface between the spacecraft and the MPD arcjet system. Waste heat from the electrodes was found to be 20–30% of the input power and to vary with repetition frequency. No technological difficulties are foreseen for further continuation of repetitive operation.     

Lessons learned from the Space Flyer Unit (SFU) mission

The Space Flyer Unit (SFU) system and mission chronology are briefly introduced. Lessons learned from the SFU mission are categorized as programmatic and engineering lessons. In the programmatic category are dealt with both international and domestic collaborations. As for the engineering lessons safety design, orbital operation, in-flight anomaly, and post flight analyses are the major topics reviewed.