Space Experiments Research Articles

Research campaign: Macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO)

The objective of the proposed macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO) mission is to harness space for achieving long free-fall times, extreme vacuum, nano-gravity, and cryogenic temperatures to test the foundations of physics in macroscopic quantum experiments at the interface with gravity. Developing the necessary technologies, achieving the required sensitivities and providing the necessary isolation of macroscopic quantum systems from their environment will lay the path for developing novel quantum sensors. Earlier studies showed that the proposal is feasible but that several critical challenges remain, and key technologies need to be developed. Recent scientific and technological developments since the original proposal of MAQRO promise the potential for achieving additional science objectives. The proposed research campaign aims to advance the state of the art and to perform the first macroscopic quantum experiments in space. Experiments on the ground, in micro-gravity, and in space will drive the proposed research campaign during the current decade to enable the implementation of MAQRO within the subsequent decade.

Space Experiment "Obstanovka (1-Step)", Block DP - PM on the Russian Segment of the International Space Station

In the presented work is described the methodology for conducting the technological experiment DP-PM, which is part of the space experiment "Obstanovka 1-step". The DP-PM block was installed on the Russian Segment of the International Space Station in the period from 04/19/2013 to 08/10/2015. The purpose of the experiment is to study the effect of outer space on the properties of graphite samples with a glassy carbon coating and samples of B95 (7075) aluminium alloy with a quantitative addition of ultradisperse diamond powder and tungsten after a long stay in near Earth orbit.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА СОСТОЯНИЯ ЖИВОТНЫХ ПРИ МОДЕЛИРОВАНИИ УСЛОВИЙ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ В ПОЛЕТЕ КОСМИЧЕСКОГО АППАРАТА «БИОН-М2» ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНЫХ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНЫХ РЕЖИМАХ КОРМЛЕНИЯ

One of the major approaches to studying spaceflight effects on living systems is flying experimental with animals. IBMP is developing scientific equipment for experiments with animals on spacecraft BION-M2. Among numerous aspects of maintaining animals, the most essential is water and type of diet. On BION-M1, mice consumed a paste-like food that caused some undesirable effects. We decided to use dry pellets combined with slightly gelled water (1.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose) that will simplify a drinker substantially. We thought it would be useful to assess the dependence of mice wellbeing on diet under the conditions onboard spacecraft series BION-M. We tested 3 pellets of varying content, and a paste-like food that had been used in the space experiments. For the purpose of testing and gathering the ground control data, a chamber was designed in which microclimate and air composition dynamics imitated those in space missions as close as possible. The 33-day test was performed with 75 adult male white mice Balb/. There was no fundamental difference in the condition of animals fed with pellets and paste-like food. In future, we intend to give mice pallets + gelled water with a useful mass of 8.8 g/day per a mouse. Useful mass of the paste-like food is two times larger, i.e. 16.6 g/day per a mouse. Pattern of microbial contamination looks generally quite steady. What worries is a small increase of contamination of the gelled water pipeline; possible retrograde contamination from the drinker should not be ignored.

ПИЛОТИРУЕМЫЙ КОСМИЧЕСКИЙ ПОЛЕТ И ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ В ОБЛАСТИ ПРОТЕОМИКИ

Review summarizes the data acquired at the IBMP laboratory of proteomics over the past decade in space and ground model experiments. The use of mass-spectrometry for panorama, semi-quantitative and quantitative analysis of human bio-liquids shed light on the molecular mechanisms, including and nets of molecular interactions involved in the adaptive response of healthy human organism to the extreme conditions in orbital missions, wintering in the Antarctic, and simulation studies such as bed rest (BR), dry immersion (DI), isolation chamber studies, exposure in a hypomagnetic stand and rotation on a short-arm centrifuge. Proteomic investigations revealed the common elements of pathogenesis in the process of adaptation to extreme conditions. The type of blood proteome modification in cosmonauts depended on mission multiplicity. Frequency of protein oxidative modifications induced by spaceflight factors was increased. The actual type of cardiovascular adaptation depended on dominance of either sympathetic or parasympathetic components of the vegetative nervous system. Body response was characterized by changes in blood proteome, loss of orthostatic stability after BR, appearance of undesirable vascular complications following DI, endothelial dysfunction. In future, omix-technologies will be appropriate for risks stratification and development of countermeasures to ensure safety in very long exploration missions to Earth-like planets in the Solar system.

Insights into the molecular structure and infrared spectrum of the prebiotic species aminoacetonitrile.

Aminoacetonitrile is an interstellar molecule with a prominent prebiotic role, already detected in the chemically-rich molecular cloud Sagittarius B2(N) and postulated to be present in the atmosphere of the largest Saturn's moon, Titan. To further support its observation in such remote environments and laboratory experiments aimed at improving our understanding of interstellar chemistry, we report a thorough spectroscopic and structural characterization of aminoacetonitrile. Equilibrium geometry, fundamental bands as well as spectroscopic and molecular parameters have been accurately computed by exploiting a composite scheme rooted in the coupled-cluster theory that accounts for the extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and core-correlation effects. In addition, a semi-experimental approach that combines ground-state rotational constants for different isotopic species and calculated vibrational corrections has been employed for the structure determination. From the experimental side, we report the analysis of the three strongest fundamental bands of aminoacetonitrile observed between 500 and 1000 cm-1 in high-resolution infrared spectra. More generally, all computed band positions are in excellent agreement with the present and previous experiments. The only exception is the ν15 band, for which we provide a revision of the experimental assignment, now in good agreement with theory.

Controlling Factors of Artificial Irregularities Triggered by Chemical Release at Low Latitude Ionosphere

AbstractThe chemical release for trigging instabilities is a challenging topic in the ionosphere since 1970s. It is a helpful tool to both recognize the physical mechanism for modeling space weather and mitigate adverse effects on technological systems. Based on the well‐developed instability simulation, the rate of change of total electron content index (ROTI) theory is employed as a diagnosis method in this paper. It is used to study the instability inducing effects or scintillation controlling effect of chemical release for the first time. The main controlling factors of the chemical release are investigated. It is found that the release amount, release altitude and the initial growth rate of the ambient ionosphere are of great importance to the instability evolution and consequent scintillation effects. First, the plasma bubble induced by chemical release will rise and penetrate to the upper ionosphere, no matter what the ambient growth rate is. However, the ambient growth rate will determine the induced scintillation regime. Second, the release altitude will significantly affect the instability evolving time and scintillation intensity. There only exist a threshold of the release amount for moderate scintillation. Finally, the release amount could dominate the bifurcation process, in which the plasma bubble will deform and extend laterally. It provides an insight into the scintillation effect induced by chemical release by using the ROTI estimation. As a result, this work is a step further for the challenging topic of chemical release, and so as to be helpful for the follow‐up active space experiments.

ОСНОВНЫЕ ФЕНОМЕНЫ ОБЩЕНИЯ КОСМОНАВТОВ В КОММУНИКАТИВНОЙ СИСТЕМЕ «ЭКИПАЖ – ЦЕНТР УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ПОЛЕТАМИ» И НЕОБХОДИМОСТЬ ЕЕ МОДИФИКАЦИИ

The paper describes several phenomena of the crew – Mission control center (MCC) communication system established in space experiment KONTENT that attributable to cosmonauts' psycho-emotional conditions and necessitating the socio-psychological support. The authors propound their vision of social psychological support in context of the intergroup communication, as well as thoughts of how the crew-MCC communication can be improved. The recommended approaches will enable continuous psychological support to cosmonauts in orbit and reduce the psycho-emotional strain in MCC operators.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ СОКРАТИТЕЛЬНОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ ПОРТАЛЬНОЙ ВЕНЫ МЫШИ В ПОЛЕТНОМ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТЕ «БИОН-М2»: ОБОСНОВАНИЕ АКТУАЛЬНОСТИ И РАЗРАБОТКА ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОЙ МОДЕЛИ

Redistribution of blood in the vascular system in the condition of gravitational unloading causes changes in venous blood flow inboth humans and laboratory animals; however, dependence of these changes on the alterationsin contractile activity of venous walls and mechanisms involved are not sufficientlyexplored. Purpose of the work is to design an experimental setupand procedure for studying the effects of microgravity on the venous vesselsin mouse, the most common object of animalspace experiments. The proposed procedure consists of recording the contractile activity of the longitudinal smooth layer of the portal vein wall, and itschanges due to actionof pharmacological agents. Frequency of venous contraction changes in response to different factors more significantly than the contraction amplitude and tone level. The resultswill serve as a basis for developing an optimal protocol of studying the mechanisms of changes in venous contractility in mice as part of space experiment BION-M2.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ МЕТОДОЛОГИИ И АППАРАТНО-ПРОГРАММНОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ ТЕЛЕМЕДИЦИНСКОЙ ВИДЕОИНФОРМАЦИИ В КОСМИЧЕСКОМ ПОЛЕТЕ

The paper describes the telemedicine methods of video info acquisition from cosmonauts in the ISS RS using the available hard- and software for ENT, periodentium and teeth imaging and full examination in the course of mission, after extravehicular activities or dynamic flight stages, as well as in the pre-launch and post-landing periods within the program of space experiment LOR. Also, the paper presents the results of computerized examination and tele-imaging of the upper airways tunica mucosa, pariodentium, tooth crown, auricle and middle ear.

Расчет чувствительности детекторов для космического эксперимента Солнце-Терагерц"

The paper briefly describes the goals and objectives of the planned space experiment "Sun - Terahertz" aboard the Russian Segment of the ISS. The experiment is aimed at studying solar radiation in the unexplored terahertz range at frequencies of 1012…1013 Hz, obtaining new data on terahertz radiation from the sun, solar active regions and solar flares. The main components of the optical path of scientific equipment are considered. With the help of the Blackbody Simulator and the Single-Channel Model, the detectors of scientific equipment were calibrated, the influence of the quality of the optical surface of the telescope mirrors on the detector signal amplitude in the terahertz range was studied, and a preliminary assessment of the detector sensitivity was carried out.

Modeling of Temperature Control System of Space Experiment High-temperature Furnace Based on XGBoost

Modeling of Temperature Control System of Space Experiment High-temperature Furnace Based on XGBoost

Preliminary Results of Data Processing of the TRITEL Dosimeter as Part of the Matryoshka-R Space Experiment onboard the Russian Segment of the International Space Station

Preliminary results of processing data from the TRITEL dosimetric equipment, which consists of one interface unit and three units of mutually orthogonal telescopes of silicon detectors operating in the coincidence mode (with the possibility of obtaining data also from a single mode of operation), are presented. The TRITEL dosimeter was designed to study the temporal dynamics of dose loads and the anisotropy of charged particle fluxes at various points of the Service Module (SM) of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (RS ISS) with the additional possibility of measurements in other modules of the RS ISS. As part of the Matryoshka-R space experiment (SE) on the RS ISS the TRITEL dosimeter was in operation from mid-October 2017 to mid-October 2020. The article presents a description of the methodology for processing dosimetric data of the TRITEL equipment and preliminary results of processing data obtained in the period from June to October 2020.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ СТИЛЕЙ ОБЩЕНИЯ КОСМОНАВТОВ С ЦЕНТРОМ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ПОЛЕТАМИ ПРИ РАЗЛИЧНОМ УРОВНЕ РАБОЧЕЙ НАГРУЗКИ

Space experiment CONTENT was focused on studying the spacecrews communication with the Mission control center (MCC) using the content-analysis methodology. It was established that on hard work days the amount of communication increased, as did the frequency of coping strategies. Models of communication styles and coping analysis used in data interpretation were adequate for description of the crew-MCC interactions during usual and intensive work loads. In the course of critical operations, such as EVA, docking etc., or emergencies profiles of the coping strategies remained relatively stable within personal styles and correlated with the routinely observed styles; however, frequency of negative emotions and conflict tension in crew communications increased. Knowledge of crew communication patterns can help detect early signs of the psychological defense activation and select individualized methods of prompt psychological support.

ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ ВЗГЛЯДОВ НА ФИЗИОЛОГИЮ ДЫХАНИЯ В НЕВЕСОМОСТИ

The author summarizes the results of own long-term investigations of the human respiratory system onboard space objects. These results were analyzed and compared to the data of other authors who also had studied the breathing system in microgravity. The paper describes the logic of space experiments arrangement, sequence, progressive accumulation of knowledge about breathing physiology and microgravity. Microgravity alters the structure of pulmonary volumes and respiratory rate and volume; it disturbs biomechanics of the respiratory muscles contraction that may expedite muscular fatigue and weaken the proprioceptrive inputs to the respiratory center. The thoracic-abdominal breathing ratio changes for abdominal. Microgravity affects the cosmonaut's ability to control respiratory movements intentionally and reduces sensitivity of the central respiratory mechanism to endogenous hypoxia and hypercapnia. Magnitude of these deviations as compared to the ground measurements is not critical for cosmonaut's health and performance. However, in complex they may aggravate the effect of hypoxemia in microgravity, as has been noted by several authors, and be the reason for degradation of physical performance in space mission and, particularly, after landing.

Extracting stellar emissivity via a machine learning analysis of MSX and LAMOST catalog data

Many astronomical studies model stars like radiating blackbodies with unit emissivity. Their conclusions should be reconsidered if the stellar spectral emissivity, ${ϵ}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, were to be proven to be appreciably smaller. However, determining ${ϵ}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ from raw observational data poses serious technical challenges. Here, using a machine learning technique, we implemented an inverse model for calculating the stellar spectral radiation flux in a given spectral band emissivity. Radiation flux data in some spectral bands serve as input to determine the unknown model parameters. To this purpose, we chose 411 stars (361 from the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) catalog and 50 from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) catalog) as training samples of a stochastic particle swarm optimization algorithm. The mean values of the emissivity estimates thus obtained deviate significantly from the ideal blackbody value. Knowledge of the model parameters then enabled us to calculate the radiation fluxes in other spectral bands to compare with the existing observational data and thus validate our approach. Finally, based on the trained algorithm, we discuss our predictions for spectral bands where astronomical data are unavailable. Besides providing direct evidence against modeling stars as emitting blackbodies, our conclusions also call for more direct investigations of the stellar emissivity.

Study of the pressure effect on the thermodiffusion behavior in multicomponent n-alkane mixtures by using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics

The influence of high pressure on the Soret effect of multicomponent n-alkanes mixtures was investigated with the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics method to provide simulation support to the SJ10/SCCO experiments. In this work, n-pentane/n-heptane/n-decane ternary mixtures and methane/n-pentane/n-heptane/n-decane quaternary mixtures were built and simulated under the same situations as the space experiments. TraPPE-UA force field and eHEX algorithm were employed in Soret effect simulations, and three different amounts of heat (ΔQ) were applied in each mixture. The simulated thermodiffusion ratios (k T ) were compared with the data from other literature. In ternary mixtures, the k T values were influenced by the pressure, but the migration directions and separation relationship of the components did not change. While in quaternary mixtures, the strong and weak separation relationships of the two lowest separated components changed. The results demonstrated that the high pressure weakens the Soret effect in multicomponent n-alkane mixtures to an extent and may affect more in the mixture composed of more components.

Optical effects of running spacecraft engines in the lower thermosphere

This paper provides a brief overview on optical effects during operation of spacecraft (SC) onboard engines in the lower thermosphere according to observational data from the ISTP SB RAS Geophyisical Observatory. We present the results of detected disturbances in the night airglow during operation of SC vernier engines in the F2-region of the ionosphere in the “Radar–Progress” space experiment. With weights of combustion products of ≤10 kg injected by SC vernier engines, the atmospheric emission of [OI] 630.0 nm atomic oxygen is enhanced. We also show optical effects from the launches and passages of heavy launch vehicles “Energiya” from the Skif-DM spacecraft on May 15, 1987 and “Proton-M” from the Yamal-601 spacecraft on May 30, 2019 from Baikonur in the zone far from the launch site. We explore the possibility of enhanced [OI] 557.7 nm atmospheric emission due to chemical modification of the ionosphere in the E-region during the flight of the Energiya space system.

Оптические эффекты работы двигателей космических аппаратов на высотах нижней термосферы

This paper provides a brief overview on optical effects during operation of spacecraft (SC) onboard engines in the lower thermosphere according to observational data from the ISTP SB RAS Geophyisical Observatory. We present the results of detected disturbances in the night airglow during operation of SC vernier engines in the F2-region of the ionosphere in the “Radar–Progress” space experiment. With weights of combustion products of ≤10 kg injected by SC vernier engines, the atmospheric emission of [OI] 630.0 nm atomic oxygen is enhanced. We also show optical effects from the launches and passages of heavy launch vehicles “Energiya” from the Skif-DM spacecraft on May 15, 1987 and “Proton-M” from the Yamal-601 spacecraft on May 30, 2019 from Baikonur in the zone far from the launch site. We explore the possibility of enhanced [OI] 557.7 nm atmospheric emission due to chemical modification of the ionosphere in the E-region during the flight of the Energiya space system.

Resistive-Based Micro-Kelvin Temperature Resolution for Ultra-Stable Space Experiments.

High precision temperature measurements are a transversal need in a wide area of physical experiments. Space-borne gravitational wave detectors are a particularly challenging case, requiring both high precision and high stability in temperature measurement. In this contribution, we present a design able to reach 1 μK/Hz in most of the measuring band down to 1 mHz, and reaching 20 μK/Hz at 0.1 mHz. The scheme is based on resistive sensors in a Wheatstone bridge configuration which is AC modulated to minimize the 1/f noise. As a part of our study, we include the design of a test bench able to guarantee the high stability environment required for measurements. We show experimental results characterising both the test bench and the read-out, and discuss potential noise sources that may limit our measurement.

The Study of an Integrated Sensor for Partial Nucleate Pool Boiling at Low Heat Flux

To study local convention and heat transfer around an isolated growing vapor bubble during nucleate pool boiling on a well-characterized flat surface in microgravity, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor has been fabricated to pulse single bubble boiling. In this article, we present the design and fabrication process of an MEMS microchip, which can excite a bubble nucleus with accurate spatial and temporal positioning on the topside of the microchip, and meanwhile, the temperature on the heating surface around and underneath the growing bubble can be measured. The key points and difficulties of chip fabrication have been discussed, including the characteristics of the ultrathin Ti/Pt (10/35 nm) film, such as the effect of annealing on resistivity and its temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). Then, the thermal cycling experiment has verified its stability. The results of the preliminary ground tests of the flight module SOBER-SJ10 show that the microchip works well as expected and laid a good foundation for meeting the requirements of future space experiments.