Long-term Flight Research Articles

Conceptual functional design of hybrid energy source of unmanned convertiplane

Convertiplane is explored in this article as an unmanned aerial vehicle incorporating hybrid power sources and hybrid propulsion systems. Based on the use of an electric generator in conjunction with a battery, fuel element and internal combustion engine as a source of energy in the non-manifold electrical engine convertiplanes, hybrid power sources and hybrid propulsion systems manufacturing specifications, as well as providing convertiplane with a long-term flight issues are considered hereby. In order to provide selection of the optimal design, hybrid energy source models from connection designs of different types of energy sources have been analyzed. Structural schemes of power systems with different configurations consisting of “sequential”, “parallel” and “mixed” connections of hybrid energy sources and hybrid propulsion systems have been analyzed and optimal connection schemes have been determined on their basis. It has been shown that when using four hybrid winged-motor group, the lifting system becomes complicated, the weight of the convertiplane is becoming relatively heavy. For an airplane weighing 15-20 kg, it is recommended to use four electric motors as a lifting engine, an internal combustion engine as a driving motor and an electric generator to charge the battery during the flight in order to ensure vertical flight, endurance or hovering at the height. A conceptual block diagram of a convertiplane type unmanned aerial vehicle is developed.

Monitoring of Air and Water Quality in Long-Term and Interplanetary Space Flights

A rationale for the concept and strategy of monitoring of the atmospheric chemical composition and water quality are provided for manned spacecraft to be used for long-term and interplanetary flights. The main risk factors are formulated for a change in atmospheric and water composition during interplanetary space flights. A promising version of the analytical system for operational control of air and water quality in manned spacecraft is described considering these risk factors. Several gas analysis methods are proposed to be used in this system to partially overlap the nomenclature of detected species with respect to particularly important (critical) species. The water quality in the system is monitored by two instruments: one for measuring the total carbon content and the other for analyzing the ionic composition of water.

Synthesis of UV-Responsive Self-Healing Microcapsules and Their Potential Application in Aerospace Coatings

Advanced polymer composite coatings in the spacecraft are threatened by harsh space environment factors, such as strong UV radiation, atomic oxygen, thermal cycles, space debris, etc. Their service life can be drastically shortened by the unavoidable formation of cracks caused by these factors (especially strong and abundant UV radiation) during long-term flight. Herein, a UV-responsive microcapsule-based coating is developed for in-orbit damage repairing. UV-responsive microcapsules of which the inner polymeric shell can be degraded rapidly by the outer pure TiO2 shell under UV radiation are produced by UV-initiated polymerization of Pickering emulsions and subsequently embedded into silicon resin matrices. When damaged, some microcapsules will be ruptured under the stimulus of external force, afterward the unbroken ones around the scratched areas will be degraded by UV radiation, as a result, encapsulated healing agents can be released and finally repair cracks. In this system, UV-responsive microcapsules can release more agents more effectively due to the dual release mode, compared with the traditional crack-repairing system. Moreover, the damage of UV radiation in space can be transferred into the favorable ones, which makes it have a potential application in aerospace coatings.

The Research of Autonomous In-orbit Health Management System for China’s Manned Spacecrafts

The development trend of manned spacecraft is long-term in-orbit flight and long-term astronaut’s residency. Under the condition of limited TT&C resource, the autonomous health management of spacecraft is a critical and mandatory system to ensure the safety of the astronauts and platform. Based on the discussion of the autonomous health management objectives and management modes of manned spacecraft and combining the distribution and hierarchical information structure of China’s manned spacecraft, this paper elaborates an autonomous health management system. This autonomous health management system adopts a by-level safety threshold management method by establishing a mapping database between different important risk safety thresholds and system safety modes. When the key parameters reach different pre-set thresholds, the system autonomously downgrades and reconstructs the aircraft functionalities in the event of failure to realize optimal auto-processing and solves the issue between randomness of auto-processing and task continuity. The research has been applied to the China’s Space Station.

Optical and psychophysical studies of the visual system of astronauts before and after long-term orbital flights

Optical and psychophysical studies of the visual system of astronauts before and after long-term orbital flights

Screening and identification of novel mechanoresponsive microRNAs in rat femur under simulated microgravity

Space bone loss is the most serious medical problem experienced by astronauts during mid- and long-term flights. Previous reports had shown that miRNAs were associated in bone remodeling and space bone loss. The present study is addressed screening and identify novel miRNAs associated with the skeletal response to gravity changes which play important roles in the regulation of bone formation. Tail-suspension and cell clinorotation were used to simulate microgravity. sRNA deep sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and clone technique were performed to find potential novel gravity-response miRNAs in the bone femur after 28 days’ rat tail-suspension. Six candidate novel miRNAs were selected and analyzed their expression in simulated microgravity and fluid shear stress conditions by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expression of five novel miRNAs (RN4, RN21, RN43, RN48 and RN50) were changed in tail-suspended rat femurs and clinorotated UMR-106 cells, and up-regulated in UMR-106 after fluid force stress stimulation. Furthermore, The prediction and their enrichment analysis of miRNA targets showed the potential pathways by which RN4, RN43 and RN50 affected osteoblast differentiation and proliferation. Subsequently, we performed and identified the effects of RN4, RN43 and RN50 on the differentiation and proliferation of UMR-106. Taken together, we identified 3 novel miRNAs in bone which may respond to gravity change and regulate osteoblast differentiation or proliferation.

Long-Term Flight Planning Using An Optimization Application

Introduction An optimization application was designed and implemented to create flight plans for non-urgent patient transfers (i.e. long-term plans, LTPs) at a provincial air ambulance system. The computer application uses algorithms to meet all patient transfer demands while optimizing flight time and cost. This study categorized each LTP based upon 1) their application dependence and, 2) adherence to the LTP of actual next-day flight operations. The categories will be compared based on cost (cost-per-required-distance) and efficiency (distance-travelled-per-required-distance). Methods This study evaluated all LTP requests between May 31st and August 8th, 2017. Each LTP was classified into one of the following categories based on their application-dependence and adherence to the LTP: 'application-derived', 'manual', or 'major next-day changes'. The cost and efficiency of the flights were calculated and compared. Results Data was collected and analyzed for 151 long-term plans. There were 46 LTPs categorized as application-derived, 33 as manual, and 72 had major next-day changes. Cost and efficiency analysis found significant differences between the flights based on application-dependence. There were significant differences (p Conclusion There were significant differences between cost and efficiency of flights that followed the LTP compared to those deviating from the LTP. Policies to limit non-essential changes to next-day flight patterns after the LTP has been created, particularly to limit late-requests after LTP planning is complete, would improve efficiencies.

The State of the System of Signaling Pattern Recognition Receptors of Monocytes and Granulocytes in the Cosmonauts’ Peripheral Blood before and after Long-Term Flights on Board the International Space Station

The system of signaling pattern recognition receptors was studied in eight cosmonauts at the ages from 35 to 56 years before and after long-term space flights (SFs) on board the International Space Station (ISS). The peripheral blood samples were analyzed for the content of monocytes and granulocytes that express the signaling pattern recognition Toll-like receptors (TLRs) with surface (TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR6) and intracellular (TLR3, TLR8, and TLR9) localization. The serum concentration of basic ligands of TLR2 (HSP60) and TLR4 (HSP70 and HMGB1) were also measured. The results of the studies showed a growth of the HSP60, HSP70, and HMGB1 concentrations on the first day after long-term flight. The increase in the concentration of endogenous ligands was followed by a growth of the number of both monocytes and granulocytes that express the respective pattern recognition receptors, TLR2 and TLR4, in the overwhelming majority of the examined cosmonauts. Thesse relationships suggest that changes in the system of signaling pattern recognition receptors may be due to the prevailing influence of endogenous ligands in response to the effect of long-term spaceflight factors on the human body.

Human Neurophysiological State in Long-term Isolation

During 520-day isolation in a confined space as an imitation of a long-term interplanetary flight, the neurofunctional condition of six crew members was examined using synchronous recording of electrical ( electroencephalogram) and energy (constant potential level) activities of the brain. Two background studies made it possible to predict high adaptability level of all crewmembers and low probability of adaptation reserve depletion in the course of the experiment. During isolation, the dynamics of neurofunctional correlates of cerebral activity generally corresponded to factors to which the crew was subjected during its activity. During the events significant for the crew, we observed physiological reactions in both metabolic and electrical activities of the brain. During the 54th week, the state of physiological adaptation of the crew to the experimental environment was observed, which was expressed in decreases in constant potential level (CPL), without interhemispheric asymmetry, and absolute α-power value. Throughout the experiment, none of crewmembers exhibited distinct stress reaction signs (α-activity asymmetry accompanied by a significant CPL decrease), which confirmed our prediction of a low probability of adaptation reserve depletion in the participants of the 520-day isolation study.

Лекарственные средства и природные антиоксиданты как компоненты противорадиационных контрмер в космических полетах

Radiation situation for cosmonauts over long-term cosmic flights is caused by low-rate radiation of galactic cosmic rays and solar cosmic rays consisting of high-energy proton as well as heavy particles (Z>10) within 1-2 % that is exclusively a threat of stochastic radiation effects (small increase of cancer risk and decrease of mean life span) for men. During interplanetary expedition periods the small probability of raised solar activity there is a threat of exposure to astronauts at doses that cause deterministic radiation effects leading to the development of the disease as a clinical manifestation of radiation injuries,. In a similar scenario it is necessary to have available to cosmic ship anti-radiation countermeasures for cosmonaut protection. Among radioprotective equipment can be provided with radiation protective agents and partial shielding of body separate section providing the best condition for post-radiation repair of radiosensitive body tissues. Preparation B-190 (indralin) is the most perspective from a small numbers of other radioprotectors permitting for men administration. Besides high radioprotective efficacy and large broadness of protective action B-190 is well tolerated including the impact of extrem flight factors. Antiemetic agent latran (ondansetron) is most interesting among preparation for prophylaxis and reduction of prodromal radiation reaction. To accelerate post-radiation hematopoietic recovery after raised solar activity an administration of radiomitigators (riboxin et al.) is substantiated. Neupomax (neupogen) is recommended as a preparation for pathogenesis therapy of acute radiation syndrome. Possible consequences of long-term cosmic voyages for oxidative stress development are taken into consideration. On their basis of nNatural antioxidants, preparations and nutrients radiomodulators, fully qualitative nutrition including vegetable food enriched flavonoids, vitamins C, E and carotene potentially prevent a shorten of cosmonaut biological age induced by solar cosmic rays and galactic cosmic rays and stress factors of long-term cosmic voyages. Radiomodulators are low and non-toxic and have not side effects in recommended doses. Their radioprotective effect is directly induced by adaption reaction on cellular and organismic levels through gene expression modulation and in that way the increase of non-specific body tolerance. The implementation of radiomodulator action is possible through hormesis mechanism.

Metabolic features of cosmonauts after ballistic descent from the Earth orbit

The features of metabolic reactions in five cosmonauts after long-term flights on the International Space Station (ISS) and landing along a ballistic trajectory and in the cosmonauts returning to Earth in the mode of automatic controlled descent were studied. Venous blood samples were collected, and 50 biochemical parameter values that reflect the functional state of organs and tissues and characterize the main metabolic pathways were determined. On the first day of the recovery period after ballistic descent, the activity of the myocardial, liver, and gastrointestinal enzymes in the blood serum of cosmonauts was increased 1.3- to 2.1-fold; a number of the parameter values exceeded the upper normal limit. The level of C-reactive protein increased fivefold as compared with the preflight values. Marked signs of glycolysis, glycogenolysis and lipolysis activation as well as disorders of acid–base balance were observed. Changes in the biochemical parameter values in cosmonauts after landing along a ballistic trajectory differed significantly from those revealed in the same cosmonauts after long-term missions followed by automatic controlled descent to Earth. Negative metabolic changes tendency after landing along a ballistic trajectory remained for at least 14 days of the recovery period. It was concluded that changes in the metabolic reactions of cosmonauts after long-term missions to the ISS depend on the flights final stage conditions. After landing on Soyuz spaceships in the ballistic descent mode, the cosmonauts had adverse prognosis changes in the biochemical values characterizing the state of the cardiovascular system and marked shifts in the activity of the liver and gastrointestinal constellation enzymes. The dynamics of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism as well as acid–base balance indicates a significant tension of all body systems and exhaustion of its functional reserves.

A Feasibility Study for a Stratospheric Long-endurance Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle using a Regenerative Fuel Cell System

In the stratosphere, the air is stable and a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce more solar energy compared to in the atmosphere. If unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly in the stratosphere, the flight stability and efficiency of the mission are improved. On the other hand, the weakened lift force of the UAV due to the rarefied atmosphere can require more power for lift according to the weight and/or wing area of the UAV. To solve this problem, it is necessary to minimize the weight of the aircraft and improve the performance of the power system. A regenerative fuel cell (RFC) consisting of a fuel cell (FC) and water electrolysis (WE) combined PV power system has been investigated as a good alterative because of its higher specific energy. The WE system produces hydrogen and oxygen, providing extra energy beyond the energy generated by the PV system in the daytime, and then saves the gases in tanks. The FC system supplies the required power to the UAV at night, so the additional fuel supply to the UAV is not needed anymore. The specific energy of RFC systems is higher than that of Li-ion battery systems, so they have less weight than batteries that supply the same energy to the UAV. In this paper, for a stratospheric long-endurance hybrid UAV based on an RFC system, three major design factors (UAV weight, wing area and performance of WE) affecting the ability of long-term flight were determined and a simulation-based feasibility study was performed. The effects of the three design factors were analyzed as the flight time increased, and acceptable values of the factors for long endurance were found. As a result, the long-endurance of the target UAV was possible when the values were under 350 kg, above 150 m2 and under 80 kWh/kg H2. Keywords: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell, Regenerative Fuel Cell, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Hybrid System, Stratospheric Long Endurance

A Feasibility Study for a Stratospheric Long-endurance Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle using a Regenerative Fuel Cell System

In the stratosphere, the air is stable and a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce more solar energy compared to in the atmosphere. If unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly in the stratosphere, the flight stability and efficiency of the mission are improved. On the other hand, the weakened lift force of the UAV due to the rarefied atmosphere can require more power for lift according to the weight and/or wing area of the UAV. To solve this problem, it is necessary to minimize the weight of the aircraft and improve the performance of the power system. A regenerative fuel cell (RFC) consisting of a fuel cell (FC) and water electrolysis (WE) combined PV power system has been investigated as a good alterative because of its higher specific energy. The WE system produces hydrogen and oxygen, providing extra energy beyond the energy generated by the PV system in the daytime, and then saves the gases in tanks. The FC system supplies the required power to the UAV at night, so the additional fuel supply to the UAV is not needed anymore. The specific energy of RFC systems is higher than that of Li-ion battery systems, so they have less weight than batteries that supply the same energy to the UAV. In this paper, for a stratospheric long-endurance hybrid UAV based on an RFC system, three major design factors (UAV weight, wing area and performance of WE) affecting the ability of long-term flight were determined and a simulation-based feasibility study was performed. The effects of the three design factors were analyzed as the flight time increased, and acceptable values of the factors for long endurance were found. As a result, the long-endurance of the target UAV was possible when the values were under 350 kg, above 150 m 2 and under 80 kWh/kg H2.

Human Deep-Space Travel and Colonization: Technical Issues

Abstract Since the last U.S. Space Shuttle flight, NASA has announced the development of a super rocket for future ventures into space. The specifications seem to offer a payload capacity little more than twice an Apollo capsule. It remains to be seen if such a small-sized craft will really serve an extended Mars flight also in planning. What are the needs of a craft and crew for really lengthy, extended deep-space flights? An analysis of the technical problems that must be surmounted for embarking on a deep-space, long-term flight runs the gamut from launch from Earth to landing on another planet. As is deducible, both biological and technical problems are mutually and simultaneously interacting hurdles. The technical logistics and the likely costs of long-term, deep-space travel add to the biological problems to be addressed and surmounted for humans to successfully engage in any cosmic ventures. The planning, experimentation, and development for that effort must begin now.

Evolution of the Health Canada astronaut biodosimetry program with a view toward international harmonization

Biodosimetry of astronaut lymphocyte samples, taken prior to- and post-flight, provides an important in vivo measurement of radiation-induced damage incurred during space flight which can be included in the medical records of the astronauts. Health Canada has been developing their astronaut biodosimetry program since 2007 and since then has analyzed data from 7 astronauts.While multiple cytogenetic endpoints may be analyzed for the astronauts, the Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay is considered to be key for detecting long-lasting stable damage. It is believed that this long-lasting damage is most likely to lead to an increased risk to the health of the astronauts during long-term flights (lasting 6 months or more).The complexity of damage that results from protracted, non-homogeneous radiation exposure, like that found in the space environment, requires a detailed scoring schematic to capture as much information as possible. To that end, this paper outlines the efforts to harmonize the manner in which Health Canada’s FISH data are recorded to better facilitate the comparison of results with other international biodosimetry programs.

Capital Flight and Foreign Direct Investment

To systematically study the relationship between foreign direct investment inflow (FDI inflow) and capital flight, this chapter uses yearly-data in 1984-2012 in China, sets up two propositions and applies our model to explore the micro-relation and macro-relation between FDI inflow and capital flight.At proposition (4-1), we can find that the estimated values of long-term foreign direct investment inflow (FDI inflow) and long-term capital flight are significant correlation. Then, under Augmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF test) or Philips-Perron test (PP test), the residuals reject the null hypothesis with statistical significant at 5% level, which implies that the result is stable. Causal test also shows that the relation between FDI inflow and capital flight is Granger causal. Besides, results of error correction model (ECM) show that FDI inflow and capital flight, they are not only have the long-term positive relation, but also have short-term dynamic relationship. So we can find the proposition (4-1) is true.At proposition (4-2), at first, we can find that the estimated values of long-term FDI inflow and long-term export are obviously correlated with statistical significant at 1% level, the R square value reaches highly level at 0.9, and they imply the model is good to fit. Next, results of error correction model show that FDI inflow and export, they are not only have the long-term positive relation, but also have short-term dynamic relationship. So we can find the first part of proposition (4-2) is true, which means that if FDI inflow increases, export will grows, too.Finally, for the remainder of proposition (4-2), at first, we can find that the estimated values of long-term capital flight and long-term export are obviously correlated. Then, under ADF test or PP test, we can find the remainder of proposition (4-2) is true, which means that if export grows up, capital flight will increase, too. In short, FDI inflow increase, export will grows apparently, capital flight will increase obviously which will attract more FDI inflow.

2A1-A04 テザー係留型飛行ロボットの開発と自律飛行制御(飛行ロボット・メカトロニクス(1))

Information from the sky is important for rescue activity in large-scale disaster or areas at high risk from natural hazards. Observation systems based on an airplane or a balloon have been studied as information gathering systems from the sky. A balloon-based observation system needs helium gas and relatively long preparation time. An airplane-based observation system can be prepared in short time and its mobility is good. However, a long time flight is difficult because of the limited amount of fuel. This paper proposes a kite-based observation system that complements the activities of the balloon and airplane observation systems by short preparation time and long-term flight. This research aims at construction of the autonomous flight information gathering system using a tethered flying unit that consists of the kite and the ground tether line control unit with a winding machine. This paper reports the development of the kite type tethered flying robot and a fuzzy based autonomous flying control system.

Changes of Protein Profile of Human Urine after Long-Term Orbital Flights

We analyzed protein profile of urine samples obtained from 7 Russian cosmonauts (age 35-51 years), participants of space flights on the International Space Station lasting for 169-199 days. Gradient chromatography with linear increase of eluent proportion was carried out in a system consisting of an Agilent 1100 chromatograph (Agilent Technologies Inc.) and a hybrid mass-spectrometer LTQ-FT Ultra (Thermo). The obtained results help to understand changes in the human body induced by space flight factors.

Radiation tolerant nano-FED biosensing for space application

A p-type polysilicon nanowire and silicon nano-channel combination based biosensor was developed, which has the potential to detect pathogens and thus protect crew safety aboard long-term manned flight programmes in high radiation space flights. This study outlines structures, which compose the biosensor, and demonstrates that the nano-device utilised herein is total dose radiation hardened. Highly doped polysilicon nanowires (30–100 nm) in nano-field-effect device (FED) were fabricated on silicon/silicon dioxide wafers and insulated with a thin polyimide layer. When the targeted gene, Escherichia coli DH5 alpha 16S rRNA, incubated on the device surface, the constant overall impedance increased or decreased depending on the electronic charge, mass and composition of the target molecule. All measurements were carried under 25 MeV S-Band linear accelerator followed by impedance measurements. Current sets of experiments show these nano-FED can form the basis of a robust, very sensitive handheld tool for pathogen detection in space application.

Adaptation of autonomic heart rate regulation in astronauts after spaceflight

BackgroundSpaceflight causes changes in the cardiovascular control system. The aim of this study was to evaluate postflight recovery of linear and nonlinear neural markers of heart rate modulation, with a special focus on day-night variations.Material/MethodsTwenty-four-hour Holter ECG recordings were obtained in 8 astronauts participating in space missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Data recording was performed 1 month before launch, and 5 and 30 days after return to Earth from short- and long-term flights. Cardiovascular control was inferred from linear and nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, separately during 2-hour day and 2-hour night recordings.ResultsNo remarkable differences were found in the postflight recovery between astronauts from short- and long-duration spaceflights. Five days after return to Earth, vagal modulation was significantly decreased compared to the preflight condition (day: p=0.001; night: p=0.019), while the sympathovagal balance was strongly increased, but only at night (p=0.017). A few nonlinear parameters were reduced early postflight compared to preflight values, but these were not always statistically significant. No significant differences remained after 30 days of postflight recovery.ConclusionsOur results show that 5 days after return from both short- and long-duration space missions, neural mechanisms of heart rate regulation are still disturbed. After 1 month, autonomic control of heart rate recovered almost completely.