NASA Space Station Research Articles

Search for antimatter in cosmic radiation. A matter-antimatter space spectrometer

The open question of matter-antimatter symmetry can be investigated by measuring the antiproton flux in high atmosphere. In this paper a balloon-borne experiment using a superconducting magnet coupled to a tracking calorimeter is proposed to carry out such measurements at latitudes of low geomagnetic cut-off. An overwiev on further possible developments such as search for antinuclei to be performed with future planned facilities (NASA Space Station) is also presented.

Book reviews

Book reviews

Formatting space-related displays to optimize expert and nonexpert user performance

NASA Space Station missions will include crewmembers who are highly experienced in the use of the Space Station computer system, as well as others who are novices. Previous research into novice-expert differences has strongly implied that user interface changes that aid novices tend to impair experts and vice versa. This experiment investigated the impact reformatting alphanumeric information on current Space Shuttle computer displays had on the speed and accuracy of experts and nonexperts in two different search tasks. Large improvements in speed and accuracy were found for nonexperts on the reformatted displays. Experts had fewer errors but no response time difference on the reformatted displays. Differences in expert and nonexpert search strategies and implications for the design of computer displays are discussed.

Radiation environments and absorbed dose estimations on manned space missions

In order to make an assessment of radiation risk during manned missions in space, it is necessary first to have as accurate an estimation as possible of the radiation environment within the spacecraft to which the astronauts will be exposed. Then, with this knowledge and the inclusion of body self-shielding, estimations can be made of absorbed doses for various body organs (skin, eye, blood-forming organs, etc.). A review is presented of our present knowledge of the radiation environments and absorbed doses expected for several space mission scenarios selected for our development of the new radiation protection guidelines. The scenarios selected are a 90-day mission at an altitude (450 km) and orbital inclinations (28.5°, 57° and 90°) appropriate for NASA's Space Station, a 15-day sortie to geosynchronous orbit and a 90-day lunar mission. All scenarios chosen yielded dose equivalents between five and ten rem to the blood forming organs if no large solar particle event were encountered. Such particle events could add considerable exposure particularly to the skin and eye for all scenarios except the one at 28.5° orbital inclination.

Extraterrestrial material analysis: Achievements and future opportunities for laboratory analysis in NASA and ESA planetary programmes

Achievements in the understanding of the nature and distribution of extraterrestrial material recovered from space missions and stratospheric collection of “Brownlee particles” are examined in the context of the analytical techniques which have been applied to their study. A very wide range of powerful tools and techniques is now available for the study of both “pristine” samples and those modified by various capture and collection techniques. Though the Space Shuttle era has provided good opportunity for recovery of space materials, the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) still awaits retrieval after 29 months exposure; prospects for retrieval are not imminent following the Challenger disaster of January 28 1986. An unplanned “chance” recovery of such material from the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) thermal blankets and louvres has meanwhile provided such an opportunity; clear evidence of a bimodal population, comprising a natural and a space-activity-related debris population is reported. SMM has successfully demonstrated the retrieval of components of unmodified material by its multiple foil low density target configurations, and hence paves the way for cometary sample capture fly-by missions and the deployment of Facility Systems in the context of NASA's Space Station and Europe's Columbus programme. Mission objectives and opportunities on the Cometary Atmosphere and Earth Sample Return mission proposal (CAESAR) are reviewed and, further ahead, those for the proposed ESA/NASA Cometary Nucleus Sample Return missions (CNSR).

Human Productivity of Space Station

NASA has been directed to establish a permanently manned Space Station within a decade. The Space Station will differ from previous space projects and missions in that it is to be designed for commercial as well as scientific endeavors over an indefinite period of time. In addition, long duration missions of 30 to 90 days and the use of non-career astronauts will be involved. Therefore, human productivity will be of increasing importance in order to make Space Station cost effective. Human productivity can be defined as the most efficient crew output possible, where the specification of the output varies with the task or activity. Human factors has a large impact on human productivity in the areas of interior architecture, crew support, crew activities, and intravehicular and extravehicular activities. These areas are addressed in this paper which describes NASA's Space Station Human Productivity Program, including work from several NASA centers.

Europe Boards NASA Space Station Somewhat Reluctantly

Europe Boards NASA Space Station Somewhat Reluctantly

Europeans Agree to Join in NASA's Space Station

Europeans Agree to Join in NASA's Space Station

Europeans Agree to Join in NASA's Space Station

Europeans Agree to Join in NASA's Space Station

European response to the NASA space station initiative

This article contrasts the political motivations behind the US space station initiative with those underlying the European Space Agency's Long Term Plan. Philip Chandler concludes that European cooperation in NASA's space station programme (SSP) will serve three needs: to buy time; to allow European users to undertake longer, manned experiments; and, to keep the Spacelab teams intact. However, in itself the SSP holds little value for Europe.

After Spacelab, Europe Wants a Better Deal

After Spacelab, Europe Wants a Better Deal