Space Infrastructure Research Articles

Assessing the Efficiency of Russian Business Support Institutions in the Digital Economy

Aim. The presented study aims to determine methodological approaches to assessing the efficiency of government regulation and support of small and medium enterprises in the context of the digitalization of the economy, to propose directions for its improvement, and to consider institutions and tools that could contribute to solving the problems of small enterprises in the post-COVID period.Tasks. The authors examine the major problems in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Russia, potential opportunities and solutions; analyze the main problems of SME support; determine indicators and criteria for evaluating the efficiency of this type of national and municipal administration.Methods. This study uses the methods of abstraction and aggregation, historical analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, systemic and structural approaches.Results. The results of the study prove that the assessment of the efficiency of government regulation and support of small and medium enterprises in the context of the digitalization of the economy should be considered not only using KPI, but also by applying extended criteria and indicators at various management levels as part of an integrated approach. This makes it possible to determine why SMEs, which traditionally experience a lack of financial resources, use government support mechanisms to such a small extent.Conclusions. In Russia, government support is provided to SMEs in the form of guarantees and benefits, subsidization of the costs of leasing contracts and participation in advertising campaigns and exhibitions, co-funding of regional system-forming business projects. At the same time, the most important factor in optimizing the system of government regulation and support of entrepreneurship is the creation of digital space infrastructure to increase the efficiency of interaction between the government and business structures, since the existing system is not optimal.

Observed physical activity among Latinx and White men and women on a new urban trail.

Despite efforts to increase physical activity through new green space infrastructure such as trails, disparities in physical activity may persist. The current study compared observed vigorous physical activity (VPA) engagement among White and Latinx men and women on a new urban trail, and whether engagement varied over time. We used a modified System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) methodology to determine observed race/ethnicity, gender, and physical activity level of trail users (n=15,109). Logistic regression analyses revealed the odds of engaging in VPA were lower for Latina women than all other population subgroups (vs. White men: OR 0.19, CI 0.17-0.22; vs. White women: OR 0.48, CI 0.42-0.54, vs. Latino men: OR 0.23, CI 0.19-0.26). VPA engagement by White and Latina women increased across the study years (OR 1.31, CI 1.17-1.46; OR 1.36, CI 1.08-1.71, respectively) but did not differ significantly by year for White and Latino men. Future efforts to address racial/ethnic-gender disparities in VPA should take an intersectional approach to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable population subgroups are properly accounted for.

Numerical and experimental studies of deflections of conventional and strengthened reinforced concrete bendable elements under short-term dynamic loading

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the technical complexity of the design solutions for construction projects of ground-based space infrastructure. It is associated with the possibility of special loads in the form of an air shock wave in the event of a launch abort, a fall of a fragment, an emergency shutdown of engines, an air shock wave from the indirect impact of nuclear weapons, seismic loads, accidental cargo falls, terrorist attacks, etc. Such impacts with a high degree of probability lead to damage to building structures and in the future, they need to be reinforced. These building structures must have survivability under special loads and deform without collapsing. Under the dynamic loading, the energy intensity of the bendable structures is important, to determine which it is necessary to know the magnitude of the acting force and deflections. The effective load in a wide class of problems refers to the initial data, and the determination of reliable values of the dynamic deflection of the bendable structure is an actual problem. The purpose of this study is to conduct a numerical and experimental investigation of the deflection of conventional and strengthened reinforced concrete structures under short-term dynamic loading. This study used the following research methods: measurements of deflections and loads by strain measurement, graphical analytic research using Microsoft Excel, numerical calculation in the environment of the Explicit Dynamics module of the Ansys software package. As a result of the study, experimental investigation of conventional and strengthened bendable reinforced concrete elements under short-term dynamic loading was carried out, the values of the effective force and deflections were obtained. The same experiment was modelled in the environment of the Explicit Dynamics module of the Ansys software package. A comparison of the deflection parameters was made, based on the results of numerical and physical experiments on the example of a specific design, which showed satisfactory convergence.

Utilization of public open space in Kampung Deret Petogogan Jakarta

Currently, the existence of Kampung Deret Petogogan is due to the Jakarta government's work program, especially in the field of alleviating slum areas. In the past, this region was a slum area and it was the government's vision to transform it. Since 2013, it has been in a neat condition, not only for its occupancy, and also for its infrastructure in the open areas, which consist of parks and neighborhood roads. This research aims to determine the quality of public open spaces, such as parks and neighborhood roads for the residents. This study adopted descriptive qualitative methods, expected to benefit the government for the development of open spaces, and the community maintenance and utilization. The results showed that the democratic and beneficial aspects of the society, and the elements of quality public open spaces were achieved. Also, the productivity of open space utilization was very large. The element of responsiveness to physical and non-physical existence, and the need for infrastructure in an open space needs to be improved by maximizing its quality.

Conceptual scenarios for development of ground infrastructure for receiving mission payload data from a perspective Earth remote sensing satellite constellation

The paper addresses the problem of cooperative development of ground space infrastructure and orbital constellation of Earth remote sensing spacecraft (ERS). In view of the considerable number of elements in space and ground segments of a heterogenous space ERS system, a mechanism is required for developing its concepts involving acquiring updated inputs for determining measures to optimize the ERS ground segment configuration geography-wise and outfit receiving systems for receiving the mission payload data from high-performance ERS spacecraft. The paper describes trends in the development of equipment and technologies for transmitting ERS mission payload data, in particular, the current status of the high data rate optical backbone network in order to determine possible locations for ERS Ground Segment elements. It introduces indicators which provide system-level characterization of the capabilities for a distributed network of data receiving stations. Based on the obtained data, system-level patterns were determined in the development of the ground segment for receiving the ERS mission payload data depending on the state of the ERS orbital constellation, driving further development of growth strategy for the ERS ground space infrastructure. Key words: Earth remote sensing, concept, mission payload data, receiving system, data reception station.

As a Squash Plant Grows

Researching and designing Internet infrastructure solutions in rural and tribal contexts requires reciprocal relationships between researchers and community partners. Methodologies must be meaningful amid local social textures of life. Achieving transdisciplinarity while relating research impacts to partner communities takes care work, particularly where technical capacity is scarce. The Full Circle Framework is an action research full stack development methodology that foregrounds reciprocity among researchers, communities, and sovereign Native nations as the axis for research purpose and progress. Applying the framework to deploy television white space infrastructure in sovereign Native nations in northern New Mexico reveals challenges for rural computing, including the need to design projects according to the pace of rural and tribal government workflows, cultivate care as a resource for overworked researchers and community partners, and co-create a demand for accurate government data around Internet infrastructures in Indian Country and through rural counties.

Troubled Orbits and Earthly Concerns: Space Debris as a Boundary Infrastructure

Like other forms of debris in terrestrial and marine environments, space debris prompts questions about how we can live with the material remains of technological endeavors past and yet to come. Although techno-societies fundamentally rely on space infrastructures, they so far have failed to address the infrastructural challenge of debris. Only very recently has the awareness of space debris as a severe risk to both space and Earth infrastructures increased within the space community. One reason for this is the renewed momentum of interplanetary space exploration, including the colonization of the Moon and Mars, which is part of transhumanist and commercially driven dreams of the so-called New Space age. Understanding space infrastructures as inherently linked to earthly infrastructure, we attend to the ways in which space debris, a once accepted by-product of scientific-technological progress, economic interests, and geopolitics, increasingly becomes a matter of concern. Drawing on qualitative interviews with European space sector representatives and work in Science and Technology Studies on infrastructures, we argue that their discursive efforts and visual representation strategies coproduce space debris as a boundary infrastructure. We suggest considering this boundary infrastructure as relating orbital environments and the planet through enacting sustainability and responsibility for beyond-planetary environments.

Functional flexibility as a criticism mechanism in contemporary architecture”

With the beginning of the emergence of modernity, the concept of functional flexibility emerged from the perspective of the possibility of modification and fragmentation within the internal spaces exclusively by adopting the principle of the structural network in its projects. Adapting spaces to everything that is new today can match technological progress within the levels of form, mass and space, and thus architectural schools and government gave institutions the flexibility in the importance of evaluating and criticizing architectural designs in the stages of architecture and competitions. The mechanisms, objectives and results that have been implemented are still unclear, by adopting the goal of flexibility in architecture, as an organized characteristic that stems from the basis of thought that influences in one way or another the nature of the utilitarian relationship. To evaluate projects and find a better alternative, commensurate with time, to the space infrastructure capable of adapting to different conditions). Accordingly, a set of previous studies and examples were analyzed by adopting functional flexibility as a criticism mechanism, and a set of evaluation strategies and characteristics were identified, and the criteria used in such type of projects that need to be expanded in the future were determined. The tool has been tested in a range of projects. It is chosen for each level of flexibility (flexibility at the internal level without change or addition in the main building block, in addition to the building blocks with the intent of functional expansion and at the level of functional change used by the entire building). In addition to the influence of block shape (geometric, organic, crumbly blocks) with functional flexibility, to derive important recommendations for the designer and evaluator.

Switching between worlds apart: Negotiating European space sector cultures through innovation

Abstract With the advent of the so-called New Space Age, promoted by private actors and driven by market logic innovation, the European space sector meets significant challenges over recent years. This article explores the implications of New Space’s emergence for contemporary societies that increasingly rely on space technologies as critical infrastructures. It does so by analyzing conflicting logics of innovation within the sector arising from a clash of Old Space and New Space cultures and associated role identities. To this end, it combines concepts of institutional culture and role identity from science and technology studies and organization studies. Tracing the identity work performed by members of the European space sector through qualitative interviews, it concludes that new demands of market logic innovation are negotiated within a mode of switching between different sector cultures. It concludes that this mode provides opportunities for the responsible future governance of critical space infrastructures.

BRIDGING THE CITY: CONNECTING ART, PERFORMANCE DESIGN, ENVIRONMENT AND EDUCATION

This study explores knotworks and networks within art, participatory performance design, the environment and education specialists and institutions within the case-project “Nomadic Radical Academy”, realised in 2019 and 2020. The novelty of the research lies in its investigation of how international collaborations impact the performance pedagogy project at the local level. The project bridged a wide spectrum of actors in order to design an interactive space and participatory infrastructure involving a diverse variety of stakeholders. The projects were created by the author of this paper and involved the art venue Gallery Meno Parkas in Kaunas, local Kaunas schools and environment-friendly local art initiatives, families in Kaunas, Kaunas Municipality, The Lithuanian Council for Culture, a performance designer and international artists from the Baltic-Nordic region. The author created the performative milieu in the gallery space with the intention of educating children and young people about the environment and climate change through performance pedagogy methods. The research question is as follows: How are the knotworks and networks created during the planning and realisation of the international performance pedagogy project, and how do they target the local community and influence projects locally in real-time? The study materials were collected by arts-based methods and analysed by utilising reflexive research. The data collected during the planning and implementation phases are the author’s notes and reflections, notes from feedback and discussions with the involved artists and photos and videos. This research can be valuable to educators, performance designers and artists interested in knotwork- and network-building. This research focused on the planning and realisation of the project by involving international performance professionals in site-specific projects designed for local communities.

Recent developments in the implementation of European Space Surveillance & Tracking (EU SST)–Security and data policy

European Space Surveillance & Tracking (EU SST) is the European Union's operational capability for safeguarding space infrastructure and contributing to global burden-sharing in the domain of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Implemented by a Consortium of EU member states in cooperation with the EU Satellite Centre, EU SST today serves over 100 user organizations with free services, such as Collision Avoidance for over 210 satellites. The Consortium operates a growing sensor network of radars, telescopes and lasers, which remain under the authority of the member states, reflecting the dual dimension of the SSA domain. Measurements and orbit data from the contributing sensors are shared through a dedicated platform, the EU SST Database.As the Consortium increasingly shares data through the Database on a daily basis and will be processing that data into a European catalogue precursor, the Consortium's internal Security Committee is responsible for further developing the EU SST data policy that must balance the requirements for transparency and safety of flight with security constraints linked to precise and timely information on the nature, specifications and location of certain space objects.This article reports on recent developments in the implementation of EU SST with regard to security and data policy. It highlights the unique governance and data sharing model of EU SST, the diverse architecture of existing SSA sharing agreements, and data security considerations.

Quantum Biotech and Internet of Virus Things: Towards a Theoretical Framework

Quantumization, the process of converting information into quantum (qubit) format, is a key enabler for propelling a new and distinct infrastructure in the pharmaceutical space. Quantum messenger RNA (QmRNA) technology, an indispensable constituent of quantum biotech (QB), is a compelling alternative to conventional vaccine methods because of its capacity for rapid development, high efficacy, and low-cost manufacturing to combat infectious diseases. Internet of Virus Things (IoVT), a biological version of Internet of Things (IoT), comprises applications to fight against pandemics and provides effective vaccine administration. The integration of QB and IoVT constitutes the QBIoVT system to advance the prospect of QmRNA vaccine discovery within a few days. This research disseminates the QBIoVT system paradigm, including architectural aspects, priority areas, challenges, applications, and QmRNA research engine design to accelerate QmRNA vaccines discovery. A comprehensive review of the literature was accomplished, and a context-centered methodology was applied to the QBIoVT paradigm forensic investigations to impel QmRNA vaccine discovery. Based on the above rumination, the principal motive for this study was to develop a novel QBIoVT theoretical framework which has not been produced through earlier theories. The proposed framework shall inspire future QBIoVT system research activities to improve pandemics detection and protection.

Multifidelity Space Mission Planning and Infrastructure Design Framework for Space Resource Logistics

To build a sustainable space transportation system for human space exploration, the design and deployment of space infrastructure, such as in situ resource utilization plants, in-orbit propellant depots, and on-orbit servicing platforms, are critical. The design analysis and trade studies for these space-infrastructure systems require the consideration of not only the design of the infrastructure elements themselves, but also their supporting systems (e.g., storage and power) and logistics transportation while exploring various architecture options (e.g., location and technology). This paper proposes a system-level space infrastructure and logistics design optimization framework to perform architecture trade studies. A new space-infrastructure logistics optimization problem formulation is proposed that considers the internal interactions of infrastructure subsystems and their external synergistic effects with space logistics simultaneously. Because the full-size version of this proposed problem formulation can be computationally prohibitive, a new multifidelity optimization formulation is developed by varying the granularity of the commodity-type definition over the space logistics network; this multifidelity formulation can find an approximate solution to the full-size problem computationally efficiently with little sacrifice in the solution quality. The proposed problem formulation and method are applied to the design of in situ resource utilization systems in a multimission lunar exploration campaign to demonstrate their values.

GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: URBAN BLUE SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES IN PLYMOUTH (UK)

ABSTRACT Building on evidence of the links between bluespace and public health, this study explores the governance of bluespace infrastructure to promote human health and well-being in Plymouth (UK). Using in-depth retrospective interviews and document analysis, this study focused on the role of governance in urban planning and development, specifically, the implementation phase of a bluespace infrastructure intervention. A deductive qualitative approach categorised content into themes related to pre-established water governance frameworks. Key findings from this study emphasise: the importance of health and welfare concerns around blue spaces as an incentive to getting started; collaborative stakeholder participation and engagement; the necessity of adequate funding; and the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance of urban blue space infrastructure. Based on reflective accounts of stakeholder experiences, the successes of the implementation process of the redevelopment are highlighted. More successful and sustainable bluespace interventions can be realised through ongoing considerations of effective water governance.

Ciudad Juárez. Una reflexión sobre la influencia de la actividad económica en la infraestructura, el espacio público, la inseguridad y el desarrollo urbano de las ciudades.

El presente ensayo plantea una reflexión sobre como la manera en que se desarrollaron las diversas actividades económicas en la Ciudad Fronteriza, Ciudad Juárez, en Chihuahua, influyó en la infraestructura, la inseguridad y la mala planeación de espacios públicos de la ciudad. Asimismo, expone como esto afecta a sus habitantes, en especial a las mujeres y otros grupos vulnerables y plantea la urgencia de nuevos acercamientos para buscar soluciones que mejoren la calidad de vida de quienes la habitan y hacen uso de los espacios urbanos.

Economic assessment of urban space and blue-green infrastructure in Singapore

Abstract The urban conglomeration has accentuated the role of urban greenery as a determinant factor for sustainable living, especially in highly dense cities. The country of Singapore has consistently attempted to develop and rehabilitate urban greenery by attempting to align the green space policy with the pursuit of better life quality. In this study, we assess the benefits arising from the rehabilitated Bishan-Ang Mo Kio (AMK) Park in north Singapore and the effects on economic welfare. The Bishan-AMK Park was initially constructed in the late 70 s as a drainage area for the avoidance of flooding incidents. In 2012, a pilot project was introduced to create a blue-green infrastructure (BGI) space for the provision of drainage and flood prevention but also for recreational and environmental improvement in the area. Yet, the benefits emerging from BGI are not well explored and still underestimated. To this extent, we evaluate selected services related to recreational, socio-cultural and tourism-related values by indicating the economic benefits from the introduction of BGI in condensed urban environments like Singapore. The findings indicate that the benefits deriving from the selected services could be within the range of US$100 million to US$220 million with a mean value of US$160 million per year by substantially contributing to human well-being. The assessment of environmental services can raise the awareness of residents and local authorities on the contribution of urban greenery to livelihoods and economic development in Singapore and similar densely populated areas.

Danger on the track? Tick densities near recreation infrastructures in forests

The risk of tick-borne disease in humans depends on the exposure to pathogen-infected ticks, which in turn is driven by local tick population densities, pathogen prevalence and human activity. Variation in tick densities and pathogen prevalence between green spaces differing in habitat characteristics, location and geography has been well documented. In contrast, variation within green spaces, although vital for management and prevention of disease risk, remains poorly understood. Studying this variation may lead to a better understanding of the drivers of small-scale tick distribution and reveal priority locations for tick management. We sampled ticks within green spaces at three location types representing different green space infrastructures and levels of human activity: (1) a structural element (e.g. bench); (2) the ecotone 40 m further along the adjacent trail and; (3) the interior of the associated forest stand, 20 m perpendicular to the trail, between (1) and (2). Drag sampling took place in 2018 and 2019 at 36 locations in 10 green spaces located in the Campine region of Flanders, Belgium. The density of questing nymphs (DON) was lowest at structural elements and slightly higher adjacent to trails. The highest tick densities were recorded in the forest interior. DON was higher in deciduous than in coniferous forests as well as in stands with a more developed shrub layer. This was true for all location types, as we observed a strong correlation of DON between location types within forest stands. This enables the prediction of DON within forest stands, thus enabling the prediction of DON near infrastructure based on the associated forest stand characteristics. Prevention and management efforts should be focused on infrastructure in or adjacent to deciduous, structure-rich forest stands, although large variation in DON at all location types indicates overall, factual risk while using green space infrastructure.

The first light of the Solar Activity MOF Monitor Telescope (SAMM)

SAMM (Solar Activity MOF Monitor) is a ground based robotic instrument that has been developed to study and constantly monitor the magnetic activity of the Sun, focusing on Active Regions (ARs). These regions are characterized by complex magnetic structures that may result in explosive events usually associated with large amount of particle and matter ejections in the space environment. When interacting with the Earth magnetosphere they can represent a threat for our infrastructures both in space (satellites, navigation systems) and on the ground (power plants and electrical grids). Based on Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) magneto optical filters (MOFs), SAMM provides a “tomographic” view of the magnetic structures delivering high cadence magnetograms and dopplergrams at different heights of the solar atmosphere thus providing a unique dataset with the aim to push forward the current space weather forecasting capabilities. Being able to forecast these events enough in advance (even few hours) is a fundamental task to put in place mitigation strategies to reduce the potential catastrophic impact on vital infrastructures on earth. In this scenario the SAMM observatory has been realized to be a “node” that can be replicated in a world-wide network with the aim to give a continuous coverage of the Sun situation. This project has been initially funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MiSE) in 2015 through a soft loan grant and its development and operation is carried on within a scientific collaboration between the INAF – Rome and Naples Astronomical Observatories and the Italian small enterprise (SME) Avalon Instruments. After three years of development, SAMM is in the commissioning phase. In this paper we are presenting a final instrument description along with the first light images.

Перспективные сервисы многоспутниковых космических систем

The paper considers prospective directions of improving consumer services rendered with the help of multi-satellite space systems. Based on a study of trends in the development of thematic geoinformation services, the conclusion is made about the need to form personalized complex queries, including those containing suggestions concerning putative solutions for the mass user. The multi-satellite space infrastructure currently under development, which is considered as a single space information system, can serve as the technical means for adopting such an approach. Based on an analysis of development trends of the existing system of geoinformation support, a conclusion is made about the feasibility of the intellectualization and personalization of services, which are targeted at a specific customer, with the expansion of the range of possible consumers to a mass individual consumer. The article proposes several approaches, the further development of which can result in the creation of system-wide services that implement the “from data to solutions” concept at the level of integrated solutions.

Integrated Space Situational Awareness Systems: SDA and SSA – Advantages and Limitations

SDA (Space Domain Awareness) and SSA (Space Situational Awareness – SSA) have been defined as comprehensive knowledge of space objects and the ability to track, understand, and predict their future location. The purpose of the article is to present SSA initiatives to protect space systems, which are now recognized as fundamental assets of the sustainable development of each country. The destruction of even a part of the space infrastructure can have severe consequences for the security of citizens and economic activity. These systems assume the combination of all data obtained by various entities operating in space and Earth to create a common database. The SSA system was created based on the US military programme SDA (Space Domain Awareness); SSA and SDA are almost similar, but SDA is a new term replacing SSA, which existed previously. SDA is a better and improved SSA. Increasingly, the SSA programme is part of national and EU space strategies, but it is not yet possible to include it in international space law.