Frontiers in space technologies最新文献

{"title":"Integrating outer space as a global commons with private property rights to outer space resources","authors":"Di Mei","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2024.1351850","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2024.1351850","url":null,"abstract":"Inspired by the US government’s denial that outer space is a global commons, and the heated discussion in China regarding property rights in outer space resources, this article looks at this controversial term: “global commons”. It finds that this term was mostly adopted as a political, rather than legal, term. As a result of the over-emphasis on the implications of global commons on the property rights to outer space resources, states that plan to develop private space mining may avoid calling outer space a global commons. This article argues that this response may not be necessary. It then examines the real purpose of the global commons discourse by analogizing the tragedy of commons and thus puts forward the suggestion to adopt the non-exclusive use standard to govern the activities of space resource extraction by private parties. This solution will allow countries to continue to view outer space as a global commons while liberalizing private parties’ activities in outer space resource development and extraction. Moreover, China’s initiative of the global community of shared future possesses the potential to serve as the overarching concept to govern its future outer space activities, including space mining.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"104 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140224312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Irradiation resistance of thermo-optical properties of zirconium diboride by 3 MeV electrons","authors":"Daniel Rønning, Yinglu Tang","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2024.1355258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2024.1355258","url":null,"abstract":"Due to good thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance, ultra-high temperature ceramics such as zirconium diboride (ZrB2) have been investigated as promising materials to be used in reusable thermal protection systems TPSs are vital to the heat balance of a spacecraft during atmospheric reentry and subsequent operation in space. Hence, the thermal and optical properties are especially critical for such applications. Meanwhile, radiation exposure in space can pose risks of degrading such material properties, especially over a prolonged mission duration. The interaction of electron radiation-which can be found in the outer Van Allen belt, with ZrB2 has not been studied previously and was chosen as the main scope of this study. An electron source of 3 MeV with different radiation exposure time was used. The response of thermo-optical properties of ZrB2 to increasing electron radiation fluences was investigated. ZrB2 samples were made through spark plasma sintering into sintered pellets and then exposed to 3 MeV electron irradiation. These ZrB2 samples were characterized by their microstructure, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), emittance, absorptivity, and surface roughness before and after irradiation. It was found that ZrB2’s thermo-optical properties showed high radiation resistance at these fluences, and no apparent microstructural change was observed after irradiation. However, the irradiated samples had, on average, a 29% lower surface roughness than the unirradiated samples, possibly originating from electron sputtering.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"20 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140222147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing benefits and risks between the space economies and the sustainable development goals","authors":"Tom Cernev, Jessica Bland, G. Zilgalvis, Bartu Kaleagasi, Melissa de Zwart, A. Tzachor, Catherine E. Richards, Bruce Chesley, Bruce McClintock, Anca Agachi","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2024.1375830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2024.1375830","url":null,"abstract":"As humanity’s presence in space continues to advance, it is important to consider the positive and negative effects of space activities on sustainable development. This paper presents the findings from an expert elicitation process to assess the benefits and risks of the Earth-for-space, space-for-Earth, and space-for-space economies for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Significant benefits and risks exist, with SDGs 6, 9, 12, 14, and 16 exhibiting numerous benefits, and SDGs 6, 8, 11, and 15 exhibiting various risks from activities across the space economies. Multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary experts have identified benefits including space as a means to facilitate international agreement and cooperation, insights from space-based Earth observation, and advances in economic and technological development. Conversely, they identified risks of space advancement resulting in inequality, overexploitation of space resources, and the increase of global geopolitical tensions. These findings were used to suggest an SDG 18 for space, consisting of seven targets that address the concerns raised in the process.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140232604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of dexamethasone and IGF-1 on post-traumatic osteoarthritis-like catabolic changes in a human cartilage-bone-synovium microphysiological system in space and ground control tissues on earth","authors":"Garima Dwivedi, Lisa Flaman, Begum Alaybeyoglu, E. Frank, R. M. Black, J. Fite, Chris Scherzer, Ken Barton, Elizabeth Luyster, Nathan Thomas, Eugene Boland, Yamini Krishnan, H. Hung, Susan Chubinskaya, S. Trippel, E. Geishecker, Vicki Rosen, Patrik Önnerfjord, Murat Cirit, A. Grodzinsky","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2024.1358412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2024.1358412","url":null,"abstract":"Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) results from traumatic joint injuries (such as an ACL rupture). Mechanical impact and an immediate synovial inflammatory response can result in joint tissue degradation and longer-term progression to PTOA. Astronauts are susceptible to increased exercise-related joint injuries leading to altered musculoskeletal physiology, further escalated due to microgravity and increased exposure to ionizing radiation. We applied a human Cartilage-Bone-Synovium (CBS) coculture model to test the potential of low-dose dexamethasone (Dex) and IGF-1 in ameliorating PTOA-like degeneration on Earth and the International Space Station-National Laboratory (ISS-NL, ISS for short). CBS cocultures were established using osteochondral plugs (CB) subjected to compressive impact injury (INJ) followed by coculture with synovium (S) explants. Study groups consisted of control (CB); disease [CBS + INJ]; treatment [CBS + INJ + Dex + IGF-1]; and drug-safety [CB + Dex + IGF-1]. Outcome measures included cell viability, altered matrix glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagens, multiplex-ELISA quantification of released cytokines, histopathology, and metabolomic and proteomic analyses of spent media. A 21-day study on ISS-NL explored PTOA-like pathogenesis and treatment in microgravity. Tissue cards for study groups were cultured in custom-built culture chambers within multi-use variable-g platforms (MVPs). A marked upregulation in the release of inflammatory cytokines and tissue-GAG loss was observed in CBS + INJ groups in space and ground controls utilizing tissues from the same donors, similar to that reported in a previous multi-donor study on Earth; these changes were partly ameliorated by Dex + IGF-1, but with donor variability. Metabolomic and proteomic analyses revealed an array of distinct differences between metabolites/proteins released to the medium in Space versus on Earth.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"11 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140243843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An investigation of phase change induced Marangoni-dominated flow patterns using the Constrained Vapor Bubble data from ISS experiments","authors":"Unmeelan Chakrabarti, Ayaaz Yasin, Kishan Bellur, Jeffrey S. Allen","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1263496","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1263496","url":null,"abstract":"Kinetic models of liquid-vapor phase change often implicitly assume that the interface is in equilibrium. This equilibrium assumption can be justified for large flat interfaces far from the source of thermal energy, but it breaks down when the liquid surface is near a solid wall, or there is significant interface curvature. The Constrained Vapor Bubble (CVB) experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) provide a unique opportunity to probe this common assumption and also provide unique data and insight into phase change-driven flow physics. The CVB experiment consists of a quartz cuvette partially filled with pentane such that a vapor bubble is formed at the center. The setup is heated and cooled at opposite ends, resulting in simultaneous evaporation and condensation. CVB data from the NASA Physical Science Informatics (PSI) database was used to reconstruct the entire 3D interface shape using interferometric image analysis and obtain an estimate of the net heat input to the bubble. The reconstructed interface shape is used to develop a liquid-only CFD model embedded with a custom-built “active surface” method that sets a variable interfacial temperature/phase change flux boundary condition. Phase change flux varies in both the axial and transverse directions, leading to a small (∼1 K) but discernible temperature variation along the liquid-vapor interface. The positive phase change flux near the heater end (denoting evaporation) gradually reduces and becomes negative near the cooler end (denoting condensation), resulting in an axial bulk flow of liquid from the cold to the hot end. There is also a higher flux in the thin film as opposed to the thick film, resulting in a transverse bulk flow. However, the interfacial temperature gradients along both axial and transverse directions induce a separate thermocapillary flow in a direction opposite to the bulk flows, leading to complex “wavy” flows with recirculation. A qualitative analysis of the flow pattern is presented in this paper and correlated with optical signatures from experimental images.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134993743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The fission fragment rocket engine for Mars fast transit","authors":"J. Gahl, A. K. Gillespie, R. V. Duncan, C. Lin","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1191300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1191300","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper we discuss the advantages and challenges of utilizing Fission Fragment Rocket Engines (FFREs) to dramatically reduce transit time in space travel, for example, traveling to Mars. We discuss methods to decrease the size and weight of FFREs. These include utilizing metallic deuterides as moderators, driving the engines with electron beam bremsstrahlung, and operating the FFREs as subcritical assemblies, not as nuclear reactors. We discuss these and other new innovations based upon improved materials and technology that may be integrated into a revolutionary nuclear rocket technology.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135853867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embryogenesis of an aquaculture fish (Dicentrarchus labrax) under simulated altered gravity","authors":"Cyrille Przybyla, Julie Bonnefoy, Raphaelle Paounov, Amelys Debiol, Gilbert Dutto, Emmanuel Mansuy, Stephane Lallement, Florence Coste, Benjamin Geffroy, Jean Pol Frippiat","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1240251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1240251","url":null,"abstract":"Food production and balanced nutrition will be a key challenge for residents of a future base on the Moon or Mars. As a complement to photosynthetic organisms, space aquaculture could provide the range of amino acids required to maintain health. This would rely on shipping fertilized aquaculture fish eggs to the Moon. To determine the feasibility of this, this study sought to test the influence of the conditions of a lunar mission—such as hypergravity during rocket launch and microgravity during the journey—on fish embryos and young larvae. To analyze the potential effects of these gravity changes on the early developmental stages of fish, we conducted two experiments to expose them to: i) 10 min of simulated hypergravity at 5 g (launch duration) and ii) 39 h of simulated microgravity using a random positioning machine. Both experiments used European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) as a model. We analyzed egg oxygen consumption and hatching rates, as well as the expression of genes related to stress and immunity. The results indicated that neither of these altered gravity conditions affected the hatching rate. Simulated microgravity did not impact fish embryo oxygen consumption and appeared to induce faster embryonic development, as the eggs hatched earlier than expected. Levels of glucocorticoid receptors (GR1 and GR2) and heat shock proteins (Hsp90) were not impacted. Only the levels of complement component protein 3 (C3) were significantly higher in simulated microgravity, while interleukin-1β (IL-1β) transcripts were significantly lower in the hypergravity group, compared to controls. This shows that proteins involved in the innate immune system are expressed under altered gravity. Although further experiments are needed, these results suggest that the European sea bass is a promising candidate for space aquaculture.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135093978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of planetary regolith simulants for the research and development of space resource technologies","authors":"Jared M. Long-Fox, Daniel T. Britt","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1255535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1255535","url":null,"abstract":"Human planetary exploration and colonization efforts are reliant on the ability to safely interact with planetary surfaces and to leverage local regolith as a resource. The high-cost and risk-intensive nature of establishing planetary infrastructure and resource utilization facilities necessitates risk reduction through laboratory-based research and development of space resource acquisition, processing, and extraction technologies using appropriate, well-characterized, mineral-based regolith simulants. Such simulants enable the planetary exploration and resource utilization communities to test large-scale technologies and methodologies for a relatively low cost as an alternative to scarce and expensive returned samples. The fidelity of a regolith simulant for any application is, in part, determined by the mineralogical composition and particle size distribution. The importance of composition is well established for in situ resource utilization studies sensitive to geochemical properties but tends to be ignored in studies concerned with physical properties. Neglecting to consider mineralogy reduces the fidelity of a simulant since each mineral species has its own unique grain density, preferred grain geometry, and intergranular forces, all of which affect the physical properties of the simulant (e.g., shear strength, bearing strength, bulk density, thermal and electrical properties, magnetic properties). Traditionally, regolith simulants have been limited in quantity and availability; Exolith Lab remedies these problems by designing simulants in a constrained maximization approach to fidelity relative to cost, material availability, and safety. Exolith Lab simulants are designed to approximate the mineralogy and particle size ranges of the planetary regolith being simulated, with composition constrained by remote sensing observations and/or returned sample analyses. With facilities and equipment capable of high-volume simulant production, Exolith Lab offers standard simulants in bulk that are readily available for purchase and shipment. This work reviews the production methods, equipment, and materials used to create Exolith Lab simulants, provides compositional data, particle size data, and applications for each standard lunar, Martian, and asteroid simulant that Exolith Lab offers.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"116 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135579428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advantages and challenges of novel materials for future space applications","authors":"L. Pernigoni, A. M. Grande","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1253419","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1253419","url":null,"abstract":"In the last years space technologies have made giant leaps, increasing the feasibility of human exploration and colonization of other celestial bodies. The Moon and Mars have become appealing in these terms, but autonomy, adaptability and high reliability are inevitably needed in long-term missions. Furthermore, new generation spacecraft will have to face challenges related to the degradation of materials and the continuous exposure to the threats of space environment. Novel materials and technologies must hence be developed to satisfy future missions requirements. This paper aims at giving a clear and organic overview of the describes the most significant innovations in the field of materials for space applications, along with the related advantages and challenges. After introducing the main environmental factors in space and their possible risks and effects on materials, the authors proceed with the description of novel materials for space applications, subdivided into polymers, metals, semiconductors, composites, and mixtures. Innovations in manufacturing techniques and in-situ resource utilization are also briefly presented before moving to final considerations on the limitations and future challenges for these innovative materials.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135690934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The way ahead: adaptive medical standards to optimize commercial space traveler health, safety and performance","authors":"Annette Louise Sobel, Robert Orford, Karen Klingenberger","doi":"10.3389/frspt.2023.1155432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/frspt.2023.1155432","url":null,"abstract":"The promise of space travel opens a new era of opportunity for consideration of space medical standards, health screening, maintenance, and even environmental threat mitigation. There is a significant gap in scientific knowledge between previously well-established aeromedical standards for suborbital, orbital and beyond present a significant gap in scientific knowledge and mission-specific physiologic responses to extended duration activities. This paper will review the current and evolving standards and examine gaps and shortfalls which must be addressed to ensure space traveler safety and security. In addition, we will address the international, cultural and educational challenges of which potential space travelers and their healthcare providers must be aware, and will present an approach to systematically addressing these challenges.","PeriodicalId":491816,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in space technologies","volume":"378 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135830298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}