Exolith – 2021. Actual problems of lithology: objectives and approaches

The collection contains materials of the reports of the scientific readings «Exolith – 2021», held on the subject «Actual problems of lithology: objectives and approaches» and dedicated to the 2021 year, declared in Russia «Year of Science and Technology» and being the 60-th anniversary of the first manned flight into space. There are a wide range of issues related to the research of sedimentary successions. The collection of the materials is of interest to geologists of various specialties who are engaged in the complex studies of the upper part of the lithosphere, as well as in the detailed lithological studies.

From the Rocket R-7 and the First Human Flight into Space up to Permanent Manned Orbital Station

The paper presents a brief history of preparation for and execution of the first manned flight into space in the Vostok spacecraft. The main tasks and challenges which were solved to make this historical event possible are discussed. Further achievements of Russian manned cosmonautics are presented, including the first world’s orbital station Salyut which was constructed and launched in orbit 50 years ago. The human role in executing a space flight is studied. The tasks in the space orbit are discussed, the solutions to which with the participation of the crew have improved the space flight safety and efficiency. Examples of cosmonauts’ operations during the flights of the orbital stations Salyut, the orbital facility Mir, and the International Space Station are given to illustrate such tasks. The importance of cosmonauts’ participation in the research and experiments on the orbital stations is demonstrated, and positive examples of such participation are provided.

Airport Aura

Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, the emergence of airports as gateways for their cities has turned into one of the most important architectural undertakings. Ever since the first manned flight by the Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17th 1903, utilitarian sheds next to landing strips on cow pastures evolved into a completely new building type over the next few decades – into places of Modernism as envisioned by Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright (who themselves never built an airport), to eventually turn into icons of cultural identity, progress and prosperity. Many of these airports have become architectural branding devices of their respective cities, regions and countries, created by some of the most notable contemporary architects. This interdisciplinary cultural study deals with the historical formation and transformation of the architectural typology of airports under the aspect of spatial theories. This includes the shift from early spaces of transportation such as train stations, the synesthetic effect of travel and mobility and the effects of material innovations on the development, occupation and use of such spaces. The changing uses from mere utilitarian transportation spaces to ones centered on the spectacular culture of late capitalism, consumption and identity formation in a rapidly changing global culture are analyzed with examples both from architectural and philosophical points of view. The future of airport architecture and design very much looks like the original idea of the Crystal Palace and Parisian Arcades: to provide a stage for consumption, social theatre and art exhibition.

EVALUATION AND CALIBRATION OF FIXED-WING MULTISENSOR UAV MOBILE MAPPING SYSTEM: IMPROVED RESULTS

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are willingly used in photogrammetry and remote sensing, especially for image acquisition, and are characterised by high spatial resolution. UAVs can be used for the fast and, if necessary, frequent acquisition of spatial data, especially for small areas. In recent years, new trends in the development of UAVs have emerged, including the integration of various sensors and the application of ultralight laser scanners. Within the described experiment, UAV data, i.e. RGB and NIR imagery, as well as ALS data were obtained over three test areas. For one test area, the flight calibration was performed. 3 strips were oriented perpendicularly to another 3 strips and the flight was performed on two different heights: 120 and 150&amp;thinsp;m. In order to process the data acquired for the next 3 test areas, the determined calibration parameters were utilised. The oriented images were used to generate RGB and NIR ortophotos, as well as the point cloud using the Dense Image Matching (DIM) algorithm. Height differences between UAV Laser Scanning (ULS) and DIM clouds were calculated for all test areas. Experiment data from Terrestrial Laser Scanning and check points measured with GPS RTK have been used. Finally, an accuracy of less than 10&amp;thinsp;cm was achieved for the DTM. The results were improved by eliminating the problem of horizontal accuracy, but its influence is still slightly visible on the vertical accuracy of the data. The experiment proved the quality of data obtained with the ultralight scanner mounted on the platform moving with much more speed, being an alternative to manned flight missions and multi-rotors UAVs.</p>

GIS analysis of promising landing sites for manned flight to Mars

Remote sensing provides data that can be used in a variety of projects. One such project is the preparation for sending a manned flight to Mars. Before the departure of the expedition it is very important to carefully select a place of high scientific value and a high security level for the members of the flight. Remote sensing methods allow getting the whole set of necessary data, which will later be used for the flight equipment properly, as well as to adapt the lander design. Currently, robotic probes that send the collected information to Earth are engaged in the collection of the necessary data. There, the data, in turn, can be processed by specialists, as well as provided for the general public for informational purposes only.

From the Locomotive to the Aeromotive

This chapter details Octave Chanute's contributions to the development of aeronautics. Early in his working life, Chanute had become interested in the unconventional topic of manned flight, but in the interest of his career and social standing, he did not discuss it publicly. Now approaching what he considered the end of his professional career, this seemed an opportune time to investigate mechanical flight. In the mid-1890s Octave Chanute developed the most modern and successful glider up to that time. He systematically approached the problems necessary for flight and had moved solutions forward through experimentation, observation, and communication. Chanute had also begun an international conduit, vital for the exchange of ideas and encouragement as the invention of the airplane evolved.