SAS
Life Science / Outer Space / Society

Acronym for Space Adaptation Syndrome. A type of temporary sickness caused by exposure to a weightless environment. It is said that the cause of SAS is a vestibular disorder, whereby the vestibular system undergoes a paralysis, causing one to lose one's sense of balance. Symptoms include dizziness, cold sweats, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and, in particular, a false feeling of falling over that does not occur in ordinary motion sickness. The most effective treatment is an intramuscular promethazine injection.

Conversely, the bodily changes experienced when moving from a zero G environment to a 1G environment are collectively called Earth Adaptation Syndrome.

scramjet engine
Outer Space / Technology

Abbreviation of supersonic combustion ramjet engine. A type of air-breathing engine that obtains propulsion by taking in air at supersonic speeds, then compressing it and mixing it (utilizing ram pressure) with fuel at several points throughout the engine. The controlled expansion of this mixture produces net thrust, with an optimum flying speed of between Mach 10 and Mach 25. Can be found in almost all hypersonic and exoatmospheric aircraft as well as spaceplanes. Called the scramjet engine because it works through the supersonic intake of air and its combustion with fuel, usually hydrogen, via ram pressure. Also known as a scram engine. Differs from a ramjet engine in that it keeps the air moving at supersonic speeds, whereas a ramjet engine slows the supersonic airflow to subsonic speeds.

selective mutism
Life Science

An anxiety disorder, observed almost exclusively in children, where the individual either chooses not to or is unable to speak for some psychological reason. Sometimes the individual will try to speak but tenses up and is unable to produce sound.

Marc Brown is said to be afflicted with selective mutism.

semi-hard spacesuit
Outer Space / Technology

A fifth-generation extravehicular spacesuit put into use after the turn of the century. Developed to overcome the previously existing problems with soft suits, such as the long depressurization time and extra ventilation equipment required. By making parts of a spacesuit hard, it is possible to maintain the internal pressure of the suit at 55.2 kilopascals, which prevents the wearer from developing decompression sickness. The suit also allows for more freedom of movement by using soft carbon fiber resin and urethane resin in selected parts like the arms, legs, and boots. This has helped scientists reduce the weight of the suit considerably, which is only 77 pounds under 1G. The inside of the helmet also contains a heads-up display, an eye-point sensor, a VRE camera, a communicator, and a drinking tube connected to a water supply.

Hard spacesuits, which are 100% hard, are employed on Mars and other extreme areas, but all other extravehicular spacesuits, including those worn on the Moon, have become semi-hard suits. The suit became famous after it was placed on the Policenauts crest in 2013.

Snatcher
Culture and Sports

A video game released by Konami for the PC-8801 and MSX2 computer formats in 1988. Was remade into a CD-ROM version for the PC Engine in 1992, and later the Sega CD in 1994. PlayStation and Saturn remakes were also released in 1996.

It is a cyberpunk adventure that takes place in the year 2047 in Neo Kobe City, Japan. It has since garnered a cult following.

solar cell
Outer Space / Technology

A device that converts solar energy into electric energy. Numerous solar cells employing silicon semiconductors could be found during the 20th century, but the highest energy conversion rates they ever achieved were no more than 20%. However, with the major advances in production environments that came with moving out into space, scientists succeeded in developing an amorphous semiconductor composed of silicon, tellurium, and arsenic, previously impossible, with an energy conversion rate of 60%. Furthermore, previous solar cells could only convert a very narrow wavelength of the Sun's rays into energy, but with the introduction of this amorphous semiconductor, cells can now convert the entire electromagnetic spectrum into energy. Beyond Coast's 3 mirrors employ such hybrid solar cells, which supply over 70% of the colony's total energy needs. All solar cars on the colony also use these cells and this conversion system.

solar flare
Outer Space

A violent explosion that occurs on the surface of the Sun as a result of the sudden release of magnetic energy. This release is caused by the interaction of the Sun's magnetic field with its fluid core, which produces a build-up of magnetic energy. This energy eventually reaches the surface of the Sun and passess into its corona, its less dense atmosphere, and is released out into space. Solar flares carry cosmic radiation, which has numerous negative effects on the human body as well as man-made equipment. Space colonies and bases continuously monitor solar flare activity in order to predict when large doses of radiation will be released.

solar ray transport system
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A lighting system that transports sunlight into a room using optical fibers. It is possible to transport not just visible light, but ultraviolet and infrared light as well.

space debris
Outer Space / Society / Technology

Also known as space junk or space garbage. Refers to the debris floating outside the atmosphere in Earth orbit, much of it consisting of abandoned satellites in geostationary orbit and rocket fragments in high Earth orbit. There are regulations regarding space debris contained in The Convention on the International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, implemented in 1972, if one examines the document with a loose interpretation; however, the amount of space debris continues to accumulate every year, with collisions between objects resulting in even more debris, some forming complex fields of material. These fields inflict damage on other satellites, rockets, and spaceplanes. A strict system of control for space debris is currently being studied.

The presence of space debris has become a serious problem for all objects operating in low Earth orbit or above. The possible end of all space exploration and development due to a massive field of space debris enveloping the Earth is known as the Kessler Syndrome.

space fireflies
Outer Space

The phenomenon whereby human waste ejected out into space is hit by sunlight or another light source, causing it to glitter and resemble a group of fireflies. Astronaut John Glenn of Project Mercury famously reported this phenomenon after his first trip into space; they are seldom seen anymore, however, due to the strict legislation that has been enacted to prevent the ejecting of waste and garbage into space, such as the Outer Space Waste Regulations and Outer Space Environment Standards Law.

space history
Culture and Sports / Outer Space / Society

A recently established field of study that focuses on the history of mankind's activities in outer space. Is a required subject in all space colony secondary schools. The Beyond Coast Education Board has placed a strong emphasis on it in order to impart on today's youth the importance of examining "how we got to where we are in space today."

space infrastructure
Outer Space / Technology

Refers to the network of outposts, both manned and unmanned, located in outer space and on celestial bodies. The various ground facilities that support the transportation network between these outposts and Earth are also included under this heading. Tokugawa was one of the first organizations to participate in space development, exploring the business aspects of the field as it continued to buy up Russia's space technology. It constructed most of these outposts and facilities, and utilizes them as part of its business model.

space weather forecast
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Outer Space / Society / Technology

A forecast designed to predict the arrival of large doses of radiation and magnetic storms caused by solar flares. Solar flares, released from the surface of the Sun, can have various harmful effects not only on the human body, but on computers and other sensitive equipment as well. Space weather forecasting aims to predict these before they happen and inform people of when they will occur via television, radio, and the Internet. When a flare does occur, scientists can estimate the size of the flare and any effects the resulting solar wind might have by observing the wavelength and time intervals of the radiation released during the several stages of the flare, and issue reports and warnings as necessary.

Shield warnings are issued during times of intense radiation, with a colony's outer walls and block shields lowered for protection. All extravehicular space activity and the takeoff of space flights are prohibited during this time.

spaceplane
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A return-trip space passenger plane developed for the era of mass space transportation as a replacement for the Space Shuttle. Takeoff is accomplished via an Air Turbo Ramjet engine, followed by acceleration to Mach 12 via a scramjet engine, after which the plane switches over to a rocket engine for space flight. There are currently 6 companies offering spaceplane flights to and from outer space. With the introduction of spaceplane flights, traveling into space has become a reality for the ordinary person. The most popular airlines are America's American Space Lines and Japan's Nippon Space Lines, based on their service, cost, and safety record.

SQUID handcuffs
Technology

Abbreviation for Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices handcuffs. A pair of handcuffs containing SQUID materials placed inside superconductive pieces of metal. SQUID handcuffs are comprised of 2 metal bracelets connected by electricity, and are capable of detecting the subtle changes in the human body's magnetic field brought on by mental processes such as emotional stress. Their selling point is the ability of their connection to adjust to the wearer's mental state.

This is the type of handcuff used by BCP.

surrogate mother
Life Science / Society

A woman who gestates and delivers a baby created from an egg fertilized in vitro, often in return for financial compensation. Although surrogate mothers hold no parental rights, many end up wanting to raise the baby as their own child after it is born. There are various opinions on using surrogate mothers for giving birth to Frozeners; as the development of an artificial womb has yet to be completed, however, no viable alternative is currently available.

survival ball
Outer Space / Technology

A one-man rescue pod designed to offer a lifeline to its occupant in the event of an accident in outer space. Also known as a rescue ball. Devised during the Shuttle Era, all small-scale spacecraft are required to have one, as per the Outer Space Safety Regulations. The large-scale lifepods designed to hold 30 people found on spaceplanes and other spaceships also contain survival balls in case they are needed. They were originally created only to house someone set adrift outside Earth's atmosphere until they were rescued, but as mankind's activities in space expanded, organizations began installing them with long-term life-support devices employing cold sleep.

The entire surface of the sphere is covered with neo-norbornadiene, a refined version of a metal capable of absorbing solar rays, allowing the ball to semipermanently store energy and support its inhabitant for an extended period of time. The survival ball used by Astronaut Jonathan Ingram during the first test of the Yuri was a prototype survival ball containing an experimental cold sleep module. It was connected to a special umbilical cord with a two-way network allowing for the exchange of energy and data in the event of an accident.

Should an accident occur, the occupant is required to connect an attachment on their spacesuit to the ball's internal life-support machine and curl up their body into a rather uncomfortable position before entering cold sleep. Japanese astronauts liken it to the instant attainment of Buddhahood and do not look on it very favorably.