These proceedings contain 56 papers that cover such topics as extraterrestrial organic chemistry and the origins of life; life on Mars; planetary protection for Mars missions and chemical evolution on Titan.

This publication contains 36 papers presented at four symposia during the Thirty-first COSPAR Scientific Assembly held in Birmingham, UK during 1996. Papers reflect the following symposia themes: life science support system studies; production, processing and waste recycling in a CELSS (Controlled Ecological Life Support System); biological effects of closure and recycling in a CELSS; nutrition and productivity for bioregenerative life support; integration of bioregenerative and physical/chemical processes for space life support systems. Findings presented in this volume will be a valuable resource for CELSS researchers for many years to come.

Paperback. This publication contains 19 papers on extraterrestrial complex organic chemistry, in direct relation to prebiotic chemistry and exobiology, the study of the origins, evolution and distribution of life in the universe. The papers are presented within three main parts. Part I presents the complex organics in interstellar clouds. Part II presents the complex organics in meteorites, interplanetary dust, comets and Mars, and finally part III presents the complex organics in the outer solar system. The papers cover the various aspects of such organic compounds. This includes their physical and chemical nature, approached through experimental simulation (on ground and in Earth orbit) and other studies in the laboratory as well as through theoretical modelling. This also includes their occurrence in the universe, evidenced from remote sensing observations, past, present and future (in particular, through Cassini-Huygens and Rosetta missions).

Paperback. The Symposium DO.3, Particle Acceleration in Space Plasmas, was held from 18-20 July, 1996 at the 31st Scientific Assembly of COSPAR that was held at the University of Birmingham, England. Forty-five papers were presented, including seven solicited, twenty-eight oral, and ten poster papers. Twenty papers ultimately were submitted and accepted for publication. These papers are an excellent cross-section of the science discussed at the Symposium.

Paperback. This publication contains 36 papers taken from three symposia of COSPAR Scientific Commission B, which took place during the Thirty-first COSPAR Scientific Assembly, held in Birmingham, UK, during July 1996. The major areas covered by the symposia and which form this volume are as follows: the particulate space environment, problems in comparative planetology, and laboratory investigations relevant to planetology. Papers on the particulate space environment reflect advances in evaluation of the space environment, the deeper understanding of hypervelocity impact phenomena, and hold interest for the understanding of the natural environment and space debris. Papers on problems in comparative planetology investigate differences in impact melting on the surfaces of different planets, the geology of Alba Petra on Mars and attempts to interpret the geology of that region in terms of the geology of corona structures found on Venus. Papers concerning la

Paperback. Space debris is a steadily growing hazard for all space activities. Despite a decreasing annual launch rate, the number and mass of space debris are increasing. The first confirmed casualty of space debris is the French spacecraft CERISE which was hit in 1996 by a fragment of a rocket upper stage. The twenty-eight papers presented in this volume address the main areas of current research in the field of space debris and meteoroids in the Earth's environment. New concerns arise with the planned satellite constellations in low and medium altitude orbital regions. These proceedings provide an up-to-date picture of the space debris research activities and contribute to an improved understanding of the space debris issue.