Ares V launch vehicle: An enabling capability for future space science missions

NASA's planned Ares V cargo launch vehicle offers the potential to completely change the paradigm of future space science mission architectures. Future space science telescopes desire increasingly larger telescope collecting aperture. But, current launch vehicle mass and volume constraints are a severe limit. The Ares V greatly relaxes these constraints. For example, while current launch vehicles have the ability to place a 4.5 m diameter payload with a mass of 9400 kg on to a Sun-Earth L2 transfer trajectory, the Ares V is projected to have the ability to place an 8.8 m diameter payload with a mass of approximately 60,000 kg on to the same trajectory, or 180,000 kg into Low Earth Orbit. Also the Ares V could place approximately 3000 kg (13,000 kg with a Centaur upper stage) on to a trajectory with a C3 of 106 km²/s², arriving at Saturn in 6.1 years without the use of gravity assists. This paper summarizes the current planned Ares V payload launch capability.     

The transcost-model for launch vehicle cost estimation and its application to future systems analysis

The first part of the paper describes the structure of the analytical cost estimation model (1982 edition) for launch vehicle development, fabrication and launch operations cost. Especially the new approach for a cost assessment of operations cost including refurbishment (in case of reusable vehicles), direct and indirect operations is presented for discussion and subsequent improvements by introduction of more reference values. The model uses the Man-Year (MY) as cost unit which is independent from inflation and currency exchange rate changes.

The second part of the paper deals with its application to future systems analysis and cost comparison with the example of a potential future European launcher (Post-Ariane-4) with 15 tons LEO payload capability: ten different two-stage launch vehicle concepts (expendable, semi-reusable and fully reusable) with storable and cryogenic propellants are analysed with respect to development cost and cost per launch.

The key problem for a future European launch vehicle is the optimum solution between the (limited) development effort and the desired minimum launch cost. More advanced (partially) reusable systems could provide an essential reduction in cost per launch, require, however, a higher development effort.

In such a case an analytical cost model based on realistic reference data can provide important data for the vehicle concept selection process.     

A Concept of Guidance for an Air-Launch Vehicle with Compensation of Initial Downrange and Launch Time Errors at Direct Insertion into a Rendezvous Point in the Orbit

A flying launcher (airplane carrier) can generate initial errors in position and time of launch. In order to compensate for these errors, one should have two control parameters in addition to those that provide for a spacecraft's injection into a preset orbit. We suggest the concept of controlling the trajectory of injection by choosing thrust values (within allowable regions of control) of second-stage engines or/and of a space booster of the Polyot carrier launcher. As an example, a rendezvous of the spacecraft at the end of its boost phase with the International Space Station (ISS) is considered. The methodology of the suggested approach can be extended to other mobile systems of launch to rendezvous orbits.     

Launch cost reduction by the reuse of the core stage of Ariane 5

The high cost of launching payloads into Earth orbit is a main limiting factor on the development of space. In order to reduce the high cost of launch, reuse of (parts of) the launch vehicle is needed. This study analyses the possibilities of recovering and reusing the core stage of Ariane 5. Recovery of the core stage sets demands on re-entry trajectory, attitude, stability, thermal protection, structural strength, terminal deceleration, salt water protection, recovery and refurbishment. All these subject areas require solutions to their individual problems. Added subsystems to the stage are defined and their mass is determined. These masses are used to determine the financial feasibility of the recovery concept, by weighing the payload demise and operational cost against the gains of reduced production cost. It is concluded that the recovery is technologically feasible, using a detachable ablative heat shield on the nose of the stage and a stabilisation device (an inflatable drag cone), a parachute system and an engine enclosure device. Total mass of these systems is 1320 kg, with financial savings amounting to $8.5 million per flight.     

Very high delta-V missions to the edge of the solar system and beyond enabled by the dual-stage 4-grid ion thruster concept

A new and innovative type of gridded ion thruster, the “Dual-Stage 4-Grid” or DS4G concept, has been proposed and its predicted high performance validated under an ESA research, development and test programme. The DS4G concept is able to operate at very high specific impulse and thrust density values well in excess of conventional 3-grid ion thrusters at the expense of a higher power-to-thrust ratio. This makes it a possible candidate for ambitious missions requiring very high delta-V capability and high power. Such missions include 100 kW-level multi-ton probes based on nuclear and solar electric propulsion (SEP) to distant Kuiper Belt Object and inner Oort cloud objects, and to the Local Interstellar medium. In this paper, the DS4G concept is introduced and its application to this mission class is investigated. Benefits of using the DS4G over conventional thrusters include reduced transfer time and increased payload mass, if suitably advanced lightweight power system technologies are developed.A mission-level optimisation is performed (launch, spacecraft system design and low-thrust trajectory combined) in order to find design solutions with minimum transfer time, maximum scientific payload mass, and to explore the influence of power system specific mass. It is found that the DS4G enables an 8-ton spacecraft with a payload mass of 400 kg, equipped with a 65 kW nuclear reactor with specific mass 25 kg/kW (e.g. Topaz-type with Brayton cycle conversion) to reach 200 AU in 23 years after an Earth escape launch by Ariane 5. In this scenario, the optimum specific impulse for the mission is over 10,000 s, which is well within the capabilities of a single 65 kW DS4G thruster. It is also found that an interstellar probe mission to 200 AU could be accomplished in 25 years using a “medium-term” SEP system with a lightweight 155 kW solar array (2 kg/kW specific mass) and thruster PPU (3.7 kg/kW) and an Earth escape launch on Ariane 5. In this case, the optimum specific impulse is lower at 3500 s which is well within conventional gridded ion thruster capability.     

Design of optimal earth pole-sitter transfers using low-thrust propulsion

Recent studies have shown the feasibility of an Earth pole-sitter mission using low-thrust propulsion. This mission concept involves a spacecraft following the Earth's polar axis to have a continuous, hemispherical view of one of the Earth's poles. Such a view will enhance future Earth observation and telecommunications for high latitude and polar regions. To assess the accessibility of the pole-sitter orbit, this paper investigates optimum Earth pole-sitter transfers employing low-thrust propulsion. A launch from low Earth orbit (LEO) by a Soyuz Fregat upper stage is assumed after which solar electric propulsion is used to transfer the spacecraft to the pole-sitter orbit. The objective is to minimize the mass in LEO for a given spacecraft mass to be inserted into the pole-sitter orbit. The results are compared with a ballistic transfer that exploits manifold-like trajectories that wind onto the pole-sitter orbit. It is shown that, with respect to the ballistic case, low-thrust propulsion can achieve significant mass savings in excess of 200 kg for a pole-sitter spacecraft of 1000 kg upon insertion. To finally obtain a full low-thrust transfer from LEO up to the pole-sitter orbit, the Fregat launch is replaced by a low-thrust, minimum time spiral, which provides further mass savings, but at the cost of an increased time of flight.     

Protecting the GEO environment: policies and practices

The geosynchronous orbital regime has long been recognized as a unique space resource, dictating special measures to ensure its continuing use for future generations. During the past 20 yr a variety of national and international policies have been developed to preserve this environment. A review of current practices involving the deployment and disposal of geosynchronous spacecraft, associated upper stages and apogee kick motors, and geosynchronous orbit transfer objects indicates both positive and negative trends. Most spacecraft operators are indeed performing end-of-mission maneuvers, but the boost altitudes normally fall short of policy guidelines. Russia, a major operator in geosynchronous orbit, maneuvers only 1 in 3 spacecraft out of the region, while China has never retired a spacecraft above GEO. The viability of voluntary protection measures for this regime depends upon the responsible actions of the aerospace community as a whole.     

高轨目标监视系统星座设计和探测效能分析

针对高轨目标编目与成像的应用需求，提出一种运行于亚同步轨道、兼具对同步带目标远距离探测编目和近距离成像侦察的高轨天基星座。根据同步带目标探测编目要求，推导和分析了星座的轨道部署和光学相机扫描方式对目标探测效能的影响，确定了顺行轨道的双星星座可行解更多，综合探测效能更高。设计了一种符合顺光观测约束的姿态导引律，结合可行解中选取一组解进行仿真，结果表明：在夏至和秋分两种工况下，采用顺行轨道的双星星座，可对轨道倾角不大于相机半视场的所有同步带目标进行无缝遍历，且每天的探测次数不小于4次，观测弧长不小于1分钟，与理论推导一致。     

Economics of telecommunications space segments

This paper proposes a complete model for assessing the economics of telecommunications satellite systems, accounting for spacecraft development and manufacturing, launch and operations in orbit. This allows to account for such parameters as the mass and lifetime of the satellites, the number and type of payloads, the number of satellites procured and launched, the spare policy, the launch vehicle, the insurances, the satellite average MTTF and the management of the space segment efforts.

The model is divided into four parts: the spacecraft mass model, the spacecraft procurement cost model, the MTTF model and the space segment cost-effectiveness model. It provides for the rapid solution of a number of problems within a wide range of parameters such as assessing the influence on space segment economics of —certain satellite technologies, —satellite and payload mass, —number of payloads per spacecraft, —satellite lifetime, or —spare policy.     

Contingency and recovery options for the European Student Moon Orbiter

This paper presents an overview of the analysis performed on the lunar orbit and some of the possible contingencies for the European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO). Originally scheduled for launch in 2014 –2015 as a piggyback payload, it was the only ESA planned mission to the Moon. By way of a weak stability boundary transfer, ESMO is inserted into an orbit around the Moon. Propellant use is at a premium, so the operational orbit is selected to be highly eccentric. In addition, an optimization is presented to achieve an orbit that is stable for 6 months without requiring orbit maintenance. A parameter study is undertaken to study the sensitivity of the lunar orbit insertion. A database of transfer solutions across 2014 and 2015 is used to study the relation between the robustness of weak capture and the planetary geometry at lunar arrival. A number of example recovery scenarios, where the orbit insertion maneuver partially or completely fails, are also considered.     

The expanded delta launch vehicle family with a status on the new delta IV

The Expendable Launch Systems division of The Boeing Company is well into the development of the new family of Delta IV launch vehicles to support commercial and government missions. The Delta IV adds to the existing Delta family of vehicles, the Delta II in four configurations and the Delta III with twice the performance of the Delta II.The addition of the Delta IV adds five vehicles to the Delta family: the Delta IV medium, three Delta IV Medium-Plus vehicles with solid rocket augmentation, and the Delta IV Heavy vehicles. This family now addresses the full market range of payload requirements from 2,000 to 29,000 pounds to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Full-scale commercial development was initiated in 1997, with the first Delta flight planned for the second quarter of 2001. This paper presents the status of the development program of the launch vehicles, the new green field, focused factory for common booster core production at Decatur, Alabama, the new launch facility construction at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Vandenberg Air Force Base, and the new LO2/LH2 RS-68 common booster core engine. The status of the Delta III return to flight is also presented.     

ERDSAT,a satellite concept for Earth observations with combined optical and microwave payload

The concept of a European remote sensing satellite (ERDSAT) launched by ARIANE is characterized by a model payload, consisting of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and an optical multispectral scanner with 9 channels, for land applications or coastal zone missions. The mission goal of ERDSAT is based on European user requrements where a strong need for optical and microwave sensor operation on board the same satellite in a simultaneous or sequential mode is expressed. A data collection system is included. The proposed spacecraft is three-axes-stabilized and has a Sun-synchronous, near polar circular orbit with 750 km altitude. The selected configuration separates payload module and bus module. A thermostable carbon fibre grating structure is the central framework of the satellite. Each major subsystem is housed in a separate compartment and can be integrated and tested individually. First mass estimates resulted in 450 kg for the payload and 880 kg for the bus. The maximum power needed is 1750 W (for 6 min three times a day), which will be provided by a 1330 W solar array and two batteries. A “low cost” model philosophy is defined; the time schedule envisages a program start in late 1980 and a launch possibility end of 1985.     

Optimization of low-thrust orbit transfers with constraints

Approximate numerical methods of optimization are presented for multi-orbit noncoplanar orbit transfers of low-thrust spacecraft. The linear representation of derivatives of boundary parameters is used in the vicinity of a reference trajectory with its discretization into small segments. For each segment a set of pseudo-impulses is introduced, representing possible directions of the thrust vector. In order to solve essentially nonlinear problems, the iterative process of upgrading the reference trajectory is used. At each iteration the linear programming problem of high dimensionality is solved, its boundary conditions being represented in the form of a linear matrix equation. Interval constraints are considered in the form of blocking the propulsion system operation on shadow segments of the orbit, as well as cycling constraints, and constraints on total duration of maneuvers at certain trajectory segments. The results of comparison with solutions obtained by other methods are presented together with examples illustrating the convergence of iterative processes. Optimizations of the trajectories for launching geosynchronous satellites to their orbits and of the trajectories of a noncoplanar transfer from low to high-elliptic Molniya orbit are considered under these constraints.     

Atlas II and IIA analyses and environments validation

General Dynamics has now flown all four versions of the Atlas commercial launch vehicle, which cover a payload weight capability to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) in the range of 5000–8000 lb. The key analyses to set design and environmental test parameters for the vehicle modifications and the ground and flight test data that validated them were prepared in paper IAF-91-170 for the first version, Atlas I.

This paper presents similar data for the next two versions, Atlas II and IIA. The Atlas II has propellant tanks lengthened by 12 ft and is boosted by MA-5A rocket engines uprated to 474,000 lb liftoff thrust. GTO payload capability is 6225 lb with the 11-ft fairing. The Atlas IIA is an Atlas II with uprated RL10A-4 engines on the lengthened Centaur II upper stage. The two 20,800 lb thrust, 449 s specific impulse engines with an optional extendible nozzle increase payload capability to GTO to 6635 lb. The paper describes design parameters and validated test results for many other improvements that have generally provided greater capability at less cost, weight and complexity and better reliability. Those described include: moving the MA-5A start system to the ground, replacing the vernier engines with a simple 50 lb thrust on-off hydrazine roll control system, addition of a POGO suppressor, replacement of Centaur jettisonable insulation panels with fixed foam, a new inertial navigation unit (INU) that combines in one package a ring-laser gyro based strapdown guidance system with two MIL-STD-1750A processors, redundant MIL-STD-1553 data bus interfaces, robust Ada-based software and a new Al-Li payload adapter. Payload environment is shown to be essentially unchanged from previous Atlas vehicles. Validation of load, stability, control and pressurization requirements for the larger vehicle is discussed.

All flights to date (five Atlas II, one Atlas IIA) have been successful in launching satellites for EUTELSAT, the U.S. Air Force and INTELSAT. Significant design parameters validated by these flights are presented. Particularly noteworthy has been the performance of the INU, which has provided average GTO insertion errors of only 10 miles apogee, 0.2 miles perigee and 0.004 degrees inclination. It is concluded that Atlas II/IIA have successfully demonstrated probably the largest number of current state-of-the-art components of any expendable launch vehicle flying today.     

长征三号甲系列运载火箭高适应性发展——从总体与导航制导控制的视角

从总体与导航制导控制的视角,对长征三号甲系列运载火箭发展与成就进行了分析和小结。长征三号甲系列运载火箭,在长征三号运载火箭解决我国发射高轨道卫星有无问题的基础上,历经基本能力、适应能力、高适应能力的发展,具备了高轨道大型卫星运载能力,突破了从单一轨道面到三维空间各种轨道发射、从高轨卫星转移轨道到工作轨道发射、从地球轨道到地月轨道发射以及从航天技术试验到高可靠工程应用发射等关键技术,使我国运载火箭整体能力取得了地球全轨道发射、星际轨道发射等跨越发展。航天重大工程和国际商业发射表明,该系列运载火箭已进入世界高轨道航天器发射的运载火箭前列,并奠定了进一步开拓发展的基础。     

基于上升轨迹可达范围的目标拦截发射窗口计算

针对低轨目标拦截任务,提出一种利用上升轨迹可达范围分析的发射窗口计算方法。首先,建立以上升时长和航程为性能指标的上升轨迹和优化模型,确定拦截器上升轨迹可达范围。然后,根据目标星下点与上升轨迹可达范围外包络的穿越关系以及拦截器的上升时长范围,对发射窗口进行初筛,得到准发射窗口。最后,针对每一段筛选出的准发射窗口,通过精确判定目标星下点与每一上升时长可达范围子环的位置关系,得到每段准窗口中能够实现目标拦截的发射窗口,将其取并集得到针对目标拦截的精确发射窗口。仿真表明本文提出的计算方法能够快速准确得到目标拦截的发射窗口。     

Multiobjective optimization applied to structural sizing of low cost university-class microsatellite projects

In recent years, there has been continuing interest in the participation of university research groups in space technology studies by means of their own microsatellites. The involvement in such projects has some inherent challenges, such as limited budget and facilities. Also, due to the fact that the main objective of these projects is for educational purposes, usually there are uncertainties regarding their in orbit mission and scientific payloads at the early phases of the project. On the other hand, there are predetermined limitations for their mass and volume budgets owing to the fact that most of them are launched as an auxiliary payload in which the launch cost is reduced considerably. The satellite structure subsystem is the one which is most affected by the launcher constraints. This can affect different aspects, including dimensions, strength and frequency requirements. In this paper, the main focus is on developing a structural design sizing tool containing not only the primary structures properties as variables but also the system level variables such as payload mass budget and satellite total mass and dimensions. This approach enables the design team to obtain better insight into the design in an extended design envelope. The structural design sizing tool is based on analytical structural design formulas and appropriate assumptions including both static and dynamic models of the satellite. Finally, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) multiobjective optimization is applied to the design space. The result is a Pareto-optimal based on two objectives, minimum satellite total mass and maximum payload mass budget, which gives a useful insight to the design team at the early phases of the design.     

运载火箭推力故障下在线计算轻量化任务重构方法

为了避免运载火箭推力下降故障引起发射任务失败,基于径向基神经网络,提出了一种在线计算轻量化的任务重构方法,可快速在线计算最优救援轨道对应飞行轨迹(最优轨迹)的近似解.在离线部分,结合凸优化与自适应配点法产生"故障状态-最优轨迹"数据集.数据集被用来训练径向基神经网络,建立轨迹决策模型来构建故障状态到最优轨迹的动力学关系...     

LISA — a study of the ESA cornerstone mission for observing gravitational waves

The primary objective of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission is to detect and observe gravitational waves from massive black holes and galactic binaries in the frequency range 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻¹ Hz. This low-frequency range is inaccessible to ground-based interferometers because of the unshieldable background of local gravitational noise and because ground-based interferometers are limited in length to a few km. LISA is an ESA cornerstone mission and recently had a system study (Ref. 1) carried out by a consortium led by Astrium, which confirmed the basic configuration for the payload with only minor changes, and provided detailed concepts for the spacecraft and mission design. The study confirmed the need for a drag-free technology demonstration mission to develop the inertial sensors for LISA, before embarking on the build of the flight sensors. With a technology demonstration flight in 2005, it would be possible to carry out LISA as a joint ESA-NASA mission with a launch by 2010 subject to the funding programmatics. The baseline for LISA is three disc-like spacecraft each of which consist of a science module which carries the laser interferometer payload (two in each science module) and a propulsion module containing an ion drive and the hydrazine thrusters of the AOCS. The propulsion module is used for the transfer from earth escape trajectory provided by the Delta II launch to the operational orbit. Once there the propulsion module is jettisoned to reduce disturbances on the payload. Detailed analysis of thermal and gravitational disturbances, a model of the drag-free control and of the interferometer operation confirm that the strain sensitivity of the interferometer will be achieved.     

双状态非线性隔振器参数设计与试验研究

为有效抑制在轨微振动对有效载荷指向精度的影响,并改善其发射段动力学环境,设计了一种双状态非线性隔振器,利用发射与在轨状态载荷条件的差异,使其在两个阶段有不同的隔振频率。分析了各设计参数对发射段动态响应以及在轨隔振性能的影响,提出了隔振器参数设计方法。试制了隔振器样件,进行了静力学测试,并按照发射和在轨两种状态的力学环境进行了动力学试验,测试了隔振器在两种状态下的传递率。试验结果表明,隔振器在发射段准静态载荷作用下可避免出现大变形,并显著改善星载设备的动力学环境。在轨时可有效隔离微振动,将5Hz以上频段受到的扰动幅度下降92%以上。