L׳ADROIT – A spaceborne ultraviolet laser system for space debris clearing

Small (1–10 cm) debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are extremely dangerous, because they spread the breakup cascade. Pulsed laser active debris removal using laser ablation jets on target is the most cost-effective way to re-enter the small debris. No other solutions address the whole problem of large (~100 cm, 1 t) as well as small debris. Physical removal of small debris (by nets, tethers and so on) is uneconomical because of the energy cost of matching orbits. In this paper, we present a completely new proposal relative to our earlier work. This new approach uses rapid, head-on interaction in 10–40 s rather than 4 minutes, using 20–40 kW bursts of 100 ps, 355 nm UV pulses from a 1.5 m diameter aperture on a space-based station in LEO. The station employs “heat-capacity” laser mode with low duty cycle to create an adaptable, robust, dual-mode system which can lower or raise large derelict objects into less dangerous orbits, as well as clear out the small debris in a 400-km thick LEO band. Time-average laser optical power is less than 15 kW. The combination of short pulses and UV wavelength gives lower required fluence on target as well as higher momentum coupling coefficient. An orbiting system can have short range because of high interaction rate deriving from its velocity through the debris field. This leads to much smaller mirrors and lower average power than the ground-based systems we have considered previously. Our system also permits strong defense of specific assets. Analysis gives an estimated cost less than $1 k each to re-enter most small debris in a few months, and about 280 k$ each to raise or lower 1-ton objects by 40 km. We believe it can do this for 2000 such large objects in about four years. Laser ablation is one of the few interactions in nature that propel a distant object without any significant reaction on the source.     

激光驱动接力移除空间碎片的小卫星星座及可行性研究

在众多空间碎片移除技术中，天基激光烧蚀驱动是一种高效的、有广阔应用前景的移除技术，特别是针对移除海量的、尺寸在1~10 cm的危险碎片而言，更是具有独特优势。然而，这一技术对高能激光器单脉冲能量、光束质量、发射镜口径等要求很高，目前的硬件水平还达不到实用指标要求，制约了其天基应用。为了克服这些硬件技术障碍，本文另辟蹊径，利用小卫星概念，提出了由不同轨道高度小卫星平台组成小卫星星座，通过在每个小卫星平台上的激光驱动接力来逐步降低碎片轨道高度，最终达到移除空间碎片的小卫星接力移除星座的构想。基于现有的激光器性能参数，根据激光烧蚀驱动碎片动力学模型计算了单个卫星平台的移除能力，结果显示，10 J单脉冲能量激光器和0.5 m直径发射镜，能够对20 km范围内、尺寸小于10 cm碎片进行有效驱动。进而，针对空间碎片密集度高而应用最广的800 km轨道高度区域，设计了由分布在不同轨道高度的30颗小卫星组成接力驱动移除星座系统方案，通过仿真模拟计算验证了星座系统的移除碎片的可行性。该研究利用目前热门的小卫星星座，降低了天基激光移除空间碎片技术对硬件的性能要求，为该技术的应用提供了新的思路和途径，所提出的小卫星接力驱动星座系统方案也有工程参考价值。     

地基激光测距系统观测空间碎片进展

卫星激光测距作为地基光电望远镜系统重要技术应用,可直接精确测量空间碎片距离,提升碎片目标轨道监测精度。基于上海天文台60 cm口径激光测距望远镜,应用百赫兹重复率高功率激光器、高效率激光信号探测系统等,建立了空间碎片激光测距系统,实现了对距离500~2600 km、截面积0.3~20 m2的碎片目标观测,测距精度优于1 m,具备了碎片目标常规测量与应用能力。此外,开展了空间目标白天监视技术研究,实现了亮于6星等恒星的白天观测,并进行了望远镜局部指向误差模型分析,分析结果可应用于空间碎片白天激光观测的目标监视与引导。     

天基激光清除空间碎片方案与可行性研究

介绍了激光烧蚀驱动机理和空间碎片降轨清除原理,通过分析计算确立了空间碎片降轨清除判据和2 种降轨清除模式。理论计算给出了清除1200、800 和500 km 三个典型低地球轨道上空间碎片所必须的速度增量、激光器功率、单脉冲能量、激光发射镜直径等主要参数值。对比分析显示现有的硬件指标和条件能够满足清除低地球轨道上空间碎片的设计要求,因此,天基激光清除空间碎片方案从技术角度是可行的。     

A space based radar on a micro-satellite for in-situ detection of small orbital debris

The increase in the number of satellites in the Near Earth Orbit is exponential. The consequent increase in pollution of the orbital environment is of growing concern to the international community. There are currently only two observation systems available for measurement of orbital debris. Ground based radar and telescopes can detect objects larger than about 7 cm. Passive space based systems provide an accurate statistical estimation of flux for debris smaller than about 0.1 mm in size. Consequently, there is no way of obtaining information about debris in the millimeter-size range. Considering that the relative speed between objects in space is commonly in the km/s range, millimeter sized debris carry enough energy to be deadly to astronauts or to totally destroy the functioning of any satellite. Then National space agencies have recommended launching orbital spacecraft carrying debris detection experiments for gaining a better understanding of small debris.CNES (the French Space Agency) is developing a new family of micro-satellites, that will make possible to put into orbit a totally new system of radar that could measure in-situ flux of debris. We present results of this system analysis, which would cumulate the advantages of both ground-based radar and in orbit passive experiments.The proposed method for detection is quite original and allows the radar to act like a band-pass filter with respect to the debris diameter. The optimum frequency is shown to be in the Ka-band. Two points are critical in the definition of the radar: the average power available and the false alarm probability in the detection criterion. Therefore, we present a special receiver chain in order to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. The estimate of the radial velocity through Doppler frequency measurement may be used to discriminate orbital debris from meteoroids. This system could be built today using an existing Continuous Wave amplifier. Several hundreds of objects per year could be detected yielding an accurate statistical estimation.The orbital debris radar would be a major contribution to our knowledge of millimeter sized debris. This experiment would contribute to making the current models more accurate at all inclinations. The micro-satellite concept would make the orbital debris radar mission cheap enough for considering a constellation of such satellites.     

Potential of laser-induced ablation for future space applications

This paper surveys recent and current advancements of laser-induced ablation technology for space-based applications and discusses ways of bringing such applications to fruition. Laser ablation is achieved by illuminating a given material with a laser light source. The high surface power densities provided by the laser enable the illuminated material to sublimate and ablate. Possible applications include the deflection of Near Earth Objects – asteroids and comets – from an Earth-impacting event, the vaporisation of space structures and debris, the mineral and material extraction of asteroids and/or as an energy source for future propulsion systems. This paper will discuss each application and the technological advancements that are required to make laser-induced ablation a practical process for use within the space arena. Particular improvements include the efficiency of high power lasers, the collimation of the laser beam (including beam quality) and the power conversion process. These key technological improvements are seen as strategic and merit greater political and commercial support.     

Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Space solar power shows great promise for future energy sources worldwide. Most central power stations operate with power capacity of 1000 MW or greater. Due to launch size limitations and specific power of current, rigid solar arrays, the largest solar arrays that have flown in space are around 50 kW. Thin-film arrays offer the promise of much higher specific power and deployment of array sizes up to several MW with current launch vehicles. An approach to early commercial applications for space solar power to distribute power to charge hand-held, mobile battery systems by wireless power transmission (WPT) from thin-film solar arrays in quasi-stationary orbits will be presented. Four key elements to this prototype will be discussed: (1) Space and near-space testing of prototype wireless power transmission by laser and microwave components including WPT space to space and WPT space to near-space HAA transmission demonstrations; (2) distributed power source for recharging hand-held batteries by wireless power transmission from MW space solar power systems; (3) use of quasi-geostationary satellites to generate electricity and distribute it to targeted areas; and (4) architecture and technology for ultra-lightweight thin-film solar arrays with specific energy exceeding 1 kW/kg. This approach would yield flight demonstration of space solar power and wireless power transmission of 1.2 MW. This prototype system will be described, and a roadmap will be presented that will lead to still higher power levels.     

激光驱动典型几何形状碎片运动建模研究

在以往的激光烧蚀驱动移除空间碎片研究中,均假设激光光束覆盖整个所关注的空间碎片。文章提出了焦斑式激光辐照下球体、圆柱体和立方体碎片反喷冲量和运动姿态的计算模型,研究了激光辐照在3种形状碎片不同位置处所产生的反喷冲量和姿态变化规律。结果表明:碎片运动规律与碎片几何形状和激光作用位置有关,当反喷冲量过质心时,碎片获得平动冲量;不过质心时,则会改变碎片的角速度或姿态。研究结果可为激光移除空间碎片研究提供理论参考。     

天基激光驱动空间碎片降轨效果仿真研究

在当前天基激光移除碎片方案设计中,通常采用k J级高能激光器、100 m/s大速度增量和简单降轨模型计算移除系统参数,然而k J级天基高能激光器尚未实现。文章基于目前实验室现有的J级激光器水平,参考现阶段碎片移除方案,针对特定区域的目标空间碎片,结合碎片轨道特性信息建立降轨模型,仿真研究目标碎片在低能量天基激光驱动下的运动过程和降轨效果,分析了影响目标碎片降轨效果的因素。对部署在500 km轨道高度的天基平台移除附近碎片的仿真结果表明,速度增量和降轨高度的变化具有累积效应,提高频率、增大有效作用距离等可延长激光烧蚀驱动时间,进而增强碎片降轨效果。分析表明,J级小能量激光器通过长时间的烧蚀,也可有效驱动和移除1~10 cm碎片。     

模块航天器间激光无线能量传输系统方案设想

模块化航天器是未来航天器发展的重要方向,模块航天器之间的能量传输是实现模块化功能应用的关键技术。文章针对模块化航天器系统能量分配需求,对无线激光能量传输技术进行了研究。阐述了无线激光能量传输系统的功能组成,建立了系统框架模型,分析了系统的关键技术,并对系统各组成模块进行了初步设计。在此基础上对激光传能系统进行了试验验证,获得了理想的光电转换效率。文章的研究成果可为我国模块航天器的发展提供技术支持。     

Evaluation of a satellite constellation for active debris removal

This paper analyzes an example of a three-dimensional constellation of debris removal satellites and proposes an effective constellation using a delta-V analysis that discusses the advisability of rendezvousing satellites with space debris. Lambert?s Equation was used to establish a means of analysis to construct a constellation of debris removal satellites, which has a limit of delta-V injection by evaluating the amount of space debris that can be rendezvoused by a certain number of removal satellite. Consequently, we determine a constellation of up to 38 removal satellites for debris removal, where the number of space debris rendezvoused by a single removal satellite is not more than 25, removing up to 584 pieces of debris total. Even if we prepare 38 removal satellites in their respective orbits, it is impossible to remove all of the space debris. Although many removal satellites, over 100 for example, can remove most of the space debris, this method is economically disproportionate. However, we can also see the removal satellites are distributed nearly evenly. Accordingly, we propose a practical two-stage strategy. The first stage is to implement emergent debris removal with the 38 removal satellites. When we find a very high probability of collision between a working satellite and space debris, one of the removal satellites in the constellation previously constructed in orbit initiates a maneuver of emergent debris removal. The second stage is a long-term space debris removal strategy to suppress the increase of space debris derived from collisions among the pieces of space debris. The constellation analyzed in this paper, which consists of the first 38 removal satellites, can remove half of the over 1000 dangerous space debris among others, and then the constellation increases the number of the following removal satellites in steps. At any rate, an adequate orbital configuration and constellation form is very important for both space debris removal and economic efficiency. Though the size of constellation of debris removal satellites would be small originally, such a constellation of satellites should be one of the initial constellations of removal satellites to ensure the safety of the future orbital environment.     

空间碎片环境现状与主动移除技术

概述了空间碎片环境现状和对航天活动的影响,讨论了空间碎片主动移除对保持空间碎片环境稳定的必要性。空间碎片研究重心先从防护转向减缓,再转到主动移除,最终是清洁空间。评述了空间碎片主动移除技术现状,指出天基激光主动移除空间碎片技术具有很好的工程应用潜力。     

光敏推进剂激光烧蚀过程建模与仿真

相较于传统大卫星,微小卫星具有结构紧凑、质量轻便和成本低廉的特点。然而,受功率和质量负载的限制,微小卫星一般不装备推进系统,其航线也局限于近地轨道。为扩展微小卫星的功能,满足日益复杂的任务需求,需给其配备合适的微推进系统。固体推进系统具有结构简单、寿命长、可靠性高的优点,但无法重复启动。为得到可重复启动的固体微推进系统,设计了一种非自持燃烧的光敏推进剂,采用激光控制其燃烧。在背压为大气压的环境下,利用高速摄像机拍摄燃烧过程并记录燃速。之后,对光敏推进剂的激光烧蚀过程进行建模。分析结果表明:激光可控制光敏推进剂的燃烧,燃速与激光强度成线性关系;该光敏推进剂的最小激光点火强度为0.28 W/mm~2;燃速计算值与实测值的误差在10%以内,证明该数学模型具备工程应用价值。     

激光有源干扰的防御措施

激光有源干扰是目前光电干扰领域发展的热点,如何对其实现成功防御是一个重要课题。主要讨论了激光有源干扰的各种防御措施,重点是激光测距机和半主动激光制导武器的抗干扰措施、激光防护器材的防护原理以及新体制导弹的强激光防护技术。     

Passive optical detection of submillimeter and millimeter size space debris in low Earth orbit

Understanding of the space debris environment and accuracy of its observation-validated models are essential for optimal design and safe operation of satellite systems. Existing ground-based optical telescopes and radars are not capable of observing debris smaller than several millimeters in size. A new experimental and instrumental approach – the space-based Local Orbital Debris Environment (LODE) detector – aims at in situ measuring of debris with sizes from 0.2–10 mm near the satellite orbit. The LODE concept relies on a passive optical photon-counting time-tagging imaging system detecting solar photons (in the visible spectral range) reflected by debris crossing the sensor field of view. In contrast, prior feasibility studies of space-based optical sensors considered frame detectors in the focal plane. The article describes the new experimental concept, discusses top-level system parameters and design tradeoffs, outlines an approach to identifying and extracting rare debris detection events from the background, and presents an example of performance characteristics of a LODE sensor with a 6-cm diameter aperture. The article concludes with a discussion of possible sensor applications on satellites.     

两种激光烧蚀微推力器工作模式的讨论

激光烧蚀微推力器技术是激光推进技术最有可能率先实现工程应用的技术研究方向。作为一种新型的空间推进领域电推进推力器技术,以其系统集成度较高、电功耗较低、冲量元精准等优势特性,在推进性能和系统集成等方面形成鲜明的特色,对于多种空间推进任务具备潜在的应用价值。以激光烧蚀微推力器发展历程为背景,总结提炼当前推力器技术发展趋势,提出了激光烧蚀微推力器目前最具研究价值的两种工作模式,分别对高低比冲两种不同工作模式进行了性能分析和比对,对激光烧蚀微推力器应用前景进行了展望,最后给出了进一步研究的建议。     

Biobjective planning of an active debris removal mission

The growth of the orbital debris population has been a concern to the international space community for several years. Recent studies have shown that the debris environment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO, defined as the region up to 2000 km altitude) has reached a point where the debris population will continue to increase even if all future launches are suspended. As the orbits of these objects often overlap the trajectories of satellites, debris create a potential collision risk. However, several studies show that about 5 objects per year should be removed in order to keep the future LEO environment stable. In this article, we propose a biobjective time dependent traveling salesman problem (BiTDTSP) model for the problem of optimally removing debris and use a branch and bound approach to deal with it.     

On the capabilities of nano electrokinetic thrusters for space propulsion

A theoretical analysis considering the capabilities of nano electrokinetic thrusters for space propulsion is presented. The work describes an electro-hydro-dynamic model of the electrokinetic flow in nano-channels and represents the first attempt to exploit the advantages of the electrokinetic effect as the basis for a new class of nano-scale thrusters suitable for space propulsion. Among such advantages are their small volume, fundamental simplicity, overall low mass, and actuation efficiency. Their electrokinetic efficiency is affected by the slip length, surface charge, pH and molarity. These design variables are analyzed and optimized for the highest electrokinetic performance inside nano-channels. The optimization is done for power consumption, thrust and specific impulse resulting in high theoretical efficiency ∼99% with corresponding high thrust-to-power ratios. Performance curves are obtained for the electrokinetic design variables showing that high molarity electrolytes lead to high thrust and specific impulse values, whereas low molarities provide highest thrust-to-power ratios and efficiencies. A theoretically designed 100 nm wide by 1 μm long emitter optimized using the ideal performance charts developed would deliver thrusts from 5 to 43 μN, specific impulse from 60 to 210 s, and would have power consumption between 1–15 mW. It should be noted that although this is a detail analytical analysis no prototypes exist and any future experimental work will face challenges that could affect the final performance. By designing an array composed of thousands of these single electrokinetic emitters, it would result in a flexible and scalable propulsion system capable of providing a wide range of thrust control for different mission scenarios and maintaining very high efficiencies and thrust-to-power ratio by varying the number of emitters in use at any one time.     

三维机织复合材料纤维体积含量计算方法

三维机织复合材料的纤维体积含量是一个表征其性能的重要指标,目前尚无确切的检测标准可依。文中阐述了适用于三维机织复合材料纤维体积含量测定的3种新方法：称量法、理论模型法、数字图像分析法。分析了每一种方法的适用范围,并指出数字图像分析法是今后的发展方向。     

空间激光通信网络中的全光数据合路技术研究

针对空间激光通信网络接入节点多路激光链路传输需求，基于高非线性光纤中四波混频参量效应，并结合色散控制，开展全光合路处理技术研究。采用VPI 10.0模拟平台构建了时间透镜全光合路系统，验证了4路速率为10 Gbps的差分相移键控DPSK（Differential Phase Shift Keying）信号光以及通断键控调制OOK（On-Off Keying）和DPSK混合制式信号光的全光合路可行性，并对全光合路技术实现中色散、光功率等关键参数对系统性能的影响进行了分析，为实际系统的设计和应用提供数据支撑。所提出的全光合路技术具有数据处理带宽大、通信制式兼容且系统复杂度低等优点，可有效降低空间激光通信网络的资源需求与载荷成本，为下一代空间激光骨干网的发展与全面应用提供有效技术支撑。