Systems design of a hybrid sail pole-sitter

This paper presents the preliminary systems design of a pole-sitter. This is a spacecraft that hovers over an Earth pole, creating a platform for full hemispheric observation of the polar regions, as well as direct-link telecommunications. To provide the necessary thrust, a hybrid propulsion system combines a solar sail with a more mature solar electric propulsion (SEP) thruster. Previous work by the authors showed that the combination of the two allows lower propellant mass fractions, at the cost of increased system complexity. This paper compares the pure SEP spacecraft with the hybrid spacecraft in terms of the launch mass necessary to deliver a certain payload for a given mission duration. A mass budget is proposed, and the conditions investigated under which the hybrid sail saves on the initial spacecraft initial mass. It is found that the hybrid spacecraft with near- to mid-term sail technology has a lower initial mass than the SEP case if the mission duration is 7 years or more, with greater benefits for longer duration missions. The hybrid spacecraft with far-term sail technology outperforms the pure SEP case even for short missions.     

Model implementation for dynamic computation of system cost for advanced life support.

Life support system designs for long-duration space missions have a multitude of requirements drivers, such as mission objectives, political considerations, cost, crew wellness, inherent mission attributes, as well as many other influences. Evaluation of requirements satisfaction can be difficult, particularly at an early stage of mission design. Because launch cost is a critical factor and relatively easy to quantify, it is a point of focus in early mission design. The method used to determine launch cost influences the accuracy of the estimate. This paper discusses the appropriateness of dynamic mission simulation in estimating the launch cost of a life support system. This paper also provides an abbreviated example of a dynamic simulation life support model and possible ways in which such a model might be utilized for design improvement.     

Multiple Sun–Earth Saddle Point flybys for LISA Pathfinder

LISA Pathfinder is an ESA mission due to be launched in the next two years. The gravity gradiometer onboard has the sensitivity required to test predictions by gravitational theories proposed as alternatives to Dark Matter such as TeVeS. Within the Solar System measurable effects are predicted only in the vicinity of gravitational saddle points (SP). For this reason it has been proposed to fly LPF by the Earth–Sun SP, at some 259,000 km from Earth. This could be done in an extension to the nominal mission which uses a Lissajous orbit about the Earth–Sun L1 point. The responsibility for LPF mission design lies with ESA/ESOC, who have designed the transfer trajectories, orbits about L1, and station keeping strategies. This article describes an analysis performed by Astrium to support a suggestion for a possible mission extension to a saddle point crossing. With only very limited fuel availability, reaching the saddle point is a significant challenge. In this article, we present recent advances in the work on trajectory design. It is demonstrated that reaching the SP is feasible once the LPF mission is completed. Furthermore, in a significant enhancement, it is demonstrated that trajectories including more than one SP flyby are possible, thus improving the science return for this proposed mission extension.     

Probability of cell hits in selected organs and tissues by high-LET particles at the ISS orbit.

The fluence of high-LET particles (HLP) with LET infinity H2O greater than 15 keV micrometers-1 in selected organs and tissues were measured with plastic nuclear track detectors using a life-size human phantom on the 9th Shuttle-Mir Mission (STS-91). The planar-track fluence of HLP during the 9.8-day mission ranged from 1.9 x 10(3) n cm-2 (bladder) to 5.1 x 10(3) n cm-2 (brain) by a factor of 2.7. Based on these data, a probability of HLP hits to a matured cell of each organ or tissue was roughly estimated for a 90-day ISS mission. In the calculation, all cells were assumed to be spheres with a geometric cross-sectional area of 500 micrometers2 and the cell-hit frequency from isotropic space radiation can be described by the Poisson-distribution function. As results, the probability of one or more than 1 hit to a single cell by HLP for 90 days ranged from 17% to 38%; that of two or more than 2 hits was estimated to be 1.3-8.2%.     

重力卫星星间高精度测距技术研究

卫卫跟踪(SST)技术是当前地球重力场测量最有价值和应用前景的方法之一.高精度星间测距系统是低低卫卫跟踪(SST-ll)重力卫星的关键有效载荷.GRACE卫星携带的K波段测距系统(KBR K Band Ranging System)是一微米量级的测距系统,通过处理高精度的星间距离和距离变化率数据,可以恢复出地球重力场.GRACE后续计划又提出了一种更高精度的激光干涉测距系统.在研究KBR及激光干涉测距系统测量原理的基础上,提出了一种KBR系统的基本结构,详细分析了两种测距系统的关键技术及国内目前的研究水平,提出了我国开展星间测距系统研究的一些建议.      

Practical guidelines for electro-dynamic tethers to survive from orbital debris impacts

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has proposed an active debris removal using electro-dynamic tether to reduce large space debris in the low-Earth orbit. However, a tether strand is thin but long enough to have a large area so that it is vulnerable to small particles. This vulnerability might be the weakest point of a tether system against orbital debris. In order to overcome this weakest point, a double tether system, in which two tether strands are tied together at even intervals to form equally spaced loops, has been suggested as one of the promising candidates. This paper provides a mathematical approach to estimate the survival probability of a double tether system and then apply the approach to evaluate the mission success rate of the active debris removal using electro-dynamic tether that JAXA has proposed. It can be concluded the countermeasure to get enough success rate can be obtained. The result is simulated for Advanced Earth Observing Satellite II (ADEOS-II) re-entry from 800 km sun synchronized orbit to atmosphere. The simulation shows that mission success rate over 90% can be obtained with number of loops over 1000 and 10 mm clearance between two strands.     

Prototype design and testing of a Venus long duration,high altitude balloon

This paper describes the design, fabrication and testing of a full scale prototype balloon intended for long duration flight in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The balloon is 5.5 m in diameter and is designed to carry a 45 kg payload at an altitude of 55 km. The balloon material is a 180 g/m² multi-component laminate comprised of the following layers bonded together from outside to inside: aluminized Teflon film, aluminized Mylar film, Vectran fabric and a polyurethane coating. This construction provides the required balloon functional characteristics of low gas permeability, sulfuric acid resistance and high strength for superpressure operation. The design burst superpressure is 39,200 Pa which is predicted to be 3.3 times the worst case value expected during flight at the highest solar irradiance in the mission profile. The prototype is constructed from 16 gores with bi-taped seams employing a sulfuric acid resistant adhesive on the outside. Material coupon tests were performed to evaluate the optical and mechanical characteristics of the laminate. These were followed by full prototype tests for inflation, leakage and sulfuric acid tolerance. The results confirmed the suitability of this balloon design for use at Venus in a long duration mission. The various data are presented and the implications for mission design and operation are discussed.     

Economic assessment of high-thrust and solar-sail propulsion for near-earth asteroid mining

Asteroid mining has the potential to greatly reduce the cost of in-space manufacturing, production of propellant for space transportation and consumables for crewed spacecraft, compared to launching the required resources from the Earth’s deep gravity well. This paper discusses the top-level mission architecture and trajectory design for these resource-return missions, comparing high-thrust trajectories with continuous low-thrust solar-sail trajectories. The paper focuses on maximizing the economic Net Present Value, which takes the time-cost of finance into account and therefore balances the returned resource mass and mission duration. The different propulsion methods are compared in terms of maximum economic return and sets of attainable target asteroids. Results for transporting resources to geostationary orbit show that the orbital parameter hyperspace of suitable target asteroids is considerably larger for solar sails, allowing for more flexibility in selecting potential target asteroids. Also, results show that the Net Present Value that can be realized is larger when employing solar sailing instead of chemical propulsion. In addition, it is demonstrated that a higher Net Present Value can be realized when transporting volatiles to the Lunar Gateway instead of geostationary orbit. The paper provides one more step towards making commercial asteroid mining an economically viable reality by integrating trajectory design, propulsion technology and economic modelling.     

Preliminary mission profile of Hera’s Milani CubeSat

CubeSats offer a flexible and low-cost option to increase the scientific and technological return of small-body exploration missions. ESA’s Hera mission, the European component of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) international collaboration, plans on deploying two CubeSats in the proximity of binary system 65803 Didymos, after arrival in 2027. In this work, we discuss the feasibility and preliminary mission profile of Hera’s Milani CubeSat. The CubeSat mission is designed to achieve both scientific and technological objectives. We identify the design challenges and discuss design criteria to find suitable solutions in terms of mission analysis, operational trajectories, and Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) design. We present initial trajectories and GNC baseline, as a result of trade-off analyses. We assess the feasibility of the Milani CubeSat mission and provide a preliminary solution to cover the operational mission profile of Milani in the close-proximity of Didymos system.     

面向任务的单武器系统平均修复时间模型

平均修复时间(MTTR,Mean Time To Repair)作为一个重要的维修性定量指标,目前其预计方法及算法立足于大量的试验结果和经验估计.通过对任务—装备—维修组成的面向任务的队列模型的研究,将任务需求、武器系统的可靠性及维修性综合考虑,针对故障率和修复率均服从指数分布的可修系统,建立了一种基于M/G/1可修排队模型的武器系统MTTR的模型,并给出了定量预计方法.此模型符合基于可靠性基础上的维修理论的基本结论,避免了设计初期对大量维修统计数据的依赖,为订购方在装备采购中提出维修性定量的要求提供了依据.      

基于三体系统平动点轨道的环日全景任务轨道设计

在空间开展太阳观测是研究太阳活动周、太阳爆发、极端天气等事件起源的重要手段。环日全景探测计划是为实现从黄道面360°全方位观察太阳行星际空间而提出的。本文针对环日全景探测计划,构建了基于三体系统平动点低能量轨道的环日全景轨道部署方法。该方法以日–地L1/L2点Halo轨道幅值及Halo轨道离轨点为变量,以转移轨道飞行时间、入轨机动大小为评价指标,基于三体系统不变流形构建环日全景的转移轨道,并开展轨道优化设计。采用等高线图对设计变量及任务成本进行全局分析。仿真计算表明,轨道部署无法同时满足飞行时间最短与入轨机动最小的要求。设计了轨道机动约束条件下的最优飞行时间解,并给出了基于长三甲运载火箭的一箭双星发射及入轨方案。      

“嫦娥4号”中继星任务分析与系统设计

作为"嫦娥4号"任务的重要组成部分,中继星将为着陆器和巡视器提供中继通信支持。不同于其它月球探测器,中继星首次选择了绕地月L2平动点运行的晕(Halo)轨道以保证对月球背面的着陆器和巡视器提供连续的中继通信服务,面临诸多技术挑战。在对中继星任务特点进行分析的基础上,梳理了研制中的技术难题,包括使命轨道的选择、使命轨道的到达和长期维持、中继通信体制选择等,并提出了解决方案。中继星的总体设计方案概述也在文中给出。     

Solar sailing in realistic mode,based on a locally-optimal control laws

Ballistic design of solar sailing missions in the solar system is composed of defining the design parameters, the control programs, and the trajectories that provide performance goals of a flight. The use of a solar sail spacecraft imposes specific restrictions on mission parameters that include the degradation limit on the flight duration, the maximum temperature of solar sail's surface, the minimum distance from the Sun, the maximum angular velocity of the spacecraft's rotation and others.Many authors considered the impact of these restrictions on the design of the mission separately, but they used a sophisticated method of finding the exact optimal motion control or applied the most straightforward laws of motion control. This paper uses local-optimal control laws at the complete mathematical models of motion and functioning of solar sail spacecraft to describe a technique of designing interplanetary missions. The described method avoids the need to obtain an accurate optimal solution to the control problem and does not cause significant computational difficulties.     

Mission planning optimization of video satellite for ground multi-object staring imaging

This study investigates the emergency scheduling problem of ground multi-object staring imaging for a single video satellite. In the proposed mission scenario, the ground objects require a specified duration of staring imaging by the video satellite. The planning horizon is not long, i.e., it is usually shorter than one orbit period. A binary decision variable and the imaging order are used as the design variables, and the total observation revenue combined with the influence of the total attitude maneuvering time is regarded as the optimization objective. Based on the constraints of the observation time windows, satellite attitude adjustment time, and satellite maneuverability, a constraint satisfaction mission planning model is established for ground object staring imaging by a single video satellite. Further, a modified ant colony optimization algorithm with tabu lists (Tabu-ACO) is designed to solve this problem. The proposed algorithm can fully exploit the intelligence and local search ability of ACO. Based on full consideration of the mission characteristics, the design of the tabu lists can reduce the search range of ACO and improve the algorithm efficiency significantly. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the conventional algorithm in terms of optimization performance, and it can obtain satisfactory scheduling results for the mission planning problem.     

The VESTA project: Combined studies of Mars and small bodies of the solar system

A mission to Mars and small solar system bodies is presently studied as a possible collaboration between INTERCOSMOS, CNES, ESA and eventually other participants. The VESTA concept, based on the same strategy as the successful VEGA mission, is more ambitious, as two spacecrafts separate soon after launch: a soviet spacecraft, dedicated to the study of Mars, and a spacecraft dedicated to the study of small bodies, under the responsibility of CNES and ESA. This spacecraft would use Mars gravity assists to visit up to 4 small bodies in less than 5 years. The mission is duplicated, which means that up to 8 small bodies could be studied (e.g. 6 main belt asteroids, 1 apollo-amor asteroid and 1 short period comet). Low relative velocities (< 3.5 km/s) should allow to drop a penetrator on two large main belt asteroids, such as 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres (1994 launch).     

miniSAR卫星精密参考轨道设计

为满足轻小型合成孔径雷达(miniSAR)卫星干涉测量任务对空间基线的要求,通过分析卫星参考轨道特性,建立了一套精密参考轨道设计算法。所建算法以miniSAR卫星成功入轨后的一组定轨数据及根据参考轨道特性解析得到的参考轨道预估值为输入,基于仅考虑中心天体非球形高阶引力摄动的轨道外推模型、Eckstein-Hechler平根模型及嵌套式迭代修正方法,设计输出其任务周期内使用的参考轨道。数值实验表明:所建算法设计的参考轨道生成的参考轨迹在三维空间的回归精度优于0.01 m,满足实际工程应用需求。      

深空测控网干涉测量系统在“鹊桥”任务中的应用分析

在"嫦娥4号"任务的第一阶段—"鹊桥"阶段,北京航天飞行控制中心利用佳木斯及喀什深空站对"鹊桥"进行了干涉测量观测,获取了实时与事后的高精度测角观测量,有效支持了任务的实施。两深空站需同时完成测控任务,无法交替射电源观测来进行系统差标校,基于此系统采用了长时间隔、在航天器观测前及双站结束后观测射电源的标校方法,在地月转移段、月球至L2转移段、Halo轨道形成段开展了多次干涉测量观测,所获得的时延、时延率结果直接应用于事后联合轨道确定,结果表明:深空网的时延观测精度约为3 ns。     

A gas management system for an ultra long duration Titan blimp

This paper presents analyses, designs and experimental results for the gas management system of a hydrogen-filled blimp capable of flying in the lower atmosphere of Titan for a period of 1 year or more. The engineering strategy has two basic elements: first, to minimize leakage rates from the blimp envelope and ballonets; and second, to provide auxiliary subsystems to mitigate the life-limiting effects resulting from those leaks. Leak minimization is achieved through use of cryogenically compatible balloon materials and adhesives, and selection of ballonet geometries that minimize pinhole generation via folding and material fatigue. Hydrogen loss to the environment through leaks in the blimp envelope is compensated by producing new hydrogen through chemical processing of atmospheric methane. Nitrogen leaked into the blimp from the ballonets is removed by a carbon absorption system and periodically vented to the atmosphere. Data is presented on the measured leak rate from a full scale (13 m long) prototype blimp envelope and on the performance of a low mass, low power prototype device that generates hydrogen from methane. These results are factored in to an overall system design that quantifies the mass and power requirements for a minimum 1 year operational lifetime.     

载人火星探测飞行方案

对世界各国载人火星探测的研究情况进行了简要综述,研究了国内外有关载人火星探测飞行方案,提出了载人火星探测方案确定的原则和方案基本思想.给出了一种载人火星探测飞行方案的总体设计,包括飞行轨道方案和载人火星飞船方案等.尤其对轨道设计的重要的两个参数——速度增量和飞行时间进行了详细计算.最后给出了飞行轨道选择、火星飞船从地球到火星和从火星返回地球等的轨道方案和火星飞船各组成部分方案的详细设计结果.