面向立方星变轨任务的机动控制策略

为了实现立方星在轨飞行与变轨,基于模块化推进器系统提出混合控制策略实现微小卫星轨道持续变化任务需求。首先,针对多单元立方星单一主推进器的结构部署,基于高斯变分方程采用连续低推进力实现轨道机动变化。为了实现对立方星主推进器的指向调整,基于姿态动力学模型利用PD连续姿态控制求得所需扭矩,实现对立方星的指向角和指向角速度调节。针对配置的微脉冲等离子推进器(μ-PPT)不连续的特点,通过搜寻μ PPT最优脉冲序列组合获得实际扭矩,满足对外部干扰的持续补偿以及立方星的姿态稳定和指向调整操作需求。此外,引入姿态误差敏感度阈值,使姿态控制器在能够提高系统鲁棒性的同时减少μ-PPT消耗。最后,通过对3U立方星在轨飞行与变轨的具体案例分析,表明所提出的基于微推进器系统的混合控制策略能够实现立方星轨道机动变化需求。     

离轴反射式星敏感器地面标定设备光学系统设计

在星敏感器随航天器升空完成姿态测量任务之前,需在地面对其进行标定试验.为满足星敏感器更高精度标定要求,针对常规地面标定设备光学结构在应对大口径、长焦距、宽光谱需求时存在的弊端,设计了一种离轴光管作为准直光学系统,研究了离轴光管装调方法,并对像质进行了评价.重点研究了一套照明系统对星点亮度进行精确控制,采用LED阵列式背光板为光源,并利用照度计对光源亮度进行多次测试,测得的数据表明可对7个连续星等进行模拟,相邻星等间亮度模拟误差小于0.8%.所设计的光学系统可为研制深空探测星敏感器提供地面标定基础.      

空间绳系拖拽系统摆动特性与平稳控制

考虑了任务星与废星的姿态运动以及系统组合体的面内外姿态运动,建立了绳系拖拽离轨系统动力学与控制模型,以切向常值推力下绳系拖拽轨道转移为任务过程,分析了任务星在喷气和零动量轮的限制姿态反馈控制条件下飞行时,废星姿态摆动、系统组合体面内外摆动和任务星姿态运动的规律及相互影响关系。采用留位和阻尼控制相结合的系绳张力复合控制方法,并结合任务星姿态控制,确保绳系拖拽转移安全平稳进行。仿真结果表明:常值推力下绳系拖拽轨道转移时,牵挂点偏置诱发的废星姿态周期性摆动会激发绳系组合体的面内外同频率高阶摆动,星体姿态运动是任务星姿态扰动力矩产生的主要因素;采用张力复合控制可有效消除废星姿态摆动并保持星间相对距离,结合任务星姿态控制,可实现离轨过程的平稳与安全,大幅减少任务星的姿控能耗。      

一种基于李群描述的深空探测器姿态估计方法

针对深空探测器姿态估计问题,提出了一种基于星敏感器的深空飞行器姿态估计新型算法,用李群替代了传统的四元数来描述姿态,避免了四元数转换为姿态矩阵产生的非唯一性和复杂计算等问题。该算法给出了基于星敏感器的姿态观测方程和空间中刚体的运动学模型在李群下的描述并提出了一种基于李群的滤波算法,完成了深空飞行器动态姿态的确定。该线性化模型解决了传统非线性模型在滤波过程中产生的误差,同时省去了四元数转化为姿态矩阵的步骤,减少了计算量。最后,仿真实验中对比了传统的基于四元数的姿态确定算法,可以看出该算法具有更好的稳定性和准确性。     

深空星间链路信道建模及硬件模拟器研制

针对深空通信信道距离长、信噪比低、链路损耗巨大等特点，提出了太阳闪烁与多径效应影响下的深空星间链路信道理论模型。在此基础上，构建了一个基于硬件现场可编程门阵列和控制计算机的深空星间链路信道模拟器，有效模拟了深空星间通信的多径衰落、传播路径损耗和信道延迟，规避了投入高、风险高、耗时长的实地通信实验。实测结果表明，该深空星间链路模拟器输出的载噪比及误比特率波形与理论结果吻合，可用于实验室条件下对深空星间链路的实时模拟复现。     

星载立体测绘相机立方镜间姿态标定

介绍了测绘相机立方镜与星敏感器立方镜间坐标系转换关系的标定方法。采用4台自准直经纬仪分别对两个立方镜进行准直测量,建立立方镜坐标系,并推导了基于准直测量角度的立方镜坐标系的旋转矩阵公式;利用经纬仪间短边互瞄方法实现两个立方镜间姿态的传递。标定试验表明,该方法可以标定出两立方镜坐标轴间夹角以及测绘相机间的姿态关系,满足了相机研制要求。     

基于干扰补偿的导弹增量式动态逆容错控制方法

针对导弹飞控系统存在外部干扰、执行机构故障等问题,本文运用一种鲁棒增量式动态逆被动容错控制方法,以避免主动故障诊断带来的计算效率问题,同时实现飞行姿态的可靠安全控制。针对外部干扰及执行机构故障等控制系统不确定性,建立导弹三通道姿态控制模型,基于干扰观测器对不确定性进行估计与补偿设计终端滑模控制律。为进一步增强导弹姿态控制系统的鲁棒性,给出导弹增量式动态逆容错控制律,结合终端滑模控制设计干扰补偿的增量式动态逆终端滑模控制律,并对系统残差进行分析比较。某典型全弹道姿态跟踪任务仿真表明,该方法在故障未知的情况下仍然保持姿态跟踪特性与容错能力,实现导弹姿态鲁棒精准快速控制。     

小型旋翼无人机潜射控制器设计

小型旋翼无人机在潜射过程中的弹射和姿态控制直接影响着潜射工程任务的成败。针对小型旋翼无人机在潜射过程中姿态难以快速调整、发射初始姿态易受海浪干扰等问题,提出一种无人机潜射系统的控制方案。采用带有矢量控制的助推火箭来调整无人机在发射段的姿态,并通过海浪预测模型优化无人机发射时间窗口;针对小型旋翼无人机在弹出后旋翼展开时的姿态不稳定问题,采用基于L1自适应控制方法的姿态控制律进行无人机的增稳设计。仿真结果表明:助推火箭的矢量控制发动机能够在2s内快速调整无人机的俯仰姿态,设计的L1自适应姿态控制律能够在无人机旋翼展开的2s内实现俯仰姿态的稳定控制,并且对潜射场景中气动参数的不确定变化具有一定的鲁棒性。      

多视场低磁星敏感器及其在磁测卫星中的应用

下一代地磁导航等空间任务对地球磁场测量卫星提出了迫切的需求, 高精度地磁场测量卫星需要极高的姿态测量精度和空间剩磁环境, 对星敏感器提出了新的要求。针对这一需求, 研究了低剩磁高精度星敏感器的改进设计方法。采用三视场分体结构设计,提高了数据更新率,通过数据融合提高了姿态确定精度,同时对光学头部进行了精细化降剩磁设计。仿真和测试结果表明,改进的星敏感器设计方法能够实现较低的剩磁和较高的定姿精度, 满足地磁场测量卫星的应用需求, 具有较高的应用价值。     

基于事件触发的航天器姿态自适应容错控制

针对航天器通信和计算资源约束以及执行器故障场景下的姿态控制问题，提出了一种基于事件触发的航天器姿态自适应容错控制策略。首先，采用自适应方法估计故障信息、外界扰动等系统中未知参数，并引入事件触发机制，在执行器故障下实现容错控制的同时，节约星载计算机的计算资源。然后，基于李雅普诺夫方法证明了所提出的控制策略保证了闭环系统状态全局一致且最终有界稳定，并能有效避免Zeno现象，保证了执行器故障场景下对姿态的精确控制。最后，应用于航天器的姿态稳定试验，仿真结果验证了该方法的有效性。     

Deorbiter CubeSat mission design

This paper presents the mission design for a CubeSat-based active debris removal approach intended for transferring sizable debris objects from low-Earth orbit to a deorbit altitude of 100 km. The mission consists of a mothership spacecraft that carries and deploys several debris-removing nanosatellites, called Deorbiter CubeSats. Each Deorbiter is designed based on the utilization of an eight-unit CubeSat form factor and commercially-available components with significant flight heritage. The mothership spacecraft delivers Deorbiter CubeSats to the vicinity of a predetermined target debris, through performing a long-range rendezvous maneuver. Through a formation flying maneuver, the mothership then performs in-situ measurements of debris shape and orbital state. Upon release from the mothership, each Deorbiter CubeSat proceeds to performing a rendezvous and attachment maneuver with a debris object. Once attached to the debris, the CubeSat performs a detumbling maneuver, by which the residual angular momentum of the CubeSat-debris system is dumped using Deorbiter’s onboard reaction wheels. After stabilizing the attitude motion of the combined Deorbiter-debris system, the CubeSat proceeds to performing a deorbiting maneuver, i.e., reducing system’s altitude so much so that the bodies disintegrate and burn up due to atmospheric drag, typically at around 100 km above the Earth surface. The attitude and orbital maneuvers that are planned for the mission are described, both for the mothership and Deorbiter CubeSat. The performance of each spacecraft during their operations is investigated, using the actual performance specifications of the onboard components. The viability of the proposed debris removal approach is discussed in light of the results.     

Modeling and attitude control of CubeSat utilizing moving mass actuators

Any vehicle propelled by solid rocket motors (SRMs) must include an attitude control system capable of dealing with the torque generated by thrust misalignment. In order to expand the application of SRMs on CubeSats, an attitude control system utilizing moving mass actuators is discussed. The present research develops an eight-degree-of-freedom simulation model of a 2U CubeSat with two moving mass actuators. That model also considers the influence of propellant combustion processes. By analyzing the model disturbance source and systematic coupling, the key layout parameters are designed and a simplified control model is proposed. The controller is derived based on a combination of backstepping and sliding mode techniques. An orbit maneuver from 300 km circular orbit to 300 and 500 km elliptical orbit using this attitude control system is verified.     

A multiple-CubeSat constellation for integrated earth observation and marine/air traffic monitoring

CubeSats has evolved from purely educational tools, to useful platforms for technology demonstration and many practical applications. This paper reviews a CubeSat constellation mission involving 3 CubeSats launched into orbit on Sep. 25th 2015, aiming to demonstrate the integrated application of low-cost CubeSat technologies with distributed payloads using a group of satellites, as well as to demonstrate several new technologies. The mission scenario, the satellite system design, the innovative technologies and instruments or devices used on the CubeSats and the in-orbit experimental results and the payload data analysis, as well as some experiences and lessons learned, are presented and summaried.     

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.     

CubeSail: A low cost CubeSat based solar sail demonstration mission

CubeSail is a nano-solar sail mission based on the 3U CubeSat standard, which is currently being designed and built at the Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey. CubeSail will have a total mass of around 3 kg and will deploy a 5 × 5 m sail in low Earth orbit. The primary aim of the mission is to demonstrate the concept of solar sailing and end-of-life de-orbiting using the sail membrane as a drag-sail. The spacecraft will have a compact 3-axis stabilised attitude control system, which uses three magnetic torquers aligned with the spacecraft principle axis as well as a novel two-dimensional translation stage separating the spacecraft bus from the sail. CubeSail’s deployment mechanism consists of four novel booms and four-quadrant sail membranes. The proposed booms are made from tape-spring blades and will deploy the sail membrane from a 2U CubeSat standard structure. This paper presents a systems level overview of the CubeSat mission, focusing on the mission orbit and de-orbiting, in addition to the deployment, attitude control and the satellite bus.     

Science Missions Using CubeSats

As the role of missions and experiments carried out in outer space becomes more and more essential in our understanding of many earthly problems, such as resource management, environmental problems, and disaster management, as well as space science questions, thanks to their lower cost and faster development process CubeSats can benefit humanity and therefore, young scientists and engineers have been motivated to research and develop new CubeSat missions. Not very long after their inception, CubeSats have evolved to become accepted platforms for scientific and commercial applications. The last couple of years showed that they are a feasible tool for conducting scientific experiments, not only in the Earth orbit but also in the interplanetary space. For many countries, a CubeSat mission could prompt the community and young teams around the world to build the national capacity to launch and operate national space missions. This paper presents an overview of the key scientific and engineering gateways opened up to the younger scientific community by the advent and adaptation of new technology into CubeSat missions. The role of cooperation and the opportunities for capacity-building and education are also explored. Thus, the present article also aims to provide useful recommendations to scientists, early-career researchers, engineers, students, and anyone who intends to explore the potential and opportunities offered by CubeSats and CubeSats-based missions.      

基于G2的卫星控制系统故障诊断的半物理仿真

研究一种基于G2的集故障注入、故障模拟和故障诊断为一体的半物理仿真系统,包括基于VxW orks的实时硬件模拟系统、星载姿轨控计算机、数管及遥控遥测模拟器和专用接口箱等.开发了基于G2的以某一类典型卫星控制系统为对象的故障诊断专家系统,并对G2外部接口进行了扩展设计.最后,以典型故障为例,在半物理仿真平台上进行了演示验证.     

Nanosatellite constellation deployment using on-board magnetic torquer interaction with space plasma

One of the advantages that drive nanosatellite development is the potential of multi-point observation through constellation operation. However, constellation deployment of nanosatellites has been a challenge, as thruster operations for orbit maneuver were limited due to mass, volume, and power. Recently, a de-orbiting mechanism using magnetic torquer interaction with space plasma has been introduced, so-called plasma drag. As no additional hardware nor propellant is required, plasma drag has the potential in being used as constellation deployment method. In this research, a novel constellation deployment method using plasma drag is proposed. Orbit decay rate of the satellites in a constellation is controlled using plasma drag in order to achieve a desired phase angle and phase angle rate. A simplified 1D problem is formulated for an elementary analysis of the constellation deployment time. Numerical simulations are further performed for analytical analysis assessment and sensitivity analysis. Analytical analysis and numerical simulation results both agree that the constellation deployment time is proportional to the inverse square root of magnetic moment, the square root of desired phase angle and the square root of satellite mass. CubeSats ranging from 1 to 3?U (1–3?kg nanosatellites) are examined in order to investigate the feasibility of plasma drag constellation on nanosatellite systems. The feasibility analysis results show that plasma drag constellation is feasible on CubeSats, which open up the possibility of CubeSat constellation missions.     

In-orbit operation and performance of the CubeSat Soft X-ray polarimeter PolarLight

PolarLight is a compact soft X-ray polarimeter onboard a CubeSat, which was launched into a low-Earth orbit on October 29, 2018. In March 2019, PolarLight started full operation, and since then, regular observations with the Crab nebula, Sco X-1, and background regions have been conducted. Here we report the operation, calibration, and performance of PolarLight in the orbit. Based on these, we discuss how one can run a low-cost, shared CubeSat for space astronomy, and how CubeSats can play a role in modern space astronomy for technical demonstration, science observations, and student training.