航天飞机轨道器着陆阻力伞

航天飞机轨道器设置阻力伞的目的在于增加其着陆的安全性。文中不仅介绍了这种阻力伞系统的设计和研制,而且还对试验(风洞试验、B—52飞机着陆试验、飞行模拟和轨道器飞行试验)及为增加阻力伞稳定性和可重复使用性的技术关键作了简要介绍。     

膨胀循环氢氧发动机低压火炬的点火能量研究

针对膨胀循环氢氧发动机多次点火需求,采用氢、氧推进剂吸热着火和火炬燃气降温放热的假设,用热力计算方法从理论上分析了推力室采用火炬点火的能量问题。在考虑火炬燃气与推力室内的氧补燃后,富燃低压火炬点火器的点火能量能够满足推力室点火需求。研制了2种低压火炬点火试验系统,对膨胀循环发动机进行了17次点火试验,试验结果与理论分析结果相符,验证了补燃点火假设。     

富氧预燃室初步试验研究

为了研究全流量补燃循环发动机中富氧预燃室的点火以及燃烧特性，对点火方案和预燃室方案进行了分析。通过对多种预燃室结构形式和点火方式的比较，提出了适合于富氧预燃室初步试验要求的点火方案，研制了热表面谐振点火器并采用间接点火方式研制了氢氧火炬点火器。点火器的试验结果表明氢氧火炬点火器能够多次可靠地点火并生成稳定的点火火炬。由于不受谐振产生条件的限制，氢气和氧气的流量和混合比可以在较大的范围内选择，生成点火火炬的温度范围也很宽。对确定的富氧预燃室方案进行了设计加工，经过三个阶段的热试车，富氧预燃室的关键参数均达到了设计要求，结构无烧蚀，工作可靠，完全可以满足全流量补燃循环发动机系统对富氧预燃室的要求。     

塞式喷管发动机多管点火方案的研究

塞式喷发动机点火系统应能同时为十个以上独立的小燃烧室提供充足的点火源，在主推进剂进入后能继续维持燃烧，文中给出了三种点火方案，利用爆震波只需较小的电能输入即可同时点燃塞式叶管发动机的多个燃烧室，用气动谐振点火器无需外部能量输入即可实现多管点火，小燃烧室的电火塞点火能将小燃烧室喷出的火炬用于塞式喷管发动机的多管点火。文中最后给出了气动谐振点火器用于塞式喷管发动机多管点火时的实验数据和技术途径。     

爆震波点火器在氢氧塞式喷管的工程应用

建立了氢氧爆震波点火器试验系统,并根据试验塞式喷管发动机工作状态要求设计了爆震波点火器。在高空条件下(0.005￣0.002MPa),爆震波点火器供气压力0.3MPa、混合比3左右,对爆震波点火器的点火性能进行了试验,成功实现了高空条件下爆震波点火火炬。在同样高空条件下对爆震波点火器点燃单元塞式喷管试验发动机成功进行了点火试验。试验结果表明,氢氧爆震波点火器能以较低的供气压力实现可靠点火。爆震波点火器在气氢气氧单元塞式喷管试验发动机点火的成功应用,为下一阶段应用于多管塞式喷管发动机的实际点火试验提供了技术基础。     

Identification and status of design improvements to the NASA Shuttle EMU for International Space Station application

To meet the significant increase in EVA demand to support assembly and operations of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA and industry have improved the current Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), or "space suit", configuration to meet the unique and specific requirements of an orbital-based system. The current Shuttle EMU was designed to be maintained and serviced on the ground between frequent Shuttle flights. ISS will require the EMUs to meet increased EVAs out of the Shuttle Orbiter and to remain on orbit for up to 180 days without need for regular return to Earth for scheduled maintenance or refurbishment. Ongoing Shuttle EMU improvements have increased reliability, operational life and performance while minimizing ground and on-orbit maintenance cost and expendable inventory. Modifications to both the anthropomorphic mobility elements of the Space Suit Assembly (SSA) as well as to the Primary Life Support System (PLSS) are identified and discussed. This paper also addresses the status of on-going Shuttle EMU improvements and summarizes the approach for increasing interoperability of the U.S. and Russian space suits to be utilized aboard the ISS.     

Shuttle avionics verification and integration testing

The Space Shuttle Orbiter employs a fly-by-wire control system of 200 major avionic hardware devices interfacing with five flight computers through a complex data bus system. Responses to man-in-the-loop commands are dependent on the flight software. Early program development testing of the computer and avionic hardware has been accomplished at Rockwell International's Shuttle Avionics Development Laboratory (ADL). Hardware development has led to complete multi-string system testing and flight software evaluations. This paper provides an overview of the ADL. Its role and test capabilities in support of Shuttle development are defined. The nature of computer driven test programs for the Orbiter displays, the Digital Autopilot, and flight software development describe the test bed provided by the ADL.     

Using computer graphics to enhance astronaut and systems safety.

Computer graphics is being employed at the NASA Johnson Space Center as a tool to perform rapid, efficient and economical analyses for man-machine integration, flight operations development and systems engineering. The Operator Station Design System (OSDS), a computer-based facility featuring a highly flexible and versatile interactive software package, PLAID, is described. This unique evaluation tool, with its expanding data base of Space Shuttle elements, various payloads, experiments, crew equipment and man models, supports a multitude of technical evaluations, including spacecraft and workstation layout, definition of astronaut visual access, flight techniques development, cargo integration and crew training. As OSDS is being applied to the Space Shuttle, Orbiter payloads (including the European Space Agency's Spacelab) and future space vehicles and stations, astronaut and systems safety are being enhanced. Typical OSDS examples are presented. By performing physical and operational evaluations during early conceptual phases. supporting systems verification for flight readiness, and applying its capabilities to real-time mission support, the OSDS provides the wherewithal to satisfy a growing need of the current and future space programs for efficient, economical analyses.     

Efficient payload processing: the opposite side of frequent space shuttle launches

The planned rate of up to 40 Space Shuttle missions per year from the Kennedy Space Center requires a matching payload processing capability that must be efficient and economical. Five facilities are being converted to handle spacecraft assembly and checkout, two to handle explosives and other dangerous spacecraft components, and one for total payload integration. New handling and transporting equipment is being built, and new procedures established. This paper presents an overview of the processing cycles of the two presently known types of payloads, their integration into Shuttle-ready cargos, and the installation of the cargo into the Space Shuttle Orbiter.     

The dynamics of the space shuttle orbiter with a flexible payload

The Space Shuttle Orbiter will be used as an orbital base for near-term space operations. Its payloads will range from compact satellites to large, flexible antennas. This paper addresses the problem of the dynamics and control of the Orbiter with a flexible payload. Two different cases are presented as examples. The first is a long, slender beam which might be used as an element in a large orbiting structure. The second is a compact satellite mounted on a spin table in the Orbiter payload bay. The closed loop limit cycles are determined for the first payload and the open loop eigenvalues are calculated for the second. Models of both payloads are mechanized in a simulation with the Shuttle on-orbit autopilot. The vehicle is put through a series of representative maneuvers and its behavior analyzed. The degree of interaction for each payload is determined and strategies are discussed for its reduction.     

Shuttle demonstration of large space structure fabrication and assembly

The purpose of this paper is to describe a program aimed at an early on orbit demonstration of a large space structure fabrication and assembly capability. Requirements for the demonstration concept have been formulated. The concept that has been selected to meet these requirements is a Large Space Structure Platform consisting of a triangular prism of 31.5 m length. Sensors can be mounted on this platform to perform Earth observation measurements from space. Structural elements of the platform are fabricated using an automated beam builder in the Shuttle Orbiter payload bay. Special fixtures are designed to assemble the structure with the aid of the Remote Manipulator System and two astroworkers in an EVA mode. Results are shown of the platform preliminary design in terms of a design layout with related structural, thermal, mass properties and control dynamics data. The assembly scenario is described. Estimates of the total construction time and Orbiter support requirements are also presented.     

Science and technology results from the OSS-1 payload on the Space Shuttle

The OSS-1 Payload of nine experiments was carried on the STS-3 Space Shuttle flight in March of 1982. The OSS-1 Payload contained four instruments that evaluated specific aspects of the Orbiter's environment, including the levels of particulate, gaseous and electromagnetic emissions given off by the Orbiter, and the interactions between the Orbiter and the surrounding plasma. In addition to these environmental observations, these instruments performed scientific investigations in astronomy and in space plasma physics, including active experiments in electron beam propagation. Other experiments were in the areas of solar physics, plant growth, micrometeorite studies and the technology of actively controlled heat pipes. We present the initial results from these experiments, with some implications of these results for future operation of space experiments from the Shuttle payload bay. One major result was the unexpected discovery of a faint surface-induced optical glow created near the Shuttle surfaces by impacts of ambient atmospheric atoms and molecules.     

Earth based observations of the STS-11 space shuttle mission on orbit and during reentry

While much of what is known about the performance of spacecraft in flight is learned by monitoring telemetry data streams, this paper describes some unique observations made with ground-based astronomical equipment, done in conjunction with the tenth flight of the U.S. Space Shuttle. The study had two main objectives: to test the ability of low-cost, low-light-level television equipment to monitor satellites in orbit, and to attempt visual and photographic observation of the reentry characteristics of a Space Shuttle Orbiter. Both efforts met with considerable success and are described herein.     

Revolutionary systems and technologies for missions to the outer planets

The Advanced Deep Space System Development Program is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA and is also called X2000. X2000 is organized to create advanced flight and ground systems for the exploration of the outer planets and beyond; it has been created to develop the engineering elements of flight and ground systems. Payloads will be developed by another team. Each X2000 delivery gets its requirements from a set of planned missions, or “mission customers”.The X2000 First Delivery Project supports missions to the Sun (to 4 solar radii), Europa (looking for a liquid ocean), Mars (in support of several Mars missions including a sample return), a comet (including a sample return), and Pluto followed by a trip into the Kuiper belt. This set of missions leads to some outstanding requirements:

• 1.1. Long-life (10–12 years)
• 2.2. Total Ionizing Dose of 4 Mrad (for a Europa Orbiter)
• 3.3. Average power consumption less than or equal to 150 Watts
• 4.4. Autonomous operations that result in an extreme reduction in operations costs

This paper describes the X2000 first delivery and its technologies following a brief overview of the program.     

A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

Economic benefits of the OTV program

A new upper stage for the Shuttle called Orbiter Transfer Vehicle (OTV) is planned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a broad range of missions including transfer of very large spacecraft, unmanned and manned servicing at Geosynchronous orbit (GEO). Leading OTV configurations use 13 to 34 tonnes of cryogenic propellants in vehicles based on the existing Centaur or new designs. These OTVs can deliver to Geosynchronous orbit more than double the payload possible with the solid propellant Intertial Upper Stage (IUS), which is currently being developed. This high performance reduces the number of shuttle launches required to deliver a given total mass of payloads. After delivery of current size spacecraft, OTV could be returned to the Orbiter for reuse, saving the cost of building a new stage. OTV performance and flexibility will create the opportunity for the next generation of spacecraft such as Geostationary Platform. In these three ways, the high-performance OTV will provide economic benefits to Space Transportation Systems.     

The US–Europe technology gap in space transportation: the view from the USA

This paper examines the debate within the USA over how to meet the perceived competition from the successful European Ariane launcher and the loss of US market share for space launch services that it represented. In particular, it explores the origins of the 1983 Reagan Administration policy to turn over expendable launch vehicle production and operation to private industry. The Administration's other decisions to: (1) use the Space Shuttle to fly all government payloads, and (2) allow NASA to market Space Shuttle services commercially, conflicted with this commercialization policy. These policies effectively caused US industry to delay entry into the international competition for launch services until after the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986.     

红蓝光敏探测器空间环境效应探测数据分析

红蓝光敏太阳电池空间环境效应探测器利用镓铟磷和三结砷化镓太阳电池来探测空间污染、原子氧和辐射环境及效应,搭载在中国空间技术研究院自主研制的“新技术验证一号”卫星上。文章通过分析红蓝光敏探测器在轨1年时间的探测数据,得到如下结论：红蓝光敏探测器污染电池板功率下降2.7%,等效污染累积增加量2.23×10^-5 g/cm^2,日均6×10^-8 g/cm^2;原子氧探测器在轨道高度499.226 km运行11个月,原子氧积分通量探测数据为9.7×10^20 AO/cm^2;辐射效应探测器（三结砷化镓太阳电池）在轨1年后累计接受辐射剂量（等效1 MeV电子注量）5.49×10^11 e/cm^2。     

Shuttle-era experiments in the area of plasma flow interactions with bodies in space

A new experimental approach is discussed in general terms, that can be adopted in the Shuttle/Spacelab era starting in the 1980s for studies in the area of plasma flow interactions with bodies in space. The potential use of the Space Shuttle/Orbiter as a near Earth plasma laboratory for studies in the area of Space Plasma Physics and particularly in the area of Solar-System Plasmas is discussed. This new experimental approach holds great promise for studies in the Supersonic and sub-Alfvenic flow regime which has applications to the motion of natural satellites around their mother planets in the Solar-system (e.g. the satellite Io around the planet Jupiter). A well conceived experimental and theoretical program, can lead to a better physical understanding regarding the validity and range of applicability of using gas-dynamic, kinetic and fluid approaches in describing collisionless plasma flow interactions with bodies in a variety of flow regimes.In addition to the above scientific aspects of the program, significant technological advances can be achieved regarding the interaction of space probes in planetary atmospheres/ionospheres and the reliability of using various plasma diagnostic devices on board spacecraft and large space platforms.