Orbit design for future SpaceChip swarm missions in a planetary atmosphere

The effect of solar radiation pressure and atmospheric drag on the orbital dynamics of satellites-on-a-chip (SpaceChips) is exploited to design equatorial long-lived orbits about the oblate Earth. The orbit energy gain due to asymmetric solar radiation pressure, considering the Earth's shadow, is used to balance the energy loss due to atmospheric drag. Future missions for a swarm of SpaceChips are proposed, where a number of small devices are released from a conventional spacecraft to perform spatially distributed measurements of the conditions in the ionosphere and exosphere. It is shown that the orbit lifetime can be extended and indeed selected through solar radiation pressure and the end-of-life re-entry of the swarm can be ensured, by exploiting atmospheric drag.     

Differential drag spacecraft rendezvous using an adaptive Lyapunov control strategy

This paper introduces a novel Lyapunov-based adaptive control strategy for spacecraft maneuvers using atmospheric differential drag. The control forces required for rendezvous maneuvers at low Earth orbits can be generated by varying the aerodynamic drag affecting each spacecraft. This can be accomplished, for example, by rotating dedicated sets of drag panels. Thus, the relative spacecraft motion can be controlled without using any propellant since the motion of the panels can be powered by solar energy. A novel adaptive Lyapunov controller is designed, and a critical value for the relative drag acceleration that ensures Lyapunov stability is found. The critical value is used to adapt the Lyapunov controller, enhancing its performance. The method is validated using simulations. The results show that the Adaptive Lyapunov technique outperforms previous control strategies for differential drag based spacecraft maneuvering.     

Membrane-based space energy collector: A conceptual study

In this work the shape characteristics of a parabolic structure that consists of an initially flat circular membrane subject to solar radiation pressure in the space environment are examined. This problem arises in the analysis of space systems such as solar power collectors and solar sails. This paper presents parametric studies aimed at determining the power concentration capacity of a non-ideally reflecting flat circular membrane as a function of its radius size and thickness. The shape of the deformed membrane is close to parabolic. Both numerical simulations and analytical study show that the thin membrane subject solely to solar radiation pressure can concentrate the sunlight power several hundred times.     

Analysis and implementation of in-plane stationkeeping of continuously perturbed Walker constellations

The stationkeeping of symmetric Walker constellations is analyzed by considering the perturbations arising from a high order and degree Earth gravity field and the solar radiation pressure. These perturbations act differently on each group of spacecraft flying in a given orbital plane, causing a differential drift effect that would disrupt the initial symmetry of the constellation. The analysis is based on the consideration of a fictitious set of rotating reference frames that move with the spacecraft in the mean sense, but drift at a rate equal to the average drift rate experienced by all the vehicles over an extended period. The frames are also allowed to experience the J₂-precession such that each vehicle is allowed to drift in 3D relative to its frame. A two-impulse rendezvous maneuver is then constructed to bring each vehicle to the center of its frame as soon as a given tolerance deadband is about to be violated. This paper illustrates the computations associated with the stationkeeping of a generic Walker constellation by maneuvering each leading spacecraft within an orbit plane and calculating the associated velocity changes required for controlling the in-plane motions in an exacting sense, at least for the first series of maneuvers. The analysis can be easily extended to lower flying constellations, which experience additional perturbations due to drag.     

Structural control interaction for an LSS attitude control system using thrusters and reaction wheels

This work provides some important information about control structure interaction (CSI) for a large space structure (LSS) attitude control subsystem (ACS) comprised of thrusters and reaction wheels. The LSS physical model is assumed as a rigid long tubular beam as the main bus with two attached long flexible solar panels. Two thrusters (one at each tip of the LSS) are used for large amplitude maneuvers and the reaction wheels for fine control. Lagrange's formulations for generalized and quasi-coordinates were used to derive the equations of motion. The gravity gradient, the solar pressure and the drag were included in the mathematical model as external perturbations. The assumed modes discretization method has been used to model the solar array elastic displacements so as to obtain a set of ordinary differential equations to describe the LSS motion. Different control strategies were implemented to analyze the CSI for two configurations, fine and coarse control. The MatLab/Simulink platform has been used for the computational simulations. The results are in agreement with the CSI theory in that thruster firings excite the solar panel vibrations and that the elastic vibration is an important issue to be taken into account for LSS ACS performance evaluation for both fine and coarse control. In spite of the CSI the maneuver objectives have been accomplished with results that meet the mission criteria.     

长期在轨运行卫星的轨道维持技术

本文研究近地轨道卫星长期在轨运行的轨道维持问题。轨道维持的任务是将卫星的星下点轨迹保持在设计的参考轨迹附近。近地轨道卫星所受的摄动力包括地球引力摄动、日月摄动、大气阻力摄动和光压摄动等,而影响卫星轨道星下点漂移的主要因素是大气阻力摄动。本文给出了一种新的卫星轨道维持策略,数学仿真表明了其有效性。     

Can solar sails be used to test fundamental physics?

The relative importance of certain general relativistic effects is enhanced by solar radiation pressure (SRP). The observation and study of the trajectories of a solar sail could potentially provide tests of various effects of general relativity. In particular, we study Keplerian and non-Keplerian orbits near the sun as well as escape trajectories for a solar sail, for which general relativistic effects and the solar radiation pressure are considered simultaneously. In contrast with the conventional solar mission, a solar sail allows for non-Keplerian orbits, for which the orbital plane lies above the sun. It is predicted that there is an analog of the Lense–Thirring effect for non-Keplerian orbits. Also the SRP increases the amount of precession per orbit due to the Lense–Thirring effect for polar heliocentric orbits. A solar sail would also enhance the relative importance of effects associated with a possible net charge on the sun and during many rotations this effect may be measurable.     

空间摄动对InSAR卫星编队的影响研究

针对干涉合成孔径雷达(InSAR)编队卫星的特点,分析了地球形状、大气阻力、第三体引力和太阳光压等空间摄动力对卫星轨道的影响,并仿真讨论其对编队构型的影响。结果表明:地球形状摄动和大气阻力摄动是引起InSAR编队构型变化的主要摄动因素,在这些摄动力的作用下,编队构型的变化主要是沿航迹向的累积变化和编队椭圆的空间指向变化两种,并给出了编队构型随时间的变化量。研究为编队保持控制提供了参考。     

Analysis and implementation of in-plane stationkeeping of continuously perturbed Walker constellations

The stationkeeping of symmetric Walker constellations is analyzed by considering the perturbations arising from a high order and degree Earth gravity field and the solar radiation pressure. These perturbations act differently on each group of spacecraft flying in a given orbital plane, causing a differential drift effect that would disrupt the initial symmetry of the constellation. The analysis is based on the consideration of a fictitious set of rotating reference frames that move with the spacecraft in the mean sense, but drift at a rate equal to the average drift rate experienced by all the vehicles over an extended period. The frames are also allowed to experience the $J_2$-precession such that each vehicle is allowed to drift in 3D relative to its frame. A two-impulse rendezvous maneuver is then constructed to bring each vehicle to the center of its frame as soon as a given tolerance deadband is about to be violated. This paper illustrates the computations associated with the stationkeeping of a generic Walker constellation by maneuvering each leading spacecraft within an orbit plane and calculating the associated velocity changes required for controlling the in-plane motions in an exacting sense, at least for the first series of maneuvers. The analysis can be easily extended to lower flying constellations, which experience additional perturbations due to drag.     

The gaussian form of the variation-of-parameter equations formulated in equinoctial elements—Applications: Airdrag and radiation pressure

In this paper the Gaussian equations are derived for the nonsingular equinoctial elements, as they are required for dissipative perturbations of a satellite orbit. As examples, airdrag and solar radiation pressure are considered and the first-order variation of the elements and time after one revolution are given explicitly.     

Inflatable shape changing colonies assembling versatile smart space structures

Various plants have the ability to follow the sun with their flowers or leaves during the course of a day via a mechanism known as heliotropism. This mechanism is characterised by the introduction of pressure gradients between neighbouring motor cells in the plant?s stem, enabling the stem to bend. By adapting this bio-inspired mechanism to mechanical systems, a new class of smart structures can be created. The developed overall structure is made up of a number of cellular colonies, each consisting of a central pressure source surrounded by multiple cells. After launch, the cellular arrays are deployed in space and are either preassembled or alternatively are attached together during their release or afterwards. A central pressure source is provided by a high-pressure storage unit with an integrated valve, which provides ingress gas flow to the system; the gas is then routed through the system via a sequence of valve operations and cellular actuations, allowing for any desired shape to be achieved within the constraints of the deployed array geometry. This smart structure consists of a three dimensional adaptable cellular array with fluid controlling Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) components enabling the structure to change its global shape. The proposed MEMS components include microvalves, pressure sensors, mechanical interconnect structures, and electrical routing. This paper will also give an overview of the system architecture and shows the feasibility and shape changing capabilities of the proposed design with multibody dynamic simulations. Example applications of this lightweight shape changing structure include concentrators, mirrors, and communications antennas that are able to dynamically change their focal point, as well as substructures for solar sails that are capable of steering through solar winds by altering the sails? subjected area.     

Effect of a drag force due to absorption of solar radiation on solar sail orbital dynamics

While solar electromagnetic radiation can be used to propel a solar sail, it is shown that the Poynting–Robertson effect related to the absorbed portion of the radiation leads to a drag force in the transversal direction. The Poynting–Robertson effect is considered for escape trajectories, Heliocentric bound orbits and non-Keplerian bound orbits. For escape trajectories, this drag force diminishes the cruising velocity, which has a cumulative effect on the Heliocentric distance. For Heliocentric and non-Keplerian bound orbits, the Poynting–Robertson effect decreases its orbital speed, thereby causing it to slowly spiral towards the Sun. Since the Poynting–Robertson effect is due to the absorbed portion of the electromagnetic radiation, degradation of a solar sail implies that this effect becomes enhanced during a mission.     

IKAROS太阳帆的关键技术分析与启示

分析了国外太阳帆的发展现状,重点论述了世界上首次成功飞行的太阳帆——太阳辐射驱动星际风筝航天器（IKAROS）的总体设计、材料设计、空间展开和姿态控制等关键技术,以及中国开展太阳帆和空间大型展开结构的总体设计、空间展开、姿态控制、空间环境适应性等关键技术,提出了系统开展以太阳帆为代表的大型轻质展开结构研制与应用的建议。     

Environmental effects on the dynamics and control of an orbiting large flexible antenna system

The environmental effects on a proposed large flexible space structure, namely, the Hoop/Column antenna system are studied. Mathematical models for the disturbances resulting from the interaction of solar radiation pressure with the vibrating and also thermally deformed antenna structure are developed. Expressions for the stabilizing gravity-gradient torques are also obtained. The uncontrolled transient response of the antenna system shows that the structure may tumble in orbit due to the expected disturbances. Linear quadratic regulator techniques are used to develop control laws for the actuators which could provide both shape and orientation control. The controlled response of the system is simulated for various initial conditions. The steady state rms pointing accuracy and the antenna surface accuracy are met in all the cases considered here. In order to reduce the control effort required to maintain the shape and orientation, the thermal deformations will have to be minimized. In the preliminary design of the system, materials should be considered which have a higher thermal conductivity and a lower coefficient of linear expansion, within cost constraints.     

Variable structure control for satellite attitude stabilization in elliptic orbits using solar radiation pressure

The paper proposes the use of solar radiation pressure for satellite attitude control in elliptic orbits based on variable structure control. The system comprises of a satellite with two-oppositely placed solar flaps. Sliding mode control and terminal sliding mode control techniques have been adopted to develop nonlinear control laws for suitably rotating the control solar flaps to neutralize the adverse effect of eccentricity normally responsible for a considerable deterioration in the attitude control performance. The detailed numerical simulation of the governing nonlinear equation of the motion including the effects of various system parameters on the controller performance, establishes the feasibility of the proposed control strategy. The proposed controller is found to be robust against parameter uncertainties and external disturbances and thereby, the control strategy presented in the paper may be applicable to future satellite missions.     

Attractive manifold-based adaptive solar attitude control of satellites in elliptic orbits

The paper presents a novel noncertainty-equivalent adaptive (NCEA) control system for the pitch attitude control of satellites in elliptic orbits using solar radiation pressure (SRP). The satellite is equipped with two identical solar flaps to produce control moments. The adaptive law is based on the attractive manifold design using filtered signals for synthesis, which is a modification of the immersion and invariance (I&I) method. The control system has a modular controller–estimator structure and has separate tunable gains. A special feature of this NCEA law is that the trajectories of the satellite converge to a manifold in an extended state space, and the adaptive law recovers the performance of a deterministic controller. This recovery of performance cannot be obtained with certainty-equivalent adaptive (CEA) laws. Simulation results are presented which show that the NCEA law accomplishes precise attitude control of the satellite in an elliptic orbit, despite large parameter uncertainties.     

高层大气模型对空间站轨道漂移和寿命的影响分析

本文以轨道摄动分析方法一阶理论为基础，其中大气阻力摄动采用数值积分方法，给出一种可利用各种大气模型进行轨道摄动分析的计算方法，并利用三种高层大气模型（ＣＩＲＡ—７２，ＣＩＲＡ—８６和ＤＴＭ）和三个太阳活动水平（Ｆ１０．７＝１００，１５０和２００）分析比较了大气阻力振动对高度为４００ｋｍ的空间站轨道漂移和寿命的影响，以及估算修正轨道漂移所需的能量。给出的定量分析结果将为空间站或航天飞行器的轨道设计和能量估算提供依据。     

地球同步轨道高压太阳电池阵充放电效应研究

地球同步轨道(GEO)高压太阳电池阵表面静电放电(ESD)引起二次放电可能导致太阳电池阵永久性短路损坏。文章主要针对GEO高压太阳电池阵充放电效应问题,重点分析了高压太阳电池阵表面ESD和二次放电产生的物理过程,并利用负高压偏置方法开展了GEO高压太阳电池阵表面ESD和二次放电地面模拟试验。试验验证了反转电位梯度电场是导致GEO高压太阳电池阵表面产生ESD的触发因素之一,同时得到了GaAs高压太阳电池阵样品表面产生ESD和二次放电的电压阈值。     

条带式太阳帆航天器的热致结构动力学响应

本文研究条带式太阳帆在近地轨道运行进出地球阴影时的热致结构动力学响应，建立了在太阳热辐射和光压共同作用下的太阳帆结构动力学方程，采用分布传递函数法，给出了条带式太阳帆热致结构稳态振动幅频响应的计算方法。算例结果表明：热辐射冲击是引起近地轨道太阳帆结构动力学响应的主要原因，光压引起的结构响应可忽略不计；增加桅杆壁厚不能有效抑制太阳帆的热致结构动态响应；增大阻尼，减小结构的热膨胀系数能够明显减小太阳帆热致结构响应的振幅；热致结构动态响应是设计大尺寸近地轨道太阳帆必须解决的问题。本文提出的方法可为太阳帆结构设计、姿态和轨道控制提供有力的分析工具。     

欧洲自动转移飞行器电源系统设计及启示

介绍了"自动转移飞行器"(ATV)电源系统采用的3项关键技术:太阳翼X构型设计,太阳电池电路交叉布阵,蓄电池组充电控制模式;探讨了这些技术对平衡不同光照条件输出功率、降低遮挡对每个太阳电池阵输出功率的影响,以及确保蓄电池性能安全可靠的优势;并讨论了ATV电源设计方案对我国货运飞船和空间站电源系统设计的借鉴意义。