Motion of a descent capsule relative to its center of mass when deploying the orbital tether system

The spatial motion relative to the center of mass is considered for a capsule on an elastic tether, when it is unrolled from a spacecraft by a special program. The spacecraft is in a circular orbit and oriented relative to the local vertical, which is guaranteed by operation of its own stabilization system. Angular motion of the capsule relative to the tether direction is studied, and the main factors influencing the stability of this motion are analyzed. An approximate quasi-linear mathematical model of the capsule attitude motion is obtained, which allows one to estimate the influence of major disturbances of its motion. The results of numerical simulations are presented for characteristic cases of the capsule motion.     

Orbital and relative motion of a tethered satellite system

A simplified model for the orbital and relative motion of a tethered satellite system is presented. The tether acts as a light elastic string with small structural damping but without bending stiffness. Its mass is taken into account in the calculation of the total kinetic and potential energies of the tethered system. This formulation allows the inclusion of the complete gravity gradient influence on the dynamics of the system. The resulting three-dimensional motion is separated in the centre of mass orbital motion on the one hand and the relative motion of the end-bodies on the other. No restrictions on length of the tether or on mass ratio of the end-masses are imposed. It is found that the frequencies and amplitudes of the longitudinal tether oscillations are realistic as long as the tether mass is less than that of the subsatellite.     

Control of the deployment of an orbital tether system that consists of two small spacecraft

Control of an orbital tether system that consists of two small spacecraft has been considered. The proposed control laws are based on the modification of well-known programs for the deployment of tether system systems under the assumption that the masses of spacecraft and the tether are comparable in magnitude. To construct nominal deployment programs, we have developed a mathematical model of the motion of the given system in an orbital moving coordinate system taking into account the specific features of this problem. The performance of the proposed deployment programs is assessed by a mathematical model of the orbital tether system with distributed parameters written in the geocentric coordinate system. The test calculations involve a linear regulator that implements feedback on the tether length and velocity.     

Behavior of tethered debris with flexible appendages

Active exploration of the space leads to growth of a near-Earth space pollution. The frequency of the registered collisions of space debris with functional satellites highly increased during last 10 years. As a rule a large space debris can be observed from the Earth and catalogued, then it is possible to avoid collision with the active spacecraft. However every large debris is a potential source of a numerous small debris particles. To reduce debris population in the near Earth space the large debris should be removed from working orbits. The active debris removal technique is considered that intend to use a tethered orbital transfer vehicle, or a space tug attached by a tether to the space debris. This paper focuses on the dynamics of the space debris with flexible appendages. Mathematical model of the system is derived using the Lagrange formalism. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the mutual influence of the oscillations of flexible appendages and the oscillations of a tether. It is shown that flexible appendages can have a significant influence on the attitude motion of the space debris and the safety of the transportation process.     

Two-craft tether formation relative equilibria about circular orbits and libration points

The relative equilibria of a two spacecraft tether formation connected by line-of-sight elastic forces moving in the context of a restricted two-body system and a circularly restricted three-body system are investigated. For a two spacecraft formation moving in a central gravitational field, a common assumption is that the center of the circular orbit is located at the primary mass and the center of mass of the formation orbits around the primary in a great-circle orbit. The relative equilibrium is called great-circle if the center of mass of the formation moves on the plane with the center of the gravitational field residing on it; otherwise, it is called a nongreat-circle orbit. Previous research shows that nongreat-circle equilibria in low Earth orbits exhibit a deflection of about a degree from the great-circle equilibria when spacecraft with unequal masses are separated by 350 km. This paper studies these equilibria (radial, along-track and orbit-normal in circular Earth orbit and Earth–Moon Libration points) for a range of inter-craft distances and semi-major axes of the formation center of mass. In the context of a two-spacecraft Coulomb formation with separation distances on the order of dozens of meters, this paper shows that the equilibria deflections are negligible (less than 10^?6°) even for very heterogeneous mass distributions. Furthermore, the nongreat-circle equilibria conditions for a two spacecraft tether structure at the Lagrangian libration points are developed.     

Magnetobraking for Mars return vehicles

It is proposed that magnetobraking may be used to dissipate hyperbolic excess velocity from a spacecraft returning from Mars to Earth orbit. In magnetobraking, an electrodynamic tether is deployed from the spacecraft. The Earth's magnetic field produces a force on electrical current in the tether, which can be used to either brake or accelerate the spacecraft without expenditure of reaction mass. The peak acceleration on the Mars return is 0.007 m/s², and the amount of braking possible is dependent on the density and current-carrying capacity of the tether, but is independent of length. Since energy is produced as the spacecraft velocity decreases, no on-board power source is required. As the spacecraft approaches the Earth, the magnetic field increases and the power produced by the tether increases, reaching a maximum of about 800 W per kg of spacecraft mass at closest approach.     

Spacecraft dynamics with regard to elastic gravitational stabilizer deployment

The present paper deals with the study the dynamics of the spacecraft with gyro-gravitational system of stabilization. The deployment of the boom of the gravitational stabilizer commences after placing the spacecraft into the orbit and completion of the preliminary damping, when the gyroscopes are uncaged. Primarily the boom is the pre-stressed tape wound on the special drum. When the drum starts deploying the tape, it turns into the elastic cylindrical rod with the mass at its tip. The objective of the study is the creation of the generalized mathematical model and the conducting of the computer modelling of the spacecraft dynamics. The equations of motion are worked out with the use of the Lagrangian formalism. The numerical simulation of typical modes of system functioning is conducted. It is shown that the folding and the following deployment of the boom result in the turn of the spacecraft by 180° about the axis of the pitch. The results illustrate the behaviour of the main system variables.     

Experimental investigation of the modes of operation of uncontrolled attitude motion of the Progress spacecraft

Results of in-flight tests of three modes of uncontrolled attitude motion of the Progress spacecraft are described. These proposed modes of experiments related to microgravity are as follows: (1) triaxial gravitational orientation, (2) gravitational orientation of the rotating satellite, and (3) spin-up in the plane of the orbit around the axis of the maximum moment of inertia. The tests were carried out from May 24 to June 1, 2004 onboard the spacecraft Progress M1-11. The actual motion of this spacecraft with respect to its center of mass, in the above-mentioned modes, was determined by telemetric information about an electric current tapped off from solar batteries. The values of the current obtained during a time interval of several hours were processed jointly using the least squares method by integration of the equations of the spacecraft’s attitude motion. The processing resulted in estimation of the initial conditions of motion and of the parameters of mathematical models used. For the obtained motions the quasi-static component of microaccelerations was computed at a point onboard, where installation of experimental equipment is possible.     

Resonance Effects when Moving a Small Spacecraft around the Center of Mass in a Deployable Tether System

Cosmic Research - The resonance motions of a small spacecraft relative to the center of mass when deploying a tether system are analyzed. The tether system is deployed from a base spacecraft moving...     

携带晃动燃料柔性航天器姿态机动中的同宿环分叉研究

本文研究了带液体晃动和柔性附件的耦合航天器系统在液体燃料耗散和柔性附件扭转振动的作用下,经历从最小惯量轴到最大惯量轴姿态机动中的混沌动力学行为.将液体晃动等效为球摆模型并由此建立了带柔性附件充液航天器多体耦合系统动力学模型.首先推导出耦合系统动力学方程并采用Melnikov积分预测受扰系统稳定与不稳定流形是否横截相交,得到了参数形式表达的混沌运动解析判据,这对航天器的设计有重要的指导意义.研究发现,混沌的发生依赖于刚体形状,阻尼比,充液比和扭转振动频率.此外,在经过被动再定向姿态机动后,由于液体晃动的本质非线性特性,充液航天器最终将进行大章动角的周期极限环运动而非绕着最大惯量轴自旋.     

Estimation of the Probability of Capture into a Resonance Mode of Motion for a Spacecraft during Its Descent in the Atmosphere

The estimation of the probability of capture into a resonance mode of motion is considered for a spacecraft with a small asymmetry during its entry into the atmosphere. It is assumed that the initial conditions of spacecraft motion are distributed uniformly in some sufficiently small domain. The problem is solved for the equations of spacecraft motion linear with respect to the angle of attack. An analytical estimate of the probability of the spacecraft capture into the resonance corresponding to an ascending branch of the velocity head is obtained. The emphasis in the analysis of the estimate is made on the effect of the spacecraft asymmetry type on the probability of capture. A comparison of the estimate with the results of numerical computation is carried out. A model problem concerning the construction of the domain of the spacecraft center of mass locations, most dangerous from the point of view of the realization of the stable resonant modes of motion, is solved.     

考虑太阳帆板振动的空间绳系拖曳动力学与控制

针对使用空间绳网捕获带有太阳帆板等柔性附件的大型失效航天器的碎片清除任务,充分考虑了拖曳过程中柔性附件产生的振动对系统的稳定造成的影响。首先采用凯恩方法建立了失效航天器绳系拖曳系统动力学模型,在建模过程中充分考虑系绳的质量和振动、帆板的振动、系统的轨道运动对姿态的影响等,使动力学模型更加详细和完整,且该动力学模型不受失效航天器所处位置的限制,适用于任意轨道上的失效航天器的拖曳离轨任务;之后根据平衡状态的特点,求取了系统的平衡解,并在平衡解附近对动力学方程线性化,然后采用李雅普诺夫方法分析了系统的稳定性及各参数的变化规律;并针对失效航天器可能产生的姿态章动设计了常值张力切换控制律;最后采用数值仿真的方法分析了失效航天器的帆板振动对绳系拖曳过程的影响,校验了控制律的有效性。     

考虑时间状态的敏捷自主在轨服务航天器高维运动规划研究

针对敏捷自主在轨服务航天器自身和所在复杂空间环境等特点,研究其在轨灵巧、精确服务的运动规划问题,提出了以平动、转动和时间为状态的改进的快速搜索随机树高维运动规划方法。仿真算例检验了该规划方法的有效性,结果表明它不仅满足敏捷自主在轨服务航天器在一定约束条件下按照指定时间到达指定地点的高维运动要求,而且对离线与在线规划两种模式也具备较强的适应性。
     

考虑时间因素的敏捷自主航天器四维姿态运动规划方法研究

为解决敏捷自主航天器在轨灵巧、精确姿态运动问题,针对复杂空间环境与其自身运动特点,提出了基于改进的快速搜索随机树的四维姿态运动规划方法。仿真算例检验了该规划方法的有效性,结果表明它不仅满足敏捷自主航天器在一定约束条件下指定时间到达指定地点的四维运动要求,而且对四维姿态运动离线与在线规划两种模式也具备较强的适应性。     

挠性航天器混合H2/H∞输出反馈姿态控制（英文）

研究一类带有挠性附件的航天器的H2/H∞输出反馈姿态控制问题,所涉及的挠性航天器由刚性本体和挠性附件构成。由于挠性附件的振动和航天器本体姿态运动的耦合,再加之振动模态难以测量,对挠性航天器的姿态控制带来困难。针对该问题提出了基于H2/H∞理论的动态输出反馈控制器设计方法。动态输出反馈在模态变量不能测量的前提下也能有效控制航天器本体姿态,而H∞控制器具有很好的抗干扰能力,能有效抑制空间环境干扰力矩和模型不确定性对控制系统稳定性的影响。和纯H∞输出反馈控制算法相比,基于H2/H∞的设计同时提高系统的动态性能。数值仿真验证了所设计的控制方法对挠性航天器具有很好的姿态控制效果。     

Modes of uncontrolled rotational motion of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Progress M-29M</Emphasis> spacecraft

We have reconstructed the uncontrolled rotational motion of the Progress M-29M transport cargo spacecraft in the single-axis solar orientation mode (the so-called sunward spin) and in the mode of the gravitational orientation of a rotating satellite. The modes were implemented on April 3–7, 2016 as a part of preparation for experiments with the DAKON convection sensor onboard the Progress spacecraft. The reconstruction was performed by integral statistical techniques using the measurements of the spacecraft’s angular velocity and electric current from its solar arrays. The measurement data obtained in a certain time interval have been jointly processed using the least-squares method by integrating the equations of the spacecraft’s motion relative to the center of mass. As a result of processing, the initial conditions of motion and parameters of the mathematical model have been estimated. The motion in the sunward spin mode is the rotation of the spacecraft with an angular velocity of 2.2 deg/s about the normal to the plane of solar arrays; the normal is oriented toward the Sun or forms a small angle with this direction. The duration of the mode is several orbit passes. The reconstruction has been performed over time intervals of up to 1 h. As a result, the actual rotational motion of the spacecraft relative to the Earth–Sun direction was obtained. In the gravitational orientation mode, the spacecraft was rotated about its longitudinal axis with an angular velocity of 0.1–0.2 deg/s; the longitudinal axis executed small oscillated relative to the local vertical. The reconstruction of motion relative to the orbital coordinate system was performed in time intervals of up to 7 h using only the angularvelocity measurements. The measurements of the electric current from solar arrays were used for verification.     

The Dynamics of Arranging a Spacecraft Tether Group as a Triangular Constellation

Cosmic Research - The method of arranging a tether group of four spacecraft as triangular beam constellation is considered in this paper. The group consists of a central spacecraft, from which the...     

Vibration control of a flexible space manipulator during on orbit operations

Space manipulators are complex systems, composed by robotic arms accommodated on an orbiting platform. They can be used to perform a variety of tasks: launch of satellites, retrieval of spacecraft for inspection, maintenance and repair, movement of cargo and so on. All these missions require extreme precision. However, in order to respect the mass at launch requirements, manipulators arms are usually very light and flexible, and their motion involves significant structural vibrations, especially after a grasping maneuver. In order to fulfill the maneuvers of space robotic systems it is hence necessary to properly model the forces acting on the space robot, from the main terms, such as the orbital motion, to the second order perturbations, like the gravity gradient and the orbital perturbations; also flexible excitation of the links and of the joints can be of great importance in the manipulators dynamics. The case is furthermore complicated by the fact that the manipulator, together with its supporting spacecraft, is an unconstrained body. Therefore the motion of any of its parts affects the entire system configuration. The governing equations of the dynamics of such robotic systems are highly nonlinear and fully coupled. The present paper aims at designing and studying active damping strategies and relevant devices that could be used to reduce the structural vibrations of a space manipulator with flexible links during its on orbit operations. In particular an optimized adaptive vibration control via piezoelectric devices is proposed. The number of piezoelectric devices, their placement and operational mode should be correctly chosen in order to obtain maximum performance in terms of elastic oscillations reduction and power consumption. Even though an optimal placement cannot have a universal validity, since it depends on the type of maneuver and on the overall inertial and geometrical characteristics, an approach to solve the problem is proposed.     

空间绳系机器人抓捕非合作目标的质量特性参数辨识

针对空间绳系机器人抓捕非合作目标/空间垃圾后需要对其进行回收/拖曳的精确控制问题,提出了一种利用抓捕后保持阶段的振动特性辨识目标参数的方法。首先,根据质量特性参数辨识的需要,推导了系统的动力学模型。不同于以往将本体卫星和被抓捕目标简化为质点的动力学模型,本文针对任意的目标抓捕位置,在考虑重力梯度影响的基础上,利用拉格朗日法获得系统各广义坐标的动力学公式。然后,分析非合作目标和系绳在后抓捕保持阶段的姿态运动。最后,在非合作目标与本体卫星没有任何信息交互的情况下,利用后抓捕阶段目标卫星和系绳特有的振动,并使用具有鲁棒性可遗忘因子的递推最小二乘法,提出了包括转动惯量和质心到任意抓捕点距离在内的质量特性参数辨识算法。