Tether Satellite System Collision Study

A study was performed to determine the probability of collision with resident space objects and untrackable debris for the tether component of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) after it broke away from the Space Shuttle orbiter (mission STS-75) in February 1996. Both an analytical and a numerical approach were used in this study, and the results obtained with these two methods were found to be in good agreement. These results show that the deployed tether is expected to have been impacted by several particles 0.1mm or larger in size. The probability of collision with objects 10cm in size or larger was on the order of 10^–3 per month. Since the severed tether reentered within one month after deployment, the collision hazard to other objects while in orbit was small. The analytical methods used in this study are useful for tether collision evaluations in general.     

Analysis of the dynamics of the deployed aerodynamic space tether system

An analysis of the motion of a deployed space system that consists of two end bodies connected by a tether has been considered. One of the bodies has a relatively large ballistic coefficient that ensures aerodynamic braking or the stabilization of the motion of the entire system in relatively low near-Earth orbits. The deployment of this system mainly occurs due to the action of aerodynamic forces. Several ways of deploying the system have been analyzed, including (1) the uncontrolled release of the tether with hardly any braking; (2) deployment with constant braking force; (3) the dynamic control law without feedback, when the resistance force varies according to a set program; (4) a kinematic control law with feedback when programs are set for varying the velocity and length of the tether release. To analyze the dynamics of the system, a mathematical model of motion has been constructed in which the motion of the end bodies relative to their centers of mass is taken into account.     

对美国宇航公司使用的轨道碎片模型的评价

文章介绍了碰撞程序和碎片程序,并进行了评价。前一个程序说明了碎片撞击的破裂特性;后一个程序给出了当一个空间物体进入碎片云时的撞击概率。     

利用姿态机动的绳系卫星编队系统轨道协同控制

为克服绳系卫星编队系统在轨道机动过程中的系绳摆动现象，提出一种通过调整领航星推力方向进而实现编队系统轨道跟踪的控制算法。由于推力方向角与状态量互相耦合且少于系统自由度个数，轨道协同控制属于典型的非仿射欠驱动控制问题。针对此问题，首先采用升阶法将角速度作为虚拟控制输入；然后为各子系统设计子滑模面后加权得到高层滑模面和等效控制输入律，并设计观测器估计系统非线性项；其次基于模型预测控制算法优化得到最高层滑模面的趋近控制律；最后采用MATLAB/Simulink验证了所提控制算法的有效性。     

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.     

Tether satellite system collision study

A study was performed to determine the probability of collision with resident space objects and untrackable debris for the tether component of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS) after it broke away from the space shuttle orbiter (mission STS-75) in February 1996. Both an analytical and a numerical approach were used in this study, and the results obtained with these two methods were found to be in good agreement. These results show that the deployed tether is expected to have been impacted by several particles 0.1 mm or larger in size. The probability of collision with objects 10 cm in size or larger was on the order of 10⁻³ per month. Since the severed tether reentered within one month after deployment, the collision hazard to other objects while in orbit was small. The analytical methods used in this study are general and can be applied to future tether collision evaluations.     

空间碎片绳网捕获拖曳恒张力控制

针对空间绳网系统捕获空间碎片后，在轨道转移过程中的精确控制问题，提出一种使用常值拉力将空间碎片拖曳至坟墓轨道的方法。首先，采用牛顿欧拉法建立绳系组合体动力学模型；其次，通过李雅普诺夫方法证明仅使用恒张力即可实现拖曳过程的稳定控制；再次，提出采用常值拉力切换控制律抑制空间碎片的姿态章动，采用基于相平面控制原理的控制律抑制绳系组合体面内面外摆动，规避在轨道转移过程中系绳松弛造成缠绕、系绳张力过大造成断裂或两星接近发生碰撞等风险。最后，通过拖曳离轨全过程仿真分析，校验了所提出控制方法的有效性。     

Assessing the Impact Risk of Orbital Debris on Space Tethers

Tethers are being proposed for a growing number of space applications. However, they may be particularly vulnerable to orbital debris and meteoroid impacts. In order to provide useful reference data for tether systems design, detailed analytical and numerical computations were carried out to assess the average impact rate of artificial debris and meteoroids. The specific geometric properties of tethers as debris targets, when compared to typical satellites, are discussed, and the results obtained are presented in tabular form, as a function of debris size and tether diameter.The computations were carried out for six circular orbits, spanning three altitudes (600, 800 and 1000km) and two inclinations (30° and 50°). Tether diameters in between 1mm and 2cm and debris larger than 0.1mm were considered in the analysis. The collision risk of tethers with spacecraft and upper stages in orbit was estimated as well.In the debris interval and orbital regimes considered, artificial debris represent the dominant contributor to the impact rate. At 600km and in the 0.1–10mm size range, the meteoroid and orbital debris impact rates are still comparable; however, at higher altitudes and in the 1–10cm size range, meteoroids contribute 20–30 times less to the collision probability.The results obtained confirm that for single-strand tethers in low Earth orbit the probability to be severed by orbital debris and meteoroid impacts is quite significant, making necessary the adoption of innovative designs for long duration missions.     

Parametric study of the diversion of a near Earth object on an Earth intersecting trajectory

To date, NASA's “Near Earth Object Program” has discovered over 5500 comets and asteroids on trajectories that bring them within “the neighborhood” of Earth's orbit. Nearly 1000 of these objects are classified as “potentially hazardous,” passing within 0.05 astronomical units of Earth's orbit. Discovery rates of such threatening bodies increase each year. Given this multitude of threats, in addition to evidence that the planet has absorbed many impacts over its history, it is reasonable to assume that another object will strike the Earth at some point in the future. Consequently, researchers have studied and proposed several mitigation techniques for such an occurrence. This study seeks to determine how effectively the attachment of a tether and ballast mass would divert the trajectory of such threatening objects. Specifically, the study analyzes the effects over time of such a system on objects of varying orbital semimajor axis and eccentricity, using various tether lengths and ballast masses. It was determined that the technique is most effective for NEOs with high eccentricity and small semimajor axis, and that system performance increases as tether length and ballast mass increase.     

Experiments and numerical simulations of an electrodynamic tether deployment from a spool-type reel using thrusters

The amount of space debris is ever increasing, and pollution of the space environment has become a serious problem that can no longer be ignored. Consequently, the active removal of large space debris from crowded economically useful orbits should begin as soon as possible. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has been investigating an active debris removal system that employs highly efficient electrodynamic tether (EDT) technology for orbital transfer. This study investigates the tether deployment from a spool-type reel using thrusters by means of numerical simulations of an EDT system. The thrusters are used in order to ensure the deployment of a tether with the length of several kilometers. In the simulations using a multiple mass tether model, the key parameters are estimated from various on-ground experiments. By means of the numerical simulations, the dynamics of tether deployment is studied and requirements of thruster needed for the deployment, such as the thrust forces and the periods of thruster activation, are clarified.     

美俄卫星太空碰撞事件及对航天活动的影响

文章介绍了最近发生的美俄卫星太空碰撞重大事件;深入剖析了导致碰撞的可能原因;详细评述了卫星碰撞事件对空间碎片环境的严重恶化和对人类航天活动的影响;分析了碰撞事件对空间碎片研究带来的新困难和新挑战。文章指出,从航天器安全角度来讲,减缓、控制乃至清除空间碎片是全人类共同的责任和唯一选择。     

空间绳系组合体拖曳动力学分析及振动控制

空间绳系捕获系统捕获目标物后的组合体在拖曳离轨过程中常产生振动，为此，建立了切向连续推力作用下的空间拖曳绳系组合体面内动力学模型，并对模型进行了横向摆动与纵向振动耦合分析。针对组合体的纵向振动问题提出了一种以张力控制为内环、速度控制为外环的双闭环振动控制策略。进行了振动控制仿真分析，并根据动力学的相似性，建立地面模拟实验系统，仿真与实验结果表明该控制策略可迅速抑制组合体纵向振动、减小系绳冲击并可避免出现系绳松弛现象。     

Mechanics of very long tethered systems

A space elevator has been proposed as an alternate method for launching satellites; however, the materials available now are not strong enough to support the stress generated in the structure. On the other hand, with the existing technology, a partial elevator is feasible. In this paper, the mechanics of a very long tethered system that functions as a partial elevator is studied. For such a system, the center of mass, center of gravity, and center of orbit are not coincident; disregarding this distinction can lead to erroneous results. A relation between these three points is presented in this paper. A consistent stress distribution along the tether is obtained by taking into account the distinction between these points. Dynamics of the system consisting of two end bodies, the tether (with mass), and a climber is examined. The equations of motion are derived using the Lagrangian formulation and analyzed numerically.     

空间目标轨道信息软件平台的建设

空间目标轨道信息是空间态势感知的重要要素,是空间碰撞预警、空间碎片环境模型和许多空间应用的基础。因而,空间目标轨道确定成为空间态势感知的主要任务之一。文章介绍武汉大学测绘学院正在开发建设的空间目标轨道信息服务软件平台,该平台拥有的主要功能有:利用多源数据的卫星/空间碎片轨道确定(包括初轨确定)与预报、大气质量密度模型精化、空间碰撞预警和半解析法快速精密轨道传播等。文章还针对软件平台功能的研究进展进行了综述,介绍了软件平台发展规划。     

对欧空局轨道碎片模型的评价

文章评价了颗粒大于1cm的碎片模型,它包含大于10cm的一组粒子和介于1～10cm之间的粒子,它们是由空间暴露模拟得到的。接着讨论了尺寸范围介于0.1～10mm之间的小粒子束流。假定这些粒子主要是由小粒子与卫星碰撞产生的。这种碰撞主要发生在450～500kin的高度范围内(空间站高度),碰撞与否还取决于轨道高度和离心率。     

绳系卫星系统的运动与控制

绳系卫星系统的运动与控制分析,是绳系卫星应用的基础。本文的数学模型考虑了作用在子星、主星及系绳上的空气阻力以及在伸展与收回阶段主星与系绳之间的质量传递,给出了相应的具体的计算式。应用该数学模型,本文对现有的几种主要控制法,进行了模拟计算,作出评审意见。     

Pressing Issues of the Day in Studying Deep Space

Two problems in studying deep space are discussed that are, in the author's opinion, the most important. The first is soil sampling from the smaller bodies of the Solar System, such as the Martian satellite Phobos and asteroids of groups C and S of the Main Asteroid Belt. This soil (so-called primordial substance) can help to elucidate some problems of the Solar System's formation; in particular, to construct a reliable model of the internal structure of the Earth. The second problem is to reveal all sufficiently large asteroids penetrating inside the Earth's orbit and to catalog those asteroids that are hazardous from the viewpoint of collision with the Earth. To this end, it is suggested to launch five or six Earth-orbiting spacecraft with telescopes capable of recording objects down to a brightness of 22– 25 ^m . It is pointed out that both problems can be solved in the near future using comparatively cheap standardized space vehicles launched into near-Earth orbits by the Soyuz carrier rocket and boosted further by electro-jet engines of small thrust.     

来流马赫数对射流矢量喷管内流场影响的动态模拟

以二维拉瓦尔喷管为对象,利用非定常雷诺平均N—S方程和RNGκ-ε两方程湍流模型对激波控制的射流推力矢量喷管非定常流场进行研究,分析了来流马赫数连续变化对喷管流场的影响,得出喷管推力性能的变化规律。结果表明：在亚声速来流中,轴向力随飞行马赫数增加而小幅上升,侧向力变化不大;在跨声速来流中,轴向推力和侧向推力都急剧下降;...     

Ground assisted rendezvous with geosynchronous satellites for the disposal of space debris by means of Earth-oriented tethers

Previous studies have shown that extended length Earth-oriented tethers in the geosynchronous (GEO) region can be used to re-orbit satellites to disposal orbits. One such approach involves the extension of a GEO based tether, collection of a debris object, and retraction of the tether, which transfers the retracted configuration to a higher energy orbit for debris disposal. The re-extension of the tether after debris disposal returns the configuration to the near-GEO altitude. The practical feasibility of such a system depends on the ability to collect GEO debris objects, attach them to a deployed tether system, and retract the tethers for transfer to the disposal orbits.This study addresses the collection and delivery of debris objects to the deployed tether system in GEO. The investigation considers the number, type and the characteristics of the debris objects as well as the collection tug that can be ground controlled to detect, rendezvous and dock with the debris objects for their delivery to the tethers system.A total of more than 400 objects are in drift orbits crossing all longitudes either below or above the geostationary radius. More than 130 objects are also known to librate around the stable points in GEO with periods of libration up to five or more years. A characterization of the position and velocity of the debris objects relative to the collection tug is investigated. Typical rendezvous performance requirements for uncooperative GEO satellites are examined, and the similarities with other approaches such as the ESA's CX-OLEV commercial mission proposal to extend the life of geostationary telecommunication satellites are noted.     

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。