Orbital and Attitude Prediction Accuracy Requirements for Satellites

This paper examines the criteria for selecting the orbital and attitude prediction accuracy requirements for communications satellites. The accuracy requirements have been analyzed in terms of the various space operations involved, e.g., satellite acquisition, guidance and control, communications, telemetry, and command. It is hoped that the findings of this investigation will prove useful in satellite mission planning and design, thereby facilitating a judicious choice of the various satellite and ground components of the related subsystems.     

Next generation GOES satellite power subsystem

Hughes space and communications was awarded a contract in January 1998 from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for the design, manufacture, integration and launch of two next generation geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES) and options for two additional satellites. The satellites measure weather phenomena as the primary mission and X-rays and charged particles as the secondary missions. This paper describes the GOES electrical power subsystem (EPS) requirements, architecture, hardware and energy balance analysis. As of this writing, the design of the EPS has completed the critical design review phase and the hardware has entered the manufacturing phase     

交会对接任务天基双目标测控通信设计

针对交会对接任务对测控通信提出的高覆盖率和双目标测控等需求的问题,分析2颗中继卫星能够提供的覆盖率,设计双目标测控工作模式以及天地协同机制,计算中继链路的性能,分析表明,天基测控可提供约72%的测控覆盖率,能够支持双目标测控,链路余量满足要求;统计了任务中关键段落的测控通信工作情况,分析结果和实际任务情况验证了天基测控在交会对接任务测控通信中的重要作用;最后提出后续任务改进和完善的建议。     

Aiming at a 1-cm Orbit for Low Earth Orbiters: Reduced-Dynamic and Kinematic Precise Orbit Determination

The computation of high-accuracy orbits is a prerequisite for the success of Low Earth Orbiter (LEO) missions such as CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE. The mission objectives of these satellites cannot be reached without computing orbits with an accuracy at the few cm level. Such a level of accuracy might be achieved with the techniques of reduced-dynamic and kinematic precise orbit determination (POD) assuming continuous Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking (SST) by the Global Positioning System (GPS). Both techniques have reached a high level of maturity and have been successfully applied to missions in the past, for example to TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P), leading to (sub-)decimeter orbit accuracy. New LEO gravity missions are (to be) equipped with advanced GPS receivers promising to provide very high quality SST observations thereby opening the possibility for computing cm-level accuracy orbits. The computation of orbits at this accuracy level does not only require high-quality GPS receivers, but also advanced and demanding observation preprocessing and correction algorithms. Moreover, sophisticated parameter estimation schemes need to be adapted and extended to allow the computation of such orbits. Finally, reliable methods need to be employed for assessing the orbit quality and providing feedback to the different processing steps in the orbit computation process. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于BDS-2/BDS-3联合处理的北斗超快速钟差预报优化策略

针对北斗卫星导航系统(BDS)钟差预报产品无法满足高精度快速服务需求的现状，提出了一种基于BDS-2/BDS-3联合估计的超快速卫星钟差预报优化策略。区别于传统两步法预报模型，利用稀疏建模方法一步求解所有模型项，并通过BDS-2/BDS-3星间相关性实现了模型系数解的增强；为进一步降低模型残差的影响，基于残差序列时空相关性，利用半变异函数重构了模型估计的权阵。为验证提出的钟差预报模型，设计了12套对比方案，实验结果表明：基于稀疏建模的钟差模型参数一步估计可略微提高钟差预报精度；通过引入星间相关性对随机模型进行精化，钟差序列一步建模可分别将BDS-2与BDS-3卫星钟差18h预报精度提升28.6%与27.2%；基于半变异函数建模的模型残差相关性提取，可实现BDS-2与BDS-3预报钟差精度8.0%与11.1%的提升。因此，提出的优化策略对当前北斗超快速卫星钟差预报产品精化具有重要意义。     

Tracking and data acquisition for space exploration

The tracking and data acquisition systems provide the key link between the remote spacecraft and the scientific experimenter on the ground. The operation of the space experiment takes place through the links of command, telemetry and tracking. The evolution from the early very simple spacecraft missions toward more complex and sophisticated missions has been paralleled by a similar evolution in the tracking and data acquisition systems. The early Minitrack interferometer tracking system still carries the major tracking workload for space missions; however greater tracking accuracy requirements for more recent missions, such as the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory and the Apollo mission, have brought about the development of unified tracking and data acquisition systems which utilize hybrid pseudo-random code/sidetone ranging techniques. The data acquisition has evolved from analog telemetry systems to the present day heavy use of PCM digital telemetry. Likewise the command systems have evolved from early simple on/off command systems into PCM digital command data systems. The trend is toward greater real time control of more complex functions on board the spacecraft. Newer spacecraft are incorporating computer-type systems in the spacecraft which require programming and memory load through the ground command link. The most attractive concept for the next generation network for tracking and data acquisition is a network consisting of synchronous-orbit Tracking and Data Relay Satellites for covering launches and low-orbit earth satellites plus a few selected ground stations for supporting spacecraft in high earth orbit and lunar orbit.     

高能电子对地球同步轨道卫星的影响分析

为了厘清在轨GEO(Geosynchronous Earth Orbit,地球同步轨道)卫星不时出现异常的原因,提高卫星执行任务的可靠性,首先从机理上介绍了空间环境中的地球辐射带及高能电子的情况,引出GEO卫星所处恶劣空间环境的现实;其次基于我国SEPC(Space Environment Prediction Center,国家空间环境预报中心)以及NSMC(National Satellite Meteorological Center,国家卫星气象中心)的空间环境月报资料,结合某GEO环境业务卫星故障的实际数据,经统计归纳,分析得出了地球辐射带中的高能电子是导致GEO卫星发生故障的主要原因;最后按照事例技术分析、常规按需预报和特殊情况下的实时预报等3个层次对高能电子预报方法进行了初步探讨。通过分析可以看出,为提高卫星完成任务的可靠性、降低长期管理风险,需要加强GEO卫星所处空间环境高能电子的预报工作。     

MINISAT-01: a successful spanish satellite

The MINISAT-01 mission, launched in 1997, has been an important success in the technological area due to the platform qualification in the technological area due to the platform qualification, and also from the scientific point of view. Thinking of MINISAT 01 as the first step in the whole INTA MINISAT programme, the behaviour of this satellite allows us to tackle with confidence more ambitious satellites, such as Earth Observation missions where the requirements and constraints are more strict.     

Needs and Tools for Future Gravity Measuring Missions

This paper compares the requirements that can be expected of gravity measuring missions with respect to the status of the instrumentation and satellite technologies. The error sources of gravity gradiometry and satellite-to-satellite tracking are analysed and the elements limiting the accuracy are identified. Proposed and approved future missions that will fly technologies of interest for gravity sensing are recalled. Areas of technical development of interest are reviewed. The article finishes with two possible conceptual missions presented as examples and with a chapter of conclusions. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Swedish Small Satellite Program for Space Plasma Investigations

The success of the Swedish small satellite program, in combination with an active participation by Swedish research groups in major international missions, has placed Sweden in the frontline of experimental space research. The program started with the development of the research satellite Viking which was launched in 1986, for detailed investigations of the aurora. To date, Sweden has developed and launched a total of six research satellites; five for space plasma investigations; and the most recent satellite Odin, for research in astronomy and aeronomy. These fall into three main categories according to their physical dimension, financial cost and level of ambition: nano-satellites, micro-satellites, and mid-size satellites with ambitious scientific goals. In this brief review we focus on five space plasma missions, for which operations have ended and a comprehensive scientific data analysis has been conducted, which allows for a judgement of their role and impact on the progress in auroral research. Viking and Freja, the two most well-known missions of this program, were pioneers in the exploration of the aurora. The more recent satellites, Munin, Astrid, and Astrid-2 (category 1 and 2), proved to be powerful tools, both for testing new technologies and for carrying out advanced science missions. The Swedish small satellite program has been internationally recognized as cost efficient and scientifically very successful.     

飞轮被动减振卫星动力学建模及稳定性研究

为提高卫星的指向精度和稳定度,通常在飞轮系统中设计了被动减振器。而对于有敏捷机动要求的卫星,被动减振器的低刚度设计可能会破坏姿态控制系统的动态性能和稳定性。因此,针对飞轮减振情况,建立了卫星刚柔姿态动力学方程,用来准确分析卫星敏捷机动时的动态性能、稳定性问题以及飞轮扰动对卫星稳定度的影响。仿真结果表明,不合适的隔振器刚度设计将会影响指向的动态性能和稳定性,甚至诱发姿控系统失稳。     

人工智能在卫星任务规划中的应用

智能规划与调度是实现卫星自主规划其飞行任务的关键。将人工智能方法应用于卫星的任务规划,以执行对地观测任务为例,将任务规划问题归于组合优化问题,建立了相应的数学模型,并应用Hopfield神经网络算法进行求解,结果表明,该方法可用于单个仪器的任务规划。     

Quick position determination using 1 or 2 LEO satellites

We describe an approach for a medium accuracy position determination of a user terminal (UT) on the Earth surface, using one or two low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The positioning approach is intended to meet the requirements of a worldwide personal communications system using LEO satellites. The basic two requirements are: (1) immediate positioning, and (2) horizontal position accuracy of the order of 10 km. Those requirements stem from the need of the system to know the user's approximate location before it connects his call. The approach makes use of the two-way communication with the UT, which can receive, transmit, and make its own measurements. Delay and Doppler measurements are used in order to enable instantaneous positioning with one satellite, and in order to achieve unambiguous positioning with two satellites. A simplified Globalstar satellite constellation and the expected Globalstar delay and frequency measurement accuracy are used to demonstrate the concept and to evaluate its performances     

下一代数据中继卫星系统发展思考

通过系统阐述中继卫星系统的发展过程,给出了主要国家和组织的中继卫星系统技术体制和现状.再结合卫星、载人航天器和深空探索的未来发展趋势,分析了下一代中继卫星系统的发展需求.在此基础上,从体系结构、卫星平台、链路调制体制、网络协议等方面,探讨并给出了下一代中继卫星系统的发展趋势和技术途径.为满足未来近地、深空航天任务,以及临近、低空快速移动用户的不同要求,节约系统成本,下一代中继卫星系统将向专业化和与其他系统融合的方向发展:星间链路将增加激光链路,数据速率可达到10 Gbit/s以上;多址业务成为主用,同时支持用户数能力将极大提高;对于链路调制体制,在采用CR(Cognitive Radio,认知无线电)和SDR(Software Defined Radio,软件定义无线电)技术的基础上,可实现实时自适应调整和根据需求加载配置;数据传输将采用网络化方式,天地间构成一体化DTN(Delay Tolerant Network,容延迟网络).     

原子磁力仪的空间应用及发展趋势

在太空探索中,磁场测量为很多重要的科学研究提供了数据支撑。空间探测器和磁测卫星均多次采用原子磁力仪作为磁场测量的主载荷,原子磁力仪在空间磁场测量中发挥着不可替代的作用。回顾了用于空间磁场测量的原子磁力仪的发展历程,总结了不同种类原子磁力仪的技术特点,分析了空间应用原子磁力仪载荷的发展趋势。     

Systems approach to the satellite operations problem

It is noted that the projected increase in satellites needed to satisfy future military, scientific, and commercial missions will soon be overwhelming current ground-operations capabilities. An intelligent processing architecture, IntelliSTAR, that addresses the potential of automating the entire satellite operations domain (planning, scheduling, execution, and analysis) is discussed. The architecture has been developed with flexibility in mind. In particular, IntelliSTAR has been structured to allow for development and validation on the ground, prior to deployment in space. The overall architecture is described, with particular emphasis placed on the scheduling of satellite missions     

低仰角大气折射误差对初轨精度的影响分析

针对在交会对接任务中测量船使用的电波折射经验模型存在低仰角跟踪测量修正精度差的问题提出改进思路,在模型中引入基于天顶延迟的拟合算法优化修正模型,提高了船载雷达低仰角跟踪时距离的修正精度,满足了测量船数据处理的精度需求。用新方法处理数据,计算的轨道根数半长轴外符合误差平均降低了605m,有效提高了测量船定轨精度。     

多机构比对融合的分布式InSAR编队星间基线确定

星间基线高精度确定是分布式干涉合成孔径雷达（InSAR）系统完成科学任务的重要保证,受星载全球定位系统（GPS）接收机连续跟踪弧段短、个别弧段共视GPS卫星个数少或模糊度固定成功率低、频繁轨道机动等因素影响,分布式InSAR高精度基线确定仍有不可靠的风险。通过多机构产品互比来识别基线精度较差的时间段,降低不可靠风险,并通过多机构产品融合进一步提高基线精度。选用重力反演与气候实验（GRACE）卫星数据进行实验,国防科技大学（NDT）和西安测绘研究所（CHS）采用不同的基线处理软件和简化动力学策略,保证了各自的基线产品具有一定的独立性。实验表明,多机构互比对可以有效识别基线精度较差的时间段,NDT和CHS的基线产品之间具有很好的一致性,互比对残差的均方根（RMS）在R、T、N方向分别为0.7、0.9、0.7 mm,二者之间没发现明显系统偏差,大约97.86%的基线三维互比对残差量级在2 mm以内。两个机构基线产品融合后发现可进一步降低基线产品中的随机波动误差,K/Ka波段测距（KBR）系统校核结果表明融合基线产品精度较NDT基线产品提高8.97%,较CHS基线产品提高29.21%。     

Application of GPS to space vehicles: analysis of space environmentand errors

GPS based systems become extremely competitive for space applications because of their all-weather capabilities and continual information on position, velocity, precise time and even attitude to increase mission effectiveness, reduce mission cost, minimize requirements of on-board devices. In this paper, space application environment and error sources have been systematically analyzed, including geometric location of user with GPS satellites, dynamic state, physical environment and the effects on positioning accuracy. Several special differential GPS technologies to space use are proposed     

Solar system observations and future missions

This paper aims at placing infrared (IR) and submillimeter (submm) observations of the Solar Sytem in the context of future space missions. First, the information that mm, submm and IR observations bring on planets, satellites and comets is reviewed. Then, some lines of future research in this field are explored, and a number of observations that could enhance our understanding of Solar System objects are suggested. Finally, the adequacy of future space missions in this respect is discussed. The specific cases of ISO, FIRST and the proposed Edison are considered.