The effectiveness of end-of-life re-orbiting for debris mitigation in geostationary orbit

The effect of satellite breakups over 72 years, as a function of the end-of-life re-orbiting altitude (0–2000km), was analyzed in terms of fragment contribution to the object density in the geostationary orbit (GEO) ring, both in the short- and long-term. In the short-term, the explosions in GEO are the most detrimental for the GEO ring environment, though the average fragment density in the ring is never higher than 1/5 of the background, decreasing to less than 1/100 of the existing environment after 4 years (apart from a density rebound 5 decades later, due to luni-solar perturbations). Spacecraft end-of-life re-orbiting is a possible mitigation solution. But the re-orbiting altitude is critical if explosions continue to occur. In order to reduce the post-event average density by 1 order of magnitude with respect to an explosion occurring in GEO, more than 500km of re-orbiting is needed. Concerning the long-term environmental impact, the re-orbiting strategy supported by Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) seems adequate to guarantee, after 2–3 years, a long-term average density of fragments in the GEO ring of at least 2 orders of magnitude below the existing background. But at least 1000km of re-orbiting are needed to stay below that threshold in the short-term too. In conclusion, the re-orbiting strategy recommended by IADC is totally adequate in the long-term, but only if satellite passivation is extensively carried out.     

Local debris congestion in the geosynchronous environment with population augmentation

Forecasting of localized debris congestion in the geostationary (GEO) regime is performed to investigate how frequently near-miss events occur for each of the longitude slots in the GEO ring. The present-day resident space object (RSO) population at GEO is propagated forward in time to determine current debris congestion conditions, and new probability density functions that describe where GEO satellites are inserted into operational orbits are harnessed to assess longitude-dependent congestion in “business-as-usual” launch traffic, with and without re-orbiting at end-of-life. Congestion forecasting for a 50-year period is presented to illustrate the need for appropriately executed mitigation measures in the GEO ring. Results indicate that localized debris congestion will double within 50 years under current 80% re-orbiting success rates.     

Collision Risk Mitigation in Geostationary Orbit

The short- and long-term effects of spacecraft explosions, as a function of the end-of-life re-orbit altitude above the geostationary orbit (GEO), were analyzed in terms of their additional contribution to the debris flux in the GEO ring. The simulated debris clouds were propagated for 72yrs, taking into account all the relevant orbital perturbations.The results obtained show that 6–7 additional explosions in GEO would be sufficient, in the long term, to double the current collision risk with sizable objects in GEO. Unfortunately, even if spacecraft were to re-orbit between 300 and 500km above GEO, this would not significantly improve the situation. In fact, an altitude increase of at least 2000km would have to be adopted to reduce by one order of magnitude the long-term risk of collision among geostationary satellites and explosion fragments. The optimal debris mitigation strategy should be a compromise between the reliability and effectiveness of spacecraft end-of-life passivation, the re-orbit altitude and the acceptable debris background in the GEO ring. However, for as long as the re-orbit altitudes currently used are less than 500km above GEO, new spacecraft explosions must be avoided in order to preserve the geostationary environment over the long term.     

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.     

Technical and legal issues surrounding space debris—India''s position in the UN

This article briefly presents the historical background, as seen by ISRO and India, to the growing problem of space debris. It describes the technical aspects of ISRO's activities in the field of space debris, and the grey areas in technical understanding, which may impede legal discussions. Analysis of the cost and technical aspects of reorbiting satellites from geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) is detailed, since this is an important area for India and other developing countries. The article also briefly describes ISRO's views of the applicability and relevance of the existing space treaties to a possible future legal regime for space debris. Debates are currently taking place in the UN and other multilateral fora on the subject of space debris and the situation is dynamic. The main aim of this article is to inform readers of ISRO's and India's position in the UN on the subject of space debris, in terms of its technical, political and legal aspects. Certain issues of importance from the legal point of view, though not of immediate urgency, are also discussed.     

静止轨道卫星在轨延寿技术研究进展

随着星上设备及元器件可靠性的提高,推进剂耗尽将成为未来静止轨道卫星的主要失效
模式。静止轨道卫星在轨延寿技术可通过发射延寿飞行器与失效卫星对接,采用辅助控制或燃料加注方式,进一步延长卫星在轨工作寿命。本文首先对近年来静止轨道失效卫星进行了统计和分析,随后介绍了静止轨道卫星在轨延寿技术的基本概念和任务特点,在国外典型项目调研的基础上,对在轨延寿任务所涉及的交会轨迹规划与控制、视觉测量与导航等关键技术进行了分析。在轨延寿技术的发展必将对未来静止轨道卫星的设计及运营模式产生重要的影响。     

Exposure estimates for repair satellites at geosynchronous orbit

Communications and weather satellites in geosynchronous (GEO, altitude: 35,793 km.) and geostationary orbits (GSO) are revolutionizing our ability to almost instantly communicate with each other, capture high resolution global imagery for weather forecasting and obtain a multitude of other geophysical data for environmental protection purposes. The rapid increase in the number of satellites at GEO is partly due to the exponential expansion of the internet, its commercial potential and the need to deliver a large amount of digital information in near real time. With the large number of satellites operating at GEO and particularly at GSO, there is a need to think of viable approaches to retrieve, rejuvenate and perhaps repair these satellites. The first step in this process is a detailed understanding of the ionizing radiation environment at GEO. Currently, the most widely used trapped particle radiation environment definition near Earth is based on the NASA’s static AP8/AE8 models which define the trapped proton and electron intensities. These models are based on a large number of satellite measurements carried out in the 1960s and 1970s. In this paper, the AP8/AE8 models as well as a heavy ion galactic cosmic ray (GCR) model are used to define the radiation environments for protons, electrons and heavy ions at low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO) and GEO. LEO and MEO dosimetric calculations are included in the analysis since any launch platform capable of delivering a payload to GEO will accumulate exposure during its transit through LEO and MEO. The computational approach (particle transport) taken in this paper is to use the static LEO, MEO, GEO and geomagnetically attenuated GCR environments as input to the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) developed deterministic particle transport codes high charge and energy transport (HZETRN) and coupled electron photon transport (CEPTRN). This is done through exposure prediction within a spherical shell, a legacy Apollo era command service module (CSM) configuration, and a large modular structure represented by a specific configuration of the international Space Station (ISS-11A, circa 2005). Based on the results of the simulations, conclusions are drawn on the exposure levels accumulated by these geometries throughout a mission to GEO.     

地球静止轨道空间碎片的处置

介绍了国际机构间碎片协调委员会提出的关于地球静止轨道（GEO）空间碎片问题的研究结果和碎片处置的建议，主要内容包括：GEO与GEO环的概念、EGO上物体现状，EGO空间碎片处置的基本原则和8条具体处置措施建议。该建议已于2000年2月提交联合国和平利用外层空间委员会科技小组委员会第37届会议。     

基于偏心率和倾角矢量的共位隔离策略

在同一个标准的位置保持窗口内并置多颗卫星,并且避免相互之间的碰撞、干扰和遮蔽,是充分利用地球静止轨道资源的一种比较好的办法。针对我国卫星共位隔离的工程需要,文章提出了一种基于偏心率矢量和倾角矢量实现共位隔离的方法,给出了基于偏心率矢量和倾角矢量联合隔离的基本方法、约束方程,以及工程实现时的位置保持策略。通过仿真计算和工程实际应用,验证了该方法的正确性。     

GEO卫星寿命末期离轨控制策略

根据机构间空间碎片协调委员会(IADC)1997年的建议,提出了一种采用多次两脉冲霍曼变轨对寿命末期地球同步轨道(GEO)卫星实施离轨控制的策略。分析了剩余燃料充足时变轨中燃料消耗的计算,以及剩余燃料不足时应采用一次两脉冲霍曼变轨使卫星尽可能离开GEO的对策。仿真结果表明,该离轨控制策略可行。     

“凤凰”计划关键技术及其启示

为了充分利用地球静止轨道(GEO)的轨道资源,美国于2012年启动了针对GEO卫星的重复利用验证计划——"凤凰"计划。文章介绍了"凤凰"计划的概况,重点对其系统组成、任务等方面进行了介绍,归纳了其中的关键技术,如模块卫星总体设计技术、无线能源传输技术和新型在轨捕获技术等。最后,给出了美国发展在轨服务的若干启示:卫星重用将带来航天器发展的重大变革,注重创新技术开发等。     

美国高轨抵近操作卫星MiTEx飞行任务及启示

简述了美国"微卫星技术试验"(Micro-satellite Technology Experiment,MiTEx)计划进展情况,根据目前可获得的最新的MiTEx卫星轨道数据,对其整个飞行过程进行了深入研究,划分了MiTEx-A卫星与MiTEx-B卫星飞行阶段,描述了各阶段飞行轨迹,给出了飞行任务关键数据,对其飞行任务进行了总结。在飞行任务分析的基础上,结合国外对MiTEx卫星的相关报道,分析了MiTEx卫星可能具备的抵近操作任务执行能力,提出了对高轨非合作目标抵近操作应用的启示,总结分析了执行高轨抵近操作任务所需的关键技术。     

GEO编队空间机器人系统交会方法

针对地球静止轨道（GEO）上被服务航天器的远距离和非合作特点,提出一种高自主、高协同、多任务的编队空间机器人在轨服务系统方案,实现对非合作目标的自主交会接近。首先,分析GEO卫星轨道约束力小的轨道特征和非合作的信息交互特征,给出由操作空间机器人和监视空间机器人组成的编队在轨服务系统,设计交会接近相对测量分系统以及在轨服务飞行任务;接着,给出典型远距离交会接近的多视线相对导航方法与多冲量相对制导律;最后,进行远距离交会任务仿真校验,结果表明编队空间机器人交会接近方法是有效的。     

Tracking and data relay satellite system: NASA's new spacecraft data acquisition system

The growth in NASA's ground network complexity and cost triggered a search for an alternative. Through a lease service contract, Western Union will provide to NASA 10 years of space communications services with a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). A constellation of four operating satellites in geostationary orbit and a single ground terminal will provide complete tracking, telemetry and command service for all of NASA's Earth orbital satellites below an altitude of 12,000 km. The system is shared: two satellites will be dedicated to NASA service; a third will provide backup as a shared spare; the fourth satellite will be dedicated to Western Union's Advanced Westar commercial service. Western Union will operate the ground terminal and provide operational satellite control. NASA's Network Control Center will provide the focal point for scheduling user services and controlling the interface between TDRSS and the rest of the NASA communications network, project control centers and data processing facilities. TDRSS single access user spacecraft data systems should be designed for efficient time shared data relay support. Reimbursement policy and rate structure for non-NASA users are currently being developed.     

我国“风云”气象卫星及其应用的回顾与展望

气象卫星和卫星气象是气象现代化的重要标志。自1988年至今,我国已先后成功发射了4颗风云-1极轨气象卫星和4颗风云-2静止气象卫星,顺利完成了极轨和静止两个系列气象卫星从试验到业务卫星的跨越。由“风云”气象卫星获取的地球大气和地表信息已广泛应用于天气预报、气候预测、环境和自然灾害监测与分析等多个领域。文章介绍了我国“风云”系列气象卫星的发展历程、地面应用系统组成、“风云”卫星产品及应用,最后展望了“风云”系列气象卫星的发展。     

基于低轨卫星增强的非差高精度导航定位技术与在轨试验验证

随着自动驾驶、精密农业等领域的发展,各领域对高精度导航定位的需求不断增加。在地基增强技术、高轨星基增强技术和传统非差精密单点定位技术的基础上,提出了一种基于低轨卫星增强的非差高精度导航定位技术,研制了基于低轨导航增强技术的低轨导航增强载荷,开发了基于低轨卫星增强的地面自适应卡尔曼滤波非差高精度定位软件,并进行了全球首次基于低轨卫星的信号信息一体化导航增强在轨试验。试验表明:经低轨卫星增强后,地面终端用户定位精度优于30 cm。最后,给出了该技术的后续研究方向,为未来低轨导航增强系统与其他增强系统协同工作,实现广泛应用奠定了基础。     

天基激光对GEO卫星的毁伤效能分析与启示

为分析天基高能激光对地球同步轨道（geosynchronous orbit, GEO）卫星的威胁，为高价值GEO卫星的防护设计提供参考，根据机动战术激光武器的技术发展情况，采用理论分析和数值计算的方法对天基高能激光的毁伤效能进行了评估。结果表明，10 kW级天基战术激光武器对卫星造成硬毁伤的距离可达50 km以上，卫星的易损部件依次为星表热控材料、太阳电池阵、碳纤维复合材料结构件和光学敏感器。根据分析结果得出的启示有:1）天基激光武器对GEO卫星的威胁是现实的；2）卫星激光防护应围绕薄弱环节开展以获取最佳效费比；3）应从单机、分系统、系统层面综合采取措施以提高系统鲁棒性；4）应采取主被动防护相结合的方式提高综合防护效能。     

同步轨道多星共位位置保持研究

本文对同步轨道多星共位位置保持策略进行了初步研究，阐述了该策略的基本原理及方法，并提出了对卫星姿控系统及地面测控系统的精度要求。     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994–1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.     

地球静止轨道卫星硅太阳电池在轨特性分析

空间辐照效应的影响,使太阳电池输出功率随其在轨时间的推移而逐渐衰减。文章以2颗在轨的地球静止轨道卫星为研究对象,对某类我国自主研发的硅太阳电池的在轨输出功率衰减率进行了分析。并针对所获得的相关遥测参数,通过数值统计与数学分析的方法,采用确定的计算公式得出太阳电池阵的总输出电流,用以表征其输出功率。文章提出了一种曲线平移...