Electrostatically inflated gossamer space structure voltage requirements due to orbital perturbations

This paper explores the concept of using electrostatic forces for deployment of gossamer space structures. The Electrostatically Inflated Membrane Structure (EIMS) uses two conducting membranes that are interconnected through membrane ribs. An absolute electrostatic charge is applied to the structure through active charge emission. This causes repulsion between layers of lightweight membranes that inflates the EIMS system and tensions the membranes. Assuming positive tensions, the EIMS system is modeled as a rigid system. Typical orbital perturbations are considered such as solar radiation pressure, differential gravity, and atmospheric drag which may compress the structure leading to shape destabilization. Restricting the analysis in this paper to flat membranes, the minimum potentials required to exactly compensate for the worst case scenario of differential solar radiation pressure at geostationary altitudes are estimated to be on the order of hundreds of volts. In low Earth orbit, voltage magnitudes of several kilovolts are required to reach an inflation pressure to offset the normal compressive drag pressure.     

Concept of solenoidally stabilized reflector dishes in space

The idea of stabilizing the shape of a reflector dish for a space-based radiotelescope by an extensive magnetic field is considered. We outline a construction where the axes of rotational symmetry of the dish lie on the axes of rotational symmetry of a large circular solenoid. Its magnetic field produces a stabilizing pressure by acting on a distribution of dipole moment on the dish. In cosmic regions where the gravity gradient is smaller than the solar radiation pressure, large receiver apertures and large area-to-mass ratios of the dish are attainable. The latter might lead to a higher shape accuracy of the reflecting surface compared to the truss frame stabilization. We calculate the distribution of dipole moment that gives a parabolic surface in the approximation of no dish elasticity and no magnetic dish-dish interaction. A disadvantage is the relative large mass of the solenoid. However, we find that it can be about three times smaller in diameter than the dish.     

Comparison of nuclear and solar power plants with turboelectric generators for application in space

The aim of the analysis is to determine and to compare the specific mass of nuclear and solar power plants for application in space depending on technological data as well as on data subject to the mission.On the basis of the known theory of Ruppe and Blumenberg[1–3], nuclear power plants with turboelectric generators as well as solar-thermal power plants with parabolic or spheric mirrors are being analysed. The following thermodynamic processes are applied: the Rankine process, the Brayton process and—as an ideal comparative process—the Carnot process. An important parameter of the analysis for nuclear power plants is the net electric power, for the solar-thermal power plant the distance to the sun is of importance.     

空间电源性能测试仿真系统设计与实现

提出一种基于空间电源控制器的半实物动态环境测试仿真系统,主要由电源控制器、太阳电池模拟阵、蓄电池模拟器、程控电子负载和仿真计算机组成。以电源控制器为被测对象,搭建的仿真系统可实时模拟航天器在空间动态环境下太阳电池阵的输出特性,包括不同轨道、太阳光照角等状态条件下的输出,对航天器上的电源性能进行测试,通过仿真结果验证空间电源系统设计的正确性。     

Superlight rotating reflectors in space

There is a general possibility of creation in space of large controlled mirror reflectors for solar and electromagnetic radiation with specific mass order of 1 g m^?2 or less. Such reflectors may be used in space energetics for concentration of solar energy for its further conversion into microwave beam and transmission to the Earth. They can also be used to illuminate the Earth surface in a dark period with reflected sunlight, to control the weather, for research work and some other purposes. Such reflector is a good solar sail. The control of its orientation and position in space is performed using solar energy and light pressure without spending fuel delivered from the Earth. Its form is maintained by centrifugal forces and light pressure. The film strength permits concentrators with radii of several kilometres and nearly flat reflectors for lighting applications with radii of hundreds of metres. Large series of identical reflectors can be built in space using superthin film tape at assembly station. For a year more than a hundred reflectors with a diameter of 600 m can be assembled at such a station. The assembly station can be placed at the height of 1000 km. The reflectors transfer to synchronous or other orbit is performed using their sail-likeness. For realization of such reflectors one should solve a very difficult problem of superthin film mass production as well as assembly technology problems. Careful study and experimental checks of their lifetime should be also made.     

卫星进／出地影位置和时间的计算算法

首先推导出地影图锥面方程和卫星运动方程，然后经过合理的简化得到一个四次代数方程。对该四次方程进行求解，得出卫星进出本影和半影位置的近似解，再以此为初值，利用牛顿迭代法进行迭代，得到卫星进出地影位置和相对精确解。最后给出了该算法的数值算例。     

圆形太阳同步轨道卫星的空间热环境分析

近年来得到广泛应用的微小型卫星大多运行于圆形的太阳同步轨道,空间外热流的计算对卫星热控制系统的设计至关重要。分析了圆形太阳同步近地轨道受太阳照射的特性,建立了运行于圆形太阳同步轨道的三轴稳定的长方体卫星的外热流模型,归纳了太阳辐射热流、地球反照热流和地球辐射热流的瞬时和周期平均值的计算公式,分析了外热流的变化规律。分析指出太阳同步轨道的受晒特性主要由轨道的降交点地方时决定,外热流中太阳辐射最强,地球反照最弱。通过计算卫星各表面的外热流特性,可选择合适的散热面及太阳能电池安装面。     

Control of an orbiting flexible square platform in the presence of solar radiation

A mathematical model for the solar radiation forces and moments acting on a square plate (platform) in orbit is obtained by considering the plate mode shapes as combinations of free-free beam shape functions. The moment expressions for a plate of arbitrary reflectivity coefficient are obtained as a function of the solar incidence angle. It is seen that only the first three flexible modes of the plate generate a first order net moment about the center of mass, and that the solar radiation pressure does not influence the flexible modes of the plate for small amplitude vibrations. The solar radiation disturbance model is then included in the dynamic model of a square plate nominally oriented along the local vertical and having the major surface of the plate normal to the orbital plane. The roll angle of the plate is seen to increase steadily due to the solar radiation pressure whereas the pitch and yaw motions oscillate with an amplitude of approximately 0.2° for a 100 m square thin aluminum plate in synchronous orbit. To control the shape and orientation of the plate two point actuators are assumed—one whose force axis is normal to the plane of the plate, the second with a force axis in the plane of the plate. The control law and the feedback gain values are obtained based on linear quadratic Gaussian methods. Transient responses and control requirements are simulated for local vertical and horizontal orientations.     

A numerical method to optimize the design of a space inflatable membrane reflector

A numerical method is proposed to optimize the design of a space inflatable membrane reflector. The initial geometry is expressed by polynomial series weighted by a set of shape parameters. The problem is formulated as a minimization of a cost function representing the difference between the effective shape of the reflector and a perfect parabolic surface. The minimization is performed using the Nelder–Mead method or downhill simplex method. The cost function is computed at each vertex of a simplex defined in the space of optimization parameters by solving direct problem thanks to a finite element method. The finite element model handles geometrical non-linearities and takes into account phenomena like membrane wrinkling and torus buckling which may affect the reflector shape when inflated.     

Net electric power of concentrating solar mirror systems for application in space as a function of the distance to the sun

The use of solar radiation by means of concentrating solar mirror systems, such as parabolic and spheric configurations, mainly is an engineering problem. A decisive characteristic for the optimisation of a complete system with turboelectric power conversion is the thermal cycle applied. Besides the Carnot process, here taken up into the study as an ideal comparative process, suitable processes for the technological realisation are the Brayton process and the Rankine process. The Brayton process is a typical gas turbine process using only the gaseous phase. The Rankine process is a steam engine process using liquid and gaseous phase.The work in hand shows how such solar systems with turboelectric conversion are optimised with respect to their specific weight (kg/kW_e) and how the distance to the sun as well as technological data enter into the analysis.As expected, the Carnot cycle as an ideal comparative process for both types of systems shows the best results for the optimum specific mass of the system. Regarding the real processes, the Rankine cycle shows more favourable characteristics than the Brayton cycle. The difference of the specific masses of the real processes mainly results from the different thermal conditions at the radiator.The influence of the distance to the sun is as expected. The nearer to the sun the solar power system operates, the better is the optimum specific mass of the system. For distances to the sun between 0.3 and 1.0 AU the spheric system shows a better behaviour than the parabolic system. For distances to the sun greater than 2.0 AU the parabolic system shows better behaviour of the specific weight. In the region between 1 and 2 AU the better optimum specific mass of the system belongs to the technological data used in the analysis.     

Mutagenesis in bacterial spores exposed to space and simulated martian conditions: data from the EXPOSE-E spaceflight experiment PROTECT

As part of the PROTECT experiment of the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Station (ISS), the mutagenic efficiency of space was studied in spores of Bacillus subtilis 168. After 1.5 years' exposure to selected parameters of outer space or simulated martian conditions, the rates of induced mutations to rifampicin resistance (Rif(R)) and sporulation deficiency (Spo(-)) were quantified. In all flight samples, both mutations, Rif(R) and Spo(-), were induced and their rates increased by several orders of magnitude. Extraterrestrial solar UV radiation (>110?nm) as well as simulated martian UV radiation (>200?nm) led to the most pronounced increase (up to nearly 4 orders of magnitude); however, mutations were also induced in flight samples shielded from insolation, which were exposed to the same conditions except solar irradiation. Nucleotide sequencing located the Rif(R) mutations in the rpoB gene encoding the β-subunit of RNA polymerase. Mutations isolated from flight and parallel mission ground reference (MGR) samples were exclusively localized to Cluster I. The 21 Rif(R) mutations isolated from the flight experiment showed all a C to T transition and were all localized to one hotspot: H482Y. In mutants isolated from the MGR, the spectrum was wider with predicted amino acid changes at residues Q469K/L/R, H482D/P/R/Y, and S487L. The data show the unique mutagenic power of space and martian surface conditions as a consequence of DNA injuries induced by solar UV radiation and space vacuum or the low pressure of Mars.     

Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Space solar power shows great promise for future energy sources worldwide. Most central power stations operate with power capacity of 1000 MW or greater. Due to launch size limitations and specific power of current, rigid solar arrays, the largest solar arrays that have flown in space are around 50 kW. Thin-film arrays offer the promise of much higher specific power and deployment of array sizes up to several MW with current launch vehicles. An approach to early commercial applications for space solar power to distribute power to charge hand-held, mobile battery systems by wireless power transmission (WPT) from thin-film solar arrays in quasi-stationary orbits will be presented. Four key elements to this prototype will be discussed: (1) Space and near-space testing of prototype wireless power transmission by laser and microwave components including WPT space to space and WPT space to near-space HAA transmission demonstrations; (2) distributed power source for recharging hand-held batteries by wireless power transmission from MW space solar power systems; (3) use of quasi-geostationary satellites to generate electricity and distribute it to targeted areas; and (4) architecture and technology for ultra-lightweight thin-film solar arrays with specific energy exceeding 1 kW/kg. This approach would yield flight demonstration of space solar power and wireless power transmission of 1.2 MW. This prototype system will be described, and a roadmap will be presented that will lead to still higher power levels.     

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。     

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.     

“Furoshiki satellite” - a large membrane structure as a novel space system

We have been studying a large membrane space structure named “Furoshiki Satellite,” as a promising candidate of a future space system for those missions requiring large area in space such as solar power generation, a large communication antenna, or a large radiator. This membrane is folded in a very small volume during launch and is deployed and controlled by a set of several satellites at its corners or using centrifugal force generated by rotating the central satellite. It is expected that such a structure will reduce the weight per area of the space structure and, if the control technology is properly applied, it can be efficiently folded during launch and easily deployed after release. This paper shows the concept of Furoshiki Satellite, its applications, and its dynamics on orbit and how to control it. A nano-satellite project on demonstrate the concept of Furoshiki Satellite will also be described briefly.     

Evolution of the Orbit of an Earth Satellite with a Solar Sail

The efficiency of using the light pressure of solar radiation for increasing the semimajor axis of the orbit of an Earth Satellite carrying a solar sail is estimated. The orbit is nearly circular and has an altitude of about 900 km. The satellite is in the mode of single-axis solar orientation: it rotates at an angular velocity of 1 deg/s around the axis of symmetry, which traces the direction to the Sun. This mode is maintained by the solar sail, which serves in this case as a solar stabilizer. The following method of increasing the semimajor axis of the orbit (which is equivalent to increasing the total energy of the satellite's orbital motion) is considered. On those sections of the orbit, where the angle between the light pressure force acting upon the sail and the vector of geocentric velocity of the satellite does not exceed a specified limit, the sail is functioning as a solar stabilizer. On those sections of the orbit, where the above-indicated angle exceeds this limit, the sail is furled by way of turning the edges of the petals towards the Sun. Such a control increases the semimajor axis by more than 150 km for three months of flight. In this case, the accuracy of solar orientation decreases insignificantly.     

Navigation support for the RadioAstron mission

A developed method of determination of orbital parameters allows one to estimate, along with orbit elements, some additional parameters that characterize solar radiation pressure and perturbing accelerations due to unloadings of reactiion wheels. A parameterized model of perturbing action of solar radiation pressure on the spacecraft motion is described (this model takes into account the shape, reflecting properties of surfaces, and spacecraft attitude). Some orbit determination results are presented obtained by the joint processing of radio measurements of slant range and Doppler, laser range measurements used to calibrate the radio measurements, optical observations of right ascension and declination, and telemetry data on spacecraft thrusters’ firings during an unloading of reaction wheels.     

Intensity/frequency indicator for detection in space: the high values of the incident solar or laser optical radiation in comparison with the appropriate maximum permissible exposure.

The solar or laser optical radiation impact to humans in space depends on the intensity, on the exposure type (direct or indirect) & duration and on the matching of radiation wavelength to tissue characteristics. The main protection factor in space is the application of exposure limits. This paper describes the main biological optical interaction parameters, the optical exposure hazards and the development of a small active lightweight indicator, with output beeper rate depended to the ratio of optical irradiance/exposure limit. The indicator may be used as warning element on the side of helmets, goggles, spectacles, etc, with low power consumption. Electronically the indicator is an intensity/frequency converter, based on the value of the ratio of exposure/exposure limits, with audio & light beepers like the indication output of the ionizing (radioactive) radiation monitors.     

Study on Multi-Rotary Joints Space Power Satellite Concept

The Space Power Satellite(SPS) would be a huge spacecraft capturing the power of solar radiation in space and to supply electric power to the electric grid on the ground. The SPS concept was proposed by Dr. Peter Glaser in 1968. SPS have been studied now for exactly fifty years by many scientists in various countries. It has been regarded as one of the most promising energy projects of the future and has been attracting more attention in recent years. More and more Chinese scholars and experts are paying attention to the development of SPS. Due to the huge size, immense mass and high power of such a satellite system, there are many technical difficulties which exist to realize SPS. In this paper, recent SPS research and development activities are reviewed first. Various SPS concepts are analyzed and compared. The primary scheme of the Multi-Rotary joint SPS(MR-SPS) is described. The main feature is that the huge solar array comprising many separate small solar sub-arrays and each solar sub-array has two middle power rotary joints. So, the most challenging technology, the high-power rotary joint, is simplified by using many middlepower rotary joints hence the possibility of a single-point failure of a single rotary joint is avoided. This enables easy assembly of the modular solar arrays. Finally some key technologies of MR-SPS are analyzed.     

Resistance of bacterial endospores to outer space for planetary protection purposes--experiment PROTECT of the EXPOSE-E mission

Spore-forming bacteria are of particular concern in the context of planetary protection because their tough endospores may withstand certain sterilization procedures as well as the harsh environments of outer space or planetary surfaces. To test their hardiness on a hypothetical mission to Mars, spores of Bacillus subtilis 168 and Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 were exposed for 1.5 years to selected parameters of space in the experiment PROTECT during the EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Station. Mounted as dry layers on spacecraft-qualified aluminum coupons, the "trip to Mars" spores experienced space vacuum, cosmic and extraterrestrial solar radiation, and temperature fluctuations, whereas the "stay on Mars" spores were subjected to a simulated martian environment that included atmospheric pressure and composition, and UV and cosmic radiation. The survival of spores from both assays was determined after retrieval. It was clearly shown that solar extraterrestrial UV radiation (λ≥110?nm) as well as the martian UV spectrum (λ≥200?nm) was the most deleterious factor applied; in some samples only a few survivors were recovered from spores exposed in monolayers. Spores in multilayers survived better by several orders of magnitude. All other environmental parameters encountered by the "trip to Mars" or "stay on Mars" spores did little harm to the spores, which showed about 50% survival or more. The data demonstrate the high chance of survival of spores on a Mars mission, if protected against solar irradiation. These results will have implications for planetary protection considerations.