A framework for evaluating national space activity

Space technology and resources are used around the world to address societal challenges. Space provides valuable satellite services, unique scientific discoveries, surprising technology applications and new economic opportunities. Many developing countries formally recognize the advantages of space resources and pursue national level activity to harness them. There is limited data or documentation on the space activities of developing countries. Meanwhile, traditional approaches to summarize national space activity do not necessarily capture the types of activity that developing countries pursue in space. This is especially true if they do not have a formal national space program or office. Developing countries pursue national space activity through activities of many types—from national satellite programs to commercial use of satellite services to involvement with international space institutions. This research aims to understand and analyze these trends. This paper introduces two analytical frameworks for evaluating space activity at the national level. The frameworks are specifically designed to capture the activity of countries that have traditionally been less involved in space. They take a broad view of space related activity across multiple societal sectors and disciplines. The discussion explains the approach for using the frameworks as well as illustrative examples of how they can be applied as part of a research process. The first framework is called the Mission and Management Ladders. This framework considers specific space projects within countries and ranks them on “Ladders” that measure technical challenge and managerial autonomy. This first method is at a micro level of analysis. The second framework is called the Space Participation Metric (SPM). The SPM can be used to assign a Space Participation score to countries based on their involvement in various space related activities. This second method uses a macro level of analysis. The authors developed both frameworks as part of a long term research program about the space activities of developing countries. This aspect of the research focuses on harnessing multiple techniques to summarize complex, multi-disciplinary information about global space activity.     

Stepping stones toward global space exploration

Several nations are currently engaging in or planning for robotic and human space exploration programs that target the Moon, Mars and near-Earth asteroids. These ambitious plans to build new space infrastructures, transport systems and space probes will require international cooperation if they are to be sustainable and affordable. Partnerships must involve not only established space powers, but also emerging space nations and developing countries; the participation of these new space actors will provide a bottom-up support structure that will aid program continuity, generate more active members in the space community, and increase public awareness of space activities in both developed and developing countries. The integration of many stakeholders into a global space exploration program represents a crucial element securing political and programmatic stability. How can the evolving space community learn to cooperate on a truly international level while engaging emerging space nations and developing countries in a meaningful way? We propose a stepping stone approach toward a global space exploration program, featuring three major elements: (1) an international Earth-based field research program preparing for planetary exploration, (2) enhanced exploitation of the International Space Station (ISS) enabling exploration and (3) a worldwide CubeSat program supporting exploration. An international Earth-based field research program can serve as a truly global exploration testbed that allows both established and new space actors to gain valuable experience by working together to prepare for future planetary exploration missions. Securing greater exploitation of the ISS is a logical step during its prolonged lifetime; ISS experiments, partnerships and legal frameworks are valuable foundations for exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Cooperation involving small, low-cost missions could be a major stride toward exciting and meaningful participation from emerging space nations and developing countries. For each of these three proposed stepping stones, recommendations for coordination mechanisms are presented.     

美国卫星公用平台采办模式研究

基于卫星公用平台的卫星设计、制造理念,以卫星公用平台目录作为重要的采办工具,在当今许多国家的卫星采办项目中得以应用。本文在整理美国卫星公用平台目录建设、管理与应用领域的进展情况基础上,特别是研究分析了美国国家航空航天局下属航天器快速发展办公室(RSDO)的运作情况,探讨了我国航天领域卫星公用平台型谱管理与应用的前景和方向,以及专业咨询机构在采办过程中的作用,为进一步深入实践航天产品工程理论提供了新方法、新模式。     

商业航天背景下卫星星座运营思考（英文）

With the advances of small satellite technology in commercial space sector, using small satellite networks to form a satellite constellation and conduct commercial operational services has entered into a vigorous phase of development. As small satellite technology develops, problems in the operations of small satellite constellations are also gradually emerging. These include ground measurement and operational control systems for small satellite constellations, the commercial operational mode, support and the guarantee of laws and regulations related to small satellites. This report discusses the development of commercial space small satellite operation industrialization, explores the small satellite operational modes and technological innovation, proposes the commercial space industry chain to build the industry ecology. At the same time, it looks forward to the integration of space and terrestrial communication. It also calls on relevant organizations of China to speed up the process of space legislation, formulate the relevant policies to encourage the operations of small satellites in commercial space sector, and push China's commercial space to a new level.     

Lifting the veil on CORONA

Information on some of the USA's military space reconnaisance programs has recently been declassified, allowing details of the nature of the technology used and its capabilities to be publicly aired. In this article, a personal account of the situation leading up to the creation of the USA's first military satellite system — named CORONA — is provided, along with discussion of its design, development and program management. CORONA's enormous impact on intelligence gathering is assessed; lessons learned from the program are presented.     

Strategies and determinants for successful space technology transfer

The following paper reports the results of a research work carried from 2008 on the topic of strategies and determinants of space technology Transfer (TT). In particular, the aim of this study is to present: 1. The policies and strategies the major space agencies adopt for TT, 2. The operational mechanisms and determinants involved in the transfer of space technologies to other industrial sectors. To this extent we have conducted in the last five years: six case studies of large space agencies, four TT case studies concerning the construction of scientific satellites, two case studies focused on space to earth TT programs undertaken by the Japanese aerospace agency, and two TT case studies examining Italian space companies.The comparative and comprehensive analyses of these studies indicate that the space agencies of the more industrialized countries aim primarily at consolidating and developing the industrial systems in their own countries, which include the use of technology transfer programs, and that the transfer of space technologies follows the route “Earth–Space–Earth”. With regard to the determinants of the TT process, the most important of these correlate with the type of technology in transfer, whereas organizational, economic and financial determinants have less significance.     

Space policy for late comer countries: A case study of South Korea

Korea’s space development program was created almost 40 years behind those of the advanced countries but it has nevertheless made remarkable progress. Korean space development has been focused on technology catch-up, where commercialization and growth of industrial competitiveness are important rationales. However, the program has several problems, including: lack of a space equipment manufacturing industry, total system companies in the space manufacturing industry and communication between industry and researchers, and much concentration of projects and initiatives in the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). This study analyzes the problem by comparing space agencies and programs in Korea and other countries, particularly Japan and the USA. It is shown that the role of a national laboratory is critical in space industry development and argued that KARI should make greater efforts to promote the Korean space industry by encouraging technology transfer, sharing equipment and communication between companies. For successful space development, the main organization – usually the national research institute – should change its role from a research-only laboratory to manager and supporter of space development and industry. Such a move would invigorate Korea’s space industry and allow it to catch up with countries with a similar environment.     

Fostering links between environmental and space exploration: the Earth and Space Foundation

The links between Earth and space exploration occur across a broad spectrum, from the use of satellite technology to support environmental monitoring and habitat protection to the study of extreme environments on Earth to prepare for the exploration of other planets. Taking the view that Earth and space exploration are part of a mutually beneficial continuum is in contrast to the more traditionally segregated view of these areas of activity. In its most polarized manifestation, space exploration is regarded as a waste of money, distracting from solving problems here at home, while environmental research is seen to be introspective, distracting from expansive visions of exploring the frontier of space. The Earth and Space Foundation was established in 1994 to help further mutually beneficial links by funding innovative field projects around the world that work at the broad interface between environmental and space sciences, thus encouraging the two communities to work together to solve the challenges facing society. This paper describes the work of the foundation and the philosophy behind its programmes.     

航天测控系统卫星鉴定技术研究

针对基于卫星的航天测控系统精度鉴定技术开展了深入的分析和研究,提出了较为全面的卫星鉴定的思路和技术途径。在时序比对统计方法的基础上对利用卫星进行系统误差分离的方法展开了深入研究,并将比对估计统计方法和"EMBET"自鉴定方法有机结合起来。通过可行性分析和工程应用充分验证了利用卫星对航天测控系统进行精度鉴定的可行性、正确性和优越性。     

Developing the next phase in NASAs satellite communications program

NASAs early efforts in satellite communications development brought confidence in space technology use for improved telecommunications. New, worldwide satellite communications systems have resulted, and are now on a commercial, self-sustaining operational basis. Since 1973, NASA has conducted hundreds of user experiments and demonstrated newer technology using ATS-1, -3, -6 and CTS. Now, projections show that the commercial demand will continue to increase, soon exceeding the current technology's capacity.As a result, U.S. Space Policy affirmed in 1978 that NASA should embark again on a research and development program for satellite communications with specific, characterized goals. The resulting plan's elements include $\text{30}\text{20}\text{GHz}$ Ka-band technology, extending the current work in advanced multi-beam antennas; a narrowband system and technology study that could lead to mobile and transportable communications developments; and studies of future uses of technology in communications. The program plan and its evolution are described, followed by a report of current progress and future expectations.     

空间碎片撞击在轨感知技术研究综述

随着航天发射活动的日益频繁,空间碎片环境随之恶化。为了应对空间碎片的撞击威胁,人们提出了用空间碎片撞击在轨感知系统实时监测航天器在轨遭受空间碎片撞击的情况。文章在对国内外相关研究机构研究成果的调研基础上,介绍了国内外在空间碎片撞击在轨感知技术领域的研究现状,对各国基于超高速撞击声发射技术的空间碎片撞击在轨感知技术的发展状况进行了全面评述,重点介绍了国内的研究进展。最后基于国内航天事业需要,探讨了未来发展方向。     

空间深空探测低温制冷技术的发展

深空探测技术已经被列入国家发展计划,由于空间环境的特殊性,对空间低温制冷技术提出了更高的要求。文章介绍了美国、日本和欧空局用于深空探测的深低温制冷技术的发展状况,包括超流氦制冷技术、多级机械制冷技术、吸附式制冷技术、绝热去磁制冷技术和氦稀释制冷技术,并介绍了在天文卫星和空间望远镜上的应用;综述了中国空间低温制冷技术的发展现状,提出了中国开展深低温制冷技术研究的启示和建议。     

Space spin-offs: Making them known, improving their use

This paper identifies new ideas for using existing space technologies as spin-offs and considers the effectiveness of the use of such technologies for various industries and applications. It then explores the dissemination of knowledge and information about such spin-off technology and applications to various audiences. It proposes methods to improve the dissemination of such knowledge and information. The paper concludes with some recommendations on how the dissemination of information about space spin-offs can increase awareness and use of such technology and, in the long term, increase support for space activities. The perspective of this article is that of the world's various space agencies and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). It is recognized that truly effective spin-offs depend on the involvement of those outside the space arena, particularly the commercial, academic and governmental sectors. These sectors and the general public must see the value and cost efficiency of ‘spin-offs’ and of developing new technology and systems through space research programs or they will not succeed. This may require space agencies to stay more focused on research and to hand over functions and activities to these ‘outside sectors’ once ‘seeds are planted’.     

Advanced flight computing technologies for validation by NASA's new millennium program

The New Millennium Program (NMP) consists of a series of Deep-Space and Earth Orbiting missions that are technology-driven, in contrast to the more traditional science-driven space exploration missions of the past. These flights are designed to validate technologies that will enable a new era of low-cost highly miniaturized and highly capable spacebome applications in the new millennium. In addition to the series of flight projects managed by separate flight teams, the NMP technology initiatives are managed by the following six focused technology programs: Microelectronics Systems, Autonomy, Telecommunications, Instrument Technologies and Architectures, In-Situ Instruments and Micro-electromechanical Systems, and Modular and Multifunctional Systems. Each technology program is managed as an Integrated Product Development Team (IPDT) of government, academic, and industry partners. In this paper, we will describe elements of the technology roadmap proposed by the NMP Microelectronics IPDT. Moreover, we will relate the proposed technology roadmap to existing NASA technology development programs, such as the Advanced Flight Computing (AFC) program, and the Remote Exploration and Experimentation (REE) program, which constitute part of the on-going NASA technology development pipeline. We will also describe the Microelectronics Systems technologies that have been accepted as part of the first New Millennium Deep-Space One spacecraft, which is an asteroid fly-by mission scheduled for launched in July 1998.     

空间环境研究的现状与展望

空间环境研究的内容包括空间环境模式研究、空间环境效应研究和空间环境实验研究。当前国外空间环境研究注重对大型软件组织多学科、多单位长期合作研究;模式研究与实验研究紧密结合;注意开发对工程适用的模式;工作重点是太阳帆板带电和低轨卫星表面带电。建议我国在今后的空间环境研究中加强联合,集中攻克急需的大型软件;加强对材料特性的实验研究;着手发射环境效应卫星;开拓空间环境研究的新领域;在空间环境效应研究中加强卫星研制单位、卫星操作部门与环境效应研究单位的合作。     

国外光学成像卫星发展现状简析

光学成像侦察卫星是现代战争中信息获取的重要手段,世界上许多国家都在发展光学成像侦察卫星系统,在国际航天侦察领域也呈现了三个集团的发展态势。介绍了世界主要航天大国的光学成像侦察卫星的在轨运行、技术指标等发展现状,以及主要在研项目进展及其预期达到的能力,最后分析了其未来技术发展和军事应用趋势。     

我国空间环境天/地基监测平台的发展态势和展望

文章简要回顾我国空间环境天/地基监测设施的发展历程,重点阐述发展现状,并分析未来发展方向。目前,我国的空间环境天基监测已具备一定规模,覆盖主要的轨道类型,探测要素基本齐全,正在工程实施阶段的太阳风?磁层相互作用全景成像卫星（SMILE）计划、空间先进太阳观测台（ASO-S）计划,以及规划中的日地拉格朗日L1点监测,将促进天基监测能力的大幅提升。地基监测方面,网络化综合监测能力快速发展,“子午工程”二期正在建设的覆盖全国和高/中/低纬的、日地空间全圈层的立体式监测网络将使我国地基监测能力步入世界先进行列。同时,国际子午圈大科学计划的有序推进标志着我国空间环境地基监测正迈出辐射全球的步伐。我国空间环境监测平台已经进入天/地基融合发展的新阶段。     

用地球磁场和重力场成功挽救风云一号（B）卫星的控制技术

风云一号气象卫星是我国最早成功发射的太阳同步三轴稳定对地遥感卫星，由于早期的技术和器件原因，星上计算机因空间辐照而失控，造成星上贮气耗尽、卫星高速翻滚。本文详细介绍了了在卫星面临失败的情况下，作者利用地球磁场和重力场与卫星的相互作用，采用星上的磁力矩器和可用的一切手段而设计的一整套抢救这颗卫星的技术方法，并简述了经过75天的艰苦努力，使这颗濒临失败的卫星重新建立三轴稳定的对地定向姿态的历程。