航天器与空间碎片的混合编队重构控制与应用

针对空间碎片清理问题,提出了一种利用航天器与空间碎片混合编队队形重构控制技术捕获碎片的方法。首先,分析了地/月—日系L2拉格朗日平动点附近的限制性三体环境,并建立了编队卫星相对运动动力学模型;其次,提出了以太阳光压力作为航天器与空间碎片编队队形重构的控制力,实现各从星接近空间碎片的目的;最后,设计了基于线性二次型的最优控制器,并在Matlab/Simulink环境下进行仿真实验。仿真结果表明该方法可控制从星到达期望的位置(空间碎片的位置),且太阳帆板的姿态变化在可控范围内,进而证明了该方案可以应用于复杂空间环境下的碎片清理任务。     

非合作失效航天器绳系拖曳系统研究

空间碎片的不断增加给人类航天活动的开展和在轨资产的安全造成严重威胁。在已经提出的多种空间碎片主动清除方式中，绳系拖曳（tethered space tug，TST）系统因有较好的应用前景而受到广泛关注。部分失效航天器因星上器件损坏且姿态控制系统异常，始终将姿态维持在某一特定指向，针对此类具有典型的非合作特征的大型空间碎片，开展绳系拖曳动力学与控制研究。将拖船和目标均视作刚体，用牛顿法建立了TST系统的动力学模型；根据目标姿态稳定方式分为自旋稳定和三轴稳定两种情况，开展了绳系拖曳动力学分析与控制设计，并考察了系绳在失效航天器表面连接点位置对系统稳定状态的影响。仿真结果表明，拖船和失效航天器会在系绳连接下表现出抗衡特点，最终系统会稳定在不同的均衡状态附近。此研究为安全清除尚有残余姿态控制能力的失效航天器中相关拖曳动力学与控制问题提供了参考。     

Dynamics and control for contactless interaction between spacecraft and tumbling debris

Tumbling debris has become a great threat to orbit activities. Contactless interaction is a novel concept for active debris removal, through which the tumbling debris no longer rotates freely but is under control. The contactless interaction method aims to de-tumble the debris and then maintain desired relative states between the spacecraft and debris. The spacecraft is simultaneously stabilized through three-axis attitude control, which makes the de-tumbling and capture operation much safer, more effective and accurate. The dynamics and control for the contactless interaction have been little studied in the past years. This paper considers a generic dynamics and control problem for contactless interaction between a spacecraft and debris. A translational and rotational dynamics model of contactless interaction is proposed and the 6-DOF equations are established. The contactless interaction control law is designed with the backstepping method, and the spacecraft three-axis control law is designed with the PD control. Simulation results show that the angular momentum is transferred from the debris to the spacecraft and the debris is thus de-tumbled. The desired relative states are achieved efficiently. Significantly, the spacecraft and debris no longer rotate in the inertial frame and, hence, the safety and accuracy for capture operation are guaranteed.     

A deorbiter CubeSat for active orbital debris removal

This paper introduces a mission concept for active removal of orbital debris based on the utilization of the CubeSat form factor. The CubeSat is deployed from a carrier spacecraft, known as a mothership, and is equipped with orbital and attitude control actuators to attach to the target debris, stabilize its attitude, and subsequently move the debris to a lower orbit where atmospheric drag is high enough for the bodies to burn up. The mass and orbit altitude of debris objects that are within the realms of the CubeSat’s propulsion capabilities are identified. The attitude control schemes for the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission are specified. The objective of the deorbiting maneuver is to decrease the semi-major axis of the debris orbit, at the fastest rate, from its initial value to a final value of about 6471?km (i.e., 100?km above Earth considering a circular orbit) via a continuous low-thrust orbital transfer. Two case studies are investigated to verify the performance of the deorbiter CubeSat during the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission. The baseline target debris used in the study are the decommissioned KOMPSAT-1 satellite and the Pegasus rocket body. The results show that the deorbiting times for the target debris are reduced significantly, from several decades to one or two years.     

Prospects of de-tumbling large space debris using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation

Capturing large space debris with complex rotational motion is extremely challenging. A de-tumbling phase before capturing may be necessary to reduce the risk of collision with debris. This paper proposes a new noncontact de-tumbling method using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation, in which two small electromagnetic satellites, each having a high-temperature superconducting coil, generate control torques to reduce the rotation rate of debris prior to making any physical contact. The electromagnetic interaction of the target-satellite system is analyzed. A relative translational dynamics of the target–satellite system and the attitude dynamics of the target are established. Simulation results show that the proposed method effectively eliminates the rotational motion of the target. It can be safely concluded that the noncontact method for de-tumbling space debris using a two-satellite electromagnetic formation is feasible and potentially applicable to on-orbit capture.     

卫星姿态大角度机动的轨迹规划和模型预测与反演控制

空间科学观测、态势感知、对地遥感、操控服务等应用对卫星提出了高精度、高稳定度、平稳柔顺大角度姿态机动的需求。采用欧拉角形式,对时变、非线性卫星姿态动力学系统进行了分析与建模,将每一个测控周期视为一个姿态机动过程。基于动力学系统受控运动的规律,在每一个姿态跟踪机动过程中,预测姿态偏差,通过卫星姿态演化的反演得到控制指令。以三角函数为基础,设计了一种卫星姿态大角度机动的运动轨迹规划方法。本文所述的轨迹规划及控制方法具有轨迹跟踪精度高、稳定性好,跟踪和机动过程平稳柔顺的特点。数学仿真验证了该方法的可行性和有效性。 关键词：轨迹规划; 模型预测与反演控制; 卫星姿态; 大角度机动     

Apparent rotation properties of space debris extracted from photometric measurements

Knowledge about the rotation properties of space debris objects is essential for the active debris removal missions, accurate re-entry predictions and to investigate the long-term effects of the space environment on the attitude motion change. Different orbital regions and object’s physical properties lead to different attitude states and their change over time.Since 2007 the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) performs photometric measurements of space debris objects. To June 2016 almost 2000 light curves of more than 400 individual objects have been acquired and processed. These objects are situated in all orbital regions, from low Earth orbit (LEO), via global navigation systems orbits and high eccentricity orbit (HEO), to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). All types of objects were observed including the non-functional spacecraft, rocket bodies, fragmentation debris and uncorrelated objects discovered during dedicated surveys. For data acquisition, we used the 1-meter Zimmerwald Laser and Astrometry Telescope (ZIMLAT) at the Swiss Optical Ground Station and Geodynamics Observatory Zimmerwald, Switzerland. We applied our own method of phase-diagram reconstruction to extract the apparent rotation period from the light curve. Presented is the AIUB’s light curve database and the obtained rotation properties of space debris as a function of object type and orbit.     

Dynamical evolution of high area-to-mass ratio objects in Molniya orbits

For special demands, some notable orbit types have been developed by human, including the Molniya orbits, which have a relatively high eccentricity up to about 0.7, and a period of 12 h. Considering that space debris with high area-to-mass ratio (A/M) has been discovered, such objects may also exist in Molniya orbits due to spacecraft and upper stages fragmentation events. However, there are not sufficient studies of the complex dynamical phenomena of such orbits. These studies can enrich the knowledge about the long-term evolution of these orbits, be helpful to propose uncatalogued objects observation and identification, and also set the protected region as well as active debris removal. In this paper, the characteristics of 2:1 resonance of Molniya satellite orbits are studied. A large set of numerical simulations, including all the relevant perturbations, is carried out to further investigate the main characteristics, and special attention is payed to the dynamical evolution of objects with high A/M, particularly affected by the direct solar radiation pressure. The long-term dynamical evolution of orbital elements, as well as the dependency of lifetime on the A/M value, is discussed.     

Large constellations assessment and optimization in LEO space debris environment

Recent plans for large constellations in Low-Earth Orbit have opened the debate on both their vulnerability and their influence on the already hazardous space debris environment. In fact, given that large constellations normally employ satellites of small size, there might be situations in which cm-size debris could have enough energy to cause fragmentation of a significant part of these spacecraft upon impact, while smaller debris could affect the functionalities of critical subsystems, even compromising the success of disposal operations planned at end-of-life. In this context, this paper investigates: (1) collisions with large objects that could initiate the fragmentation of a significant part of the satellite, and (2) impacts with small debris that might perforate the spacecraft hull thus causing relevant performance/functionality degradation. These two points are merged in a simple statistical tool for risk assessment, which analyses the effects of the main parameters of the constellations on its vulnerability (i.e. operational life, number of satellites, spacecraft cross section, satellites reliability). In more details, the tool relates impact probability (for both small and large debris) to the ballistic response of spacecraft structures and protections, defining the critical configurations that might compromise the expected disposal operations. This method requires a limited knowledge of the spacecraft internal layout, as it is based on a statistical analysis of impact damage instead of a complete evaluation of the vulnerability of each subsystem. In parallel, non-debris related failures are also investigated and statistic models of spacecraft reliability characteristic are proposed. Among the results, it is shown that reducing the lifetime of individual satellites in a constellation might improve the success rate of post-mission disposal, thanks to the reduction of the spacecraft exposure to the space environment with the consequential degradation of its performance. On the other hand, reducing the lifetime would seriously affect the debris environment: the increase in traffic in the most crowded altitudes would be not counterbalanced by the higher post mission disposal success rate, causing an overall increase of the total number of uncontrolled resident objects.     

一种空间目标高精度指向控制方法

针对空间动目标指向任务对卫星提出的高精度控制需求，研究了卫星星体/快反镜二级复合系统的指向控制问题，给出了一种空间运动目标高精度指向控制方法。首先，基于近圆轨道Clohessy Wiltshire方程获得追踪卫星与目标卫星的位置信息；然后，基于扩展Kalman滤波算法进行多信息融合确定追踪卫星姿态参数，并实时解算出追踪卫星载荷光轴与目标卫星的相对姿态，获得跟踪指向所需的方位角和俯仰角；最后，通过星体一级姿态控制和基于快反镜的载荷光轴二级指向控制，实现对目标卫星的快速、高精度指向。仿真结果表明，该方法可以在保证快速性的同时实现动态指向控制误差小于072″。该方法可以实现对空间目标的高精度指向控制，为未来空间中激光通信等航天任务提供技术支持。     

Attitude analysis of space debris using SLR and light curve data measured with single-photon detector

Attitude is the important parameter for active debris removal and collision avoidance. This paper deduced the spin axis orientation and spin period of the rocket body, CZ-3B R/B (NORAD ID 38253), using the satellite laser ranging and light curve data measured with single-photon detector at Graz station. The epoch method and LC & SLR residuals fitting were combined to determine these values. The derived right ascension angle was around 220°, the declination angle was near 64° and the sidereal period was calculated to be 117.724 s, for 2017-07-03. The results derived from the two distinct methods were mutually validated. Rocket bodies are a major contributor to space debris and this work provides a reference for attitude determination and attitude modelling.     

基于解体事件的空间碎片轨道演化算法研究

针对航天器解体事件所生成的空间碎片的演化过程,进行了数学分析,确定了新生成的空间碎片的速度增量,在该增量作用下碎片轨道会发生变更,本文根据该增量得出了空间碎片在轨道变更后的轨道根数,分析了在大气阻力摄动作用下,空间碎片的数目和轨道分布的演化情况,给出了相关结果,结果表明此算法可行。     

基于雷诺数的大气阻力模型在飞行器再入预报中的应用

随着对空间技术服务需求的增加和空间碎片主动移除技术的实现,未来空间碎片将以数量多、质量大、难分解等特点频繁再入大气层,给地面人员和财产安全造成更多威胁.因此,亟需对火箭体等大型航天器的大气再入进行预警,然而因缺乏合适的大气阻力系数模型难以实现高精度的大气再入预报.为此,在简化航天器模型的基础上引入基于雷诺数的大气动力模...     

Deorbiter CubeSat mission design

This paper presents the mission design for a CubeSat-based active debris removal approach intended for transferring sizable debris objects from low-Earth orbit to a deorbit altitude of 100 km. The mission consists of a mothership spacecraft that carries and deploys several debris-removing nanosatellites, called Deorbiter CubeSats. Each Deorbiter is designed based on the utilization of an eight-unit CubeSat form factor and commercially-available components with significant flight heritage. The mothership spacecraft delivers Deorbiter CubeSats to the vicinity of a predetermined target debris, through performing a long-range rendezvous maneuver. Through a formation flying maneuver, the mothership then performs in-situ measurements of debris shape and orbital state. Upon release from the mothership, each Deorbiter CubeSat proceeds to performing a rendezvous and attachment maneuver with a debris object. Once attached to the debris, the CubeSat performs a detumbling maneuver, by which the residual angular momentum of the CubeSat-debris system is dumped using Deorbiter’s onboard reaction wheels. After stabilizing the attitude motion of the combined Deorbiter-debris system, the CubeSat proceeds to performing a deorbiting maneuver, i.e., reducing system’s altitude so much so that the bodies disintegrate and burn up due to atmospheric drag, typically at around 100 km above the Earth surface. The attitude and orbital maneuvers that are planned for the mission are described, both for the mothership and Deorbiter CubeSat. The performance of each spacecraft during their operations is investigated, using the actual performance specifications of the onboard components. The viability of the proposed debris removal approach is discussed in light of the results.     

An adaptive strategy for active debris removal

Many parameters influence the evolution of the near-Earth debris population, including launch, solar, explosion and mitigation activities, as well as other future uncertainties such as advances in space technology or changes in social and economic drivers that effect the utilisation of space activities. These factors lead to uncertainty in the long-term debris population. This uncertainty makes it difficult to identify potential remediation strategies, involving active debris removal (ADR), that will perform effectively in all possible future cases. Strategies that cannot perform effectively, because of this uncertainty, risk either not achieving their intended purpose, or becoming a hindrance to the efforts of spacecraft manufactures and operators to address the challenges posed by space debris.     

基于观测器的平台无陀螺姿态复合控制

针对超静卫星星体平台无陀螺、载荷敏感器与星体平台执行机构非共基准安装时整星存在姿态异位控制问题,提出了一种基于观测器估计星体平台姿态的复合控制方法。首先,建立星体平台/Stewart平台/载荷的动力学模型,并获得Stewart平台作动器关节空间的等效动力学模型。针对关节空间等效模型,设计super twisting观测器,以作动器平动位移为输入,以载荷和星体平台之间的相对姿态和角速度为输出,实现星体平台姿态和角速度估计。其次,以载荷测量姿态信息为输入,设计Stewart作动器的积分滑模控制律,实现载荷高精度指向控制。以观测器估计的星体平台姿态信息为输入,设计星体平台控制器实现星体平台的稳定控制。Lyapunov稳定性分析表明所设计的观测器和控制器能够保证闭环系统渐近稳定。数学仿真结果表明：在星体平台有陀螺时,载荷能够实现0.1″指向精度;在星体平台无陀螺时,采用观测器估计星体平台姿态并进行控制,载荷亦可实现0.1″指向精度。     

基于多项式近似的空间碎片群体轨道预报算法

快速准确地分析空间碎片群轨道演化行为对于其他在轨航天器碰撞规避至关重要。在各摄动力的作用下,空间碎片群演化运动呈现出复杂的非线性特征。空间碎片群体个体数量巨大,如果通过对空间碎片群中每个空间碎片进行轨道积分来分析群体预报的方法会导致计算量过大。针对该问题,提出一种基于多项式近似的轨道快速预报分析方法。该方法将空间碎片群分为少量的标称碎片和其他大量关联碎片。针对标称碎片的轨道预报采用数值积分求解保证预报精度;而针对其他大量的关联碎片轨道预报问题,采用多项式泰勒展开半解析方法求解,从而在保证预报精度的前提下有效减少空间碎片群轨道预报的计算量。为了验证方法的有效性,对不同空间碎片群进行了轨道预报仿真。仿真结果表明,当轨道预报精度设定在1m范围内时,多项式近似算法的计算量较蒙特卡洛方法计算效率提高了2.2~17.2倍,验证了所提出方法的有效性。     

航天器微流星体及空间碎片环境与风险分析

微流星体及空间碎片的高速撞击威胁着长寿命、大尺寸航天器的安全运行 ,导致其严重的损伤和灾难性的失效。文章对低地球轨道微流星体及空间碎片环境进行了分析 ,给出了微流星体及空间碎片对航天器威胁方向的确定方法 ,得到了空间碎片撞击航天器相对撞击角的概率分布以及地球对微流星体遮挡的影响。编制了风险分析软件 ,以采用单防护屏防护结构的柱状低地球轨道航天器为例进行风险分析。