A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

The applications of lower power satellites for direct television broadcasting

The use of 12 GHz satellites for TV broadcasting directly to individual homes and small communities has been the subject of analysis and design study by groups in many countries. Implementation of the concept has been slow to follow because of the high satellite transmitter powers of from 100 to 450 W that have usually been determined to be necessary. Accumulated experience in Canada with 12 GHz operation and the evolution of technology are leading to changes in the concept of direct broadcasting such that lower power satellites may be capable of meeting the requirements.

Hermes, the Canadian/U.S. 12/14 GHz Communications Technology Satellite, has been in use for over 3 years in a program of experiments and measurements. This program has included an extensive six month experiment in direct broadcasting to 7 small communities. Experience with Hermes has shown that the signal strength is stable over long periods of time and that in Canada, significant precipitation attenuation at 12 GHz is of relatively short duration and typically occurs only during certain seasons. Operation with low propagation margins is feasible if some picture degradation and some outages at these times are acceptable. The frequency and duration of occurrence of outages can be controlled by the Earth station G/T which is cost sensitive. An individual may choose to use a low cost system with a small antenna and accept a degraded picture and outages at some times. A small community may choose to pay more for a larger antenna and lower noise receiver to achieve better performance.

Developments in technology are reducing the noise figure of mass-producible receivers from more than 6 dB to as low as 4 dB. Another technology contribution is the use of reduced bandwidth and other signal processing techniques in low-cost receivers. While use of such techniques may introduce distortions that would be unacceptable in rebroadcasting systems, there is little impact for individual and community reception. Use of both technologies reduce the required satellite EIRP or ground terminal G/T.

A field trial was begun in April 1979 to test these concepts for use in television program delivery. One hundred Earth stations capable of being tuned across a 500 MHz band and having antennas with diameters of either 1.2 m or 1.8 m are being installed for a test in Canada to receive TV signals from the 20 W transponders of ANIK-B (peak EIRP of 51 dBw) on an experimental basis. The acceptability of the video signals and the technical performance of the low-cost terminals in the bands of non-technical users are being evaluated.

The paper will summarize the concept of TV broadcasting with lower power satellites and describe the results to date of the ANIK-B field trials.     

Modal control of the planar motion of a long flexible beam in orbit

Attitude control techniques for the pointing and stabilization of very large, inherently flexible spacecraft systems are investigated. The attitude dynamics and control of a long, homogeneous flexible beam whose center of mass is assumed to follow a circular orbit is analyzed. In this study, first order effects of gravity-gradient are included, whereas external perturbations and related orbital station keeping maneuvers are neglected. A mathematical model which describes the system deflections within the orbital plane has been developed by treating the beam as having a maximum of three discretized mass particles connected by massless, elastic structural elements. The uncontrolled dynamics of this system are simulated and, in addition, the effects of the control devices are considered. The concept of distributed modal control, which provides a means for controlling a system mode independently of all other modes, is examined. The effect of varying the number of modes in the model as well as the number and location of the control devices are also considered.     

Low-velocity detonations in cast and pressed high explosives

A model of low velocity detonations in charges of cast and pressed high explosives confined in metal tubes with thin walls is suggested. An analytical solution is obtained and velocities and pressures of stationary LVD waves are calculated as functions of the parameters of the wall confinement. The fraction of the total chemical energy transferred to maintain the shock wave and the average rate of reaction in the wave are estimated and the dynamics of transient predetonation processes are analysed. An explanation of the causes of the secondary shock wave formation in the transition from deflagration to normal detonations is suggested and the delay of this secondary wave is calculated and compared with experimental data.     

空气压强对激光推进器冲量耦合系数影响

设计并加工了激光推进器实验模型,以空气为推进工质,利用脉冲式CO2激光器,研究了空气压强对激光推进器冲量耦合系数影响。实验结果表明,空气压强对激光推进器性能有显著影响。在文中实验条件下,当空气压强大于6 kPa时,激光推进器冲量耦合系数随压强减小而减少较慢;当空气压强小于6 kPa时,激光推进器冲量耦合系数随压强减小而减少很快。     

视场约束的交会对接V-bar撤离控制研究

利用解析和数值结合的方法研究了在视场约束条件下交会对接V-bar撤离的控制问题。描述了交会对接V-bar撤离的径向冲量机动方案，说明了径向机动撤离方案具有减少羽流污染和故障情况下能够避免飞行器碰撞的优点。基于CW方程推导出了机动点位于V-bar上的特殊情况下径向冲量和视场角的解析公式，同时也得到了求最大视场角时刻和冲量作用后V-bar方向撤离距离的计算公式。对于任意机动点的一般情况，得到了求解径向冲量和视场角关系的非线性方程，这一方程可利用数值方法求解。最后，通过数值仿真验证了该方法的正确性。     

基于信号采样的干扰信号产生技术

目前电子对抗系统广泛使用的数字储频技术主要是通过采样、存储和复制产生干扰信号.阐述了基于采样技术的信号重构及其基本原理,重点介绍分析了在此基础上利用信号处理技术,合成产生干扰信号的原理和方法.     

基于断言的形式验证方法应用研究

针对模型检验算法在工程应用中面临的形式语言局限性和状态空间爆炸的危机,提出了基于断言的形式验证解决方案。通过对DW8051_timer模块的实际验证,说明了该方法可以简化模型检验算法在工程实践中的应用,并且与传统仿真方法相比,它能在一定程度上缓解航天领域数字系统设计中的验证困境。     

月球着陆器精确定点及安全着陆技术研究

在未来月球探测中,需要对一些地形复杂的区域进行探测,而在这些区域软着陆,潜在的危险性增加,这就要求着陆时具有较高的定位精度并能够自动避险。当前,由于着陆时定点的误差较大,在小范围安全地域准确着陆很难。研究了一种精确定位、安全的软着陆方式,它在软着陆过程中增加了悬停阶段。在这一阶段中,通过着陆区危险地域的识别、着陆地点位置误差的计算,加上对着陆器横向漂移的控制技术,使着陆地点的精度以及着陆生存率大为提高,能够满足未来月球探测的软着陆要求。     

嫦娥一号月球探测卫星研制综述

嫦娥一号卫星是我国第一个月球探测卫星,将实现对月球的环绕探测。嫦娥一号卫星的研制和发射是我国深空探测活动的开端,在我国航天史上将成为继人造卫星和载人航天后的第三个里程碑。与近地卫星相比,嫦娥一号卫星面临更复杂的控制过程和环境,因此,嫦娥一号卫星必须突破一系列的关键技术,实现既定的任务目标。文章介绍了嫦娥一号卫星的任务目标、主要技术方案和研制过程;概要性地说明了嫦娥一号卫星的研制过程。