Optimal mission planning of the reconfiguration process of satellite constellations through orbital maneuvers: A novel technical framework

In this paper, a general new methodology is presented for the orbital reconfiguration of satellite constellations on the basis of Lambert targeting theorem. In view of the cost and risk reduction, it is very important to consider the problem of satellite constellation reconfiguration with the two constraints of overall mission cost minimization and the desired final configuration. Hence, the dependent non-simultaneous deployment approach is proposed to minimize overall fuel cost. Despite the fact that the satellites deploy in a non-simultaneous manner, supplementary phasing maneuvers on the target orbital pattern to achieve the desired orbital configuration are avoided. Moreover, a novel idea is presented to optimize the flight of satellites, which plays an important role in complying with the constraint of overall fuel cost minimization as much as possible. In order to achieve the global optimal solution of the satellite constellation reconfiguration problem, the efficient hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization/Genetic Algorithm (PSO/GA) technique, is implemented. Finally, to indicate the superiority of the presented method, a comparison to the simultaneous maneuver viewpoint is made on a number of representative cases. The obtained results imply significant reduction of reconfiguration costs by employing the proposed method.     

基于任务段的航空发动机载荷谱聚类方法

针对航空发动机飞行任务剖面分类问题,对发动机31个飞行任务剖面进行了聚类分析。选取飞行高度和飞行马赫数作为划分飞行任务剖面的参数, 依据其对应的飞行任务段均值生成聚类散点图,将剖面类型划分为5大类。结果表明:低空低速剖面在无量纲飞行高度为0~0.2、飞行马赫数为0.4~0.6区间,均值最低;高空高速剖面在无量纲飞行高度为1.2~2.2、飞行马赫数为1.0~1.8区间,均值最高;飞行任务剖面在无量纲飞行高度为0.2~1.2、飞行马赫数为0.6~1.0区间内最为集中;针对散点密集区域,可依据剖面特征进一步划分剖面类型;不同剖面间,飞行高度与飞行马赫数差异性强,利于剖面划分,而法向过载与转速差异性小,不利于剖面的划分。所提出的方法可以快速有效的对航空发动机飞行任务剖面进行聚类分析。      

H-reversal trajectory: A new mission application for high-performance solar sails

The aim of this paper is to quantify the performance of a flat solar sail to perform a double angular momentum reversal maneuver and produce a new class of two-dimensional, non-Keplerian orbits in the ecliptic plane. For a given pair of orbital parameters, the orbital period and the perihelion distance, it is possible to find the minimum solar sail characteristic acceleration required to fulfil a double angular momentum reversal trajectory. This problem is addressed using an optimal formulation and is solved through an indirect approach. The new trajectories are symmetrical with respect to the sun-perihelion line and exhibit a bean-like shape. Two main difficulties must be properly taken into account. On one side the sail is required to perform a rapid reorientation maneuver when it approaches the perihelion. Suitable simulations have shown that such a maneuver is feasible. In the second place the new trajectories require the use of high performance solar sails. For example, assuming an orbital period equal to 5 years, the required solar sail characteristic acceleration is greater than 3.4 mm/s². Such a value, although beyond the currently available sail performance, is comparable to what is required by the original concept of H-reversal maneuvers introduced by Vulpetti in 1996.     

Applying fuzzy bi-dimensional scenario-based model to the assessment of Mars mission architecture scenarios

Sending man to Mars has been a long-held dream of humankind. NASA plans human planetary explorations using approaches that are technically feasible, have reasonable risks and have relatively low costs. This study presents a novel Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) model for evaluating a range of potential mission scenarios for the human exploration of Mars. The three alternatives identified by the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) include split mission, combo lander and dual scenarios. The proposed framework subsumes the following key methods: first, the conjunction method is used to minimize the number of alternative mission scenarios; second, the Fuzzy Risk Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (RFMEA) is used to analyze the potential failure of the alternative scenarios; third, the fuzzy group Real Option Analysis (ROA) is used to estimate the expected costs and benefits of the alternative scenarios; and fourth, the fuzzy group permutation approach is used to select the optimal mission scenario. We present the results of a case study at NASA’s Johnson Space center to demonstrate: (1) the complexity of mission scenario selection involving subjective and objective judgments provided by multiple space exploration experts; and (2) a systematic and structured method for aggregating quantitative and qualitative data concerning a large number of competing and conflicting mission events.     

轻型通用飞机起飞总重估算方法研究

飞机的起飞总重是飞机的重要设计参数,概念设计阶段首先要做的重要工作之一就是确定飞机的起飞总重。以四人座低速活塞螺旋桨飞机为例,采用任务剖面法和商载航程法分别对起飞总重进行了估算,并对两种方法进行了修正,在此基础上,取两个计算结果的平均值作为最终的起飞总重估算值。通过与对比机型的比较,验证修正后的计算方法和结果是准确合理的,为通用飞机起飞总重的确定和选择提供了参考。     

Alice: The rosetta Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph

We describe the design, performance and scientific objectives of the NASA-funded ALICE instrument aboard the ESA Rosetta asteroid flyby/comet rendezvous mission. ALICE is a lightweight, low-power, and low-cost imaging spectrograph optimized for cometary far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectroscopy. It will be the first UV spectrograph to study a comet at close range. It is designed to obtain spatially-resolved spectra of Rosetta mission targets in the 700–2050 Å spectral band with a spectral resolution between 8 Å and 12 Å for extended sources that fill its ～0.05^ × 6.0^ field-of-view. ALICE employs an off-axis telescope feeding a 0.15-m normal incidence Rowland circle spectrograph with a toroidal concave holographic reflection grating. The microchannel plate detector utilizes dual solar-blind opaque photocathodes (KBr and CsI) and employs a two-dimensional delay-line readout array. The instrument is controlled by an internal microprocessor. During the prime Rosetta mission, ALICE will characterize comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's coma, its nucleus, and nucleus/coma coupling; during cruise to the comet, ALICE will make observations of the mission's two asteroid flyby targets and of Mars, its moons, and of Earth's moon. ALICE has already successfully completed the in-flight commissioning phase and is operating well in flight. It has been characterized in flight with stellar flux calibrations, observations of the Moon during the first Earth fly-by, and observations of comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) in 2004 and comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the 2005 Deep Impact comet-collision observing campaign.     

LARES successfully launched in orbit: Satellite and mission description

On February 13th 2012, the LARES satellite of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) was launched into orbit with the qualification flight of the new VEGA launcher of the European Space Agency (ESA). The payload was released very accurately in the nominal orbit. The name LARES means LAser RElativity Satellite and summarises the objective of the mission and some characteristics of the satellite. It is, in fact, a mission designed to test Einstein's General Relativity Theory (specifically ‘frame-dragging' and Lense-Thirring effect). The satellite is passive and covered with optical retroreflectors that send back laser pulses to the emitting ground station. This allows accurate positioning of the satellite, which is important for measuring the very small deviations from Galilei–Newton's laws. In 2008, ASI selected the prime industrial contractor for the LARES system with a heavy involvement of the universities in all phases of the programme, from the design to the construction and testing of the satellite and separation system. The data exploitation phase started immediately after the launch under a new contract between ASI and those universities. Tracking of the satellite is provided by the International Laser Ranging Service. Due to its particular design, LARES is the orbiting object with the highest known mean density in the solar system. In this paper, it is shown that this peculiarity makes it the best proof particle ever manufactured. Design aspects, mission objectives and preliminary data analysis will be also presented.     

基于有向图模型的卫星任务指令生成算法

面向任务的卫星操控模式具有操作简便、星载资源使用效率高的优点,正在取代指令序列注入成为遥感卫星运控的新模式。文章提出一种基于有向图模型的遥感卫星任务指令序列生成算法,具有线性存储复杂度和计算复杂度,适合存储资源和计算资源受限的星载计算机应用。此算法已在某遥感卫星应用,测试试验表明,采用3个面向任务的高级指令即可生成52种指令序列,任务上行注入效率提升了5倍。本文方法根据有效载荷的使用约束条件,配置有向图模型参数,即可满足各种类型卫星使用。     

改进型LQR方法在飞机控制律设计中的应用

阐述了线性二次型状态反馈（LQR）理论在飞行控制系统设计中的优势。针对现代飞机飞行控制系统非线性、多回路和强耦合的特点，典型的介绍了纵向飞行控制系统的设计过程。选择反馈信号以及升降舵等变量作为输出量．使传统LQR最优控制中对加权阵Q和R的选择变为对降维的加权阵Q的选择,并通过真实飞行速度进行动态调参，最后，通过仿真验证了该方法的正碜性和实用性。     

无人作战飞机任务规划系统关键技术研究

文章首先论述了任务规划系统和战术飞行管理系统、航路规划系统的联系与区别,分析了无人作战飞机任务规划系统的特点及其体系结构,最后详细分析与研究了任务规划系统需要解决的核心技术——航路规划技术。