Spin-stabilized satellite magnetic attitude control scheme without initial detumbling

The angular motion of an axisymmetrical satellite equipped with an active magnetic attitude control system is considered. The dynamics of the satellite are analytically studied on the whole control loop. The control loop is as follows: preliminary reorientation along with nutation damping, spinning about the axis of symmetry, then precise reorientation of the axis of symmetry in inertial space. Reorientation starts right after separation from the launch vehicle. Active magnetic attitude control system time-response with respect to its parameters is analyzed. It is proven that low-inclined orbit forces low control system time-response. Comparison with the common control scheme shows the time-response gain. Numerical analysis of the disturbances effect is carried out and good pointing accuracy is proved.     

Variations of geomagnetic cutoff rigidity in the southern hemisphere close to 70°W (South-Atlantic Anomaly and Antarctic zones) in the period 1975–2010

We report the existence of rapid variations in (effective) geomagnetic cutoff rigidity (Rc) between the equatorial and Antarctic zones adjacent to the Andes Mountains, revealed by the variation rate of geomagnetic cutoff rigidity (VRc) in the period 1975–2010. Our analysis is based on empirical records and theoretical models of the variations in cosmic rays and on the structure of geomagnetic fields. These have given us a different view of variations in Rc in time and space along the 70°W meridian, where secular variations in the geomagnetic field are strongly influenced by the proximity of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA), one of the most important characteristics of the terrestrial magnetic field that affects our planet, close from the equator to the 50°S parallel and from South America to South Africa. The VRc presents rapid changes in mid-latitudes where SAMA exerts its influence despite the existence of smooth changes in the geomagnetic field. This shows that these changes occur mainly in the spatial configuration, rather than in the temporal evolution of Rc. The analysis was performed using measurements from the Chilean Network of Cosmic Rays and Geomagnetism Observatories, equipped with BF-3 and latest generation He-3 neutron monitors, Fluxgate magnetometers, geomagnetic reference field (IGRF) and Tsyganenko 2001 model (just for completeness).     

中国及邻近地区地磁场垂直梯度的计算与研究

根据地磁场的球谐模型,推导出地磁场各个分量垂直梯度的球谐表达式.计算出中国及邻近地区高度为0km,50km和100km处的地磁场及其垂直梯度的网点值,编绘出地磁总强度、垂直强度、水平强度和磁偏角的垂直梯度等值线图.研究了地磁场垂直梯度在地面上以及随高度的变化规律.     

Prediction tests by using “ISF” method for the geomagnetic disturbances

A so-called “ISF” prediction method for geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar wind storms blowing to the Earth is suggested. The method is based on a combined approach of solar activity, interplanetary scintillation (I) and geomagnetic disturbance observations during the period 1966–1982 together with the dynamics of solar wind storm propagation (S) and fuzzy mathematics (F). It has been used for prediction tests for 37 geomagnetic disturbance events during the descending solar activity phase 1984–1985, and was presented in 33rd COSPAR conference. Here, it has been improved by consideration of the three dimensional propagation characteristics of each event, the search for the best radio source and the influence of the southward components of interplanetary magnetic fields on the geomagnetic disturbances. It is used for prediction tests for 24 larger geomagnetic disturbance events that produced space anomalies during the period 1980–1999. The main results are: (1) for the onset time of the geomagnetic disturbance, the relative error between the observation, T_obs, and the prediction, T_pred, ΔT_pred/T_obs  10% for 45.8% of all events, 30% for 78.3% and >30% for only 21.7%; (2) for the magnetic disturbance magnitude, the relative error between the observation, ∑K_p,obs, and the prediction, ∑K_p,pred, Δ∑K_p,pred/∑K_p,obs  10% for 41.6% of all events, 30% for 79% and 45% for 100%. This shows that the prediction method described here has encouraging prospects for improving predictions of large geomagnetic disturbances in space weather events.     

多视场低磁星敏感器及其在磁测卫星中的应用

下一代地磁导航等空间任务对地球磁场测量卫星提出了迫切的需求, 高精度地磁场测量卫星需要极高的姿态测量精度和空间剩磁环境, 对星敏感器提出了新的要求。针对这一需求, 研究了低剩磁高精度星敏感器的改进设计方法。采用三视场分体结构设计,提高了数据更新率,通过数据融合提高了姿态确定精度,同时对光学头部进行了精细化降剩磁设计。仿真和测试结果表明，改进的星敏感器设计方法能够实现较低的剩磁和较高的定姿精度, 满足地磁场测量卫星的应用需求, 具有较高的应用价值。     

Dynamical Simulations of Plasmapause Deformations

Dynamical simulations have been developed at IASB-BIRA to model the deformations of the plasmasphere during geomagnetic substorms and other variations in the level of geomagnetic activity. The simulations are based on the mechanism of plasma instability and use the empirical Kp-dependent electric field E5D. The results of the simulations are compared with IMAGE observations that provide the first global comprehensive images of the Earth’s plasmasphere. The predicted plasmapause positions correspond generally rather satisfactorily with the EUV observations. The plasmasphere is rather extended in all MLT sectors during quiet periods. During or just after geomagnetic substorms, the plasmaspause is sharper and becomes closer to the Earth in the night sector. Periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity are associated to the formation of plumes that rotate with the plasmasphere. The simulations reproduce the formation and the motion of these plumes, as well as the development of other structures like shoulders observed at the plasmapause by EUV on IMAGE.     

地磁导航技术研究进展

地磁场是地球的固有资源,利用地磁场匹配进行导航是一种新型导航技术.与传统的惯性导航和卫星导航比较,地磁导航具有无积累误差、抗干扰、隐蔽性好、导航信息丰富等优势.文章介绍了地磁导航的3个基本要素,即磁场测量技术、地磁模型以及定位与导航技术.分析了弱磁场磁力仪在地磁导航中的应用及其优缺点,讨论了地磁场模型和地磁匹配算法,展望了地磁导航技术的应用前景.     

基于UKF的高动态飞行器无源组合导航系统研究

针对飞行器在进行高动态飞行中卫星导航系统易受干扰、GPS可能被屏蔽,从而导致导航系统失稳甚至发散的问题,采用无迹卡尔曼滤波(UKF)算法对基于捷联惯导系统(SINS)、地磁导航系统(GNS)和嵌入式大气数据系统(FADS)的组合无源导航系统性能进行了改进.建立了地磁数据模型和无源组合导航模型,并针对新的组合导航系统观测方程非线性程度较高问题,提出了利用非线性UKF对导航数据进行融合的方法.利用高动态飞行轨迹对所提出的组合导航系统进行了仿真及误差分析,结果表明该系统对SINS误差估计具有适中的精度.     

基于星载加速度计反演载人航天轨道大气密度

热层大气密度直接影响低轨道航天器的精密定轨,热层大气密度模型的误差是影响载人航天定轨精度的关键因素。选取400km为载人航天轨道的代表高度,利用CHAMP卫星数据修正热层大气密度模型,进而反演得到2002年的热层大气密度,统计其中长期变化特征,并分析大气密度与太阳活动和地磁活动的关系,得出热层大气密度与两种指数的总体变化趋势一致的结论,且地磁活动与大气密度的相关性更好。同时将大气密度的反演值与神舟三号飞船的实测密度值进行对比,结果显示二者有较好的一致性,其平均残差和均方根误差分别为0．03和0．24,并且地磁平静期的误差明显小于磁暴期。结果表明,利用星载加速度计数据反演载人航天轨道大气密度是一种有效的方法。     

太阳风暴及其对人类社会活动的影响

第24个太阳活动周峰年即将到来。太阳风暴由于其给现代人类社会活动带来的巨大灾难,引起了越来越多的关住。文章首先回顾了太阳风暴及其对人类社会活动的影响,然后对历史上1859年卡林顿事件中太阳风暴和近几十年来著名的太阳风暴的强度进行了比较,最后简要介绍了太阳风暴所涉及的科学和技术问题,并且提出了减轻太阳风暴给社会活动带来灾害的对策。