Generation of satellite tracking profile: Problems and validation algorithms

Recently, as a satellite mission becomes complicated, it has been required to generate the schedule of satellite antenna movements automatically without relying upon operator’s ad hoc knowledge. To generate the satellite antenna schedule autonomously, this paper first addresses geometrical problems associated with the antenna scheduling and mission planning problems that can be formulated from satellite navigation and antenna orientation information. Then, based on the solutions of the geometrical problems, a set of antenna azimuth and elevation angles that enables the antenna to point towards the desired ground station is obtained systematically. Using the computed azimuth and elevation angles, the satellite tracking profile (TP) is generated, and to validate it, TP validation algorithms are developed.     

Precise orbit determination using the batch filter based on particle filtering with genetic resampling approach

In this study, genetic resampling (GRS) approach is utilized for precise orbit determination (POD) using the batch filter based on particle filtering (PF). Two genetic operations, which are arithmetic crossover and residual mutation, are used for GRS of the batch filter based on PF (PF batch filter). For POD, Laser-ranging Precise Orbit Determination System (LPODS) and satellite laser ranging (SLR) observations of the CHAMP satellite are used. Monte Carlo trials for POD are performed by one hundred times. The characteristics of the POD results by PF batch filter with GRS are compared with those of a PF batch filter with minimum residual resampling (MRRS). The post-fit residual, 3D error by external orbit comparison, and POD repeatability are analyzed for orbit quality assessments. The POD results are externally checked by NASA JPL’s orbits using totally different software, measurements, and techniques. For post-fit residuals and 3D errors, both MRRS and GRS give accurate estimation results whose mean root mean square (RMS) values are at a level of 5 cm and 10–13 cm, respectively. The mean radial orbit errors of both methods are at a level of 5 cm. For POD repeatability represented as the standard deviations of post-fit residuals and 3D errors by repetitive PODs, however, GRS yields 25% and 13% more robust estimation results than MRRS for post-fit residual and 3D error, respectively. This study shows that PF batch filter with GRS approach using genetic operations is superior to PF batch filter with MRRS in terms of robustness in POD with SLR observations.     

A new approach to the telescope operation method for satellite tracking using a time synchronization technique

For the development of a telescope that is capable of precisely tracking satellites and high-speed operation such as satellite laser ranging, a special method of telescope operation is required. This study aims to propose a new telescope operation method and system configuration for the independent development of a mount and an operation system which includes the host computer. Considering that the tracking of a satellite is performed in real time, communication and synchronization between the two independent subsystems are important. Therefore, this study applied the concept of time synchronization, which is used in various fields of industry, to the communication between the command computer and the mount. In this case, communication delays do not need to be considered in general, and it is possible to cope with data loss. Above all, when the mount is replaced in the future, only the general communication interface needs to be modified, and thus, it is not limited by replacement in terms of the overall system management. The performance of the telescope operation method developed in this study was verified by applying the method to the first mobile SLR system in Korea. This study is significant in that it proposed a new operation method and system configuration, to which the concept of time synchronization was applied, for the observation system that requires an optical telescope.     

Adaptive control based on a parametric affine model for tail-controlled missiles

An adaptive control against uncertainties in tail-controlled STT (skid-to-turn) missiles is presented. First, we derive an analytic uncertainty model from a parametric affine missile model developed by the authors. Based on this analytic model, an adaptive feedback linearizing control law accompanied by a sliding mode control law is proposed. We provide analyses of stability and output tracking performance of the overall adaptive missile system. The performance and validity of the proposed adaptive control scheme are demonstrated by simulation.     

Predicting and adapting satellite channels with weather-induced impairments

Efficiency improvements using predictive and adaptive methods over satellite channels with weather-induced impairments are presented. Scintillation and rain attenuation are the two dominant factors for signal fading over satellite-Earth paths at operating frequencies over 10 GHz. We develop statistical and spectral analyses of these processes, and obtain simple linear predictors for received signal attenuation using autoregressive (AR) models. For adaptation, we propose changing signal transmission power, modulation symbol size, and/or code rate as the state of the channel changes. In particular, we introduce a continuous power control and discrete rate control strategy. Quantitative analyses of power consumption and channel capacity indicate that there can be a substantial gain in performance with such adaptive schemes.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on hyperthermal composting microorganisms for feasible application in space

The composting system is the most efficient method for processing organic waste in space; however, the composting activity of microorganisms can be altered by cosmic rays. In this study, the effect of ionizing irradiation on composting bacteria was investigated. Sequence analyses of amplified 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and amoA genes were used to identify hyperthermal composting microorganisms. The viability of microorganisms in compost soil after gamma irradiation was directly determined using LIVE/DEAD BacLight viability kit. The dominant bacterial genera were Weissella cibaria and Leuconostoc sp., and the fungal genera were Metschnikowia bicuspidata and Pichia guilliermondii. Gamma irradiation up to a dose of 10 kGy did not significantly alter the microbial population. Furthermore, amylase and cellulase activities were maintained after high-dose gamma irradiation. Our results show that hyperthermal microorganisms can be used to recycle agricultural and fermented material in space stations and other human-inhabiting facilities on the Moon, Mars, and other planets.     

The study of enhanced earth observations on a satellite image chain

The Multi-Spectral Camera (MSC) on the KOrea Multi-Propose SATellite (KOMPSAT)-2 was developed and launched as a main payload to provide a One(1) m panchromatic image and four(4) band four(4) m multi-spectral images at an altitude of 685 km covering a swath width of 15 km. These images, archived around the world, are a useful resource for space applications in agriculture, cartography, geology, forestry, regional planning, surveillance, and national security. The image quality of KOMPSAT-2 depends upon its image chain, which is comprised of an on-board system in the satellite and a processing system at the ground station. Therefore, in this study we determine the factors that have a major impact on the image quality through an investigation of the entire image chain. Consequently, two methods, involving a compression algorithm and a deconvolution technique, were determined as having a significant influence on the KOMPSAT-2 image quality. The compression algorithm of KOMPSAT-2 is rate-controlled JPEG-like algorithm that controls the mismatch between the input and output data rate. The ability to control the input/output data rate may be useful during the operation of the satellite but can also lower the overall image quality. The deconvolution technique may increase the sharpness of images, but it can also amplify the image noise level. Therefore, we propose methods of wavelet-based compression and denoising as an alternative to currently existing algorithms. Satisfactory results were obtained through experimentation with these two algorithms, and they are expected to be successfully implemented into the future KOMPSAT series to yield high-quality images for enhanced earth observation.     

A simultaneous assignment methodology of right/left eigenstructures

In the sense of eigenstructure (eigenvalues/eigenvectors) assignment, the effectiveness and disturbance suppressibility of a controller are mainly dependent on the left eigenstructure (eigenvalues/left eigenvectors) of a system. However, the disturbance decouplability is governed by the right eigenstructure (eigenvalues/right eigenvectors) of the system. In order to obtain a disturbance decouplable as well as effective and disturbance suppressible controller, a simultaneous assignment methodology of the right and left eigenstructures is proposed. The biorthogonality property between the left and right modal matrices of a system as well as the relations between the achievable right modal matrix and states selection matrices are used to develop the methodology. The proposed simultaneous eigenstructures assignment methodology guarantees that the desired eigenvalues are achieved exactly and the desired left and right eigenvectors are assigned to the best possible(achievable) sets of eigenvectors in the least square sense, respectively. An L-1011 flight control application is presented to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed methodology     

Adaptive attitude control of spacecraft using neural networks

An adaptive control technique can be applicable to reorient spacecraft with uncertain properties such as mass, inertial and various misalignments. A nonlinear quaternion feedback controller is chosen as a baseline attitude controller. A linearly added adaptive input supported by neural networks to the baseline controller can estimate and eliminate the uncertain spacecraft property adaptively. The normalized input neural networks (NINNs) are examined for reliable computation of the adaptive input. The newly defined learning rules of the neural networks are established appropriately for a spacecraft. To prove the stability of the closed-loop dynamics with the control law, Lyapunov stability theory is considered. As a result, the proposed approach results in the uniform ultimate boundedness in tracking error and robustness of the chattering and the singularity problems.