Modified unscented Kalman filtering and its application in autonomous satellite navigation

In this paper, a modified unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for nonlinear stochastic systems is proposed, and it is applied to autonomous orbit determination for Earth satellites. Based on some standard results about the boundedness of stochastic processes and a new formulation of the unscented transformation (UT), it is demonstrated that the design of the noise covariance matrix plays an important role in enhancing the filter stability. Furthermore, a particular design of the noise covariance matrix is proposed as a modification of the UKF. The modified UKF is less sensitive to the initial error than the usual one. High performance of the modified UKF is illustrated in comparison with the usual one by using the real data obtained from an Earth sensor.     

Formation and Evolution of Titan’s Atmosphere

The origin and evolution of Titan’s enigmatic atmosphere is reviewed. Starting with the present-day volatile inventory, the question of what was the original composition on Titan and how a satellite of similar size to other Galilean moons managed to acquire and hold on to the required material is discussed. In particular the possible sources and sinks of the main mother molecules (nitrogen, methane and oxygen) are investigated in view of the most recent models and laboratory experiments. The answers expected to be provided by the instruments aboard the Cassini-Huygens mission to some of the most prominent current questions regarding Titan’s atmosphere are defined.     

International verification arrangements : Choosing the right approach

A proposal for an international satellite monitoring agency (ISMA) to verify arms control agreements was first made by France in 1978, and has been received enthusiastically, although not by the superpowers. The technologies available for verification are proliferating, and many countries feel they can make a useful contribution. The authors examine the impact an ISMA would actually have on international security and arms control, and propose several alternative avenues for international participation in verification.     

Solar mass flow in fine-scale structures

Observations of transient and steady velocities at chromospheric, transition region and coronal temperatures in the quiet Sun and coronal holes are reviewed. The relevance of fine-scale structures in governing the mass balance of the solar atmosphere is stressed. At present, a coherent picture of these mass flows does not exist. However, the current observational base of transition region and coronal velocity information is limited but should greatly improve with measurements from the SOHO satellite.     

基于DEM和GMTI的收发同置分布式InSAR编队构型设计

针对多星收发同置分布式干涉合成孔径雷达(InSAR),建立了基线的空间几何模型,基于高程测量(DEM)和动目标检测(GMTI)任务设计卫星编队构型。给出了多星收发同置分布式InSAR的基线参数与构型参数的转换关系,在任务对基线的约束下,以小于某指标的测高和测速误差的轨道运行时间为优化目标,设计构型参数并仿真分析,获得了三种不同编队构型的基线稳定性和测量误差。     

First laser measurements to space debris in Poland

The Borowiec Satellite Laser Ranging station (BORL 7811, Borowiec) being a part of the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences (SRC PAS) went through modernization in 2014–2015. One of the main tasks of the modernization was the installation of a high-energy laser module dedicated to space debris tracking. Surelite III by Continuum is a Nd:YAG pulse laser with 10?Hz repetition rate, a pulse width of 3–5?ns and a pulse energy of 450?mJ for green (532?nm). This new laser unit was integrated with the SLR system at Borowiec performing standard satellite tracking. In 2016 BORL 7811 participated actively to the observational campaigns related to the space debris targets from LEO region managed by the Space Debris Study Group (SDSG) of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS).Currently, Borowiec station regularly tracks 36 space debris from the LEO regime, including typical rocket bodies (Russian/Chinese) and cooperative targets like the inactive TOPEX/Poseidon, ENVISAT, OICETS and others. In this paper the first results of space debris laser measurements obtained by the Borowiec station in period August 2016 – January 2017 are presented. The results gained by the SRC PAS Borowiec station confirm the rotation of the defunct TOPEX/Poseidon satellite which spins with a period of approximately 10?s. The novelty of this work is the presentation of the sample results of the Chinese CZ-2C R/B target (NORAD catalogue number 31114) which is equipped (probably) with retroreflectors. Laser measurements to space debris is a very desirable topic for the next years, especially in the context of the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) activity. Some targets are very easy to track like defunct ENVISAT or TOPEX/Poseidon. On the other hand, there is a big population of different LEO targets with different orbital and physical parameters, which are challenging for laser ranging like small irregular debris and rocket boosters.     

面向微纳卫星应用的激光数传技术

针对遥感微纳卫星对地高速数传需求,开展面向微纳卫星的激光数传技术研究,突破微纳卫星激光通信终端星地快速捕获建链和协同高精度稳定跟踪、天基终端轻小型化、复合光电组件等关键技术。完成微纳卫星的天基激光终端和地面激光终端研制,并开展星地传输试验验证,实现 1 230 km、10/50/100 Mbps 的星地数据传输,验证了相关技术,为后续我国微纳卫星对地遥感应用提供了理想的星地数传手段。     

Prospects and opportunities for space collaboration with Latin America: What can India contribute and gain?

India in Asia and Brazil in Latin America are regarded as the most promising global economies. This paper examines the openings and possibilities for space technology collaboration between India and Latin American states under the larger rubric of science and technology collaboration. While the distance and language barriers between the two regions have proved a hindrance in the past, the paper proceeds with an assumption that, in the 21st century, such barriers should not be a limitation on developing strategic, economic, and science and technology partnerships among nation-states. The paper argues that the Latin American states are keen to have their own satellites because of their significant utility in the socioeconomic sector and this offers an opportunity to India to use cooperation in space technologies as a powerful tool for engagement in Latin America.     

Some comments on the F ring-Prometheus–Pandora environment

The system formed by the F ring and two close satellites, Prometheus and Pandora, has been analysed since the time that Voyager visited the planet Saturn. During the ring plane crossing in 1995 the satellites were found in different positions as predicted by the Voyager data. Besides the mutual effects of Prometheus and Pandora, they are also disturbed by a massive F ring. Showalter et al. [Icarus 100 (1992) 394] proposed that, the core of the ring has a mass which corresponds to a moonlet varying in size from 15 to 70 km in radius which can prevent the ring from spreading due to dissipative forces, such as Poynting–Robertson drag and collisions. We have divided this work into two parts. Firstly we analysed the secular interactions between Prometheus–Pandora and a massive F ring using the secular theory. Our results show the variation in eccentricity and inclination of the satellites and the F ring taking into account a massive ring corresponding to a moonlet of different sizes. There is also a population of dust particles in the ring in the company of moonlets at different sizes [Icarus 109 (1997) 304]. We also analysed the behaviour of these particles under the effects of the Poynting–Robertson drag and radiation pressure. Our results show that the time scale proposed for a dust particle to leave the ring is much shorter than predicted before even in the presence of a coorbital moonlet. This result does not agree with the confinement model proposed by Dermott et al. [Nature 284 (1980) 309]. In 2004, Cassini mission will perform repeated observations of the whole system, including observations of the satellites and the F ring environment. These data will help us to better understand this system.