Contingency target assessment,trajectory design,and analysis for NASA’s NEA scout solar sail mission

The presented study examines contingency target selection and trajectory design for NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid Scout mission under the assumption of a missed lunar gravity assist. Two previously considered asteroids are selected as potential targets for the given scenario based on favorable orbital characteristics for launch dates ranging from June 27, 2020 through July 26, 2020. Initially, a simplified circular restricted 3-body problem + ideal solar sail model is utilized to survey trajectory options for a month-long launch window. Selected solutions from this data set are then converged in an N-body ephemeris + non-ideal sail model. Results suggest that NEA Scout can still perform asteroid rendezvous mission under the missed lunar gravity assist scenario with new targets, 2019 GF1, 2018 PK21, and 2007 UN12, based on the target launch dates. Further target assessment is carried out for 165 days beyond the current June 27, 2020 launch date.     

A sample collector for robotic sample return missions III: Impact survivability studies

Laboratory impact tests have been performed on experimental versions of a proposed robotic sample collector for extraterrestrial samples. The collector consists of a retractable aluminum ring containing an impregnable silicone compound that is pressed into the surface of the body to be sampled. As part of a comprehensive program to evaluate this idea, we have performed tests to determine if the samples embedded in the collector medium can survive the impact forces experienced during direct reentry, such as that of the recent Genesis sample return mission. For the present study, samples of sand, rock, glass, and chalk were subjected to decelerations of 1440–2880 g using drop tests. We found that even the most fragile samples, chosen to be representative of a wide range of the types of materials found on the surface of asteroids that have currently been studied, can withstand impacts of the intensity experienced by a sample return capsule during direct reentry.     

Rosetta Asteroid Targets: 2867 Steins and 21 Lutetia

In preparation for the flyby of the Rosetta spacecraft, the state of the knowledge of 21 Lutetia and 2867 Steins obtained by ground based observations is reported. Preliminary determination of shape and/or size, rotational properties and taxonomic types are presented for both asteroids. The dusty environment of the targets has been studied in order to help in defining safe fly-by trajectories without the risk of damaging collisions. The expected science return from the asteroid fly-by is also discussed.     

一种载人小行星探测目标星初选方法

针对载人小行星探测任务目标选取问题,通过对目标星选取影响因素的定量分析,提出了目标星初选方案。首先根据火箭的运载能力提出目标星轨道参数的筛选条件,然后根据地面观测和尺寸约束提出目标星绝对星等的要求,再根据结构的稳定性和温控要求提出目标星自旋周期的范围,最后按照科学价值并综合考虑其他因素建立目标星选取优化模型,得出目标星优选序列。根据提出的目标星初选方案和具体的任务需求进行载人小行星探测目标星选取,得出了目标星优选序列,证明了该方案合理、有效,为载人小行星探测提供一定的技术参考。     

基于433 Eros的多面体引力模型精度与运行时间研究

基于Planetary Data System(PDS)公布的433 Eros多面体模型,使用多面体模型法计算了433 Eros的表面引力加速度分布情况,并研究了该方法在不同精度的多面体模型下的计算时间和误差。实验结果表明:1)多面体模型法的时间复杂度为O(n);2)在以433 Eros为目标天体的着陆导航与制导控制相关仿真计算中,使用面数为22 540的多面体模型进行引力加速度计算,可以同时满足计算速度和精度的要求,并且由于计算速度接近实时,可用于半物理仿真实验中。     

一种利用非均质多面体模型确定小行星附近引力场的方法

从力学的角度出发,如何准确地建立小行星附近的引力场模型是小行星研究中最为基础、最为关键的部分。提出一种基于多面体模型的模拟小行星附近引力场的方法。该方法的准确性一方面取决于多面体模型的精细程度,即模型分辨率,另一方面取决于勒让德级数的截断误差。选取均质小行星模型,求取其引力场并与使用原有多面体方法求得的引力场进行对比,以此验证本方法的可行性。通过对形状参数相同的均质、非均质多面体模型附近的引力场进行对比来说明非均质小行星引力场建模的重要意义。     

三小行星系统216 Kleopatra引力场中的动力学

主带三小行星系统216 Kleopatra是由主星216 Kleopatra及两个小月亮(moonlet)Alexhelios[S/2008(216)1]和Cleoselene[S/2008(216)2]组成。其中主星216Kleopatra是一个具有强不规则形状如哑铃的连接双星,大小为217km×94km×81km,外小月亮Alexhelios大小约为8.9km,内小月亮大小约为6.9km。其动力学行为具有非常丰富的科学内涵。研究了三小行星系统216Kleopatra自身的动力学机制及其引力场中探测器的运动规律,分析了主星质心固连系中探测器的动力学方程,给出了三小行星引力全多体问题的动力学方程及Jacobi积分,方程考虑了三个小行星的不规则外形、轨道与姿态。发现三小行星系统216Kleopatra主星引力场中一种新的周期轨道族的倍周期分岔。考虑主星的不规则精确外形与引力、两个小月亮的相互作用,研究了该三小行星系统的动力学构形。发现Kleopatra的强不规则几何外形及两个小月亮Alexhelios和Cleoselene的相互作用引起两个小月亮的轨道参数的显著变化。     

小天体附近的轨道动力学研究综述

小天体附近的轨道动力学是现代天体力学的一个重要研究方向,包含着丰富的物理现象和深刻的数学内涵;随着一系列小行星实地探测任务的深入开展,理解小天体附近的轨道运动规律也成为航天领域所面对的众多挑战之一。回顾了小天体研究和探测的历程,分析了小天体附近轨道动力学问题的基本特点和科学价值;详细介绍了航天动力学、行星学和非线性科学三个学科领域对该问题的讨论和研究进展,并列举了各领域中相关的热点问题;基于对上述研究现状的分析,尝试展望了该研究方向未来的发展趋势。     

A sample collector for robotic sample return missions I: Temperature effect on collected mass

Sample return is playing an increasingly important role in solar system exploration. Among the possible mission on the horizon, are sample return from asteroids, comets, the Moon and Mars. A collector initially intended for near-Earth asteroids is the touch-and-go-impregnable-pad (TGIP). Here we explore the effect of temperature on its collection capabilities. Temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroid mission targets range from −43 to 36 °C. Experiments were conducted at −75, −50, −25, 23, 65, and 105 °C. It was found that the mass of sample collected by the TGIP increased almost linearly to 23 °C and then leveled off at higher temperatures. We also found that the collector did not lose its ability to collect samples after being subjected to −75 °C temperatures (essentially frozen) and then thawed. These experiments have shown that the TGIP can operate effectively at temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroids, especially if collection is performed on the sunward side of the asteroid.