Study of highly perturbed spacecraft formation dynamics via approximation

This paper explores methods for approximating and analyzing the dynamics of highly perturbed spacecraft formations with an emphasis on computationally efficient approaches. This facilitates on-board computation or rapid preliminary mission design analysis. Perturbed formation dynamics are often approximated as linear time-varying (LTV) systems, for which Floquet theory can be used to analyze the degree of system instability. Furthermore, the angular momentum of the relative orbital state can be computed with the approximate dynamics to provide additional insight. A general methodology is developed first and then applied to the problem of unstable formation dynamics in asteroid orbits. Here the dominant perturbative effects due to low-order gravitational harmonics and solar radiation pressure are modeled. Numerical simulations validate the approach and illustrate the approximation accuracy achieved.     

Solar sails for perturbation relief: Application to asteroids

A major cause of spacecraft orbital variation comes from natural perturbations, which, in close proximity of a body, are dominated by its non-spherical nature. For small bodies, such as asteroids, these effects can be considerable, given their uneven (and uncertain) mass distribution. Solar sail technology is proposed to reduce or eliminate the net secular effects of the irregular gravity field on the orbit. Initially, a sensitivity analysis will be carried out on the system which will show high sensitivity to changes in initial conditions. This presents a challenge for optimisation methods which require an initial guess of the solution. As such, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is proposed as the preferred optimisation method as this requires no initial guess from the user. A multi-objective optimisation is performed which aims to achieve a periodic orbit whilst also minimising the effort required by the sail to do so. Given the system sensitivity, the control law for one orbit is not necessarily applicable for any subsequent orbit. Therefore, a new method of updating the control law for subsequent orbits is presented, based on linearisation and use of a Control Transition Matrix (CTM). The techniques will later find application in a multiple asteroid rendezvous mission with a solar sail as the primary propulsion system.     

Variation of the orbital elements for parabolic trajectories due to a small impulse using Gauss equations

Firstly we derive Gauss’ perturbation equation for parabolic motion using Murray–Dermott and Kovalevsky procedures. Secondly, we easily deduce the variations of the orbital elements for the parabolic trajectories due to a small impulse at any point along the path and at the vertex of the parabola.     

Spacecraft formation and orbit control using differential attitude-dependent solar radiation pressure

This paper introduces a linear model for spacecraft formation dynamics subject to attitude-dependent solar radiation pressure (SRP) disturbance, with the SRP model accounting for both absorption and specular/diffuse reflection. Spacecraft attitude is represented in modified Rodriguez parameters (MRPs), which also parameterize the orientation of individual facets for a spacecraft with fixed geometry. Compared to earlier work, this model incorporates analytic approximation of the SRP-perturbed chief orbit behavior in a manner enabling its use in applications with infrequent guidance updates. Control examples are shown for single-plate representations of hypothetical spacecraft with generally realistic optical parameters. The results demonstrate the validity of the model and the feasibility of SRP-based formation and rendezvous control in orbits around small bodies and in high orbits around the Earth such as the GEO belt.     

On the stability of flexible aircraft

The problem of aircraft stability has been a subject of concern since the beginnings of flight. Traditionally, aircraft stability has been treated within the confines of two separate disciplines, namely, flight dynamics and aeroelasticity. Based on some recent developments in the dynamics and control of flexible aircraft, this investigation uses the system concept to provide a broader approach to aircraft stability in an attempt to bridge the gap between stability as understood in flight dynamics and stability as envisioned in aeroelasticity. To this end, stability is studied in the following four cases: 1) dynamics of whole flexible aircraft using the unified formulation, 2) flight dynamics of quasi-rigid aircraft (aircraft treated as rigid), 3) aeroelasticity of flexible components, such as cantilever wing, cantilever horizontal stabilizer, etc., and 4) aeroelasticity of restrained flexible aircraft (aircraft fixed to a point, hence, having no rigid body degrees of freedom). The paper also presents a method to address the stability of flexible aircraft when the compressibility correction factor is known only at some discrete Mach numbers.     

平均轨道根数与密切轨道根数的互换

基于双行轨道根数和简化普适摄动算法,提出平均轨道根数与密切轨道根数的互换算法。以在轨Tan-DEM-X编队的双星为例进行仿真。与传统的只考虑J2项摄动短周期影响的转换算法相比,本文提出的互换算法精度更高：由平均轨道根数转换的密切轨道根数与STK 8软件给出的结果一致;由密切轨道根数转换的平均轨道根数与北美防空司令部公布的双行轨道根数一致。仿真结果表明该互换方法具有科学性和工程应用价值。