On Saturn’s rotation relative to a center of mass under the action of the gravitational moments of the Sun and Jupiter

Saturn’s rotation relative to a center of mass is considered within an elliptic restricted three-body problem. It is assumed that Saturn is a solid under the action of gravity of the Sun and Jupiter. The motions of Saturn and Jupiter are considered elliptic with small eccentricities e_S and e_J, respectively; the mean motion of Jupiter n_J is also small. We obtain the averaged Hamiltonian function for a small parameter of ε = n_J and integrals of evolution equations. The main effects of the influence of Jupiter on Saturn’s rotation are described: (α) the evolution of the constant parameters of regular precession for the angular momentum vector I₂; (β) the occurrence of new libration zones of oscillations I₂ near the plane of the celestial equator parallel to the plane of the Jupiter’s orbit; (γ) the occurrence of additional unstable equilibria of vector I₂ at the points of the north and south poles of the celestial sphere and, as a result, the existence of homoclinic trajectories; and (δ) the existence of periodic trajectories with arbitrarily large periods near the homoclinic trajectory. It is shown that the effects of (β), (γ), and (δ) are caused by the eccentricity e of the Jupiter’s orbit and are practically independent of Jupiter’s mass (within satellite approximation).     

The use of the Earth’s gravitational potential for interplanetary flights

An efficient scheme of the use of the Earth’s gravity in interplanetary flights is suggested, which opens up new opportunities for exploration of the solar system. The scheme of the gravitational maneuver allows one to considerably reduce the spacecraft mass consumption for a flight and the time of flight. An algorithm of the gravitational maneuver is suggested that takes into account the restriction on the altitude of a planet flyby. Estimates are made of transport capabilities for delivery of a spacecraft to the orbits of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The spacecraft is based on a middle-class carrier launcher of the Soyuz type and includes chemical and electric plasma jet engines of the SPD-140 type, which use solar energy.     

深空探测器多次引力辅助转移轨道全局搜索

介绍行星引力辅助近似模型,包括近行星点无动力和有动力两种方式;采用开普勒轨道拼接法与双脉冲Lambert算法,建立多次引力辅助转移轨道的参数优化模型;通过广度优先搜索算法对引力辅助行星序列进行穷举,对发射窗口和天体间转移时间进行离散化网格搜索,每一步网格搜索后均采用合理的定界剪枝方法,减少后续计算量。这种全局搜索方法不需要提前指定引力辅助行星序列,并可得到对应不同飞行时间以及不同引力辅助次数的搜索结果,获得若干多天体引力辅助转移轨道初步结果,为进一步局部优化设计奠定基础。文章给出几组全局搜索算例,得到从地球到火星、木星和土星的多次引力辅助转移轨道,验证了全局搜索方法的有效性。     

Cassini Saturn-escape trajectories to Jupiter,Uranus, and Neptune

Potential encore-mission scenarios have been considered for the Cassini mission. In this paper we discuss one of the end-of-life scenarios in which the Cassini spacecraft could perform a Saturn escape via gravity assists from Titan. It is shown that such satellite-aided escape requires a small deterministic maneuver (e.g., Δv<50 m/s), but provides enough energy for the Cassini spacecraft to reach a range of targets in our Solar System, as close to the Sun as the asteroid belt or as far as the Kuiper belt. The escape sequence could be initiated from an arbitrary point during the on-going Cassini mission. Example tours are presented in which the final Titan flyby places the spacecraft into ballistic trajectories that reach Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. After years of heliocentric flight, the spacecraft could impact on the target gas giant or perform a flyby to escape from the Solar System (if not to another destination). The concept can be generalized to a new kind of missions, including nested-grand tours, which may involve satellite-aided captures and escapes at more than one planet.     

Formation of rings in the equatorial plane of gaseous stars

Gasdynamic behavior is supposed to play an important role in the phenomena involved in gaseous stars like Saturn. From this viewpoint the gasdynamic motion in Saturn under the influence of gravity field is analyzed and the results are compared with the data of Saturn observations by Voyager I. The distortions of gravity field are regarded as small disturbance due to the rotation of spherical gaseous stars in view of Saturn having a small oblateness and as a result it is found that a periodic change in gravity potential happens concentrated on the equatorial plane. It is recognized that the positions of Saturn's rings and satellites generally correspond to the wells of the gravity potential. Approximations and speculations for velocity distribution and specific-heat ratio which have to be made in the analysis fortunately seem to have no significant influence on the results of the analysis.Good coincidence between the analysis in this paper and the observation data suggests an effective applicability of gasdynamics to the space science.     

Observations of corotating solar wind structures at radio sounding by signals of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosetta</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mars Express</Emphasis> spacecraft

In the implementation of the space projects Rosetta and Mars Express, a large-scale series of experiments has been carried out on radio sounding circumsolar plasma by decimeter (S-band) and centimeter (X-band) signals of the Rosetta comet probe (from October 3 to October 31, 2010) and the Mars Express satellite of Mars (from December 25, 2010 to March 27, 2011). It was found that in the phase of ingress the spacecraft behind the Sun, the intensity of the frequency fluctuations increases in accordance with a power function whose argument is the solar offset distance of radio ray path, and when the spacecraft is removed from the Sun (the egress phase), frequency fluctuations are reduced. Periodic strong increases in the fluctuation level, exceeding by a factor of 3–12 the background values of this value determined by the regular radial dependences, are imposed on the regular dependences. It was found that increasing the fluctuations of radio waves alternates with the periodicity m × T or n × T, where m = 1/2, n = 1, аnd T is the synodic period of the Sun’s rotation (T ≈ 27 days). It was shown that the corotating structures associated with the interaction regions of different speed fluxes are formed in the area of solar wind acceleration and at distances of 6–20 solar radii already have a quasi-stationary character.     

Turbulent fluctuations of plasma and magnetic field parameters in the magnetosheath and the low-latitude boundary layer formation: Multisatellite observations on March 2, 1996

The results of simultaneous analysis of plasma and magnetic field characteristics measured on the INTERBALL/Tail Probe, WIND and Geotail satellites on March 2, 1996, are presented. During these observations the INTERBALL/Tail Probe crossed the low-latitude boundary layer, and the WIND and Geotail satellites measured the solar wind’s and magnetosheath’s parameters, respectively. The plasma and magnetic field characteristics in these regions have been compared. The data of the Corall, Electron, and MIF instruments on the INTERBALL/Tail Probe satellite are analyzed. Fluctuations of the magnetic field components and plasma velocity in the solar wind and magnetosheath, measured onboard the WIND and Geotail satellites, are compared. The causes resulting in appearance of plasma jet flows in the low-latitude boundary layer are analyzed. The amplitude of magnetic field fluctuations in the magnetosheath for a studied magnetosphere boundary crossing is shown to exceed the magnetic field value below the magnetopause near the cusp. The possibility of local violation of pressure balance on the magnetopause is discussed, as well as penetration of magnetosheath plasma into the magnetosphere, as a result of magnetic field and plasma flux fluctuations in the magnetosheath.     

基于相关匹配的弹道中段目标章动角估计

章动角是弹道中段目标的重要进动特征,可用于识别弹头和诱饵。首先提出了基于相关匹配的章动角估计方法,将观测的目标雷达截面积（RCS）序列与不同参数下的RCS序列模板进行相关匹配,搜索匹配函数的最大值,从而得到章动角的估计值。然后给出了具体的实现算法,将初始时刻的采样间隔设置为脉冲重复周期（PRI）的整数倍或1/K（K为整数,且K≥2）,在此基础上减少了匹配函数的计算量,并且可通过单层或多层相关匹配来估计章动角。仿真结果表明,由于RCS测量存在系统误差,相关匹配的章动角估计性能远优于最小二乘匹配。同时分析了全姿态RCS数据的角度采样间隔对相关匹配估计性能的影响。最后比较了多层相关匹配和单层相关匹配的估计性能和计算量。     

基于不同动力引力辅助模型的木星转移轨道设计

针对木星转移轨道设计中动力引力辅助模型选择问题展开了研究。首先,介绍了近心点机动和甩摆后机动2种动力引力辅助模型,给出了2种模型下最优脉冲机动速度增量的解算方法;然后,基于动力引力辅助模型,提出了包含引力辅助的行星际转移轨迹初始设计方法;最后,以木星探测任务转移轨迹设计为例,对比了不同动力引力辅助模型下探测器的燃料消耗情况。仿真结果表明:相比于甩摆后机动方式,近心点轨道机动方式更加节省燃料。基于近心点机动引力辅助模型,最终完成了金星-地球-地球引力辅助序列的木星转移轨迹初始设计,为我国未来采用引力辅助方式的深空探测任务提供了一定的参考。     

Modes of uncontrolled rotational motion of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Progress M-29M</Emphasis> spacecraft

We have reconstructed the uncontrolled rotational motion of the Progress M-29M transport cargo spacecraft in the single-axis solar orientation mode (the so-called sunward spin) and in the mode of the gravitational orientation of a rotating satellite. The modes were implemented on April 3–7, 2016 as a part of preparation for experiments with the DAKON convection sensor onboard the Progress spacecraft. The reconstruction was performed by integral statistical techniques using the measurements of the spacecraft’s angular velocity and electric current from its solar arrays. The measurement data obtained in a certain time interval have been jointly processed using the least-squares method by integrating the equations of the spacecraft’s motion relative to the center of mass. As a result of processing, the initial conditions of motion and parameters of the mathematical model have been estimated. The motion in the sunward spin mode is the rotation of the spacecraft with an angular velocity of 2.2 deg/s about the normal to the plane of solar arrays; the normal is oriented toward the Sun or forms a small angle with this direction. The duration of the mode is several orbit passes. The reconstruction has been performed over time intervals of up to 1 h. As a result, the actual rotational motion of the spacecraft relative to the Earth–Sun direction was obtained. In the gravitational orientation mode, the spacecraft was rotated about its longitudinal axis with an angular velocity of 0.1–0.2 deg/s; the longitudinal axis executed small oscillated relative to the local vertical. The reconstruction of motion relative to the orbital coordinate system was performed in time intervals of up to 7 h using only the angularvelocity measurements. The measurements of the electric current from solar arrays were used for verification.     

Construction of theories of motion, ephemerides, and databases for natural satellites of planets

A knowledge base for natural satellites of planets is created. On the basis of observations, new numerical models of motion are constructed for all 96 outer satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. A special database is compiled from all available observational data for natural satellites of planets, as well as a bibliographical database and information system of physical and orbital parameters of planets and satellites. The tools for calculations of ephemerides of all natural satellites (except for the Moon) of planets are developed. They represent the final result of studies and actually incorporate the entire knowledge about dynamics of the satellites of planets. Also developed are special ephemerides in order to observe singular phenomena in the apparent motion of the satellites of planets. A computer environment and the Internet allowed us to concentrate all above-listed options in a single toolkit easily available to any user in the world.     

Empirical model of the high-latitude boundary of the Earth’s outer radiation belt at altitudes of up to 1000 km

An empirical model of the high-latitude boundary of the outer Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) has been presented, which is based on the measurement data of electron fluxes on the polar low-orbit CORONAS-Photon, Meteor-M1, and Meteor-M2 satellites. The boundary was determined by a sharp decrease to the background level of the flux of trapped electrons with energies of 100 or 200 keV in the polar part of the profile of the outer radiation belt. A numerical algorithm has been implemented to determine the time moment, when the fastest flux changes are recorded. The primary search was carried out, first, on 30 s averaged data, then repeated on data with a higher resolution. A functional dependence was obtained in order to approximate the obtained set of intersections of the boundary by elliptical curve. The empirical model constructed using the CORONAS-Photon measurement data in the epoch of anomalously low geomagnetic activity reflects the longitude structure of the high-latitude boundary of the outer radiation belt associated with the internal Earth’s magnetic field (MF), as well as its dependence on the universal time. Based on the data of intersections of the high-latitude boundary of the outer ERB (OERB) in the epoch of 2014–2016, the latitudinal shift of the boundary to the equator dependent on geomagnetic activity has been determined, as well as the nightside shift of the boundary due to the diurnal rotation of the Earth.     

Evolution of motion of two viscoelastic planets in the field of forces of their mutual attraction

Translational-rotational motion of two viscoelastic planets in a gravitational force field is studied. The planets are modeled by homogeneous isotropic viscoelastic bodies. In their natural undeformed state each of the planets represents a sphere. We investigate a specific case when the planet’s centers of mass move in a fixed plane, the axis of rotation for each planet being directed along the normal to this plane. An equation describing the evolution of a slow angular variable (perihelion longitude) is derived. The observed displacement of the perihelion of Mercury is compared with the results obtained in the considered model problem about motion of two viscoelastic planets. Quite important is the fact that the planet of smaller mass (Mercury) moves not in a central Newtonian field of forces, but rather in the gravitational field of a rotating viscoelastic planet (Sun).     

行星剩余进动物理机理探讨--关于准物质(DM)存在的参考证明(一)

广义相对论能被多数人认可 ,主要基于两个观测数据。本文用一种填满宇宙空间 ,过去不为人知的准物质DM[1] 来分析行星剩余进动的原因 ,目的是想籍此给出旁证 ,证明爱因斯坦认为空间具有物理属性的提法 ,应当认为是真实的。文中给出了行星剩余进动的原因 ,水星和地球进动角比值的计算公式 ,而且计算结果在某种程度上说明了DM存在的真实性。     

面向木星卫星交会任务的探测器飞行路径规划

针对探测器在木星系统内多次借力的飞行路径和轨道优化设计问题,提出了一种基于三层优化思想的飞行路径规划方法,该方法可根据给定的任务约束和交会目标,自动搜索探测器在木星系统内的借力飞行序列,同时完成标称飞行轨道的优化设计。首先,文章在给定轨道动力学模型和木卫借力模型基础上,建立了面向木卫交会任务的两次借力飞行轨道优化设计模型和求解方法;然后,采用结合遗传算法、全局遍历和贪婪算法的三层优化设计思路,给出了一种环木飞行路径规划方法;最后,以木星四颗卫星的交会任务为例进行了仿真分析。仿真结果表明：针对木卫的交会任务,探测器速度增量需求随木卫借力次数的增多,呈现先显著减小后逐渐增大的现象;探测器采用多次木卫借力的策略,可显著降低探测器的速度增量需求;探测器速度增量达到最优之后,借力目标收敛于交会目标,且速度增量随借力次数的进一步增多而逐渐增大。     

Determination of two Satellites’ relative motion using tracking measurements

A technique to determine the initial relative velocity of two satellites at the initial time instant, based on the results of NORAD system’s measurements, is presented. The determination of a relative initial position is shown to result in the unsatisfactory accuracy. This technique is applied to determining the initial velocity of separation of the first Russian nanosatellite TNS-0 from the International Space Station.     

Quasiperiodic oscillations of the sub-mHz band in near-sun plasma according to the coherent radio occultation data

In 2013 and 2015, investigations of the internal solar wind were carried out using the method of two-frequency radio sounding by signals from the Mars Express European spacecraft. The values of the S- and X-bands’ frequency and the differential frequency were registered with a sampling rate of 1s at the American and European networks of ground-based tracking stations. The spatial distribution of the frequency fluctuation’s level has been studied. It has been shown that the intensity of frequency fluctuation considerably decreases at high heliolatitudes. In some radio sounding sessions, quasiperiodic oscillations of sub-mHz band have been observed in the temporal spectra of frequency fluctuations; they are supposed to be associated with the density inhomogeneities, the sizes of which are close to the turbulence outer scale.     

带管——罐式阻尼器卫星的章动衰减

本文利用能量法导出了带管——罐式阻尼器卫星章动衰减时间常数与系统参数的关系式;讨论了此类阻尼器中流体运动的自振频率和阻尼系数对卫星章动衰减时间常数的调节作用以及卫星惯量比与时间常数的关系。为设计此类章动阻尼器提供理论依据。     

Heating and acceleration of charged particles during magnetic dipolarizations

In this paper, we analyzed the thermal and energy characteristics of the plasma components observed during the magnetic dipolarizations in the near tail by the Cluster satellites. It was previously found that the first dipolarization the ratio of proton and electron temperatures (T _p/T _e) was ~6–7. At the time of the observation of the first dipolarization front T _p/T _e decreases by up to ~3–4. The minimum value T _p/T _e (~2.0) is observed behind the front during the turbulent dipolarization phase. Decreases in T _p/T _e observed at this time are associated with an increase in T _e, whereas the proton temperature either decreases or remains unchanged. Decreases of the value T _p/T _e during the magnetic dipolarizations coincide with increase in wave activity in the wide frequency band up to electron gyrofrequency f _ce. High-frequency modes can resonantly interact with electrons causing their heating. The acceleration of ions with different masses up to energies of several hundred kiloelectron-volts is also observed during dipolarizations. In this case, the index of the energy spectrum decreases (a fraction of energetic ions increases) during the enhancement of low-frequency electromagnetic fluctuations at frequencies that correspond to the gyrofrequency of this ion component. Thus, we can conclude that the processes of the interaction between waves and particles play an important role in increasing the energy of plasma particles during magnetic dipolarizations.     

Exchange of meteorites (and life?) between stellar systems

It is now generally accepted that meteorite-size fragments of rock can be ejected from planetary bodies. Numerical studies of the orbital evolution of such planetary ejecta are consistent with the observed cosmic ray exposure times and infall rates of these meteorites. All of these numerical studies agree that a substantial fraction (up to one-third) of the ejecta from any planet in our Solar System is eventually thrown out of the Solar System during encounters with the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. In this paper I examine the probability that such interstellar meteorites might be captured into a distant solar system and fall onto a terrestrial planet in that system within a given interval of time. The overall conclusion is that it is very unlikely that even a single meteorite originating on a terrestrial planet in our solar system has fallen onto a terrestrial planet in another stellar system, over the entire period of our Solar System's existence. Although viable microorganisms may be readily exchanged between planets in our solar system through the interplanetary transfer of meteoritic material, it seems that the origin of life on Earth must be sought within the confines of the Solar System, not abroad in the galaxy.