Analysis of predictive entry guidance for a Mars lander under high model uncertainties

The problem of precision landing on Mars is now considered to be an essential challenge in the planned Mars missions. The paper focused on the guided atmospheric entry as a predominant phase in achieving a desired target state, as compared with the following parachute and powered descent. The predictive algorithms for the longitudinal guidance of a low-lift entry vehicle are treated. The purpose is to investigate applicability of the predictive strategy under possible high discrepancies between the on-board dynamic model and real environment while in entry trajectory. The comparative performance analysis based on computer simulation has been made between the standard one-parametric “shooting” predictive algorithm and a more complex two-parametric algorithm providing lower final velocity and, thus, expanding the interval of admissible downrange. However, both algorithms display considerable degradation of downrange accuracy in the cases when the actual drag force is larger than the modelled one. An acceptable solution has been found by including to both predictive guidance schemes an identification algorithm that repeatedly adapts the on-board model to varied environment in real time scale.     

A robust guidance algorithm for the moon landing

The paper deals with a choice of the rational trajectory of motion of a landing module designed for the Moon landing, from the moment of its de-orbiting from the near-lunar orbit up to landing. An integrated conceptual basis is used to develop multistep terminal algorithms for guidance for the three segments of the descent.     

Space nuclear power: technology, policy, and risk considerations in human missions to Mars

There is a large discrepancy between potential needs for nuclear propulsion and power systems for the human exploration of Mars and the current status of R&D funding, public opinion, and governmental support for these technologies. Mission planners and spacecraft designers, energized by the recent claims of possible discovery of life on Mars and responding to increased public interest in the human exploration of Mars, frequently propose nuclear reactors and radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for interplanetary spacecraft propulsion and for power supply on the surface of Mars. These plans and designs typically assume that reactors will be available "on-the-shelf," and do not take the extensive R&D costs required to develop such reactors into consideration. However, it is likely that current U.S. policies, if unchanged, will prohibit the launch of nuclear reactors and large RTGs in response to a perceived risk by the public.     

火星探测器热环境模拟与试验技术探讨

为保证火星探测器的可靠运行,需要对其进行真空热试验和火星表面热环境模拟试验。文章通过对国外火星探测器热试验的调研,梳理出热试验所涉及的关键技术。并通过对行星际空间热环境和火星表面热环境特点的分析,结合国外相关热环境模拟设备的研制使用情况,探讨不同热环境的地面模拟方法,可为我国火星探测器热环境试验设备的研制及开展相关热试验提供技术参考。     

Conceptual study and key technology development for Mars Aeroflyby sample collection

Conceptual study of Mars Aeroflyby Sample Collection (MASC) is conducted as a part of the next Mars exploration mission currently entertained in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. In the mission scenario, an atmospheric entry vehicle is flown into the Martian atmosphere, collects the Martian dust particles as well as atmospheric gases during the guided hypersonic flight, exits the Martian atmosphere, and is inserted into a parking orbit from which a return system departs for the earth to deliver the dust and gas samples. In order to accomplish a controlled flight and a successful orbit insertion, aeroassist orbit transfer technologies are introduced into the guidance and control system. System analysis is conducted to assess the feasibility and to make a conceptual design, finding that the MASC system is feasible at the minimum system mass of 600 kg approximately. The aerogel, which is one of the candidates for the dust sample collector, is assessed by arcjet heating tests to examine its behavior when exposed to high-temperature gases, as well as by particle impingement tests to evaluate its dust capturing capability.     

面向火星探测的新一代微波着陆雷达技术

为适应我国火星探测任务,在探月着陆雷达研制的基础上研制出新一代的火星着陆雷达.介绍了国外火星着陆雷达的现状和实现指标,分析了国内火星探测任务中微波着陆雷达的关键点,尤其针对火星风沙尘暴、大角速度和复杂着陆地形的特征采取了综合试验验证方法,取得了关键数据.针对火星着陆雷达严苛的性能指标要求,创新性地采用线性调频连续波的着...     

基于NHDO的机动目标拦截攻击角度约束导引律

为了精确控制导弹在有限时间内以期望攻击角度拦截机动目标,采用将导弹自动驾驶仪简化为惯性环节的方法,结合终端滑模控制理论设计了一种带攻击角度约束的有限时间收敛制导律。为了滤除视线角速率噪声,提出一种非线性跟踪微分滤波器对噪声进行滤波,建立了考虑滤波的制导系统状态方程,基于此方程设计非齐次干扰观测器,用于目标机动不确定项的估计补偿。仿真结果表明,所设计的制导律能达到对视线角速率有效滤波,对目标机动状态精确估计的目的,克服系统动态延迟对制导精度的不利影响,满足攻击角度和制导精度的双重要求。     

Constant-thrust glideslope guidance algorithm for time-fixed rendezvous in real halo orbit

This paper presents a fixed-time glideslope guidance algorithm that is capable of guiding the spacecraft approaching a target vehicle on a quasi-periodic halo orbit in real Earth–Moon system. To guarantee the flight time is fixed, a novel strategy for designing the parameters of the algorithm is given. Based on the numerical solution of the linearized relative dynamics of the Restricted Three-Body Problem (expressed in inertial coordinates with a time-variant nature), the proposed algorithm breaks down the whole rendezvous trajectory into several arcs. For each arc, a two-impulse transfer is employed to obtain the velocity increment (delta-v) at the joint between arcs. Here we respect the fact that instantaneous delta-v cannot be implemented by any real engine, since the thrust magnitude is always finite. To diminish its effect on the control, a thrust duration as well as a thrust direction are translated from the delta-v in the context of a constant thrust engine (the most robust type in real applications). Furthermore, the ignition and cutoff delays of the thruster are considered as well. With this high-fidelity thrust model, the relative state is then propagated to the next arc by numerical integration using a complete Solar System model. In the end, final corrective control is applied to insure the rendezvous velocity accuracy. To fully validate the proposed guidance algorithm, Monte Carlo simulation is done by incorporating the navigational error and the thrust direction error. Results show that our algorithm can effectively maintain control over the time-fixed rendezvous transfer, with satisfactory final position and velocity accuracies for the near-range guided phase.     

火星车低气压无风热环境模拟试验技术

为模拟火星车工作时所处大温差、低气压环境,文章以自主研制的调温热沉系统和压力控制系统为依托,实现试验容器热沉系统温度在-135~27℃间任意快速调节,均匀性优于±5℃;试验容器内气体压力控制值与目标压力值之差在±10 Pa之内。在国内首次完成无风环境下的火星车温控模拟舱验证试验,为火星车热分析模型修正以及后续火星车有风热环境试验提供了参考。     

MArs Neutron Energy Spectrometer (MANES): an instrument for the Mars 2003 Lander

We describe the instrument design and detector development for MANES which has been selected to fly on the Mars 2003 Lander. Section 1 explains the need for the spectrometer in determining the increased risk of carcinogenesis for astronauts. Section 2 presents the instrument design including an outline drawing, a cross-sectional view and a detailed block diagram. Sections 3 and 4 describe the low and high energy detector components of the spectrometer and present responses to monoenergetic neutron beams. Sections 5 and 6 explain the design approaches to charged particle discrimination and instrument transfer function modeling.     

The Urey instrument: an advanced in situ organic and oxidant detector for Mars exploration

The Urey organic and oxidant detector consists of a suite of instruments designed to search for several classes of organic molecules in the martian regolith and ascertain whether these compounds were produced by biotic or abiotic processes using chirality measurements. These experiments will also determine the chemical stability of organic molecules within the host regolith based on the presence and chemical reactivity of surface and atmospheric oxidants. Urey has been selected for the Pasteur payload on the European Space Agency's (ESA's) upcoming 2013 ExoMars rover mission. The diverse and effective capabilities of Urey make it an integral part of the payload and will help to achieve a large portion of the mission's primary scientific objective: "to search for signs of past and present life on Mars." This instrument is named in honor of Harold Urey for his seminal contributions to the fields of cosmochemistry and the origin of life.     

Cave biosignature suites: microbes,minerals, and Mars

Earth's subsurface offers one of the best possible sites to search for microbial life and the characteristic lithologies that life leaves behind. The subterrain may be equally valuable for astrobiology. Where surface conditions are particularly hostile, like on Mars, the subsurface may offer the only habitat for extant lifeforms and access to recognizable biosignatures. We have identified numerous unequivocally biogenic macroscopic, microscopic, and chemical/geochemical cave biosignatures. However, to be especially useful for astrobiology, we are looking for suites of characteristics. Ideally, "biosignature suites" should be both macroscopically and microscopically detectable, independently verifiable by nonmorphological means, and as independent as possible of specific details of life chemistries--demanding (and sometimes conflicting) criteria. Working in fragile, legally protected environments, we developed noninvasive and minimal impact techniques for life and biosignature detection/characterization analogous to Planetary Protection Protocols. Our difficult field conditions have shared limitations common to extraterrestrial robotic and human missions. Thus, the cave/subsurface astrobiology model addresses the most important goals from both scientific and operational points of view. We present details of cave biosignature suites involving manganese and iron oxides, calcite, and sulfur minerals. Suites include morphological fossils, mineral-coated filaments, living microbial mats and preserved biofabrics, 13C and 34S values consistent with microbial metabolism, genetic data, unusual elemental abundances and ratios, and crystallographic mineral forms.     

A facility for long-term Mars simulation experiments: the Mars Environmental Simulation Chamber (MESCH)

We describe the design, construction, and pilot operation of a Mars simulation facility comprised of a cryogenic environmental chamber, an atmospheric gas analyzer, and a xenon/mercury discharge source for UV generation. The Mars Environmental Simulation Chamber (MESCH) consists of a double-walled cylindrical chamber. The double wall provides a cooling mantle through which liquid N(2) can be circulated. A load-lock system that consists of a small pressure-exchange chamber, which can be evacuated, allows for the exchange of samples without changing the chamber environment. Fitted within the MESCH is a carousel, which holds up to 10 steel sample tubes. Rotation of the carousel is controlled by an external motor. Each sample in the carousel can be placed at any desired position. Environmental data, such as temperature, pressure, and UV exposure time, are computer logged and used in automated feedback mechanisms, enabling a wide variety of experiments that include time series. Tests of the simulation facility have successfully demonstrated its ability to produce temperature cycles and maintain low temperature (down to -140 degrees C), low atmospheric pressure (5-10 mbar), and a gas composition like that of Mars during long-term experiments.     

大型铸件惯组支架的整体数控加工技术

介绍了整体数控加工大型惯组支架的结构特点,数控加工工艺,零件的三维造型,计算机仿真加工编程,后置处理,装夹定位及测量,刀具使用和加工过程及其它工艺处理等。该加工技术成功地应用于中科院探测双星惯组支架的整体数控加工。     

利用Gauss-Markov过程的着陆小天体导航与制导方法

给出一种利用Gauss-Markov过程的自主着陆小天体导航与制导算法，来解决无法得到精确的轨道动力学模型带来的轨道确定困难问题。主要是在导航算法中，采用一阶高斯-马尔科夫过程近似着陆探测器轨道动力学中的无模型加速度，利用扩展卡尔曼滤波估计探测器的位置、速度及无模型加速度。通过数学仿真分析了给出的自主导航与制导系统的性能，并对比了采用与不采用一阶高斯-马尔科夫过程的导航滤波器性能，结果表明前者明显优于后者。     

Following the water,the new program for Mars exploration

In the wake of the loss of Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander in late 1999, NASA embarked on a major review of the failures and subsequently restructured all aspects of what was then called the Mars Surveyor Program--now renamed the Mars Exploration Program. This paper presents the process and results of this reexamination and defines a new approach which we have called "Program System Engineering". Emphasis is given to the scientific, technological, and programmatic strategies that were used to shape the new Program. A scientific approach known as "follow the water" is described, as is an exploration strategy we have called "seek--in situ--sample". An overview of the mission queue from continuing Mars Global Surveyor through a possible Mars Sample Return Mission launch in 2011 is provided. In addition, key proposed international collaborations, especially those between NASA, CNES and ASI are outlined, as is an approach for a robust telecommunications infrastructure.     

Autonomous guidance and control of Earth-orbiting formation flying spacecraft: Closing the loop

Previous work on autonomous formation flying guidance and control identified three key challenges to overcome in order to obtain a fully autonomous guidance and control loop: an accurate but simple model of relative motion about elliptical and perturbed orbits, an efficient way of performing conflicting requirements trade-off with power-limited on-board computers, and finally an optimal or near-optimal control algorithm easy to implement on a flight computer. This paper first summarizes recent developments on each of these subject that help to overcome these challenges, developments which are then used as building blocks for an autonomous formation flying guidance and control system. This system autonomously performs trade-offs between conflicting requirements, i.e. minimization of fuel cost, formation accuracy and equal repartition of the fuel expenditure within the formation. Simulation results show that a complete guidance and control loop can be established using mainly analytical results and with very few numerical optimization which facilitates on-board implementation.