Simulation of long-term rotational dynamics of large space debris: A TOPEX/Poseidon case study

Accurate knowledge of the rotational dynamics of a large space debris is crucial for space situational awareness (SSA), whether it be for accurate orbital predictions needed for satellite conjunction analyses or for the success of an eventual active debris removal mission charged with stabilization, capture and removal of debris from orbit. In this light, the attitude dynamics of an inoperative satellite of great interest to the space debris community, the joint French and American spacecraft TOPEX/Poseidon, is explored. A comparison of simulation results with observations obtained from high-frequency satellite range measurements is made, showing that the spacecraft is currently spinning about its minor principal axis in a stable manner. Predictions of the evolution of its attitude motion to 2030 are presented, emphasizing the uncertainty on those estimates due to internal energy dissipation, which could cause a change of its spin state in the future. The effect of solar radiation pressure and the eddy-current torque are investigated in detail, and insights into some of the satellite’s missing properties are provided. These results are obtained using a novel, open-source, coupled orbit-attitude propagation software, the Debris SPin/Orbit Simulation Environment (D-SPOSE), whose primary goal is the study of the long-term evolution of the attitude dynamics of large space debris.     

超高速撞击航天器二次碎片云能量特性分析

为了评估空间碎片超高速撞击航天器的碎片云破坏能力,挖掘超高速撞击数值模 拟结果数据的应用价值,基于9.53 mm铝球以6.64 km/s速度对2.2 mm铝靶撞 击的Ls-Dyna/SPH(Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic)数值模拟研究结果,对靶后碎片云的 粒子动能进行求和统计,建立了碎片云比动能概念和函数形式;碎片云比动能综合考虑了靶 后所有碎片云粒子的动能,反映了一定距离处垂直于撞击方向平面上单位面积上的碎片云粒 子所蕴含的撞击能量;应用碎片云比动能概念,揭示出随着演化距离的增加,碎片云能量的 衰减规律;通过不同速度条件下的SPH计算,得到了碎片云的比动能函数的曲线形式随撞击 速度的变化规律;最后对采用2种材料模型进行数值模拟所对应的结果误差进行碎片云比动 能函数的曲线比较,反映出数值模拟中不同材料模型引起的差异.      

基于序列Monte Carlo技术的动态节点定位

无线传感器网络中目标节点定位的准确性与定位频次对跟踪与监视精度有着重要的影响.为了提高目标跟踪精度,需要研究高效的网络节点定位算法.在分析传统基于Bayesian估计过程定位的基础上,讨论可利用基于采样的序列Monte Carlo算法解决移动节点的自主定位的算法,研究了序列Monte Carlo算法在无线传感器网络节点定位中的应用.利用该方法无需对传感器网络的先验知识和对节点移动的假设,利用低密度种子节点得到定位的精度较高.理论分析和仿真实验表明,利用序列Monte Carlo算法进行定位能够充分利用移动性来提高定位的精度,Monte Carlo定位算法很大程度上提高了定位效率,能够更有效地利用传感信息,降低不确定性因素的影响.      

高速撞击梯度电势靶板产生等离子体诱发的放电

针对在轨运行航天器在空间等离子体环境和空间带电粒子活动下诱发航天器表面梯度电势存在的客观现实,航天器在空间碎片的撞击下会诱发表面带电或深层电介质带电的航天器放电。为了在实验室模拟航天器表面存在电势差的真实情况,采用对航天器外表面分割的方法,在分割的表面间预留不同间距且在2靶板间加装电阻的方法创造具有梯度电势的高电势2A12铝板作为靶板。利用自行构建的梯度电势靶板的充放电测试系统、超高速相机采集系统和二级轻气炮加载系统,开展高速撞击梯度电势2A12铝靶的实验室实验。实验中,弹丸以入射角度为60°（弹道与靶板平面的夹角）、撞击速度约为3 km/s的条件撞击间距分别为2、3、4和5 mm的2A12铝高电势靶板,利用电流探针和电压探针采集放电电流和放电电压。实验结果表明:放电产生的等离子体形成了高电势与低电势靶板间的放电通道,且在梯度电势靶板间距分别为2、3 mm时诱发了一次放电,放电电流随高低电势靶板间间距的增加而减小;在梯度电势靶板间距分别为4、5 mm时诱发了二次放电,放电电流随高低电势靶板间间距的增加变化不明显。      

弹丸撞击防护屏形成碎片云速度特性研究

微流星及空间碎片的高速撞击威胁着长寿命，大尺寸航天器的安全运行，导致其严重的损伤和灾难性的失效，为精确估计微流星及空间碎片主速撞击防护屏产生的碎片对舱壁的损伤，必须确定碎片云速度特性。文章在冲量和能量守恒的基础上，建立了碎片速度性分析模型，研究了碎片云的速度特性，得到了碎片云材料传播及碎片云喷射角随弹丸撞击速度的变化规律。     

天基微小空间碎片探测研究

随着空间碎片数量的不断增多,天基微小空间碎片探测已经成为一个热点．首先介绍了空间碎片在低地球轨道上的分布情况以及它对于航天器的危害,然后介绍了国外微小碎片探测器的基本情况,并在这些探测结果的基础上提出了一个探测器方案．这种探测器的传感器采用了新型的压电材料聚偏二氟乙稀(PVDF),使用了飞行时间法(TOF)准确测定空间碎片的飞行速度,以及快脉冲分析系统分析碎片的质量．     

Applications of PVDF dust sensor systems in space

The advantages of ruggedness, no bias requirement, ease of large area sensor construction, high counting rate capability, and space reliability inherent in the Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) dust sensors which have been under development at the University of Chicago over the last decade have led to PVDF flux/mass/velocity/trajectory systems which have advantages over other systems and are well suited for a variety of dust studies in space. The thermal stability characteristics and flux/mass/velocity/trajectory determining characteristics of PVDF and Vinylidene Fluoride/Trifluoroethylene (PVDF copolymer) dust sensors are described. We summarize the objectives and designs of our earlier VEGA- comet Halley instruments, a PVDF velocity/trajectory dust instrument for launch on the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS) in January 1996, and a PVDF high flux dust instrument for launch on the CASSINI spacecraft to Saturn in October 1997.     

天基激光移除空间碎片仿真平台研究与开发

为了从空间碎片和天基移除系统两方面分析激光驱动碎片变轨过程,优化移除任务规划和策略,基于真实的可观测空间碎片数据,设计并开发了一套天基激光移除空间碎片三维数值仿真平台。首先从总体设计出发,对三维数值仿真平台的需求分析、总体框架、模块功能进行了明确的描述。其次通过对激光驱动空间碎片变轨过程数学模型的分析,确定了各模块的具体实现方法。最后采用C++/Qt开发了三维数值仿真平台,通过仿真验证了设计平台的有效性。该仿真平台可用于不同天基平台和目标碎片的任务规划、碎片分布热点区域和航天器防护区域的方案设计及空间环境治理体系的优化设计。     

基于相控阵雷达波束篱笆的空间碎片数量与分布估计方法

随着载人航天与空间站等航天活动的增多,不能有效防护、也无法定期跟踪和编目的小尺寸(尤其是1～10 cm)碎片的危害越来越受到关注,这些碎片信息的获取依赖于统计采样技术.针对简化的相控阵雷达波束篱笆空间碎片探测模式,提出了一种采用统计技术估计空间碎片总数量以及高度和倾角分布的方法.将碎片穿越波束篱笆的过程用Poisson分布来建模,根据观测时段内穿越波束篱笆目标的平均到达率及测量的轨道高度和倾角数据来估计给定轨道高度范围或倾角范围内碎片的数量,进而得到碎片的总数量以及碎片数量随轨道高度或倾角的分布.在获取雷达散射截面信息时,该方法还可用于估计碎片数量随尺寸的分布.通过仿真实验验证了该方法的有效性.      

柱状弹丸撞击防护屏形成碎片云材料状态特性研究

微流星体及空间碎片的高速撞击威胁着长寿命、大尺寸航天器的安全运行，导致其严重的损伤和灾难性的失效。为精确估计微流星体及空间碎片高速撞击防护屏所产生碎片云对舱壁的损伤，必须确定碎片云中三种状态材料的特性，建立了碎片云特性分析模型，分别计算了柱状弹丸撞击防护屏所产生碎片云以及碎片云中弹丸和防护屏材料三种状态物质的质量分布。通过计算分析可见，弹丸以不同速度撞击防护屏所产生碎片云三种状态物质的质量分布是不同的，速度增大，液化和气化增强，对靶件的损伤小。而在速度小于7km/s时，碎片云以固体碎片的形式存在，对靶件的损伤大。     

一种低轨废弃目标的捕获与回收方案

如何清除轨道上日益增多的废弃目标已成为国内外航天活动无法回避的现实问题和迫切需解决的问题.针对低轨道大型废弃目标回收问题,基于天基回收技术的概念,提出了一种新型组合式柔性捕获回收方案.使用空间绳网捕获废弃目标后通过充气式增阻离轨方式进行被动离轨,再利用充气式进入减速技术(inflatable entry deceler...     

Accurate approximation of in-ecliptic trajectories for E-sail with constant pitch angle

Propellantless continuous-thrust propulsion systems, such as electric solar wind sails, may be successfully used for new space missions, especially those requiring high-energy orbit transfers. When the mass-to-thrust ratio is sufficiently large, the spacecraft trajectory is characterized by long flight times with a number of revolutions around the Sun. The corresponding mission analysis, especially when addressed within an optimal context, requires a significant amount of simulation effort. Analytical trajectories are therefore useful aids in a preliminary phase of mission design, even though exact solution are very difficult to obtain. The aim of this paper is to present an accurate, analytical, approximation of the spacecraft trajectory generated by an electric solar wind sail with a constant pitch angle, using the latest mathematical model of the thrust vector. Assuming a heliocentric circular parking orbit and a two-dimensional scenario, the simulation results show that the proposed equations are able to accurately describe the actual spacecraft trajectory for a long time interval when the propulsive acceleration magnitude is sufficiently small.     

利用精化误差进行危险交会分析

空间碎片碰撞预警工作主要针对的是可监测的较大空间碎片, 预测航天器与碎片之间的碰撞风险, 并根据一定的预警判据来评估风险的大小, 进而做出合理的轨道规避决策. 碰撞概率是碰撞风险评估的重要依据. 复合体尺寸、交会距离和误差是影响碰撞概率的三个决定性因素. 当复合体尺寸与交会距离差别不大时, 误差因素对碰撞概率结果起着决定性的作用. 在利用整天误差计算碰撞概率的基础上, 提出了利用精化误差计算碰撞概率的方法, 在危险交会分析中取得了良好的效果.      

Spacecraft survivability in the natural debris environment near the stable Earth-Moon Lagrange points

The theoretical analysis of the motion of natural space debris near the stable Earth-Moon Lagrange Points, $L_4$ and $L_5$, is presented with a focus on the potential debris risks to spacecraft operating near these points. Specifically, the research formulates a debris propagation model using four-body dynamics, then applies candidate probabilistic survivability models to a notional spacecraft operating at the $L_4$ and $L_5$ Lagrange points to quantify the collision risks to the spacecraft from natural debris particles. Of the survivability models implemented, the natural debris collision risks to spacecraft survivability are found to be incredibly low, but mitigation strategies to reduce the risk further are identified in this study. Overall, research into stable Lagrange point natural debris propagation improves understanding of the collision risks posed by the naturally occurring Kordylewski clouds and enhances operational planning for Lagrange point space missions.     

圆轨道航天器在轨加注任务空间燃料站部署问题

在轨服务技术因在航天器故障修复、寿命延长及军事方面有重大辅助作用而越来越受到各航天大国的重视,作为在轨服务技术重要组成部分的在轨燃料补给技术也越来越受到关注。文章针对圆轨道航天器在轨燃料加注任务,将空间燃料站技术与多目标在轨加注技术相结合,对基于燃料站的在轨加注模式进行了研究,提出了一种基于聚类分析的在轨加注任务调度及优化算法。通过对双脉冲轨道转移问题的求解与分析,获得了轨道转移速度增量和轨道参数之间的关系,在此基础上分析了圆轨道航天器在轨加注任务调度问题,并根据调度模型的变量和约束关系,建立了圆轨道航天器在轨加注任务多目标规划模型,并采用免疫遗传算法对加注任务调度空间燃料站选址问题进行了研究。以30颗目标航天器的在轨加注任务为例进行了数值仿真,并由燃料消耗的计算结果验证了算法的有效性。     

航天器介质深层充电模拟研究

针对航天器介质深层充电问题,提出了一种基于蒙特卡罗模拟和充电动力学RIC模型的介质电荷分布及电场预估新方法,利用地面试验验证了其正确性.航天器介质平板充电过程被简化为屏蔽铝板与分层介质组成的Geant 4模型,通过统计方法计算出了实际入射束流下Teflon介质内的注入电流密度和剂量率分布曲线,利用RIC模型获得了背面接地时介质中的电荷密度和电场分布,利用脉冲电声法(PEA)对不同束流密度辐照下的Teflon内部空间电荷密度进行了测量.数值模拟和地面试验结果表明,Teflon在100 keV能量电子辐照下,电荷密度和电场随着束流密度的增加而不断增大,其电荷密度峰值位置约为0.042 mm,且背面接地时接地侧电场最大.由于Geant 4粒子输运模拟和RIC模型具有通用性,因此该方法适用于各种航天器介质材料.      

基于增强型单频GPS的高精度星间相对定位样条方法

为了实现高精度的分布式SAR星间相对定位,提出了一种基于增强型单频GPS的相对定位样条方法,即在单频GPS测量信息的基础上,增加星间距离观测信息,并结合相对位置参数的连续特性,建立了相对定位的样条模型,最后利用最小二乘法进行参数估计.仿真结果表明,新方法不仅能大大提高相对定位精度,而且还能有效地减少固定整周模糊度所需的历元.最后的理论分析证明了仿真的正确性.      

基于多项式近似的空间碎片群体轨道预报算法

快速准确地分析空间碎片群轨道演化行为对于其他在轨航天器碰撞规避至关重要。在各摄动力的作用下,空间碎片群演化运动呈现出复杂的非线性特征。空间碎片群体个体数量巨大,如果通过对空间碎片群中每个空间碎片进行轨道积分来分析群体预报的方法会导致计算量过大。针对该问题,提出一种基于多项式近似的轨道快速预报分析方法。该方法将空间碎片群分为少量的标称碎片和其他大量关联碎片。针对标称碎片的轨道预报采用数值积分求解保证预报精度;而针对其他大量的关联碎片轨道预报问题,采用多项式泰勒展开半解析方法求解,从而在保证预报精度的前提下有效减少空间碎片群轨道预报的计算量。为了验证方法的有效性,对不同空间碎片群进行了轨道预报仿真。仿真结果表明,当轨道预报精度设定在1m范围内时,多项式近似算法的计算量较蒙特卡洛方法计算效率提高了2.2~17.2倍,验证了所提出方法的有效性。     

Dynamics and control for contactless interaction between spacecraft and tumbling debris

Tumbling debris has become a great threat to orbit activities. Contactless interaction is a novel concept for active debris removal, through which the tumbling debris no longer rotates freely but is under control. The contactless interaction method aims to de-tumble the debris and then maintain desired relative states between the spacecraft and debris. The spacecraft is simultaneously stabilized through three-axis attitude control, which makes the de-tumbling and capture operation much safer, more effective and accurate. The dynamics and control for the contactless interaction have been little studied in the past years. This paper considers a generic dynamics and control problem for contactless interaction between a spacecraft and debris. A translational and rotational dynamics model of contactless interaction is proposed and the 6-DOF equations are established. The contactless interaction control law is designed with the backstepping method, and the spacecraft three-axis control law is designed with the PD control. Simulation results show that the angular momentum is transferred from the debris to the spacecraft and the debris is thus de-tumbled. The desired relative states are achieved efficiently. Significantly, the spacecraft and debris no longer rotate in the inertial frame and, hence, the safety and accuracy for capture operation are guaranteed.