Estimation of the Probability of Radiation Failures and Single Particle Upsets of Integrated Microcircuits onboard the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fobos-Grunt</Emphasis> Spacecraft

When designing the radio-electronic equipment for long-term operation in a space environment, one of the most important problems is a correct estimation of radiation stability of its electric and radio components (ERC) against radiation-stimulated doze failures and one-particle effects (upsets). These problems are solved in this paper for the integrated microcircuits (IMC) of various types that are to be installed onboard the Fobos-Grunt spacecraft designed at the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Lavochkin Research and Production Association.” The launching of this spacecraft is planned for 2009.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2005, pp. 237–239.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kuznetsov, Popov, Khamidullina.     

Spacecraft “Foton-M” in-flight thermal conditions

The problem of thermal conditions aboard the “Foton-M” spacecraft during its orbital flight is under consideration in this paper. The problem is very acute for performing microgravity experiments onboard of the orbital platform, because on one hand, many experiments need a definite temperature range to be performed, and on the other hand all electrical devices aboard radiate heat. To avoid uncontrolled heating of the environment special heat exchangers are used. To transport heat from different places of the capsule to heat exchanger special fans are installed given definite orientation. All the heat exchange facilities should be designed in advance being adjusted to current capsule loading and heat radiation by equipment. Thus special tools are needed predicting the capsule thermal conditions being function of equipment placement.The present paper introduces a new developed prognostic mathematical model able to forecast temperature distribution inside the capsule with account of fan induced air flows, thermal irradiation by scientific equipment and heat losses due to cooling system.     

航天器密封舱流动和传热的数值研究

在有强迫流动的航天器密封舱内，与固壁存在热交换的三维气体流动使得舱内传热相当复杂。本文用数值分析模拟航天器在轨状态下的流动和传热。结果表明，辐射和流动在密封舱热分析中都不可忽略。对多种风速的计算结果表明，平均对流换热系数与风扇布局基本无关而仅与平均风速有关，最后由计算结果得出了平均对流换热系数和平均风速的经验关系式。     

Prognostication of Technical Conditions for Low-Orbit Spacecraft with the Use of Neural Networks

An analysis of the typical external factors of a forecasting background is performed for the case when these factors affect the operation of onboard maintenance systems of low-orbit satellites. Taking into account the formulated requirements for the method of forecasting spacecraft characteristics, we have substantiated and tested a neural network prognostic model.     

A lunar-based spacecraft propulsion concept—The ion beam sail

We describe a concept for spacecraft propulsion by means of an energetic ion beam, with the ion source fixed at the spacecraft starting point (e.g., a lunar-based ion beam generator) and not onboard the vessel. This approach avoids the substantial mass penalty associated with the onboard ion source and power supply hardware, and vastly more energetic ion beam systems can be entertained. We estimate the ion beam parameters required for various scenarios and consider some of the constraints limiting the concept. We find that the “ion beam sail” approach can be viable and attractive for journey distances not too great, for example, within the Earth–Moon system, and could potentially provide support for journeys to the inner planets.     

Using radiation risk for assessment of space radiation hazard

Radiation hazard caused by exposure during a spaceflight is characterized by radiobiological consequences at all levels of organism. These consequences have a stochastic nature. Even deterministic effects are basically random quantity having all attributes of such mathematical values. The radiation risk is defined in this case as an additional probability of health damage or as a death probability in extreme case. For the manned spaceflight additional peculiarity of a human’s exposure is added. A natural space radiation environment has a stochastic character because solar particle events and crew of a spacecraft can be exposed to dose from background level up to lethal one.The report presents a procedure of radiation risk assessment for quantitative expression of radiation hazard level during a flight and using this value for developing protection recommendations. It is emphasized that the risk value is connected specifically with the time interval of possible hazard’s existent. The form of risk representation must be chosen depending on a time scale of radiobiological processes induced by the exposure (expressing in fact the radiation hazard model). Surviving function specified for the crewmember mortality rate changed by the professional exposure must be used for risk calculation. Solar particle events determine a stochastic character of radiation environment in space that must be taken into account for a risk assessment. The reliability of radiation risk assessment can be used for this goal.     

Reducing mission operations costs through spacecraft autonomy: the near earth asteroid rendezvous (near) experience

With a maximum time of 12 days out of ground contact and a round-trip light time as high as 56 minutes, The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft requires a moderate degree of onboard autonomy to react to faults and safe the spacecraft. Beyond the basic safing requirements, additional functions are carried out onboard. For example, on-board calculation of the Sun, Earth, asteroid, and spacecraft positions allow the spacecraft to autonomously orient itself for science and downlink operations. On-board autonomous momentum management during cruise relieves Mission Operations from planning, scheduling, and carrying out many manual momentum dumps. During development, additional operations, such as center-of-mass management during propulsive maneuvers and optical navigation were also considered for onboard autonomy on the NEAR spacecraft, but were not selected. The allocation of functions to onboard software or to ground operations involved tradeoffs such as development time for onboard software versus ground software, resource management, life cycle costs, and spacecraft safety.After two years of cruise operations, considerable experience with the NEAR autonomy system has accrued. The utility of some autonomous capabilities is greater than expected, others less so. Software uploads increased spacecraft autonomy in some cases, and the impact on Mission Operations can be assessed. Allocation of functions between spacecraft autonomy and ground operation during development of future missions can be improved by applying the lessons learned from the NEAR experience.     

The Second Stage of BTN Neutron Space Experiment onboard the Russian Section of the International Space Station: the BTN-M2 Instrument

Cosmic Research - As recent studies onboard various spacecraft have shown, one unresolved technical problem of manned interplanetary flights at the moment is the high radiation background of...     

Trajectory correction of the Spektr-R spacecraft motion

The results of refining the parameters of the Spektr-R spacecraft (RadioAstron project) motion after it was launched into the orbit of the Earth’s artificial satellite in July 2011 showed that, at the beginning of 2013, the condition of staying in the Earth’s shadow was violated. The duration of shading of the spacecraft exceeds the acceptable value (about 2 h). At the end of 2013 to the beginning of 2014, the ballistic lifetime of the spacecraft completed. Therefore, the question arose of how to correct the trajectory of the motion of the Spektr-R satellite using its onboard propulsion system. In this paper, the ballistic parameters that define the operation of onboard propulsion system when implementing the correction, and the ballistic characteristics of the orbital spacecraft motion before and after correction are presented.     

Prediction of Absorbed Doses for Spacecraft Irradiated by Particle Fluxes of Solar Cosmic Rays

A new method of evaluating the absorbed dose onboard spacecraft under the action of particle fluxes of solar cosmic rays (SCR) is described. The method is based on the concepts and formulas of a probabilistic model of SCR proton fluxes beyond the Earth's magnetosphere (GOST R 25645.165-2001) and takes into account variations of particle fluxes at orbits of spacecraft and behind their protective shields.     

Radiation environment at the end of active functioning of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vernov</Emphasis> satellite

Factors of radiation environment in near-Earth space in a period from December 1 to 10, 2014 have been analyzed, which could affect serviceability of the onboard systems of Vernov spacecraft.     

基于分布式剪刀构型控制力矩陀螺的大尺寸空间结构振动抑制

针对柔性航天器上大尺寸柔性结构的振动抑制问题,提出在结构上分布安装剪刀构型的微型控制力矩陀螺(CMG),实现空间柔性结构的振动抑制.首先建立携带分布式剪刀构型CMG的约束边界大尺寸空间结构的动力学方程,然后基于Lyapunov方法设计剪刀构型CMG的框架轴操纵律,结合工程实际的"死区"现象,对所设计操纵律进行改进.最后...     

Ensuring an acceptable reliability and safety level for a launch complex

Some key aspects and criteria tasks for ensuring an acceptable reliability and safety level for complex technical systems are discussed in the view of successful operation of a launch complex, at the stage of Launch Vehicle (LV) preparation. The standards and principles of adequate characteristics for launch site core technological systems are defined. The tasks for evaluation the probability of faultless operation for the systems, their reliability a posteriori, and safety barriers formation are described. The model of the pre-launch phase is presented as a random process, in the form of “simple Poisson flow”.     

Power law distribution in statistics of failures in operation of spacecraft onboard equipment

The possibility of using the statistics of recurrence time for extreme events is studied in this paper having in mind the problems of control and prediction of failures in spacecraft operation. The information about failures onboard satellites of various types presented by the US National Geophysical Data Center was analyzed. It was found that the probability density of recurrence intervals followed a power law of the Pareto type with an index equal to 2.3. The obtained result is consistent both with the theory of normal catastrophes and with the principle of self-organization of criticality for metastable active heterogeneous environment. A practical consequence of the obtained result consists in the fact that predictions of these extreme events should not rely on traditional models with the second-order Pearson statistics. To make predictions, the models are necessary that take into account the power law distribution of recurrence intervals for failures on satellites. The failures should be considered in these models as extreme events connected with manifestation of the space environment factors.     

Feasibility study of astronaut standardized career dose limits in LEO and the outlook for BLEO

Cosmic Study Group SG 3.19/1.10 was established in February 2013 under the aegis of the International Academy of Astronautics to consider and compare the dose limits adopted by various space agencies for astronauts in Low Earth Orbit. A preliminary definition of the limits that might later be adopted by crews exploring Beyond Low Earth Orbit was, in addition, to be made. The present paper presents preliminary results of the study reported at a Symposium held in Turin by the Academy in July 2013. First, an account is provided of exposure limits assigned by various partner space agencies to those of their astronauts that work aboard the International Space Station. Then, gaps in the scientific and technical information required to safely implement human missions beyond the shielding provided by the geomagnetic field (to the Moon, Mars and beyond) are identified. Among many recommendations for actions to mitigate the health risks potentially posed to personnel Beyond Low Earth Orbit is the development of a preliminary concept for a Human Space Awareness System to: provide for crewed missions the means of prompt onboard detection of the ambient arrival of hazardous particles; develop a strategy for the implementation of onboard responses to hazardous radiation levels; support modeling/model validation that would enable reliable predictions to be made of the arrival of hazardous radiation at a distant spacecraft; provide for the timely transmission of particle alerts to a distant crewed vehicle at an emergency frequency using suitably located support spacecraft. Implementation of the various recommendations of the study can be realized based on a two pronged strategy whereby Space Agencies/Space Companies/Private Entrepreneurial Organizations etc. address the mastering of required key technologies (e.g. fast transportation; customized spacecraft design) while the International Academy of Astronautics, in a role of handling global international co-operation, organizes complementary studies aimed at harnessing the strengths and facilities of emerging nations in investigating/solving related problems (e.g. advanced space radiation modeling/model validation; predicting the arrivals of Solar Energetic Particles and shocks at a distant spacecraft). Ongoing progress in pursuing these complementary parallel programs could be jointly reviewed bi-annually by the Space Agencies and the International Academy of Astronautics so as to maintain momentum and direction in globally progressing towards feasible human exploration of interplanetary space.     

航天器单粒子效应的防护研究

随着航天电子器件集成度的不断提高,其发生单粒子效应的风险越来越高,已经成为影响航天器可靠性和运行寿命的重要因素。文章首先介绍了单粒子效应的发生机理、研究方法和研究成果,在此基础上对现有的各种抗单粒子效应加固技术进行了总结,按照硬件加固技术、软件加固技术和轨道优化设计的思路较为系统地论述了单粒子效应的防护手段。     

Health scorecard of spacecraft platforms: Track record of on-orbit anomalies and failures and preliminary comparative analysis

Choosing the “right” satellite platform for a given market and mission requirements is a major investment decision for a satellite operator. With a variety of platforms available on the market from different manufacturers, and multiple offerings from the same manufacturer, the down-selection process can be quite involved. In addition, because data for on-obit failures and anomalies per platform is unavailable, incomplete, or fragmented, it is difficult to compare options and make an informed choice with respect to the critical attribute of field reliability of different platforms. In this work, we first survey a large number of geosynchronous satellite platforms by the major satellite manufacturers, and we provide a brief overview of their technical characteristics, timeline of introduction, and number of units launched. We then analyze an extensive database of satellite failures and anomalies, and develop for each platform a “health scorecard” that includes all the minor and major anomalies, and complete failures—that is failure events of different severities—observed on-orbit for each platform. We identify the subsystems that drive these failure events and how much each subsystem contributes to these events for each platform. In addition, we provide the percentage of units in each platform which have experienced failure events, and, after calculating the total number of years logged on-orbit by each platform, we compute its corresponding average failure and anomaly rate. We conclude this work with a preliminary comparative analysis of the health scorecards of different platforms.The concept of a “health scorecard” here introduced provides a useful snapshot of the failure and anomaly track record of a spacecraft platform on orbit. As such, it constitutes a useful and transparent benchmark that can be used by satellite operators to inform their acquisition choices (“inform” not “base” as other considerations are factored in when comparing different spacecraft platforms), and by satellite manufacturers to guide their testing and reliability improvement programs. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that these health scorecards should be considered dynamic documents to be updated on a regular basis if they are to remain accurate and relevant for comparative analysis purposes, as new information will impact their content.     

一种基于Markov模型的星载计算机系统可靠性评测的新方式

可靠性在星载计算机系统中具有非常重要的作用。现以Markov链为基础,提出了一种新的估计星载计算机系统可靠性的统计使用检测方法。首先通过对故障的传播进行分析,对检测过程中Markov链上由故障产生的状态转移描述方法进行了改进,将“故障不一定产生失效”的现象用Markov链描述出来。其次,提出了程序执行路径的概率计算方法,并且用该方法对星载计算机可靠性进行了估计。最后通过仿真实验表明了该计算方法的有效性。通过对故障状态转移的分析和路径概率计算方法的提出,使星载计算机系统可靠性评测更能反映实际情况。     

载人航天器舱内辐射剂量监测技术综述

文章介绍了美国、苏联/俄罗斯载人航天器舱内辐射剂量监测技术及部分监测结果,分析了我国“神舟3号”和“神舟4号”飞船返回舱内的辐射剂量探测技术及结果,并在此基础上就我国载人航天器的辐射剂量探测方法提出若干建议。     

Comprehensive Substantiation of the Structure and Parameters of a Power-Propellant System for a Spacecraft

The conceptual and methodological principles, as well as some results of the comprehensive substantiation of a technical approach at early stages of design of power-propellant systems (PPS), are presented. By the PPS of a spacecraft is meant a set of devices for production, transformation, and distribution of energy onboard orbital vehicles. The element-stream matrix is suggested to be used as a rational form of representing the PPS structure.