Magnetobraking for Mars return vehicles

It is proposed that magnetobraking may be used to dissipate hyperbolic excess velocity from a spacecraft returning from Mars to Earth orbit. In magnetobraking, an electrodynamic tether is deployed from the spacecraft. The Earth's magnetic field produces a force on electrical current in the tether, which can be used to either brake or accelerate the spacecraft without expenditure of reaction mass. The peak acceleration on the Mars return is 0.007 m/s², and the amount of braking possible is dependent on the density and current-carrying capacity of the tether, but is independent of length. Since energy is produced as the spacecraft velocity decreases, no on-board power source is required. As the spacecraft approaches the Earth, the magnetic field increases and the power produced by the tether increases, reaching a maximum of about 800 W per kg of spacecraft mass at closest approach.     

The effect of climber transit on the space elevator dynamics

The space elevator offers an alternate and efficient method for space travel. It will have two main components. The first component is the tether (or the ribbon), which extends from the Earth to an equatorial satellite at an altitude beyond the geostationary orbit, and is fixed to a base on the surface of the Earth at its lower end. The second component is the climber, which scales the ribbon, transporting payloads to space. An important issue for effective operation of the space elevator will be to understand its dynamics. This paper attempts to develop a realistic and yet simple planar model for this purpose. The basic response of the ribbon to climber transit is determined. Both analytical and numerical results are presented. Specific climbing procedures are devised based on these results so as to minimize the adverse effects of climber transit on the ribbon.     

Characterization of the optimal mass problem for aerobraking tethers

In the aerobraking tether concept, a probe, connected to an orbiter by a long, thin tether, passes through the atmosphere of a target planet to provide a desired velocity change, while keeping the orbiter above the sensible atmosphere. In earlier work, simple analytic models have been developed which accurately describe the characteristics of the mass-optimal tether. In this paper these models are generalized so that design of the spacecraft and the aerobraking maneuver can be completely characterized by four independent parameters. By comparing the tether mass (e.g. for aerocapture) with the propellant mass required to capture the orbiter, we show that aerobraking tethers have a clear advantage for a wide range of maneuvers.     

电动绳系在低极轨卫星中的应用研究

低极轨卫星具有轨道周期短、对地观测分辨率高等优点,但由于所在轨道大气阻力大,其使用寿命受到较大限制。文章提出采用水平结构电动绳系抵消低极轨卫星大气阻力的方法,通过系绳电流与地球磁场相互作用产生洛仑兹力进行推进,进而在无燃料消耗的情况下实现对低极轨卫星轨道高度的维持。初步分析了该方法在低极轨不同尺寸卫星中的应用潜力,计算了160 、400 和800 km 典型高度低极轨卫星所经历的地球磁场、电离层和高层大气环境相关参数变化,比较了不同条件下电动绳系推力与大气阻力大小随轨道位置的变化。分析结果表明,该方法适用于400 km 轨道高度以上大卫星;在满足一定系绳长度和轨道高度的条件下,电动绳系可以有效延长低极轨卫星的轨道寿命。     

绳系空间太阳能电站动力学响应分析

利用绝对节点坐标方法研究绳系空间太阳能电站在轨飞行的太阳能电池板动力响应。通过勒让德变换引入广义动量,在约束哈密尔顿体系下建立轨道、姿态和弹性振动耦合的动力学方程。基于祖冲之类方法的思想,结合辛龙格-库塔方法对微分-代数方程进行数值求解。数值算例说明本文建模方法和数值算法都是有效的,能很好地保持系统约束和能量。最后分析了绳长、平台系统的质量、轨道高度对于梁中点挠度和轴向平均应变的影响。     

临近空间飞艇运行环境及其影响

叙述了运行在20km以上临近空间的飞艇要经历的对流层和平流层的环境特点,对压力、密度、温度、太阳辐射、臭氧、水蒸气、高能粒子及大气污染物这些大气环境进行了分析,并提出了环境控制需要注意的几个问题,为临近空间飞艇的设计提供了参考。     

Mechanics of very long tethered systems

A space elevator has been proposed as an alternate method for launching satellites; however, the materials available now are not strong enough to support the stress generated in the structure. On the other hand, with the existing technology, a partial elevator is feasible. In this paper, the mechanics of a very long tethered system that functions as a partial elevator is studied. For such a system, the center of mass, center of gravity, and center of orbit are not coincident; disregarding this distinction can lead to erroneous results. A relation between these three points is presented in this paper. A consistent stress distribution along the tether is obtained by taking into account the distinction between these points. Dynamics of the system consisting of two end bodies, the tether (with mass), and a climber is examined. The equations of motion are derived using the Lagrangian formulation and analyzed numerically.     

太阳电池在平流层中的工作性能分析

近年来,临近空间受到广泛关注,多种平流层飞行器被提出,它们大多以太阳电池为 主要的能源获取装置。研究平流层的太阳电池的性能,对平流层的开发和利用具有重要意义 。首先建立了平流层中太阳电池的热环境模型,并结合硅太阳电池的电学模型,得到了 平流层中硅太阳电池的热电耦合分析模型,进而用数值模拟方法对太阳能电池的热学、电学 性能进行了分析和讨论。研究结果表明,平流层热环境的变化对太阳能电池的温度、输出功 率以及电效率都有影响。讨论了风速对太阳电池性能的影响,结果表明随着风速的增 加,太阳电池温度降低、内部温差先增加后减小、发电效率和输出功率都增加。
     

太阳能飞行器能源昼夜闭环仿真分析

以能量为核心，建立太阳能飞行器的获能模型；通过对太阳能飞行器飞行剖面特点的分析，设计飞行过程中各个阶段的飞行方案，并建立相应的耗能模型；考虑目前储能电池技术水平，根据产能和耗能模型，建立储能模型，完成了能源闭环模型的设计；参照Zephyr 7太阳能无人机的结构参数对论文建立的模型进行了仿真分析，获取了飞行过程中能量变化规律，同时对飞行姿态进行优化。结果表明：通过对太阳能飞行器昼夜飞行高度的不同设置以及飞行姿态角的优化，太阳能飞行器可以实现跨昼夜持久飞行。     

Ground assisted rendezvous with geosynchronous satellites for the disposal of space debris by means of Earth-oriented tethers

Previous studies have shown that extended length Earth-oriented tethers in the geosynchronous (GEO) region can be used to re-orbit satellites to disposal orbits. One such approach involves the extension of a GEO based tether, collection of a debris object, and retraction of the tether, which transfers the retracted configuration to a higher energy orbit for debris disposal. The re-extension of the tether after debris disposal returns the configuration to the near-GEO altitude. The practical feasibility of such a system depends on the ability to collect GEO debris objects, attach them to a deployed tether system, and retract the tethers for transfer to the disposal orbits.This study addresses the collection and delivery of debris objects to the deployed tether system in GEO. The investigation considers the number, type and the characteristics of the debris objects as well as the collection tug that can be ground controlled to detect, rendezvous and dock with the debris objects for their delivery to the tethers system.A total of more than 400 objects are in drift orbits crossing all longitudes either below or above the geostationary radius. More than 130 objects are also known to librate around the stable points in GEO with periods of libration up to five or more years. A characterization of the position and velocity of the debris objects relative to the collection tug is investigated. Typical rendezvous performance requirements for uncooperative GEO satellites are examined, and the similarities with other approaches such as the ESA's CX-OLEV commercial mission proposal to extend the life of geostationary telecommunication satellites are noted.     

Characteristics of Near-Polar Atmosphere/Thermosphere of Mars at Altitudes of 125–145 km: The Data of a Radio Occultation Experiment onboard the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mars Global Surveyor</Emphasis> Spacecraft

Using data from a radio occultation experiment onboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, altitude variations of the scale height of the neutral atmosphere in the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars are analyzed. The averaged altitude gradient of temperature for neutrals in the thermosphere is estimated. The revealed variations of the scale height of the neutral atmosphere at zenith angles of less than 82° indicate that the near polar atmosphere is not isothermal at altitudes of 125–145 km, which experimentally confirms predictions of models of the Martian atmosphere. It is shown that when one approaches the terminator the near polar atmosphere is cooled and the effects of variation of the solar zenith angle modulate the local time effects in both hemispheres.     

立方星电源系统最大功率点跟踪优化控制方法

针对立方星在能量来源严重受限条件下如何提高太阳能利用率的难题,提出一种适用于立方星的集中供电式空间微电源架构(EPS),并设计基于改进粒子群优化算法的最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)控制策略来提升能量转换效率。首先,推导太阳电池阵列的数学模型,并根据太阳电池阵列的工作特性,提出电源系统最大功率点跟踪控制的物理系统实现结构。其次,设计基于改进粒子群优化(PSO)的最大功率点跟踪控制算法,并进行了数学仿真校验。最后,对所设计的电源系统架构进行了硬件实现和试验验证。地面试验结果表明,电源系统的太阳能最大转换效率可达95.5%。该电源系统成功应用于世界首颗12U立方星“翱翔之星”的飞行试验,在轨数据表明电源系统工作状态良好,为微纳卫星电源系统的设计提供了有益参考。     

Early commercial demonstration of space solar power using ultra-lightweight arrays

Space solar power shows great promise for future energy sources worldwide. Most central power stations operate with power capacity of 1000 MW or greater. Due to launch size limitations and specific power of current, rigid solar arrays, the largest solar arrays that have flown in space are around 50 kW. Thin-film arrays offer the promise of much higher specific power and deployment of array sizes up to several MW with current launch vehicles. An approach to early commercial applications for space solar power to distribute power to charge hand-held, mobile battery systems by wireless power transmission (WPT) from thin-film solar arrays in quasi-stationary orbits will be presented. Four key elements to this prototype will be discussed: (1) Space and near-space testing of prototype wireless power transmission by laser and microwave components including WPT space to space and WPT space to near-space HAA transmission demonstrations; (2) distributed power source for recharging hand-held batteries by wireless power transmission from MW space solar power systems; (3) use of quasi-geostationary satellites to generate electricity and distribute it to targeted areas; and (4) architecture and technology for ultra-lightweight thin-film solar arrays with specific energy exceeding 1 kW/kg. This approach would yield flight demonstration of space solar power and wireless power transmission of 1.2 MW. This prototype system will be described, and a roadmap will be presented that will lead to still higher power levels.     

variations of the atmospheric chemical composition in the earths’s polar regions after solar proton flare on July 14, 2000 (photochemical simulation)

Altitude—temporal cross-sections q(z, t) of atmospheric ionization rates by solar protons above the polar regions were calculated using the GOES-10 satellite data on solar proton fluxes for the period of solar proton flare (SPF) on July 14, 2000. The values of q(z, t) were used further in calculations of variations of the atmospheric chemical composition during the flare in the northern and southern polar regions (70°N and 70°S) by two different 1D photochemical models of the atmosphere (neutral and charged components). The calculation results have shown considerable variation of the ozone content after SPF: a decrease of [O3] was about 80% at altitudes of 65–75 km above northern and 25% in the layer of 55–65 km above the southern polar region. Such decrease of the ozone content is a result of reactions with [NO] and [OH] whose concentrations have grown substantially during SPF. According to calculations, the increase of electron concentration during SPF has reached 3–4 orders of magnitude at altitudes of 50–80 km. A comparison of the calculation results with the observational data on [NO], [NO2], and [O3] from the UARS and HALOE satellites for 70°N have shown a good qualitative correspondence, however, for variations of nitric oxides there are quantitative discrepancies.     

On the use of solar energy for the acceleration of bodies to cosmic velocities

Future schemes of propulsions for interplanetary space flights based on using the solar energy are considered. The analysis is being conducted of the following propulsion systems: photon steady propulsion (solar sail); unsteady propulsion using momentum and energy of powerful solar flare photons; thermogasdynamic based on heating of propellant matter by concentrated solar radiation; electromagnetic wave propulsion based on the energy and momentum transmission by waves of optical and microwave ranges from space solar electricity stations and energy storage devices. The combined types of propulsion systems is discussed. Main features of mathematical modelling of small thrust propulsion systems are also considered.     

卫星电源系统优化设计

对卫星电源系统进行总体优化设计是提高其可靠性和性能,减轻重量的一条重要途径。以太阳同步轨道卫星为背景,研究了太阳电池阵/蓄电池组联合电源系统的优化设计。包括以下内容:(1)轨道光照条件的计算方法;(2)研究了固定展开式、一个自由度对日定向式和两个自由度对日定向式等构型的太阳阵的最佳应用范围,建立了太阳阵的直流分析模型;(3)建立了蓄电池组的容量设计方法和直流分析模型,对蓄电池组的组成和充电方式,能量多圈平衡等问题进行了优化分析;(4)以太阳阵的输出功率为目标,对峰值功率跟踪(PPT)和直接能量传输(DET)两种太阳阵功率调节方式的应用范围进行了分析和比较。以电源系统的重量功率比最小为目标函数,对四种典型DET方式的电源系统配置方案进行了优化比较;(5)建立了以母线为核心的电源系统的交流小信号模型,导出母线阻抗,稳定性,瞬态响应和纹波的分析方法,对母线性能进行了优化设计;(6)对SEDSAT-1小卫星电源系统进行了仿真实验,部分验证了上述研究结果。本文的研究可用于电源系统总体设计的方案比较和方案优选过程。它将有助于定量地比较和优选电源系统设计方案,并实现降低重量功率比和提高性能的目的。     

Space solar power vs space communications

To meet the future needs of energy on Earth, the transmission of solar power from space is being extensively studied. Since the power station will occupy a position in the geostationary orbit and will use radio frequency spectrum for transmission of energy to Earth, the relative benefits of space solar power and space communications should be considered. The resource allocation of orbit-spectrum to a power station requires a sacrifice from space communications as they both utilize similar limited resources. The power station is to energy what communication is to information. While the cost of energy is going up, the cost of information processing, storage, sharing and transmission is decreasing. Also, increased means of communication are used as a measure of energy conservation. With the advent of computer communication and the Large Scale Integrated (LSI) microprocessors, the technique of multiple access, message switching and satellite switching can be cost-effectively combined. The computer-satellite communication will allow information resource sharing among large numbers of users besides the conventional application of space communications. Since space communication means work effectively in many other areas where ultimate energy use and conservation is possible, the space solar power will not be able to compete or substitute on the basis of equality and social benefits. But, as the transmission technology is similar for both areas, the R & D effort for solar power will certainly increase efficiency and reduce cost for space communications.     

On the deployment dynamics of tether connected two-body systems

A general formulation of the deployment dynamics of tether connected two-body systems taking into account the three dimensional librational motion, longitudinal and transverse vibrations of the continuous tether, eccentricity of the orbit and aerodynamic drag in a rotating, oblate atmosphere, is presented. Three simple deployment procedures (uniform, exponential and their combination) are considered. In the beginning analytical solutions are obtained for the degenerate case of negligible vibrations in a circular orbit, which help in establishing trends for the more general situation. This is followed by the general dynamics of the system investigated through integration of the linearized autonomous equations of motion numerically. Typical plots are presented which describe the effects of various system parameters on the tether dynamics during deployment of a subsatellite from the Space Shuttle.     

Sandwich module prototype progress for space solar power

Space solar power (SSP) has been broadly defined as the collection of solar energy in space and its wireless transmission for use on earth. This approach potentially gives the benefit of provision of baseload power while avoiding the losses due to the day/night cycle and tropospheric effects that are associated with terrestrial solar power. Proponents have contended that the implementation of such systems could offer energy security, environmental, and technological advantages to those who would undertake their development. Among recent implementations commonly proposed for SSP, the modular symmetrical concentrator (MSC) and other modular concepts have received considerable attention. Each employs an array of modules for performing conversion of concentrated sunlight into microwaves or laser beams for transmission to earth. While prototypes of such modules have been designed and developed previously by several groups, none have been subjected to the challenging conditions inherent to the space environment and the possible solar concentration levels in which an array of modules might be required to operate. The research described herein details our team's efforts in the development of photovoltaic arrays, power electronics, microwave conversion electronics, and antennas for microwave-based “sandwich” module prototypes. The implementation status and testing results of the prototypes are reviewed.