NanoSail-D: A solar sail demonstration mission

In the early to mid-2000s, NASA made substantial progress in the development of solar sail propulsion systems. Solar sail propulsion uses the solar radiation pressure exerted by the momentum transfer of reflected photons to generate a net force on a spacecraft. To date, solar sail propulsion systems were designed for large robotic spacecraft. Recently, however, NASA has been investigating the application of solar sails for small satellite propulsion. The NanoSail-D is a subscale solar sail system designed for possible small spacecraft applications. The NanoSail-D mission flew on board the ill-fated Falcon Rocket launched August 2, 2008, and due to the failure of that rocket, never achieved orbit. The NanoSail-D flight spare is ready for flight and a suitable launch arrangement is being actively pursued. This paper will present an introduction solar sail propulsion systems and an overview of the NanoSail-D spacecraft.     

核火箭原理、发展及应用

人类在不懈地对浩瀚的宇宙进行着探索,而强劲的推力是人类探索宇宙的关键。化学火箭在人类宇宙探索活动中书写了一页又一页的华丽篇章,现今在人类新的探索使命下,出现了激光、太阳能、微波、核热能等新的推进技术。在这些技术中,核火箭推进无疑是人类继续探索太空最有希望的技术之一。对核火箭的原理、发展状况以及应用前景进行了介绍。     

关于RBCC动力系统的思考

回顾了RBCC动力系统研发的历程和趋势,分析了RBCC动力系统的速度、高度等基本特性。建议RBCC动力系统研发应致力于火箭发动机与冲压发动机功能的拓展与完善,注重综合性能的提高;加强与飞行器一体化设计,考虑进气道、燃烧室、尾喷管及燃油供应系统的共用;依据具体飞行器方案开展关键技术攻关和基础技术研究;首先开展临近空间高速、机动飞行器动力系统研发,针对两级入轨动力系统之二级开展关键技术攻关。     

Mission to Mars using integrated propulsion concepts: considerations, opportunities, and strategies

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of a mission to Mars using the Integrated Propulsion Systems (IPS) which means to couple Nuclear-MPD-ISPU propulsion systems. In particular both mission analysis and propulsion aspects are analyzed together with technological aspects. Identifying possible mission scenarios will lead to the study of possible strategies for Mars Exploration and also of methods for reducing cost. As regard to IPS, the coupling between Nuclear Propulsion (Rubbia's engine) and Superconductive MPD propulsion is considered for the Earth-Mars trajectories: major emphasis is given to the advantages of such a system. The In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) concerns on-Mars operations; In Situ Propellant Utilization (ISPU) is foreseen particularly for LOX-CH4 engines for Mars Ascent Vehicles and this possibility is analyzed from a technological point of view. Tether Systems are also considered during interplanetary trajectories and as space elevators on Mars orbit. Finally strategic considerations associated to this mission are considered also.     

Photonic spin control for solar wind electric sail

The electric solar wind sail (E-sail) is a novel, efficient propellantless propulsion concept which utilises the natural solar wind for spacecraft propulsion with the help of long centrifugally stretched charged tethers. The E-sail requires auxiliary propulsion applied to the tips of the main tethers for creating the initial angular momentum and possibly for modifying the spinrate later during flight to counteract the orbital Coriolis effect and possibly for mission specific reasons. We introduce the possibility of implementing the required auxiliary propulsion by small photonic blades (small radiation pressure solar sails). The blades would be stretched centrifugally. We look into two concepts, one with and one without auxiliary tethers. The use of small photonic sails has the benefit of providing sufficient spin modification capability for any E-sail mission while keeping the technology fully propellantless. We conclude that small photonic sails appear to be a feasible and attractive solution to E-sail spinrate control.     

基于氢化镁的核电/核热双模共质空间核动力技术

针对未来空间任务对能源和动力日益提高的需求,提出了基于氢化镁的核电核热双模共质空间核动力技术。该技术以一种储氢密度高、热稳定性较好,能够以常温常压储存的氢化镁作为工质,通过核能加热后氢化镁分解成为核热推进可用的高压氢气和电推进可用的单质镁,并结合高效动态热电转换系统,形成大功率核电源、大功率超高比冲核电推进、高比冲氢气核热推进以及大推力镁核热推进多种工作模式。基于氢化镁的多模共质空间核动力技术解决了低温推进剂、气态工质在空间应用时的存储安全性和存储密度低的问题,其具备的多种工作模式能够针对不同任务需求提供相应的能源或者动力输出,提高核动力飞行器任务能力。     

Single crystal mo solar thermal thruster for microsatellites

One potentially attractive propulsion concept offering significant payload gains for orbit transfer from LEO to higher orbits, station keeping and attitude control of spacecraft is thermal propulsion using light gas (typically hydrogen) as propellant and various kinds of heat energy. Solar Thermal Propulsion (STP) is a typical thermal propulsion with high Isp (500 – 1,000 s) in an appropriate thrust magnitude range and provides possibly much less space pollution than conventional chemical propulsion.

This paper presents the test results of a 30 mm dia. (medium-sized) windowless type of single crystal Mo thruster for orbit transfer of 50 kg class microsatellites. The cavity dia. is 20 mm, double the size of the previous model, and can apply to a primary solar reflector of up to 3.5 m dia., which is the maximum size containable in the H-II rocket fairing without segmentation. The performed mission analyses indicate that this size of STP is suitable to orbit transfer of 50 kg class microsatellites, such as LEO to GEO, or only multiple apogee kicks from GTO to GEO or deep space missions.     

烃类推进剂航天动力技术进展与展望未来

为研究烃类推进剂航天动力技术在中国的后续发展和未来应用方向,对比分析煤油、甲烷和丙烷等典型烃类推进剂的物理化学性质和应用特性,简要介绍烃类推进剂航天动力在一次性运载火箭、可重复使用运载器、高性能上面级推进、无毒空间推进和吸气式推进领域的发展动态及应用状况。当前国内外航天动力系统的发展和应用情况表明,以液氧煤油发动机和液氧甲烷发动机为代表的烃类推进剂航天动力将引领未来高性能低成本航天推进系统的发展趋势,依照中国液氧/烃火箭发动机的研制进展和技术水平,以其为核心的新型动力体系在中国未来的天地往返、载人登月和深空探测等多任务适应性方面具有良好应用前景。     

On a possibility of delivery of samples of primordial matter from asteroids of the main belt by a spacecraft with electric propulsion

The possibilities of an expedition to asteroids of the Main belt with the goal of obtaining samples of their matter using a spacecraft with a small-thrust electric propulsion, which is under development as a part of the Fobos-Grunt project, are considered. Obtaining matter from different regions of the Solar system is necessary in order to understand its origin and the structure of the Earth. Approximate estimates are made for the flights of spacecraft with electric propulsion and different power of solar batteries, and with perturbation maneuver near Mars for expeditions to the Main asteroid belt, including its middle part.     

Space light: space industrial enhancement of the solar option

The solar option can be enhanced significantly by space light technology. Reflectors in suitable orbits beam to Earth measured amounts of sunlight, the most versatile and bio-compatible energy source. The multitude of space light functions ranges from night illumination of rural and urban areas (by Lunetta systems) to photosynthetic production enhancement for the growth of food and of biomass for conversion to chemical fuels, local agricultural irradiation for crop drying and weather stabilization and to electric power generation by irradiating suitable photovoltaic or thermal ground receivers at night or by adding to the natural solar energy input during daytime (Soletta systems).

The Lunetta and Soletta concepts, developed by the author during the past ten years, building on the foundations laid by the great space pioneer Prof. H. Oberth (1928), are reviewed, along with their socio-economic merits. An assessment of terrestrial alternatives shows that many useful functions have no practical alternative, the major exception being electric power generation. Three systems are selected, bracketing the broad versatility of space light—Lunetta, Powersoletta and a large Biosoletta for large-scale seafood production in Antarctic and Artic waters. The systems, and several maintenance and supply requirements are described, sized and analyzed, along with suitable orbit selection for different applications. Models are developed for rural and urban area lighting, power generation at selected sites around the globe with photovoltaic and thermal ground stations and for the large-scale production of seafood at high southern and northern latitudes with ample nutrient upwell, but insufficient annual supply of solar energy. The economics of these systems is analyzed.     

Space manufacturing in the construction of solar power satellites

This paper deals with ongoing research work concerning energy budget and cost of the solar Satellite Power System (SPS).The fundamental model of such a total system including ground and space facilities, transportation vehicles, power satellites and rectennas is presented. The main purpose of this model is to examine the applicability of different construction scenarios to allow comparison under nearly identical constraints.Using this model in a first attempt the blankets—meaning the main part of the space segment by weight, energy investment needs and cost—are chosen representatively for the energy and cost comparison of two construction alternatives of the same SPS concept. These construction alternatives are defined just by ground and space based manufacturing of the solar blankets, while all other subsystems, operations and the transportation profiles are considered to be kept the same.It can be shown that the energy “payback” time does not only depend on the SPS concept selected but also very much on the construction and implementation scenario. The cost comparison of these alternative approaches presents not very significant differences but advantages for the space manufacturing option with potential higher differences for a less conservative approach which may apply benefits of space manufacturing meaning, for example, considerable mass savings in space.Some preliminary results are discussed and an outlook is given over the next steps to be investigated, comprising the extension of the fundamental model to include use of lunar raw materials.     

Scenarios which may lead to the rise of an asteroid-based technical civilisation

In a previous paper, the author described a hypothetical development path of technical civilisations which has the following stages: planet dwellers, asteroid dwellers, interstellar travellers, interstellar space dwellers. In this paper, several scenarios are described which may cause the rise of an asteroid-based technical civilisation. Before such a transition may take place, certain space technologies must be developed fully (now these exist only in very preliminary forms): closed-cycle biological life support systems, space manufacturing systems, electrical propulsion systems. After mastering these technologies, certain events may provide the necessary financial means and social impetus for the foundation of the first asteroid-based colonies. In the first scenario, a rich minority group becomes persecuted and they decide to leave the Earth. In the second scenario, a "cold war"-like situation exists and the leaders of the superpowers order the creation of asteroid-based colonies to show off their empires' technological (and financial) grandiosity. In the third scenario, the basic situation is similar to the second one, but in this case the asteroids are not just occupied by the colonists. With several decades of hard work, an asteroid can be turned into a kinetic energy weapon which can provide the same (or greater) threat as the nuclear arsenal of a present superpower. In the fourth scenario, some military asteroids are moved to Earth-centred orbits and utilised as "solar power satellites" (SPS). This would be a quite economical solution because a "military asteroid" already contains most of the important components of an SPS (large solar collector arrays, power distribution devices, orbit modifying rocket engine), one should add only a large microwave transmitter.     

天基空间目标监视的短弧段定轨技术

利用两个短弧段的天基测角资料实现对空间目标的轨道确定是天基空间目标监视系统需解决的重要问题之一。提出利用二体轨道的角动量和能量守恒方程计算空间目标初轨的新方法,该方法将短弧段的主要测量信息表示为弧段属性,由两个短弧段的弧段属性建立守恒方程,采用变量替换法求解守恒方程获得多个初轨,通过方差分析从中选择合适的初轨。针对轨道改进中的迭代发散和收敛于局部极小点的问题,提出了选取多个迭代初值进行轨道改进的采样方法。仿真结果表明,初轨确定算法是可行的,轨道改进能成功解算最小二乘轨道。     

水基推进系统综述

水基推进系统的发展为航天器推进、供电、能量储存、系统构建提供了新的选择。这一系统的核心是一体化可再生燃料电池,它利用太阳能电池帆板提供的电能电解水．产生的氢氧气体既可以用于燃烧推进,又可以通过燃料电池反应重新复合为水进行供电。介绍了水基推进系统的基本组成与工作原理,通过质量估算与性能分析,评估了水基推进系统的工作能力、适用范围及空间应用优势。     

目标捕获后航天器组合体的角动量转移与抑振规划

针对失稳目标捕获后航天器组合体的位姿调整与稳定问题,提出一种组合体角动量转移与振动抑制复合规划方法。首先建立了同时考虑了空间机械臂、目标卫星太阳翼、服务卫星太阳翼等柔性构件的航天器组合体动力学模型。然后提出角动量转移优化方法,规划机械臂最终构型,保证组合体相对稳定后的角速度最小;基于粒子群算法设计了机械臂最优抑振轨迹规划方法,抑制角动量转移过程中的机械臂和太阳翼的柔性振动。最后通过数值仿真验证了规划方法的有效性。仿真结果表明,该方法能够有效实现组合体的角动量转移,并显著降低组合体的柔性振动,具有工程实用性。     

电推进系统空间试验技术研究

电推进系统的相容性、空间推力/比冲等是空间应用关注的重要性能指标。根据电推进系统未来空间试验技术发展趋势,调研了国内外离子、霍尔电推进系统的推力、电磁兼容性、对卫星的污染等空间试验情况,结合我国电推进系统首次开展空间试验现状、电推进系统的布局,以及星上配备的卫星污染与电位监测器,对空间环境条件下卫星的污染、电推进自身及卫星设备的电磁兼容性、空间推力标定方法、推进剂剩余量分析方法等进行了研究。通过电推进系统在轨连续试验、电推进羽流影响等分析,得到电推进对卫星周围污染情况、电推进与卫星平台的电磁兼容性等在轨性能参数,可为全面评价电推进系统技术、科学制定电推进空间试验计划及电推进空间应用提供依据。     

中国载人航天推进技术发展设想

回顾了航天大国运载火箭及推进技术发展历程,重点分析了美国、俄罗斯等国航天运载器推进技术的发展现状和后续发展思路。通过对当前世界主流运载火箭的构型特点和推进技术水平的对比和发展趋势总结,对中国未来发展载人航天运载器和先进推进技术的主要方向提出了建议。     

国内外先进推进技术发展综述

航天运输领域发展的核心目标包括提高运载能力、降低发射成本及减少发射准备时间等。相对于传统的化学推进技术,先进推进技术采用新能源或新机理,旨在从根本上满足未来对有效载荷、发射成本和发射周期的要求。对国内外组合动力装置、核聚变动力推进、离子推进、激光推进、核子脉冲推进、太阳帆推进、磁场帆推进、布萨德喷气推进、反物质推进等先进推进技术的研究进展进行综述和可行性分析,并给出了发展启示。     

Recent advances in lunar base simulation

This article reports about the results of the latest computer runs of a lunar base simulation model. The lunar base consists of 20 facilities for lunar mining, processing and fabrication. The infrastructure includes solar and nuclear power plants, a central workshop, habitat and farm. Lunar products can be used for construction of solar power systems (SPS) or other spacecraft at several space locations. The simulation model evaluates the mass, energy and manpower flows between the elements of the system as well as system cost and cost of products on an annual basis for a given operational period. The 1983 standard model run over a fifty-years life cycle (beginning about the year 2000) was accomplished for a mean annual production volume of 78 180 Mg of hardware products for export resulting in average specific manufacturing cost of 8.4 $/kg and total annual cost of 1.25 billion dollars during the life cycle. The reference space transportation system uses LOX/LH₂ propulsion for which at the average 210 500 Mg LOX per year is produced on the moon. The sensitivity analysis indicates the importance of bootstrapping as well as the influence of market size, space transportation cost and specific resources demand on the mean lunar manufacturing cost. The option using lunar resources turns out to be quite attractive from the economical viewpoint. Systems analysis by this lunar base model and further trade-offs will be a useful tool to confirm this.     

Mission analysis and systems design of a near-term and far-term pole-sitter mission

This paper provides a detailed mission analysis and systems design of a near-term and far-term pole-sitter mission. The pole-sitter concept was previously introduced as a solution to the poor temporal resolution of polar observations from highly inclined, low Earth orbits and the poor high-latitude coverage from geostationary orbit. It considers a spacecraft that is continuously above either the north or south pole and, as such, can provide real-time, continuous and hemispherical coverage of the polar regions. Being on a non-Keplerian orbit, a continuous thrust is required to maintain the pole-sitter position. For this, two different propulsion strategies are proposed, which result in a near-term pole-sitter mission using solar electric propulsion (SEP) and a far-term pole-sitter mission where the SEP thruster is hybridized with a solar sail. For both propulsion strategies, minimum propellant pole-sitter orbits are designed. In order to maximize the spacecraft mass at the start of the operations phase of the mission, the transfer from Earth to the pole-sitter orbit is designed and optimized assuming either a Soyuz or an Ariane 5 launch. The maximized mass upon injection into the pole-sitter orbit is subsequently used in a detailed mass budget analysis that will allow for a trade-off between mission lifetime and payload mass capacity. Also, candidate payloads for a range of applications are investigated. Finally, transfers between north and south pole-sitter orbits are considered to overcome the limitations in observations due to the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis that causes the poles to be alternately situated in darkness. It will be shown that in some cases these transfers allow for propellant savings, enabling a further extension of the pole-sitter mission.