A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

32颗GPS卫星星座空间覆盖特性建模与仿真

GPS卫星要准确完成定位功能可见卫星数应不少于4颗.通过建立针对低轨、中高轨和大椭圆轨道目标卫星的GPS信号空间几何覆盖模型,利用Matlab计算针对低轨、中高轨和大椭圆轨道的可见卫星数,对目前美国32颗GPS卫星星座的空间覆盖特性进行仿真.仿真结果显示,32颗GPS卫星星座不仅可以对低轨目标实现全轨道覆盖,而且对中高轨和大椭圆轨道也有所覆盖,大大扩展了24颗GPS卫星星座的空间应用.     

中国民用遥感卫星

中国民用遥感卫星经过 30多年的努力 ,现已建成了气象卫星、地球资源卫星和海洋卫星 3个卫星系列 ,形成中国连续稳定运行的民用卫星系统 ,为国民经济及国防建设提供了大量的空间遥感信息。文章简要论述了中国民用遥感卫星的发展历程、现状和未来的发展设想。     

Emergency end of life operations for CNES remote sensing satellites—Management and operational process

The French Space Agency (CNES) is currently operating thirteen satellites among which five remote sensing satellites. This fleet is composed of two civilian (SPOT) and three military (HELIOS) satellites and it has been recently completed by the first PLEIADES satellite which is devoted to both civil and military purposes. The CNES operation board decided to appoint a Working Group (WG) in order to anticipate and tackle issues related to the emergency End Of Life (EOL) operations due to unexpected on-board events affecting the satellite. This is of particular interest in the context of the French Law on Space Operations (LSO), entered in force on Dec. 2010, which states that any satellite operator must demonstrate its capability to control the space vehicle whatever the mission phase from the launch up to the EOL. Indeed, after several years in orbit the satellites may be affected by on-board anomalies which could damage the implementation of EOL operations, i.e. orbital manoeuvres or platform disposal. Even if automatic recovery actions ensure autonomous reconfigurations on redundant equipment, i.e. setting for instance the satellite into a safe mode, it is crucial to anticipate the consequences of failures of every equipment and functions necessary for the EOL operations. For this purpose, the WG has focused on each potential anomaly by analysing: its emergency level, as well as the EOL operations potentially inhibited by the failure and the needs of on-board software workarounds… The main contribution of the WG consisted in identifying a particular satellite configuration called “minimal Withdrawal From Service (WFS) configuration”. This configuration corresponds to an operational status which involves a redundancy necessary for the EOL operations. Therefore as soon as a satellite reaches this state, a dedicated steering committee is activated and decides of the future of the satellite with respect to three options: a/. the satellite is considered safe and can continue its mission using the redundancy, b/. the EOL operations must be planned within a mid-term period, or c/. the EOL operations must be implemented as soon as possible by the operational teams. The paper describes this management and operational process illustrated with study cases of failures on SPOT and PLEIADES satellites corresponding to various emergency situations.     

Exposure estimates for repair satellites at geosynchronous orbit

Communications and weather satellites in geosynchronous (GEO, altitude: 35,793 km.) and geostationary orbits (GSO) are revolutionizing our ability to almost instantly communicate with each other, capture high resolution global imagery for weather forecasting and obtain a multitude of other geophysical data for environmental protection purposes. The rapid increase in the number of satellites at GEO is partly due to the exponential expansion of the internet, its commercial potential and the need to deliver a large amount of digital information in near real time. With the large number of satellites operating at GEO and particularly at GSO, there is a need to think of viable approaches to retrieve, rejuvenate and perhaps repair these satellites. The first step in this process is a detailed understanding of the ionizing radiation environment at GEO. Currently, the most widely used trapped particle radiation environment definition near Earth is based on the NASA’s static AP8/AE8 models which define the trapped proton and electron intensities. These models are based on a large number of satellite measurements carried out in the 1960s and 1970s. In this paper, the AP8/AE8 models as well as a heavy ion galactic cosmic ray (GCR) model are used to define the radiation environments for protons, electrons and heavy ions at low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO) and GEO. LEO and MEO dosimetric calculations are included in the analysis since any launch platform capable of delivering a payload to GEO will accumulate exposure during its transit through LEO and MEO. The computational approach (particle transport) taken in this paper is to use the static LEO, MEO, GEO and geomagnetically attenuated GCR environments as input to the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) developed deterministic particle transport codes high charge and energy transport (HZETRN) and coupled electron photon transport (CEPTRN). This is done through exposure prediction within a spherical shell, a legacy Apollo era command service module (CSM) configuration, and a large modular structure represented by a specific configuration of the international Space Station (ISS-11A, circa 2005). Based on the results of the simulations, conclusions are drawn on the exposure levels accumulated by these geometries throughout a mission to GEO.     

采用伴随星接收LEO到GEO上行信号的一种方案

随卫星上部署动态跟踪天线,难以进行卫星姿态控制,为此提出了一种采用两颗伴随卫星部署非跟踪天线的接收方案,用于接收低轨圆轨道星(LEO)到地球同步静止卫星(GEO)的上行信号。理论分析及STK(SatelliteToolKit)软件仿真结果表明,伴随星姿态只需在惯性空间内稳定,就可实现动态信号接收,大大降低了系统的实现难度。     

基于姿态敏感器的地球同步轨道卫星自主导航研究

本文提出了一种基于姿态敏感器的地球同步轨道卫星自主导航方法,作为解决未来高轨道卫星自主运行的先决条件。在整个系统中,以包含摄动项的HILL 方程作为状态方程,根据由姿态敏感器给出的卫星本体相对于地球和另外两个空间天体的方位,推导出测量方程,进而用简化的推广 Kalman 滤波算法进行状态估计。仿真表明,该方法收敛速度快,精度较高,是一种可行的地球同步轨道卫星自主导航方法。     

基于低轨卫星增强的非差高精度导航定位技术与在轨试验验证

随着自动驾驶、精密农业等领域的发展,各领域对高精度导航定位的需求不断增加。在地基增强技术、高轨星基增强技术和传统非差精密单点定位技术的基础上,提出了一种基于低轨卫星增强的非差高精度导航定位技术,研制了基于低轨导航增强技术的低轨导航增强载荷,开发了基于低轨卫星增强的地面自适应卡尔曼滤波非差高精度定位软件,并进行了全球首次基于低轨卫星的信号信息一体化导航增强在轨试验。试验表明:经低轨卫星增强后,地面终端用户定位精度优于30 cm。最后,给出了该技术的后续研究方向,为未来低轨导航增强系统与其他增强系统协同工作,实现广泛应用奠定了基础。     

我国数据中继卫星系统发展建议

天链一号数据中继卫星在轨成功运行,标志着我国在天基信息传输领域的重大突破,今后发展方向是建设中继卫星组网系统,以满足数据中继不断增长的需求.分析表明:经度间距约为180°的地球静止轨道(GEO)双星组网系统,只需在我国本土设立控管站,利用地面高速光纤干线,双星就能对离地高度大于95km的航天器实现100%轨道覆盖的中继...     

Economics of telecommunications space segments

This paper proposes a complete model for assessing the economics of telecommunications satellite systems, accounting for spacecraft development and manufacturing, launch and operations in orbit. This allows to account for such parameters as the mass and lifetime of the satellites, the number and type of payloads, the number of satellites procured and launched, the spare policy, the launch vehicle, the insurances, the satellite average MTTF and the management of the space segment efforts.

The model is divided into four parts: the spacecraft mass model, the spacecraft procurement cost model, the MTTF model and the space segment cost-effectiveness model. It provides for the rapid solution of a number of problems within a wide range of parameters such as assessing the influence on space segment economics of —certain satellite technologies, —satellite and payload mass, —number of payloads per spacecraft, —satellite lifetime, or —spare policy.     

空间环境研究的现状与展望

空间环境研究的内容包括空间环境模式研究、空间环境效应研究和空间环境实验研究。当前国外空间环境研究注重对大型软件组织多学科、多单位长期合作研究;模式研究与实验研究紧密结合;注意开发对工程适用的模式;工作重点是太阳帆板带电和低轨卫星表面带电。建议我国在今后的空间环境研究中加强联合,集中攻克急需的大型软件;加强对材料特性的实验研究;着手发射环境效应卫星;开拓空间环境研究的新领域;在空间环境效应研究中加强卫星研制单位、卫星操作部门与环境效应研究单位的合作。     

美国AEHF军事通信卫星推进系统及其在首发星上的应用

美国先进极高频（AEHF）项目将采用4颗运行于地球同步轨道（GEO）的AE—HF军事通信卫星。AEHF卫星的推进系统由远地点发动机、姿态控制发动机组和双模式霍尔电推进子系统组成。首发星AEHF-1是世界上首个采用霍尔电推进系统执行发射后轨道提升任夯的GEO卫星。AEHF-1卫星星箭分离后,远地点发动机未能正常工作,因此...     

Technical and economical comparison between a modular geostationary space platform and a cluster of satellites

In recent years, the identification of a large number of telecommunication missions reflects a growing demand for the provision of a large variety of communications and data transmission services performed by a space segment.

At present, communication space segment use a single operational satellite per orbit position. However, the expected increase of communication channels per space segment will lead to a corresponding increase of satellite mass and size which could exceed the capabilities of existing launch vehicles in terms of mass and volume requirements. Those considerations, coupled with the threatening saturation of the geostationary orbit, lead to the conclusion that an optimal space segment concept must be defined on a technical as well as economical point of view.

Two main concepts may be envisaged: one is a large platform, which can be assembled either in geostationary orbit (resulting in several launches, rendez-vous and docking), or in low earth orbit by using the STS; the other concept is a cluster of satellites.

These candidate concepts are designed to meet the requirements of a reference mission. They are characterized by the required number of modules to be launched, the type of launcher, the new subsystems or equipments to be developed. The concepts are evaluated following technical criteria such as adaptability to other missions, flexibility, growth potential. A cost/benefit evaluation of each solution is presented. A comparison between the different concepts is then made on the basis of the technical/economical attractiveness of each solution.     

卫星通信的未来发展

简要回顾了卫星通信的发展历程，介绍了静止轨道、中轨道和低轨道三种移动通信卫星的发展概况。讨论了实现空间信息高速公路的几项关键技术（如频段资源、ATM网络及其连接单元）。最后指出，窄带的移动卫星通信和宽带的空间信息高速公路，将是卫星通信未来发展的两大热点。     

我国天基综合信息网构想

阐述了天基综合信息网的定义、组成和特征;介绍了美国和欧洲天基综合信息网的研究情况;提出了我国天基综合信息网的体系架构,其中包含通信卫星、导航卫星、遥感卫星、载人飞船等航天器和临近空间各种飞行器,以及地面系统。分析了该网络的特点和可用的网络协议结构;探讨了该网络的组网结构、网络协议、服务质量(QoS)路由、网络管理、网络安全防护、激光通信和星载处理交换等多项关键技术。依据国情,提出了我国天基综合信息网构想。此构想采用双层(地球静止轨道和低地球轨道)通信卫星星座和导航卫星星座,实现全球全时覆盖空间层航天器、临近空间层飞行器和地面层各种用户终端,通过星间链路、星地链路和地面线路组成一个空天地一体化的全球信息网络。在国外不设地球站的情况下,该网络可实现:国内测控站测控我国全球运行的卫星;国内遥感站实时接收我国全球遥感卫星发送的信息;国内关口站管理我国授权的全球用户站之间的互通信息。最后,提出了开展我国天基综合信息网的可行性研究建议。     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994–1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.     

天基照相跟踪空间碎片批处理轨道确定研究

随着国内外天基观测空间碎片研究的展开,文章提出了利用跟踪卫星的CCD(Charge
Coupled Device)相机对空间碎片进行轨道探测的方法,首先建立了CCD照相观测模型和基于 照相观测 的空间碎片批处理轨道确定模型。通过对CCD相机底片归算方法的分析可知,利用
CCD相机所获得的观测数据与跟踪卫星的姿态无关,且其精度只与测量和坐标转换计算的精 度有关,在测量和计算中可获得较高的精度。分别对分布密度较高的低轨道和地球同步 轨道区域的空间碎片进行了定轨分析。仿真结果表明,定轨时采用两个跟踪弧段的照相数据 定轨精度大大高于一个弧段照相数据的定轨精度;跟踪卫星距离空间碎片越近,定轨精度越 高;低轨道空间碎片的定轨精度高于地球同步轨道上的空间碎片定轨精度。
     

商业航天背景下卫星星座运营思考（英文）

With the advances of small satellite technology in commercial space sector, using small satellite networks to form a satellite constellation and conduct commercial operational services has entered into a vigorous phase of development. As small satellite technology develops, problems in the operations of small satellite constellations are also gradually emerging. These include ground measurement and operational control systems for small satellite constellations, the commercial operational mode, support and the guarantee of laws and regulations related to small satellites. This report discusses the development of commercial space small satellite operation industrialization, explores the small satellite operational modes and technological innovation, proposes the commercial space industry chain to build the industry ecology. At the same time, it looks forward to the integration of space and terrestrial communication. It also calls on relevant organizations of China to speed up the process of space legislation, formulate the relevant policies to encourage the operations of small satellites in commercial space sector, and push China's commercial space to a new level.     

“凤凰”计划关键技术及其启示

为了充分利用地球静止轨道(GEO)的轨道资源,美国于2012年启动了针对GEO卫星的重复利用验证计划——"凤凰"计划。文章介绍了"凤凰"计划的概况,重点对其系统组成、任务等方面进行了介绍,归纳了其中的关键技术,如模块卫星总体设计技术、无线能源传输技术和新型在轨捕获技术等。最后,给出了美国发展在轨服务的若干启示:卫星重用将带来航天器发展的重大变革,注重创新技术开发等。     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994-1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.