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 array reliability: A study and recommendations

Providing reliable power over the anticipated mission life is critical to all satellites; therefore solar arrays are one of the most vital links to satellite mission success. Furthermore, solar arrays are exposed to the harshest environment of virtually any satellite component. In the past 10 years 117 satellite solar array anomalies have been recorded with 12 resulting in total satellite failure. Through an in-depth analysis of satellite anomalies listed in the Airclaim's Ascend SpaceTrak database, it is clear that solar array reliability is a serious, industry-wide issue. Solar array reliability directly affects the cost of future satellites through increased insurance premiums and a lack of confidence by investors. Recommendations for improving reliability through careful ground testing, standardization of testing procedures such as the emerging AIAA standards, and data sharing across the industry will be discussed. The benefits of creating a certified module and array testing facility that would certify in-space reliability will also be briefly examined. Solar array reliability is an issue that must be addressed to both reduce costs and ensure continued viability of the commercial and government assets on orbit.     

Space solar array reliability: A study and recommendations

Providing reliable power over the anticipated mission life is critical to all satellites; therefore solar arrays are one of the most vital links to satellite mission success. Furthermore, solar arrays are exposed to the harshest environment of virtually any satellite component. In the past 10 years 117 satellite solar array anomalies have been recorded with 12 resulting in total satellite failure. Through an in-depth analysis of satellite anomalies listed in the Airclaim's Ascend SpaceTrak database, it is clear that solar array reliability is a serious, industry-wide issue. Solar array reliability directly affects the cost of future satellites through increased insurance premiums and a lack of confidence by investors. Recommendations for improving reliability through careful ground testing, standardization of testing procedures such as the emerging AIAA standards, and data sharing across the industry will be discussed. The benefits of creating a certified module and array testing facility that would certify in-space reliability will also be briefly examined. Solar array reliability is an issue that must be addressed to both reduce costs and ensure continued viability of the commercial and government assets on orbit.     

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.     

模块化多旋转关节空间太阳能电站方案设计

文章基于多旋转关节空间太阳能电站(MR-SPS)方案,以降低远距离高压电力传输技术难度为核心,提出一种更新的模块化多旋转关节空间太阳能电站概念。该方案在分布式太阳电池分阵和多导电旋转关节基础上,对于微波发射天线阵也进行了模块化设计和分布式布局,实现了太阳电池分阵和微波发射天线分阵的一一对应,形成多个独立的太阳能发电与能量传输模块,通过模块的扩展实现整个空间太阳能电站。该方案大幅简化了空间电力传输与管理的复杂性和在轨组装的难度。同时各个模块完全独立,组装后即可单独工作,也提高了系统的可靠性。     

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.     

Very high delta-V missions to the edge of the solar system and beyond enabled by the dual-stage 4-grid ion thruster concept

A new and innovative type of gridded ion thruster, the “Dual-Stage 4-Grid” or DS4G concept, has been proposed and its predicted high performance validated under an ESA research, development and test programme. The DS4G concept is able to operate at very high specific impulse and thrust density values well in excess of conventional 3-grid ion thrusters at the expense of a higher power-to-thrust ratio. This makes it a possible candidate for ambitious missions requiring very high delta-V capability and high power. Such missions include 100 kW-level multi-ton probes based on nuclear and solar electric propulsion (SEP) to distant Kuiper Belt Object and inner Oort cloud objects, and to the Local Interstellar medium. In this paper, the DS4G concept is introduced and its application to this mission class is investigated. Benefits of using the DS4G over conventional thrusters include reduced transfer time and increased payload mass, if suitably advanced lightweight power system technologies are developed.A mission-level optimisation is performed (launch, spacecraft system design and low-thrust trajectory combined) in order to find design solutions with minimum transfer time, maximum scientific payload mass, and to explore the influence of power system specific mass. It is found that the DS4G enables an 8-ton spacecraft with a payload mass of 400 kg, equipped with a 65 kW nuclear reactor with specific mass 25 kg/kW (e.g. Topaz-type with Brayton cycle conversion) to reach 200 AU in 23 years after an Earth escape launch by Ariane 5. In this scenario, the optimum specific impulse for the mission is over 10,000 s, which is well within the capabilities of a single 65 kW DS4G thruster. It is also found that an interstellar probe mission to 200 AU could be accomplished in 25 years using a “medium-term” SEP system with a lightweight 155 kW solar array (2 kg/kW specific mass) and thruster PPU (3.7 kg/kW) and an Earth escape launch on Ariane 5. In this case, the optimum specific impulse is lower at 3500 s which is well within conventional gridded ion thruster capability.     

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.     

Mature systems for small satellite missions

Over the past several years Satellites International has developed an integrated suite of satellite sub-systems and small satellite buses. The sub-systems include S-band communications, attitude sensing and control, power conversion and distribution, and on-board data handling. They are inherently modular and readily adaptable to different satellite configurations, a concept known as semi-standardisation. This concept has been adopted by two generic low-cost buses: MicroSIL for satellites in the mass range 40–80kg; and MiniSIL for satellites in the range 100–500kg. Their architecture is based on the semi-standard sub-systems, but easily modified to utilise sub-systems from other manufacturers. They can support all stabilisation methods including spinning, 3-axis control and gravity gradient and are adaptable to a wide variety of missions including Earth resources, scientific, communications and technology demonstration. The Company also manufactures a range of low cost ground support equipment and complete ground stations to complement the space-borne systems.     

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.     

嫦娥四号中继星供配电系统设计与应用（英文）

A 28 V-half-regulated power bus topology and an integrated PCDU(Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit) were adopted to meet the energy demand for the Chang'e 4 relay satellite. This paper first introduces the mission features and composition of the PSDS(Power Supply and Distribution System) for the Chang'e 4 relay satellite. Due to this satellite's unusual orbit, operational mode and project restrictions, special analysis and design was conducted on the PSDS from the perspective of weight-reduction, power management, and reliability and so on. Extreme low temperature storage of SA(Solar Array) was considered and how the antenna affects the SA was analyzed. A new kind of high-specific-energy 45 Ah(Ampere-hour) battery cell was used for the first time. To make sure that the satellite would successfully pass the long shadow zones, a 100% DOD(Depth of Discharge) experiment was carried out on the battery. Since the sunlight is almost always available and there are very few times for the battery to charge or discharge, battery care to extend its lifetime is also discussed. PCDU is a device that integrates power conditioning and power distribution in one unit. The PCDU on Chang'e 4 relay satellite can output more power with less weight because of the adoption of a 28 V-half-regulated power bus topology which was also used for the first time and used lighter material for its mechanical framework. Experiment under low temperature on PCDU was conducted as well and a hot backup equalizing charge technique which is beneficial to keep performance of the battery is illustrated. The power distribution module, which is a module of PCDU, enhances the power utilization security by utilizing a static impedance measurement and build-in-test to avoid possible short circuits. As for EED(Electrical Explosive Device) module, a protection plug was specially designed and three switches with different functions were connected in series to prevent the EED from exploding by error. In addition, the allowable minimum EED bus voltage for each EED was evaluated in case of low battery voltage caused by the possible postponement of the launching time. Complete verification experiments on the ground were conducted to confirm the correctness of the design and on-orbit test data conformed to the expected results and theoretical calculation. The power supply and distribution system has been working normally since the day the Chang'e 4 relay satellite was launched into space.     

适用于30cm离子推力器的5kW电源处理单元设计

为了满足更大范围的卫星应用需求,我国正在研制30cm离子推力器。30cm离子推力器瞄准全电推进卫星平台、近深空探测器对推进任务的需求,对提高卫星平台先进性和提升国际竞争力具有重要的意义。为了配合30cm离子推力器的研制,同时设计了输出功率达到5kW的电源处理单元。该设计实现了一种输出功率为1kW的模块,通过串联组合可以达到输出5kW功率要求,提出了一种"最佳"的平顶变换及软开关的全桥电路拓扑,达到了95%的转换效率,同时还能容易实现屏栅电源的N+1冗余设计。并且通过高压组件的完全灌封,有效提高产品的可靠性。     

空间太阳能电站构想及其相关技术的发展

文章介绍了太阳功率卫星（SPS）的发展背景、基本原理和系统构成,分析了实现SPS的主要技术条件。通过分析目前国际上建设SPS所开展的实验及其相关技术的发展,以期对中国未来发展空间太阳能电站技术提供借鉴。     

European Sail Tower SPS concept

Based on a DLR-study in 1998/99 on behalf of ESA/ESTEC called “System Concepts, Architectures and Technologies for Space Exploration and Utilization (SE&U)” a new design for an Earth-orbiting Solar Power Satellite (SPS) has been developed. The design is called “European Sail Tower SPS” and consists mainly of deployable sail-like structures derived from the ongoing DLR/ESA solar sail technology development activity. Such a SPS satellite features an extremely light-weight and large tower-like orbital system and could supply Europe with significant amounts of electrical power generated by photovoltaic cells and subsequently transmitted to Earth via microwaves. In order to build up the sail tower, 60 units - each consisting of a pair of square-shaped sails - are moved from LEO to GEO with electric propulsion and successively assembled in GEO robotically on a central strut. Each single sail has dimensions of 150m × 150 m and is automatically deployed, using four diagonal light-weight carbon fiber (CFRP) booms which are initially rolled up on a central hub. The electric thrusters for the transport to GEO could also be used for orbit and attitude control of the assembled tower which has a total length of about 15 km and would be mainly gravity gradient stabilized. Employing thin film solar cell technology, each sail is used as a solar array and produces an electric power in orbit of about 3.7 MW_e. A microwave antenna with a diameter of 1 km transmits the power to a 10 km rectenna on the ground. The total mass of this 450 MW SPS is about 2100 tons. First estimates indicate that the costs for one kWh delivered in this way could compete with present day energy costs, if launch costs would decrease by two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, mass production and large numbers of installed SPS systems must be assumed in order to lower significantly the production costs and to reduce the influence of the expensive technology development. The paper presents the technical concept and an economic assessment as well as results of a recent solar sail deployment ground demonstration at DLR's facilities in Cologne.     

大型构件伸展与锁(压)紧释放技术

介绍了大型构件伸展与锁（压）紧释放机构的国内外发展概况及主要分类形式。从动力源的选择和力（矩）裕度分析、传动副的选择与润滑、间隙非线性关节的建模与分析、改善结构的阻尼特性四个方面论述了伸展机构的关键技术。讨论了支撑与紧固点的选择、压紧点的选择、锁（压）紧与释放形式的选择和实现、锁（压）紧预载设计及加载和测量方法等四项锁紧释放机构的关键技术,展望了伸展与锁紧释放机构的前景。     

Exchange of meteorites (and life?) between stellar systems

It is now generally accepted that meteorite-size fragments of rock can be ejected from planetary bodies. Numerical studies of the orbital evolution of such planetary ejecta are consistent with the observed cosmic ray exposure times and infall rates of these meteorites. All of these numerical studies agree that a substantial fraction (up to one-third) of the ejecta from any planet in our Solar System is eventually thrown out of the Solar System during encounters with the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. In this paper I examine the probability that such interstellar meteorites might be captured into a distant solar system and fall onto a terrestrial planet in that system within a given interval of time. The overall conclusion is that it is very unlikely that even a single meteorite originating on a terrestrial planet in our solar system has fallen onto a terrestrial planet in another stellar system, over the entire period of our Solar System's existence. Although viable microorganisms may be readily exchanged between planets in our solar system through the interplanetary transfer of meteoritic material, it seems that the origin of life on Earth must be sought within the confines of the Solar System, not abroad in the galaxy.     

Alphabus卫星平台研制进展及技术特点分析

在欧洲航天局及法国国家空间研究中心的联合支持下,Astrium公司和TAS公司目前正在联合开发欧洲大型通信卫星平台Alphabus,作为对目前欧洲已有卫星平台Eurostar和Spacebus产品线的延伸。正常情况下Alphabus平台可以承载功率12～18kW,质量1500kg（最大）的有效载荷。文章主要介绍了Alphabus平台研制的背景、途径、进展情况及技术特点,并分析了对我国大型通信卫星平台研发的启示和借鉴作用。     

Fast measurements of parameters of the Solar Wind using the BMSW instrument

Design of the plasma spectrometer BMSW (Fast Monitor of the Solar Wind, possessing high temporal resolution) is described in the paper, as well as its characteristics and modes of operation. Some examples of measurements of various properties of the solar wind, made with this instrument installed onboard the high-apogee satellite Spektr-R, are presented.