Theoretical and experimental study of a method for the protection of spacecraft from high–speed particles

In this paper, we perform numerical simulation and experimental determination of the limiting resistance of the spacecraft design elements used when developing anti-meteorite protection of spacecraft as well as protection against space debris. One possible way to increase the efficiency of protective shields and satisfy the requirements of the mass characteristics of the latter is the use of mesh barriers.     

航天器空间碎片超高速撞击防护的若干问题

空间碎片对航天器的超高速撞击损伤已受到国内外的普遍重视,如何使在轨航天器对空间碎片进行有效防护是航天器长寿命、高可靠安全运行的重要保障。文章概述了空间碎片环境现状、空间碎片超高速撞击危害以及国内外空间碎片防护的研究现状和趋势。重点介绍了航天器常用的Whipple防护结构及其各种衍生结构的防护性能和弹道极限方程（BLE）,评述了这些防护结构防护性能的优缺点。     

飞行器爆炸螺栓分离冲击环境散布分析

爆炸螺栓分离装置是一种应用广泛且相对成熟的点式火工分离装置，在航天器分离中应用广泛。爆炸螺栓通过腔内炸药爆炸的拉伸、剪切力学效应，使螺栓特定部位断裂实现解锁。爆炸分离过程会产生时间短、频率高、峰值高的冲击波，对航天器结构产生冲击。分离过程中，爆炸螺栓断裂位置尺寸、炸药药量和螺栓预紧力等因素的偏差都会影响爆炸分离产生的冲击响应。通过不同设计尺寸偏差下的有限元分析计算，研究了不同因素对航天器关键位置冲击响应谱的影响。结果表明爆炸螺栓断裂位置的端面尺寸和炸药药量的变化对冲击响应谱有着显著影响。     

再入飞船通信环境建模研究

再入飞船的通信环境所受影响主要体现于飞船周围等离子体鞘对电磁波产生衰减。为了研究飞船再入过程中衰减对通信的影响,需要建立飞船外围的三维通信衰减仿真模型,在此基础上可以研究适用于再入通信环境的新型通信技术。为此文章提出了再入飞船通信衰减的动态建模方法,并根据气动、热力学和电磁波理论公式提出了具体的飞船再入动态通信环境建模方案,同时阐述了各部分建模的研究方法,为进一步研究应对黑障的新型通信技术奠定了基础。     

A low-orbit experiment on modeling superhigh-velocity impact of a meteorite reproducing abiogenic synthesis of complex organic compounds in torch plasma

We present the results of model experiments confirming that in torch plasma, arising under the superhigh-velocity impact action of a meteorite, synthesis of complex polymer molecules takes place, if this plasma contains elements forming organic compounds. Based on these results we suggest a new concept of the prebiotic stage of evolution, according to which the processes in plasma torches of meteorite impacts could facilitate origination of primordial forms of living matter. In order to investigate the processes of plasma synthesis one needs to carry out direct impact experiments with impactors whose dimensions would range from 1 to 20 cm. Ground-based accelerators of dust particles allow one to reach the necessary impact velocity only for particles with dimensions below 10–3 cm in diameter. In order to overcome this difficulty, we suggest a low-orbit experiment with original technique, in which impact of a impactor into a target with a diameter of up to 300 cm proceeds on oppositely directed orbits, the products of synthesis being detected with the use of remote mass-spectrometric measurements.     

空间高能质子对航天器材料损伤的仿真分析

近地空间是各种载人飞船、应用卫星、空间站的主要活动区域,区域内存在大量由地磁场捕获的高能带电粒子,严重影响航天器和航天员的安全。为此,需要对内辐射带低高度空间的高能带电粒子环境及其通量分布进行研究。如何对质子进行有效屏蔽对空间辐射防护有重要的研究意义。文章针对粒子在空间环境中的辐射,简要介绍了质子在空间环境中的分布情况及在物质中的传输问题。利用SRIM软件模拟质子在不同材料(铝、聚乙烯)中输运过程。根据得到的射程与能量关系及对阻止本领的分析,从理论上提出航天器防护的合理方案。     

Modeling of Ejecta Produced upon Hypervelocity Impacts

Each time a debris particle or a meteoroid strikes a satellite in orbit, a great amount of secondary particles is ejected in the neighborhood of the impact site. This phenomenon is important in particular for brittle materials, such as those used for solar arrays or thermal control paint. The secondary particles that do not impact other parts of the spacecraft are added to the primary debris population and hence increase the small debris particle flux. We describe an ejecta production model that gives the size and the velocity distribution of ejected particles as a function of primary impact parameters. The model has been used to explain the discrepancy between measurements and modeling of impact crater distribution on the solar arrays of the EuReCa spacecraft.     

A Study of the Destruction of Spacecraft Surfaces at Contact Interactions with Microparticles of the Space Environment

The results of studying the high-velocity impact interactions of a particle flux of space’s meteoric background with satellites have been presented. The effects that arises during the microparticle motion in the material have been described; the models of solid particle interactions with spacecraft’s onboard hardware protection have been presented. The experimental and analytical dependences have been given. The basic factors have been revealed, and their effect on the erosion wear of satellite’s surface has been estimated. The dependences for calculating the rectilinear (horizontal, inclined and vertical) sections of satellite’s surface have been given. The presented dependences represent the results of experimental and analytical studies.     

航天器单粒子防护薄弱点的识别

针对当前航天器研制中日益突出的单粒子防护量化设计问题,分析了单粒子软错误对航天器影响的特征,建立了评估器件或设备单粒子软错误对航天器影响的危害时间模型,给出了航天器单粒子防护薄弱点的识别方法和步骤,为改进航天器单粒子防护设计提供了客观依据。     

The Rate of Single Event Upsets in Electronic Circuits onboard Spacecraft

Models and methods in use for quantitative estimates of the occurrence of single event upsets in microchips of orbiting spacecraft are considered. A calculation and experimental technique for determining the rate of these effects is described, taking into account spatial and temporal distributions of the fluxes of high-energy particles in the space and their penetration through protective shields. Examples of its application for the orbit of the International Space Station are presented.     

Invariance of Charged Particle Time Profiles at Late Stages of SCR Events from the Data of Multisatellite Observations

Based on the data obtained in simultaneous measurements on the Helios-1 and Helios-2 spacecraft, the properties of the spatial and temporal invariance of spectra of protons with energies more than 4 MeV and electrons with energies more than 0.3 MeV are studied during the phase of intensity decay in events initiated by the following associations: a flare—coronal mass ejection—coronal and interplanetary shock waves. Emphasis is placed on research into the fluxes of electrons, whose possibility to be accelerated by shock waves is problematic. It is shown that the spectra and decay times of both protons and electrons are approximately invariant relative to the flare coordinates in a wide angular range. Depending on the western or eastern spacecraft position in relation to the front part of a shock wave, one observes a delay or advance of the onset of the invariant mode relative to the shock wave arrival, which increases with the growth of the corresponding angular distance.     

Ionospheric Irregularities Initiated by Planetary Waves

The nonstationary process of the accumulation of ions of meteoric origin, which is caused by propagation of planetary waves at altitudes of the lower ionosphere, is considered. Based on horizontal and vertical ion drift in planetary waves, a possibility of plasma density increases by a factor of 10–20 in comparison with the background concentration is demonstrated. This process takes place in areas of cyclonic motion with a scale of the order of 1500 km. The connection of this process with subsequent formation of midlatitude sporadic layers and irregularities producing radio reflections is considered. It is shown that the action of planetary waves on ions of meteoric origin is a necessary element in the scheme of the occurrence of midlatitude sporadic layers.     

梯度波纹夹层防护结构超高速碰撞特性仿真研究

文章基于空间碎片被动防护需求,提出了一种梯度波纹夹层防护结构,并对其超高速碰撞过程及形成碎片云的特性进行了仿真分析。仿真结果表明,相比于Whipple结构,在梯度波纹夹层结构中冲击波的卸载方式更复杂,更有利于空间碎片的破碎;碰撞速度在5~20 km/s时,碎片云的膨胀半角先增大后减小;夹层结构中前置波纹板对撞击动能中不可逆功的吸收量和吸收占比最大。研究结果对空间碎片被动防护结构的设计具有一定的参考价值。     

基于模糊评价方法的航天器总装过程产品安全性评估模型研究

航天器在总装阶段发生的质量安全问题将会对航天器研制质量、进度、成本产生重大的影响。为提高航天器产品总装的安全风险控制能力,必须建立总装过程风险识别和安全防护的工程方法,对总装过程重要环节的安全性进行正确评价。通过运用模糊综合评价法与层次分析法构建航天器总装安全性评估模型,在专家打分的基础上,借助多级模糊综合判断和直接打分相接合的方法,分析确定各评价指标的权重,从而计算出关键活动的风险值。     

Space station MMOD shielding

This paper describes the International Space Station (ISS) micro-meteoroid orbital debris (MMOD) impact shielding including the requirements for protection as well as technical approaches to meeting the requirements. Current activities in providing MMOD protection for ISS are described, including efforts to augment MMOD protection by adding shields on-orbit. Another activity is to observe MMOD impact damage on ISS elements and returned hardware, and to compare the observed damage with predicted damage using Bumper code risk assessment software. A conclusion of this paper is that ISS will be protected adequately from MMOD impact after completing augmentation of ISS shielding for service module, and after improving MMOD protection for Soyuz and Progress vehicles. Another conclusion is that impact damage observed to the ISS mini-pressurized logistics module matches the distribution of impacts predicted by Bumper code.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of encounter of a group of particles with protecting elements of spacecraft

We present the results of comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations of encounter with a barrier of a group of bodies thrown with a high-velocity. Throwing of a group of particles (from two to twelve bodies) was realized on a ballistic route using powder and light-gas units of different calibers in the range of velocities 500–3500 m/s. The process of particle throwing was controlled by acting aerodynamic forces. In experiments on collisions with barriers of a finite thickness (which imitates the protective shield of spacecraft) the number of particles in a homogeneous stream was varied from 2 to 7 at changing the flux density (distances between particles). Experimental data are obtained on variations of the area and mass of back-surface splinters. Numerical calculations simulated a knock of 2 to 4 particles against a barrier in the cases of normal impact and at an angle. The calculations were performed in three-dimensional formulation and applying criteria of complete destruction of material. The appearance of additional destruction centers in the barrier due to mutual influence of particles is revealed. Simple criteria are obtained for estimating the degree of interference of particles and the character of barrier destruction.     

CAST空间碎片超高速撞击试验研究进展

超高速撞击试验是开展载人航天器及大型应用卫星空间碎片超高速撞击风险评估和防护设计的基础,作为我国航天器环境效应和可靠性工程验证部门的北京卫星环境工程研究所在这个领域做了大量的工作。文章介绍了二级轻气炮超高速撞击地面模拟试验技术、典型防护结构防护性能的超高速撞击试验验证、载人航天器外露材料超高速撞击特性、毫米级弹丸7 km/s以上超高速稳定发射技术探索、高性能防护结构研究等方面的若干近期进展。展望了我国空间碎片防护需求和地面超高速撞击试验研究的发展方向。     

A Review of Hypervelocity Debris Testing at the Air Force Research Laboratory

In this paper, we describe a compact, low cost, fast turn-around-time technique used at the Air Force Research Laboratory to study hypervelocity debris impact effects on spacecraft structures and components. The technique described was used to study debris effects in the areas of: shock physics, debris-produced contamination, chemical analyses of the impact ejecta and debris initiated spacecraft discharge. Examples of research results obtained with the technique are presented and illustrate problems encountered in the field of space debris effects on spacecraft.     

液体推进剂爆炸冲击波的数值模拟

针对现有液体推进剂爆炸实验危险性高、耗费大以及实验条件严格及重复性差等缺点及难点,利用Autodyn软件分别对一维和二维两种情况下液体推进剂爆炸产生的冲击波进行数值模拟,并与经验预测及相关实验研究进行比较分析。研究结果表明:在距离大于10 m时,利用软件模拟计算的结果与经验公式一致性较好,两者偏差不超过5%。数值模拟不仅可以准确捕捉冲击波峰值压力,而且还能够较准确地得到液体推进剂在空气中爆炸时冲击波的衰减过程,为液体推进剂爆炸事故的毁伤评估和安全防护奠定了基础。     

冲击测试动响应高速视觉测量方法

获取测试目标的动态响应参数是航天器产品冲击测试中的关键内容,传统接触式传感器方法存在安装困难、监测维度单一、难以适应复杂测试环境等缺点。提出了一种用于获取冲击测试动响应的高速视觉测量方法,利用双目视觉原理获取测试对象的三维运动轨迹,并在此基础上解析测试过程中的冲击响应参数。该方法在空气炮冲击测试试验中获取的冲击响应谱曲线与加速度计的测量结果一致,识别结果相对偏差优于10%,表明高速视觉测量方法在航天器冲击测试中具有良好的应用潜力。