Optimization of Flights between the Orbits of Artificial Satellites of Two Planets Using a Combination of High and Low Thrusts

The problem of optimization of the trajectory of an interplanetary flight of a multistaged spacecraft using jet engines with high and low thrust is considered. The issues concerning the problem of choosing the main design parameters of a multistage spacecraft are touched upon. A mathematical model of start-to-finish optimization of all segments of the interplanetary flight trajectory is proposed. Using this model the specific features of flights to the orbits of satellites of Jupiter and Mars are studied.     

轨道轰炸飞行器过渡段轨道设计与制导

针对轨道轰炸飞行器(OBV)的过渡段轨道设计与制导技术进行了讨论.在初始点位置、再入点位置和再入角固定的前提下,根据冲量假设和二体理论设计了固定时间转移轨道,其实质在于制动点位置和制动速度的确定.为了消除设计偏差,提出了一种基于虚拟再入点补偿的有限推力制导方案,并简要分析了关机点参数的选取原则.对于耗尽关机的动力系统,通过运用能量管理技术实现了多余燃料的耗散.仿真结果验证了上述方法的有效性.     

行星际Halo轨道转移的多目标优化设计

研究了星历约束下不同太阳—行星系统Halo轨道间转移的多目标优化设计问题。分析了直接和间接两种转移方式的特点,并引入伪流形技术加快了Halo轨道的逃逸和捕获速度。构建了两种转移机制的多目标优化模型。对于直接转移方式,采用伪流形双向拼接策略实现了转移轨道的构建;对于间接转移方式,通过近拱点庞加莱映射与双曲超速匹配完成了转移轨道的拼接。进一步,采用多项式样条函数对伪流形进行逼近,提高了伪流形的计算效率。两种转移机制的轨道优化设计都可以归结为简单的多变量无约束优化问题,采用非支配快速排序遗传算法NSGA-II求解。对地球—火星Halo轨道间的转移进行了多目标优化设计,校验了本文方法的有效性。     

液体火箭发动机复合材料机架初步设计研究

针对液体火箭发动机承力机架,开展复合材料机架的初步设计及探索应用研究。通过对原金属机架结构设计特点分析,提出了一种碳纤维增强复合材料机架的设计方案,并对其进行了力学性能预测及设计参数影响分析等方面研究工作;最后,采用有限元软件ANSYS的APDL语言开发了复合材料机架的计算程序,该程序基于损伤累积理论,包含结构应力分析、材料的失效判断及材料的性能退化3个主要循环过程,通过仿真手段模拟了在载荷增加过程中结构内部产生损伤,并逐渐累积直至破坏的整个过程。仿真分析结果表明:复合材料的应用可在满足原机架强度、刚度和稳定性等设计要求基础上,相对于原结构实现了50%的减重。     

Optimal control laws for heliocentric transfers with a magnetic sail

A magnetic sail is an advanced propellantless propulsion system that uses the interaction between the solar wind and an artificial magnetic field generated by the spacecraft, to produce a propulsive thrust in interplanetary space. The aim of this paper is to collect the available experimental data, and the simulation results, to develop a simplified mathematical model that describes the propulsive acceleration of a magnetic sail, in an analytical form, for mission analysis purposes. Such a mathematical model is then used for estimating the performance of a magnetic sail-based spacecraft in a two-dimensional, minimum time, deep space mission scenario. In particular, optimal and locally optimal steering laws are derived using an indirect approach. The obtained results are then applied to a mission analysis involving both an optimal Earth–Venus (circle-to-circle) interplanetary transfer, and a locally optimal Solar System escape trajectory. For example, assuming a characteristic acceleration of 1 mm/s², an optimal Earth–Venus transfer may be completed within about 380 days.     

Optimization of transfers under constraints on the thrust direction: II

This paper completes the study of optimal transfers with constraints imposed on the thrust vector direction that was opened by paper [1]. The linear inhomogeneous and homogeneous constraints on the thrust direction are considered (specified either by equalities or inequalities), as well as mixed constraints. Some examples of the constraints are presented. A modified method of the transporting trajectory is applied in order to find the optimal transfer under the linear constraints on the thrust direction. This method also gives the necessary condition for a transfer possibility at a given constraint on the thrust direction. A numerical example is considered, in which the propellant consumption is analyzed for the cases of transfers with and without constraints.     

核热推进地面试验技术研究

核热推进具有比冲高、推力大等特点,在载人深空探测和星际货运任务上具有广阔应用前景。核热推进技术的研发需要进行大量地面试验。首先回顾了美国与俄罗斯的核热推进地面试验技术的发展,对地面试验技术进行分类总结。然后基于一种小型核火箭方案,研究了燃料元件非核试验、燃料元件辐照考验试验和带核整机地面试验等关键地面试验技术,并提出了初步试验方案。最后对我国核热推进地面试验的发展提出了一些建议。     

双月旁转向轨道的动力学与建模研究

 双月旁转向轨道是实现“多任务、多目标”探测模式的理想工具,在以往的深空探测任务中得到了广泛的应用。首先,根据双月旁转向轨道的空间构型和特性,将其分为两大类：平面型和Backflip型;其次,基于“零影响球”和“CR3BP”两种模型,阐述了近旁转向轨道的基本原理;同时,讨论了平面型双月旁转向轨道的动力学特性和建模方法,并给出了其两类应用背景,与此相似,归纳了Backflip型双月旁转向轨道的原理和求解方法。对双月旁转向轨道开展的研究和分析工作能够为我国未来开展的行星际探测任务提供新的思路和参考。     

载人登月绕月自由返回轨道与窗口精确快速设计

针对载人登月任务背景及工程约束,提出一种轨道与窗口一体化设计方法。通过两次坐标转化,将自由返回轨道设计参数解耦为近月点独立变量。在双二体假设下,通过4段二体轨道拼接完成自由返回轨道初值快速搜索及匹配近地停泊轨道(LEO)面的月窗口,其结果作为下一步采用序列二次规划（SQP）迭代求解高精度动力学模型轨道参数的初值,在该条精确轨道近月点时刻90 min邻域内产生可以匹配LEO地月转移入轨相位的零窗口轨道。算例表明,该流程能够精确快速地完成具有复杂任务背景及苛刻工程要求的载人登月绕月自由返回轨道与窗口设计问题。     

运载火箭推力故障不确定性下轨迹可达包络分析

针对运载火箭突发推力故障且故障存在不确定性的轨迹设计问题,提出了一种基于状态转移张量法(STT)的故障火箭轨迹可达包络分析方法。首先,建立了推力故障火箭的运动模型,通过构建故障火箭轨迹重规划问题,基于序列二次规划法获得了不考虑故障不确定性的重规划轨迹; 其次,基于线性协方差对非线性系统的不确定性传播进行建模,并对模型进行线性化,在此基础上提出了基于SST的运载火箭轨迹可达包络分析方法; 最后,通过与多次蒙特卡洛仿真对比验证所提方法在运载火箭轨迹可达包络定量分析中的有效性。     

NEOs as stepping stones to Mars and main-belt asteroids

Human interplanetary missions are constrained by the problem of astronaut exposure to galactic cosmic radiation. This paper surveys the existing on-line near-Earth object (NEO) data base in an effort to identify NEOs that cross both Earth's ad Mars’ orbits and could be used as cosmic ray shields by interplanetary voyagers. The search concentrated on low-inclination Mars-crossing NEOs that approach Earth, Mars, and main-belt asteroids in the 2020–2100 time frame. Both outbound and return transfers were searched for. Several candidates for Earth–Mars, Mars–Earth, and Earth–Vesta transfers have been found from the very incomplete August 2008 data base. Other aspects of this interplanetary transfer option are considered.     

How we will go to Mars

This article studies the efficiency of ejecting waste generated by the life support system (LSS) of a manned spacecraft to reduce initial mass on low earth orbit. The spacecraft is used for a long-duration interplanetary mission and is equipped with either a chemical or a nuclear-thermal propulsion system. For this study we simulate an optimal control problem for a given spacecraft maneuver. An impulsive approximation of the optimal interplanetary spacecraft trajectory is assumed, which allows us to reduce the general optimal control problem to hierarchic structure of 'outer' and 'inner' subproblems. This structure is analyzed using the Pontryagin's Maximum principle. Numerical results, illustrating the efficiency of waste ejection are shown for typical Earth-Mars transfer trajectories. This results confirm in theory that using a waste ejection system makes an early manned Mars mission possible without having to design and build new, advanced biological LSS.     

气动-引力辅助转移轨道研究及在星际探测中的应用

借力飞行是减小星际探测任务发射能量和总的速度增量的有效途径,然而,借力飞行前后,探测器速度矢量转角的变化往往受到借力星体体积、质量等因素的影响,而不能达到理想的要求。若在借力飞行中引入气动辅助变轨,即气动-引力辅助转移(AGA),则这一问题可以得到有效解决。现通过对AGA转移轨道的分析,给出了AGA转移轨道设计的拼接条件,此拼接条件是对AGA转移轨道进行设计和分析的重要准则。同时还以探测Ivar小行星为例,提出了一种将绘制等高线图和圆锥曲线拼接相结合的设计AGA转移轨道的方法,并给出了设计探测Ivar小行星转移轨道的参数。数值计算表明:AGA转移方法不但可以降低远程星际探测任务的发射能量和总的速度增量,而且可以找到更多的探测机会。     

Optimum design of power-limited propulsion systems with application to fast Earth-to-Mars transfer

Power-limited systems with variable Isp, which have been studied theoretically since the beginning of astronautics, are getting closer to practical applications thanks to recent technological advances in the field of magnetosplasma rockets, such as Ad-Astra’s VASIMR concept. This type of propulsion system is considered for high-speed interplanetary transfers, such as Mars missions, with demanding payload fractions that would be compatible with manned missions. This paper explores the problem of the optimization of a power-limited propulsion system through simple performance models, and investigates the trade-off between the technological requirements, the transfer time and the payload fraction¹. Following previous works existing in literature, we model the technological characteristics of the vehicle through a small number of parameters, the most important of which being the specific weight (or mass-to-power ratio) of the power generation system. Also, we use in our models the classical “trajectory characteristic” parameter (defined as the integral over time of the squared thrust acceleration) which represents – under certain hypotheses – the propulsion requirements for an orbital or interplanetary transfer with a given time and a given thrust strategy. In this paper, we first give a review of existing methods in literature, then we present the equations of a new class of optimal design which maximizes the payload fraction, for a given transfer time and given technological characteristics. This class of optimal design is described through very simple equations that make possible to study more straightforwardly than existing calculations the links between the main mission requirements (transfer time and payload fraction) and the main technological requirements (specific weight of the power generation and structure mass ratio of the whole vehicle, excluding the power generation system). One important result obtained from these equations is a simple expression which estimates the theoretical upper limit of the power source’s specific weight as a function of transfer time and the payload mass ratio. In the last part of this paper, we apply this simple performance model to discuss the feasibility of a fast Earth-to-Mars transfer using a power-limited system.     

Fuel optimum low-thrust elliptic transfer using numerical averaging

Low-thrust electric propulsion is increasingly being used for spacecraft missions primarily due to its high propellant efficiency. As a result, a simple and fast method for low-thrust trajectory optimization is of great value for preliminary mission planning. However, few low-thrust trajectory tools are appropriate for preliminary mission design studies. The method presented in this paper provides quick and accurate solutions for a wide range of transfers by using numerical orbital averaging to improve solution convergence and include orbital perturbations. Thus, preliminary trajectories can be obtained for transfers which involve many revolutions about the primary body. This method considers minimum fuel transfers using first-order averaging to obtain the fuel optimum rates of change of the equinoctial orbital elements in terms of each other and the Lagrange multipliers. Constraints on thrust and power, as well as minimum periapsis, are implemented and the equations are averaged numerically using a Gausian quadrature. The use of numerical averaging allows for more complex orbital perturbations to be added in the future without great difficulty. The effects of zonal gravity harmonics, solar radiation pressure, and thrust limitations due to shadowing are included in this study. The solution to a transfer which minimizes the square of the thrust magnitude is used as a preliminary guess for the minimum fuel problem, thus allowing for faster convergence to a wider range of problems. Results from this model are shown to provide a reduction in propellant mass required over previous minimum fuel solutions.     

月球探测器直接软着陆最优轨道设计

研究月球探测器直接软着陆最优轨道的设计问题。首先根据探测器直接软着陆的特点，提出了有限推力最省燃料的最优轨道设计问题；然后利用有限推力月面软着陆的最优推力控制方向的计算公式，研究了边值条件和计算方法；最后通过直接软着陆最优轨道的算例及结果分析，发现开始制动高度越低越省能量；推力方向可变时比不可变时节省能量；推力大小可变相当于采用了多级制动，对安全定点着陆非常有利。     

基于凸优化理论的含约束月球定点着陆轨道优化

针对月球精确定点软着陆问题,考虑导航及障碍检测敏感器视场约束及制动发动机推力大小约束,对月球动力下降段轨道优化方法进行了研究。首先建立了含约束条件的三维定点软着陆轨道优化问题模型,根据庞德亚金极小值原理推导了最优推力开关方程,并给出了推力奇异区间不存在的证明。针对优化模型中的复杂非线性约束,引入凸优化理论将问题转化为二阶锥优化问题,并采用内点法求解了最优标称轨迹。最后给出了月球软着陆制动段、接近段的仿真结果,验证了该着陆轨道优化方法的有效性。     

基于在线轨迹优化的运载火箭可重构制导方法（英文）

In order to improve the safety and reliability of a launch vehicle, we present a reconfigurable guidance method based on online trajectory optimization for thrust decrease at the ascending stage of the launch vehicle in this paper. We used a multiple shooting method to convert the optimal control problem into a nonlinear programming(NLP) problem. Finally, we used the interior point method to solve the NLP problem. The simulation results show that the method can effectively adapt to thrust decreases by 5% and 10%. This reconfigurable guidance method based on online planning is proposed to realize launch missions under the condition of power descent, thus verifying the feasibility of the method.     

采用Gauss伪谱法的小推力日-火Halo轨道转移优化设计

针对日-地Halo轨道到日-火Halo轨道的小推力轨道转移问题,给出一种基于不变流形理论和Gauss伪谱法的优化设计方法。首先,在日心惯性坐标系中建立小推力轨道优化模型,并基于不变流形理论给出轨道转移中流形出口和入口的选择原则,应用该原则在日-地系统中选择流形出口,在日-火系统中选择流形入口,并将其作为轨道转移的初末状态;然后基于Gauss伪谱法将最优控制问题离散化为非线性规划(NLP)问题,并采用基于逆多项式的形状算法给出了NLP初值的计算方法;最后对该轨道转移问题进行了数学仿真。仿真结果表明：Gauss伪谱法可有效用于小推力日-火Halo轨道转移的优化,且采用逆多项式形状算法得到的初值具有初始误差小,使得NLP收敛速度快的特点。     

地月空间飞行轨道分层搜索设计

通过对地月间飞行轨道特征进行分析，根据不同的终端约束条件，提出了分层搜索的轨道设计方法。其基本思想首先是将月球视为质点，解决空间两质点的相遇问题，其次进一步视月球为球体，完成二体假设下的B平面瞄准，最后在前两步基础之上，根据具体目标条件约束得到精确的轨道。本文详细清晰地给出该方法的设计过程，很好地解决了地月空间轨道搜索的快速收敛性问题，对深空探测器轨道设计有借鉴意义。