Modelling of Ejecta as a Space Debris Source

When a micro-debris or a micrometeoroid impacts a spacecraft surface, a large number of secondary particles, called ejecta, are produced. These particles can contribute to a modification of the debris environment: either locally by the occurrence of secondary impacts on the components of complex and large space structures, or at great distance by the formation of a population of small orbital debris. This paper describes firstly, the ejecta overall production, and secondly, the lifetime and the orbital evolution of the particles. Finally the repartition of ejecta in LEO is computed. Some results describing the population as a function of size and altitude are presented.     

空间碎片防护研究最新进展

空间碎片对在轨航天器的安全运行构成了严重威胁,对航天器的撞击事件频繁发生。随着空间碎片环境的日趋恶化,航天器的防护变得越来越重要。文章从空间碎片环境模型、撞击风险评估、航天器部件损伤、防护材料与结构的超高速撞击试验、撞击试验数据库建设、超高速发射设备、在轨撞击感知、机构间超高速发射设备交叉校验等方面对国内外空间碎片防护研究的进展进行了总结,并在此基础上给出我国未来空间碎片防护研究的发展建议。     

激光驱动接力移除空间碎片的小卫星星座及可行性研究

在众多空间碎片移除技术中,天基激光烧蚀驱动是一种高效的、有广阔应用前景的移除技术,特别是针对移除海量的、尺寸在1~10 cm的危险碎片而言,更是具有独特优势。然而,这一技术对高能激光器单脉冲能量、光束质量、发射镜口径等要求很高,目前的硬件水平还达不到实用指标要求,制约了其天基应用。为了克服这些硬件技术障碍,本文另辟蹊径,利用小卫星概念,提出了由不同轨道高度小卫星平台组成小卫星星座,通过在每个小卫星平台上的激光驱动接力来逐步降低碎片轨道高度,最终达到移除空间碎片的小卫星接力移除星座的构想。基于现有的激光器性能参数,根据激光烧蚀驱动碎片动力学模型计算了单个卫星平台的移除能力,结果显示,10 J单脉冲能量激光器和0.5 m直径发射镜,能够对20 km范围内、尺寸小于10 cm碎片进行有效驱动。进而,针对空间碎片密集度高而应用最广的800 km轨道高度区域,设计了由分布在不同轨道高度的30颗小卫星组成接力驱动移除星座系统方案,通过仿真模拟计算验证了星座系统的移除碎片的可行性。该研究利用目前热门的小卫星星座,降低了天基激光移除空间碎片技术对硬件的性能要求,为该技术的应用提供了新的思路和途径,所提出的小卫星接力驱动星座系统方案也有工程参考价值。     

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.     

空间绳系机器人抓捕非合作目标的质量特性参数辨识

针对空间绳系机器人抓捕非合作目标/空间垃圾后需要对其进行回收/拖曳的精确控制问题,提出了一种利用抓捕后保持阶段的振动特性辨识目标参数的方法。首先,根据质量特性参数辨识的需要,推导了系统的动力学模型。不同于以往将本体卫星和被抓捕目标简化为质点的动力学模型,本文针对任意的目标抓捕位置,在考虑重力梯度影响的基础上,利用拉格朗日法获得系统各广义坐标的动力学公式。然后,分析非合作目标和系绳在后抓捕保持阶段的姿态运动。最后,在非合作目标与本体卫星没有任何信息交互的情况下,利用后抓捕阶段目标卫星和系绳特有的振动,并使用具有鲁棒性可遗忘因子的递推最小二乘法,提出了包括转动惯量和质心到任意抓捕点距离在内的质量特性参数辨识算法。     

一种新的卫星超高速撞击解体阈值模型研究

为定量描述卫星在超高速撞击下的解体阈值与解体程度,本文提出了一种新的卫星解体阈值模型,即用能量密度em(来袭物动能与卫星在撞击通道内的质量之比)的大小来判断卫星是否发生解体,用卫星解体后碎片累积质量统计曲线中平滑无突变部分的碎片质量与碎片总质量之比μc来描述卫星的解体程度,μc越大,卫星解体程度越高。采用数值仿真方法获得了卫星最小解体撞击能量密度阈值为3.62×102J/g,研究了不同em和不同η(卫星在撞击通道内的质量与卫星总质量之比)条件下卫星解体碎片的统计规律,建立了μc与em和η之间的函数关系,初步完成了这种新的卫星超高速撞击解体阈值模型的构建。     

Investigation of national policy shifts to impact orbital debris environments

Low earth orbit has become increasingly congested as the satellite population has grown over the past few decades, making orbital debris a major concern for the operational stability of space assets. This congestion was highlighted by the collision of the Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 satellites in 2009. This paper addresses the current state of orbital debris regulation in the United States and asks what might be done through policy change to mitigate risks in the orbital debris environment. A brief discussion of the nature of orbital debris addresses the major contributing factors including size classes, locations of population concentrations, projected satellite populations, and current challenges presented in using post-mission active debris removal to mitigate orbital debris. An overview of the current orbital debris regulatory structure of the United States reveals the fragmented nature of having six regulating bodies providing varying levels of oversight to their markets. A closer look into the regulatory policy of these agencies shows that, while they all take direction from The U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices, this policy is a guideline with no real penalty for non-compliance. Various policy solutions to the orbital debris problem are presented, ranging from a business as usual approach to a consolidated regulation system which would encourage spacecraft operator compliance. The positive aspects of these options are presented as themes that would comprise an effective policy shift towards successful LEO conservation. Potential economic and physical limitations to this policy approach are also addressed.     

现代小卫星的发展及轨道垃圾问题

文章首先综述半个多世纪以来传统和现代小卫星的技术发展,特别是现代小卫星在对地观测、通信导航、空间技术实验与演示、深空探测、军事等方面的应用取得很多成就,尤其是对地观测高分辨率成像系统取得了突破性技术成就;其次讨论小卫星所产生的轨道垃圾及其影响和处理;最后提出未来小卫星技术发展十个原则,对未来小卫星的应用作了展望。     

激光驱动飞片系统模拟空间碎片超高速撞击

文章介绍了北京卫星环境工程研究所采用激光驱动飞片系统将厚度5μm的铝质飞片发射到8.3 km/s.该驱动系统采用调Q钕玻璃激光,脉宽15 ns,最大能量达到20 J.针对热控材料、舷窗玻璃及OSR等外部表面功能材料开展了超高速撞击实验研究,取得初步研究结果.实验结果表明激光驱动飞片技术可很好地用于模拟微流星/空间碎片超高速撞击效应研究.     

Protecting spacecraft against meteoroid/orbital debris impact damage: an overview

Meteoroids and orbital debris pose a serious damage threat to all spacecraft. The effects of a meteoroid/orbital debris (M/OD) impact depend on a variety of factors, including where the M/OD impact occurs, the size, composition, and speed of the impacting object, and the function of the impacted spacecraft system. These effects can be minimal, can degrade a functional spacecraft component, or can compromise spacecraft functionality, even to the point of mission loss or loss of life. To minimize the damage threat from the meteoroid/orbital debris environment, it is often necessary to install protective shielding around critical spacecraft systems. If a system cannot be shielded, operational constraints may need to be imposed to reduce the damage threat. This paper presents an overview of the research and development activities performed since the late 1950s with an aim of increasing the level of protection afforded satellites and spacecraft operating in the M/OD environment and ultimately mitigating the mechanical and structural effects of an M/OD impact.     

空间碎片现状与清理

分析了空间碎片的严峻现状和空间碎片的10个来源,指出轨道碰撞是产生碎片最多的因素;介绍了空间碎片的观测方法、原理和观测系统的概况,包括正在兴建的观测系统——“空间篱笆”。最后,根据不同轨道高度和空间碎片的数量与大小,提出空间碎片清理原则、要求和9种清理方法。     

Passive optical detection of submillimeter and millimeter size space debris in low Earth orbit

Understanding of the space debris environment and accuracy of its observation-validated models are essential for optimal design and safe operation of satellite systems. Existing ground-based optical telescopes and radars are not capable of observing debris smaller than several millimeters in size. A new experimental and instrumental approach – the space-based Local Orbital Debris Environment (LODE) detector – aims at in situ measuring of debris with sizes from 0.2–10 mm near the satellite orbit. The LODE concept relies on a passive optical photon-counting time-tagging imaging system detecting solar photons (in the visible spectral range) reflected by debris crossing the sensor field of view. In contrast, prior feasibility studies of space-based optical sensors considered frame detectors in the focal plane. The article describes the new experimental concept, discusses top-level system parameters and design tradeoffs, outlines an approach to identifying and extracting rare debris detection events from the background, and presents an example of performance characteristics of a LODE sensor with a 6-cm diameter aperture. The article concludes with a discussion of possible sensor applications on satellites.     

基于功能单元的分层诊断技术研究及在航天器中的应用

复杂系统多故障诊断的计算复杂性一直是一个难题。现给出了一种定性诊断模型:将功能单元引入到系统建模中并与结构抽象技术相结合构建分层诊断模型(SPS树)。推理时运用分层诊断策略及相关诊断定理,减少了多故障诊断的计算量,提高了效率。此方法在某卫星电源系统中得到了应用。证明该方法诊断速度快,诊断结果完备,可以实现对未知故障的诊断,适用于卫星这类复杂系统的多故障诊断。     

地基激光测距系统观测空间碎片进展

卫星激光测距作为地基光电望远镜系统重要技术应用,可直接精确测量空间碎片距离,提升碎片目标轨道监测精度。基于上海天文台60 cm口径激光测距望远镜,应用百赫兹重复率高功率激光器、高效率激光信号探测系统等,建立了空间碎片激光测距系统,实现了对距离500~2600 km、截面积0.3~20 m2的碎片目标观测,测距精度优于1 m,具备了碎片目标常规测量与应用能力。此外,开展了空间目标白天监视技术研究,实现了亮于6星等恒星的白天观测,并进行了望远镜局部指向误差模型分析,分析结果可应用于空间碎片白天激光观测的目标监视与引导。     

Behavior of tethered debris with flexible appendages

Active exploration of the space leads to growth of a near-Earth space pollution. The frequency of the registered collisions of space debris with functional satellites highly increased during last 10 years. As a rule a large space debris can be observed from the Earth and catalogued, then it is possible to avoid collision with the active spacecraft. However every large debris is a potential source of a numerous small debris particles. To reduce debris population in the near Earth space the large debris should be removed from working orbits. The active debris removal technique is considered that intend to use a tethered orbital transfer vehicle, or a space tug attached by a tether to the space debris. This paper focuses on the dynamics of the space debris with flexible appendages. Mathematical model of the system is derived using the Lagrange formalism. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the mutual influence of the oscillations of flexible appendages and the oscillations of a tether. It is shown that flexible appendages can have a significant influence on the attitude motion of the space debris and the safety of the transportation process.     

球形气囊的超高速撞击损伤特性试验与仿真研究

低成本、可自主展开的气球卫星是未来卫星技术的应用方向之一,而日益增多的空间碎片是低轨航天器,包括气球卫星所面临的主要威胁之一.为满足气球卫星的生存力分析以及在轨被撞击产生空间碎片的评估需求,开展球形气囊超高速撞击试验与仿真研究,获得了不同材质气囊的撞击损伤特性,并初步揭示弹丸贯穿球形气囊过程的破坏细节以及碎片云团特性,...     

天基监测空间碎片有效载荷效能评估方法研究

介绍了用于天基空间碎片监测的主要载荷,包括可见光监测相机、微波雷达和激光雷达。根据评价指标体系,按照评价指标设计的原则,设计出评价指标的体系结构,建立基于AHP（采用层次分析法）的综合指标评估模型。利用评估模型实现对三种监测载荷进行评价分析,选择出效能最优的有效载荷。为天基监测载荷评估提供科学依据与评估方法。     

地球静止轨道卫星撞击解体的数值模拟

分析了地球静止轨道（GE0）环内的物体现状,引入美国家航空航天局（NASA）的标准解体模型,给出了卫星撞击解体算法,编写了数值仿真软件,仿真研究了GEO卫星撞击解体形成碎片的特征及其轨道分布。结果表明：撞击会产生大量碎片,对空间环境造成长期的严重危害。研究结果对分析卫星撞击解体特性、保护空间环境有一定的参考价值。     

Evaluation of a satellite constellation for active debris removal

This paper analyzes an example of a three-dimensional constellation of debris removal satellites and proposes an effective constellation using a delta-V analysis that discusses the advisability of rendezvousing satellites with space debris. Lambert?s Equation was used to establish a means of analysis to construct a constellation of debris removal satellites, which has a limit of delta-V injection by evaluating the amount of space debris that can be rendezvoused by a certain number of removal satellite. Consequently, we determine a constellation of up to 38 removal satellites for debris removal, where the number of space debris rendezvoused by a single removal satellite is not more than 25, removing up to 584 pieces of debris total. Even if we prepare 38 removal satellites in their respective orbits, it is impossible to remove all of the space debris. Although many removal satellites, over 100 for example, can remove most of the space debris, this method is economically disproportionate. However, we can also see the removal satellites are distributed nearly evenly. Accordingly, we propose a practical two-stage strategy. The first stage is to implement emergent debris removal with the 38 removal satellites. When we find a very high probability of collision between a working satellite and space debris, one of the removal satellites in the constellation previously constructed in orbit initiates a maneuver of emergent debris removal. The second stage is a long-term space debris removal strategy to suppress the increase of space debris derived from collisions among the pieces of space debris. The constellation analyzed in this paper, which consists of the first 38 removal satellites, can remove half of the over 1000 dangerous space debris among others, and then the constellation increases the number of the following removal satellites in steps. At any rate, an adequate orbital configuration and constellation form is very important for both space debris removal and economic efficiency. Though the size of constellation of debris removal satellites would be small originally, such a constellation of satellites should be one of the initial constellations of removal satellites to ensure the safety of the future orbital environment.     

A heuristic design method for attitude stabilization of magnetic actuated satellites

In this paper a heuristic design strategy for stabilizing the satellite attitude has been proposed. It is assumed that the satellite is actuated by a set of mutually perpendicular magnetic coils. Using well-known Lyapunov direct stability method it is shown that the proposed controller causes to a global asymptotic stable system for all near polar orbits. The design procedure is based on analyzing of the conceptual effects of magnetic coils on the satellite attitude motion. Considering these effects lead to some intuitive results which determine the global stabilizing control law. The performance and robustness of the designed controller against actuators saturation and quantization error have been verified using a real-time-hardware–software in-loop (RTHSIL) simulation results. These results show that the global stability can be achieved although some disturbances and restrictions exist. This stabilizing controller can be simply combined with a linear explicit model predictive controller (EMPC) to achieve a full three-axis control law.