Space solar power vs space communications

To meet the future needs of energy on Earth, the transmission of solar power from space is being extensively studied. Since the power station will occupy a position in the geostationary orbit and will use radio frequency spectrum for transmission of energy to Earth, the relative benefits of space solar power and space communications should be considered. The resource allocation of orbit-spectrum to a power station requires a sacrifice from space communications as they both utilize similar limited resources. The power station is to energy what communication is to information. While the cost of energy is going up, the cost of information processing, storage, sharing and transmission is decreasing. Also, increased means of communication are used as a measure of energy conservation. With the advent of computer communication and the Large Scale Integrated (LSI) microprocessors, the technique of multiple access, message switching and satellite switching can be cost-effectively combined. The computer-satellite communication will allow information resource sharing among large numbers of users besides the conventional application of space communications. Since space communication means work effectively in many other areas where ultimate energy use and conservation is possible, the space solar power will not be able to compete or substitute on the basis of equality and social benefits. But, as the transmission technology is similar for both areas, the R & D effort for solar power will certainly increase efficiency and reduce cost for space communications.     

We must harness space for sustainable development

Many UN agencies use space data as a tool to promote global sustainable development, yet the use of space has barely been acknowledged, let alone understood, by decision makers at the various UN and international meetings on the environment and development. Following discussions held at a side-event to the 2012 Rio+20 conference, the author highlights the various ways space applications can be used to meet the challenges (in resource use, disaster management, environmental protection and climate change) of sustainable development and urges policy makers to inform themselves of the benefits of space applications.     

Management of outer space

Outer space, a valuable natural resource, has to be managed in order to improve safety, efficiency and economy of space missions and to protect the space environment for future exploration and use. There are several aspects of the management of outer space, few in a satisfactory state, others receiving little attention from the international community, and still others not yet addressed at all. Some of the tasks following from the above requirements may have to be performed by an international space organization, created, possibly and preferably, within the UN system of organizations.     

基于空间目标特性的无缝搜索技术研究

为了解决常规雷达搜索屏拦截空间目标概率不高的问题,利用空间目标过境具有周期性的特征,提出一种高拦截率的无缝搜索方法。当搜索屏经度覆盖范围大于等于目标重访经度差时,目标过境将至少被搜索屏拦截1次。利用这个特征,通过优化相控阵雷达法线仰角和搜索波位的驻留时间改变搜索屏的空间和能量分布,使各个轨道高度处的搜索经度覆盖范围等于目标的重访经度差,从而在最小时间资源开销的条件下实现了空间目标高概率拦截搜索。仿真结果表明,在时间资源开销相同的条件下,提出的无缝搜索方法与常规搜索方法相比,可将空间目标平均拦截率由90.93%提升至99.94%。研究对于提升空间目标监视雷达搜索效率具有较高的应用价值。     

星载嵌入式文件系统技术研究及实现

介绍了一种面向空间应用的嵌入式文件系统的设计要点,着重说明了采用B 树组织文件、锁链方式组织元数据以及低资源占用的空间分配回收机制三个方面问题。自主开发的文件系统较好地解决了NAND型Flash存储芯片作为星载存储设备所遇到的磨损均衡、存储空间使用效率的问题,能够更好地支持星载数据的文件化存储管理和可靠传输。     

基于可满足性问题求解器的星上FPGA永久损伤容错技术研究

现代卫星广泛使用的FPGA在空间高能粒子的影响下,会产生门电路的永久性损伤。而传统的三模冗余等容错方法不但成倍增加了系统硬件开销,还存在因冗余器件耗尽而失效的风险。因此,提出一种利用FPGA自身冗余资源,修复永久性损伤的容错方案。该方案通过建立FPGA内部资源的功能模型,将容错问题转化为数学上的可满足性问题。并且利用经过改进的GSAT算法对该问题求解,可以获得在功能上与损伤前完全相同的电路结构,及其所对应的FPGA配置文件。将该文件重新下载到FPGA中,可以屏蔽损伤带来的影响,从而达到利用FPGA自身冗余资源容错的目的。通过实验和分析可以看出,本文方案具有对损伤修复成功率高、计算量小和需要内存空间少的特点,因此符合星上计算能力和硬件资源十分有限的实际情况。     

Assessment on the feasibility of future shepherding of asteroid resources

Most plausible futures for space exploration and exploitation require a large mass in Earth orbit. Delivering this mass requires overcoming the Earth's natural gravity well, which imposes a distinct obstacle to any future space venture. An alternative solution is to search for more accessible resources elsewhere. In particular, this paper examines the possibility of future utilisation of near Earth asteroid resources. The accessibility of asteroid material can be estimated by analysing the volume of Keplerian orbital element space from which Earth can be reached under a certain energy threshold and then by mapping this analysis onto an existing statistical near Earth objects (NEO) model. Earth is reached through orbital transfers defined by a series of impulsive manoeuvres and computed using the patched-conic approximation. The NEO model allows an estimation of the probability of finding an object that could be transferred with a given Δv budget. For the first time, a resource map provides a realistic assessment of the mass of material resources in near Earth space as a function of energy investment. The results show that there is a considerable mass of resources that can be accessed and exploited at relatively low levels of energy. More importantly, asteroid resources can be accessed with an entire spectrum of levels of energy, unlike other more massive bodies such as the Earth or Moon, which require a minimum energy threshold implicit in their gravity well. With this resource map, the total change of velocity required to capture an asteroid, or transfer its resources to Earth, can be estimated as a function of object size. Thus, realistic examples of asteroid resource utilisation can be provided.     

CCSDS中LDPC码编码器的FPGA设计与实现

CCSDS标准推荐了一组适用于深空通信的LDPC码。为了满足在一个系统中使用多种码率LDPC码的需要,设计了一个能够实现标准中4种码率码编码的通用编码器,该编码器合理安排了生成矩阵存储单元,充分复用了硬件资源,用一种码编码需要的资源消耗实现了4种码的编码,大大节省了资源;用VHDL语言在FPGA上实现了该编码器,通过仿真验证,表明该编码器在占用硬件资源不大的条件下,能够正确完成4种码率码的编码。     

Market-based systems for instrument development and science planning

Market-based systems are those systems in which currency is used to express demand for a limited resource. In these systems, users `own' currency and exchange it for a desired commodity. Though used for thousands of years, market-based applications to space missions are still in their infancy. The first successful application was in 1992 with the Cassini Mission to Saturn. In this case, the sum total of mass and dollars for the science instruments had to fit within the allocated resource envelope. Results from the use of a market-based system show that the entire science payload grew from original estimates by only +1% for cost, and by –7% for mass. The next application was for Space Shuttle Secondary Payloads. In this application, available shuttle lift mass, number of lockers for secondary payloads, and available astronaut time had to be allocated between 5 NASA Users. Experiments showed that a market-based system can reduce the size of the required workforce needed to produce a manifest of the same quality as one produced `by committee.' Finally, a market-based system was experimentally applied to LightSAR science planning, a proposed joint NASA/Commercial RADAR mission. In this application, users were able to produce a conflict-free timeline of events remotely, of high science value, in about half the time required by more traditional methods.     

Prioritizing scientific exploration: A comparison of the ethical justifications for space development and for space science

I argue that the moral justification for space science is more compelling than the moral justification for space development. Thus, we ought to reemphasize the status of science as a major stakeholder in space, especially when entertaining policies which might encourage the kinds of space development activities (e.g. resource exploitation) that are liable to conflict with the scientific uses of space.     

A new role for a new millennium? The changing nature of space activities

Space activity has lost the momentum it had in the past. During the Cold War the use of space was constrained by specific political and military conditions which gave it a strong but narrow identity. The aerospace industry, in particular, was in a position to develop protected and exclusive ties with the public sector. These times have passed and diminishing competition between the two main space powers has had consequences for the planning of major space undertakings. Space activity is in the process of being thoroughly transformed as it is forced to become more connected to general economic and industrial activity, especially in the field of information. An opportunity for a sector that has been struggling could also prove to be risky as space activity is losing some of its previously strong identity. Space currently seems to lack the high level of public support from governments it once enjoyed, while not finding an alternative in the industry itself to this declining investment. This situation should lead both the space community and the political authorities to consider new general space applications that will be more in line with the preoccupations of our modern societies and thus contribute to solving the principal global issues of tomorrow.     

Iran's space programme: Riding high for peace and pride

Iran's efforts to develop space technology for civil and peaceful purposes began many years ago. Almost all its success in this connection is the result of indigenous potential in terms of human resources, available expertise and experience along with international cooperation and exchange of knowledge. There are considerable civilian entities involved in space-related development and production in Iran. This article describes the history and current status and capabilities of Iran's space programme and its aim to use space for peace and prosperity and to attain the position that it deserves in the global arena. Stepping into space using an indigenously developed system has provided Iran with a notable and unprecedented national pride. Only international cooperation, as already exists in the framework of COPUOS activities on the peaceful uses of outer space, can improve 21st century understanding of the space policy and visions of Iran for the world community. Iran's space programme is really no different from that of any other nation. It is committed to developing its assets in space both for peaceful purposes and for use as part of various multinational space projects. It should not be ignored that such achievements require a high degree of expertise, ability and comprehensive knowledge about the subject, while the attitudes and visions of leaders in each nation who also influence and contribute to the pace, progress and developmental objectives of any nation's space program should not be disregarded.     

空间站有效载荷真空支持系统方案评述

有效载荷真空支持系统是空间有效载荷支持系统的重要组成部分,为空间有效载荷实验的顺利进行提供真空环境支持和保证。文章详细分析了国际空间站包括美国“命运号”实验舱（USL）、欧空局哥伦布轨道舱（APM）及日本实验舱（JEM）内的有效载荷真空支持系统方案及使用情况;对美国实验舱内的一号微重力材料科学机柜及微重力燃烧科学机柜内部专用的真空支持系统作了主要介绍;最后提出了我国空间站有效载荷真空支持系统的初步方案设想,即合理安排有效载荷实验进行次序,将废气排放子系统及真空资源子系统合二为一,以节约资源,提高可靠性。     

Human spaceflight and an asteroid redirect mission: Why?

The planning of human spaceflight programmes is an exercise in careful rationing of a scarce and expensive resource. Current NASA plans are to develop the new capability for human-rated launch into space to replace the Space Transportation System (STS), more commonly known as the Space Shuttle, combined with a heavy lift capability, and followed by an eventual Mars mission. As an intermediate step towards Mars, NASA proposes to venture beyond Low Earth Orbit to cis-lunar space to visit a small asteroid which will be captured and moved to lunar orbit by a separate robotic mission. The rationale for this and how to garner support from the scientific community for such an asteroid mission are discussed. Key points that emerge are that a programme usually has greater legitimacy when it emerges from public debate, mostly via a Presidential Commission, a report by the National Research Council or a Decadal Review of science goals etc. Also, human spaceflight missions need to have support from a wide range of interested communities. Accordingly, an outline scientific case for a human visit to an asteroid is made. Further, it is argued here that the scientific interest in an asteroid mission needs to be included early in the planning stages, so that the appropriate capabilities (here the need for drilling cores and carrying equipment to, and returning samples from, the asteroid) can be included.     

Tethers and debris mitigation

In recent years, the use of tethers has been proposed for reduction of space debris either through momentum transfer or use of electrodynamic effects. Tethers have been shown to at least theoretically allow for quick, elegant and cost-effective deorbit of defunct satellites or spent stages. On the other hand, the large risk that tethers themselves may pose to other satellites in orbit has been recognized as well. The large collision area of tethers, combined with operational hazards and meteoroid risk may result in a large orbital exposure. For example, in 1997, the ESA/Dutch 35-km tether deployment of YES from TEAMSAT was inhibited after an analysis of the collision risk for the case the tether operation would fail. The question rises how these two points of view compare to eachother. This paper intends to highlight a representative selection of the proposed tether applications while taking into account the added risks caused by the tethers themselves.Typical applications from recent literature will be briefly described, such as an Ariane 502 spent stage re-entry from GTO and the concept of deboost of defunct satellites by interaction of a conductive tether with the Earth magnetic field.Mass savings of the tethered sytems versus conventional equivalents will be evaluated.Based on a crude risk analysis, involving elements such as mission complexity, dynamic stability, meteoroid risk and orbital life time, a general outline of limiting factors can be given for the various applications. Special attention is reserved for implementation of mechanisms that help reduce this tether risk, such as the DUtether (Tether Degradable by Ultraviolet), utilization of airdrag and solar pressure, the effect of residual current in bare tethers, tether retrieval etc.It is proposed how a net tether-induced mitigation can be compared to that of conventional alternatives, i.e. deboost by rocket engine or a completely passive approach.This comparison is put in the perspective of an ever-increasing occupation of the space environment.It is concluded that tethers can in fact help mitigate the debris risk and that for each application a useful niche can be defined. It is argued that eliminating pollution directly after use of the precious resource of space is not only good custom, but also an important way to make the risk of debris controllable and independent of future trends. Although tethers may have large exposure in terms of area-time product, they deliver a quick cleaning service that may be appreciated by the future users of space.     

星间网络安全路由选择算法研究

星间网络由于拓扑结构高动态变化、可靠性安全性要求高、节点处理能力有限等特点,使其有别于普通的地面互联网。文章通过分析星间网络特性,对其中安全路由选择的关键技术进行深入研究,提出了一种基于节点信誉度评价与负载感知机制的星间网络安全路由选择算法。该算法采用混合路由配置策略,根据网络实时情况对路由进行动态调整,加入节点信誉度评价策略,减小恶意节点对网络的影响,并且增加节点负载感知机制,根据当前节点负载情况调整路由。最后,文章通过仿真实验验证算法性能,验证了算法在数据包传输成功率方面的优势。     

The fair and responsible use of space: An international perspective

Over 60 high-ranking professionals participated in ESPIs’ jointly organised November 2008 conference on “The Fair and Responsible Use of Space”. With space applications being central to modern interactions and more and more actors becoming involved in space activities, the conference investigated how an equitable and responsible utilisation of space can be achieved for all relevant actors. By outlining the current space security situation, it identified and analysed key challenges to the achievement of such use of outer space. The conference themes and discussions are reported here, as are the 10 steps identified as necessary for the achievement of an equitable use of space.     

Economic methods of improving efficient use of the orbit/spectrum resource by satellite systems

Satellite systems continue to play an important role in the booming market for communication and broadcasting services, driving up demand for use of the orbit/spectrum resource. Studies are required to address the problem of orbit capacity and find ways of making more efficient use of it, to avoid a situation in which there is not enough orbit/spectrum resource to cater for the development of future satellite networks. It is argued that, as far as satellite networks are concerned, the current international regulatory regime governing the use of the spectrum has significant shortcomings, which have a cost, in terms of resources and time, and make investment in satellite projects less attractive. An approach is proposed for improving efficiency of the use of the orbit/spectrum through the introduction of economic methods, to supplement the existing technical and regulatory regime. A spectrum pricing method is proposed for satellite communication systems.     

海洋空间信息安全技术研究

海洋是除外层空间资源以外的人类活动第二大自然空间。在阐述海洋空间概念和信息安全的基础上,指出海洋空间信息安全面临的威胁。分析了海洋空间信息安全威胁的发展现状和趋势;针对海洋空间信息系统的特点,分析海洋空间信息安全任务和技术途径,最后对海洋空间信息安全的关键技术进行提炼和梳理。     

Launch vehicles and the commercial uses of outer space : The underlying economic issues

This article discusses the economics of the demand for and supply of launch vehicles. Demand is derived from both commercial and governmental uses of space, while the supply of launch vehicles is determined by governmental needs which are rarely based on economic criteria alone. Multipurpose launches such as the Space Shuttle should be viewed as a national resource instead of a profit-seeking venture. Because of the mixing of government and private uses for space vehicles, traditional economic analysis provides only a starting point for policy decisions.