QB50 Project and the Development of Cube Sat Technology in China

The Cube Sat refers to the low-cost nano satellite produced by international standards. The QB50 project is "an International Network of 50 double Cube Sats for multi-point, in-situ, long-duration measurements in the lower thermosphere and re-entry research". There are 23 countries and region participated in the QB50 Project. 38 Cube Sats were developed and launched. Among them, four Cube Sats developed by Chinese universities were sent to orbit(Three were deployed from the International Space Station, and one was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PLSV). They are Aoxiang-1(Northwestern Polytechnical University, the Asia coordinator), Lilac Sat-1(Harbin Institute of Technology), NJUST-2(Nanjing University of Science and Technology) and NUDTsat(National University of Defense Technology). Through the development of the QB50 Project, Chinese researchers and students got in touch with the concept of Cube Sat and gained experience of international scientific cooperation. A lot of students took part in the assembly, integration, and test of spacecraft, which is helpful to the training of space talents. Now, many universities and institutes have the capabilities to develop Cube Sats and the subsystems independently.     

Education curricula of the UN-affiliated regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education

Since 1988 the United Nations, through its Programme on Space Applications, has been supporting the establishment and operation of regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Asia. Simultaneously, education curricula have been developed for remote sensing and geographic information systems, satellite communications, satellite meteorology and global climate, and space and atmospheric science. The report briefly reviews these developments and highlights the most recent updated education curricula in the four disciplines that have been made available in 2002, in the six official languages of the United Nations, for implementation at the regional centres and beyond.     

嫦娥一号卫星热控设计中热管的应用及验证

为克服由于月球热环境的特殊性给热控设计带来的困难,尤其是卫星度过月食的极端状态条件,首次采用了舱外两舱热耦合热管、相变材料热管技术,为最终嫦娥一号卫星热控状态满足总体的技术要求发挥了关键作用。由于两舱热耦合技术的采用,两舱的热能量得到了相互补偿,因此减少了整星散热面,减少了热补偿功率需求,提高了月食结束时蓄电池的温度,使热控技术方案成为相对优化的方案。文章对热管技术在嫦娥一号卫星热控设计中的应用进行了总结,并给出了热分析及热平衡。     

High precision composite pipes for SOLAR-B optical structures

The authors have been developing new high thermal conductivity and low moisture absorption composite pipes for high precision space optics applications on the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) SOLAR-B satellite.Pitch based K13C (Mitsubishi Chemical) high modulus and high conductivity graphite fiber, and EX1515 (Bryte Technology) low moisture absorption cyanate resin, were applied to the pipes.Thermal expansion of the composite pipes was designed to be zero and more uniform in the longitudinal direction in order to obtain long term dimensional stability in the space environment.Model pipes whose length was 500 mm were fabricated and evaluated for thermal and hygroscopic deformation in a new testing apparatus. Equivalent coefficient of thermal expansion of the model pipes was essentially zero (less than 0.1 ppm/°C) and standard deviation of these coefficients was 0.05 ppm/°C. Hygroscopic deformation of the model pipes was under representative conditions 7 ppm over 3 month. The excellent thermal and hygroscopic stability were verified. In addition, thermal conductivity of the model pipes was more than 200 W/(m · K).     

国际空间站环境试验标准及力、热试验方法综述

国际空间站是目前在轨运行的最大空间平台,具有系统体积庞大、构型复杂、接口众多、载荷种类不确定等特点.因此,系统级力学试验、热试验以及组件环境试验对空间站的设计和工艺验证非常重要.文章调研了国际空间站各舱段的系统级力学试验、热试验以及组件环境试验情况,以期为我国空间站的地面试验系统设计、研制提供参考.     

模块化热控技术及其在低轨卫星中的应用

针对模块化卫星各模块结构独立且需满足重复分离的要求,以及热耗不均衡分散分布的特点,提出金属基底-阵列碳纳米管热接口、结构板石墨稀涂膜及智能热控涂层散热面的模块化热控技术。该热控技术建立了可重复分离的模块间及受限空间模块内部的高效传热路径,并可自适应外热流变化,从而实现模块化卫星分散式热耗的协同散热。通过热仿真有限元分析模拟了近地圆轨道卫星在轨极端工况下的温度响应,结果满足热控指标要求,验证了模块化热控技术在低轨模块化卫星中的应用。     

Effect of Microaccelerations on the Distribution of a Dopant in a Semiconductor Melt during Space Flight

The effect of residual microaccelerations on the distribution of a dopant in a semiconductor melt located in a heated closed cavity onboard an Earth-orbiting satellite is considered in the context of a model problem of thermal convection. The amplitude–frequency characteristics of the response of this distribution to the perturbing microaccelerations are obtained. It is demonstrated that the effect of low-frequency microaccelerations decreases when the frequency increases. A comparison is made of the macroscopic inhomogeneities of the dopant concentration due to the actual low-frequency (quasi-static) component of microaccelerations onboard different spacecraft: the orbital station Mir, the satellite Foton-11, a Space Shuttle orbiter, and the International Space Station. A substantial effect of the rotational motion of the spacecraft on the character of the time behavior of a macroscopic inhomogeneity is demonstrated.     

超低轨卫星气动力辅助轨道控制研究

针对超低轨卫星所受气动力显著的特点,提出一种利用气动舵的气动力辅助轨道控制方法。通过分析大气旋转、卫星所处空间位置以及气动舵偏转角度对气动力的影响,对提出的轨道控制方法进行了优化。该方法通过调整气动舵产生连续微小的气动力对卫星轨道进行控制,使各轨道要素均保持在误差容限范围内。将其应用于太阳同步轨道上的对地观测卫星,仿真结果表明,该方法可以在卫星姿态保持三轴对地稳定的前提下,实现轨道保持控制,保证任意纬度下卫星实际位置与标称轨道位置偏差在给定范围内。     

Progress in basic space science education and research: The UNBSSI

This report describes recent progress in the UN Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI), which aims to facilitate space science education and research, and attendant resources in developing countries. In addition to holding workshops across the developing world, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) successfully implemented the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) as a catalyst for improving understanding of the Sun and of solar-terrestrial physics. Building on this it is now preparing for the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI). Achievements of the former are discussed, as are the goals and anticipated activities of the latter.     

Thermomechanical behaviour of CFRP tubes for space structures

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) tubes, with the increasing dimensions and performances requested for space structures, are becoming a basic building element of boom-type structures for large precision reflectors, towers and payload support structures such as the Modular Payload Support Structure, the Shuttle Pallet Satellite or the European Retrievable Carrier. It is very important for such applications that the CFRP tubes have minimum thermal distortions and very high stiffness.An extensive test program was performed to characterise the CFRP tubes that are used for such applications. Measurements of coefficient of thermal expansions, thermal conductivity, thermal cycling, microstructure behaviour, as well as mechanical tests and outgassing tests were performed. The main purpose was to correlate the microcracking with the thermal cycling and the coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity.These types of activities for the CFRP tubes were performed for the first time in Europe and important results were found, especially in the area of microcracking generation and correlation with engineering parameters. The influence of the thermal cycling speed on the microcracking was also studied. Most of the tests were conducted at ESTEC (European Space Research & Technology Centre, Holland) by the European Space Agency in the frame of the technology research activities.     

NASA''s small spacecraft technology initiative “Clark” spacecraft

The Small Satellite Technology Initiative (SSTI) is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program to demonstrate smaller, high technology satellites constructed rapidly and less expensively. Under SSTI, NASA funded the development of “Clark,” a high technology demonstration satellite to provide 3-m resolution panchromatic and 15-m resolution multispectral images, as well as collect atmospheric constituent and cosmic x-ray data. The 690-Ib. satellite, to be launched in early 1997, will be in a 476 km, circular, sun-synchronous polar orbit. This paper describes the program objectives, the technical characteristics of the sensors and satellite, image processing, archiving and distribution. Data archiving and distribution will be performed by NASA Stennis Space Center and by the EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.     

绳网拖曳带帆板失效卫星的波动控制

针对带有柔性太阳帆板的失效卫星,提出了一种基于波动控制理论的控制方法,同时实现了绳网拖曳过程中稳定碎片姿态与抑制帆板振动两个目标。首先,提出一种新的绳网简化结构,用Kane方法建立了动力学模型,使其能够在保证运算效率的同时具有更高的精度。然后,针对系统特性设计了波动控制策略,仅需要输入系绳张力的大小和方向,便能通过拖船位置的改变来消除失效卫星的自旋和帆板振动。最后,通过数值仿真验证了控制律的有效性。仿真结果表明,在控制律作用下的拖曳过程中,失效卫星的姿态能够快速稳定,同时帆板的振动也得到了良好的抑制。     

铝蜂窝复合材料X,Y方向低温有效热导率的测试与研究

本文概述了铝蜂窝复合材料在x、y方向低温有效热导率的测试方法,给出部分测试结果。对试样的低温有效热导率给出了计算模型,并讨论、分析了测试计算结果。     

钱学森指导下的早期卫星准备工作

20世纪60年代初,四人小组在钱学森先生直接指导下为发展我国人造卫星进行早期准备工作。文章详细介绍了四人小组在钱学森先生指导下搜集学习国外有关卫星和空间技术的资料,编制《1964-1973年中国空间技术发展规划》（草案）,为大学生讲授星际航行概论课,以及担任星际航行座谈会秘书等工作。     

The Columbus Attached Pressurized Module System and management aspects of international cooperation

The technical and management interfaces between the Space Station and the European Attached Pressurized Module are described. An overview is given on the mechanical, thermal, environmental control and life support, electrical power, data management, communication and operational interfaces as well as on the management interfaces on system and subsystem level and in the operation and utilisation domains. The paper describes the status of the APM interface design as reflected by the Phase B-2 activities, which are subject to further definition during the progress of the technical work.     

热控涂层红外发射率对GEO卫星蓄电池温度波动的影响

在东方红一3卫星平台的基础上,将合理简化后的南蓄电池舱作为热分析模型。根据影响蓄电池温度波动的机理,提出服务舱舱板内表面常用热控涂层（白漆、镀铝膜、碳蒙皮）的5种组合方案,并量化分析了热控涂层红外发射率对蓄电池温度波动的影响。分析结果表明：降低蓄电池舱舱板内表面热控涂层红外发射率,尤其是降低蓄电池安装舱板表面的热控涂层红外发射率,可有效减小蓄电池温度波动幅度。与基准方案相比,最优组合方案能使蓄电池温度波动幅度降低50％。     

Trends in the global space arena – Impact on Africa and Africa's response

Since the establishment of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Exploration and Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in 1959, many actions that affect the advancement of the space frontier have been taken, within and outside COPUOS, in the interest of the global community, but without much input from Africa. Yet a number of African countries have joined those with assets in space, albeit without the necessary infrastructure on the ground. These actions vary in scope, in importance and in participation; however, they affect us all. Examples include the legal instruments that are in operation today for the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, sustainability of the outer space environment and the Global Exploration Strategy– Framework for Coordination (GES–FC), conceived by 14 spacefaring nations; this laid out the details needed for an active global space exploration programme. This paper reflects on existing space-related regional cooperation arrangements at the inter-governmental level, including the African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (ALC). Noting that, despite UN General Assembly endorsement of the need for developing countries to have access to the International Space Station (ISS), almost all in Africa have not, it asks what Africa might gain from such an experience. The paper concludes with an examination of where and why Africa needs to focus its immediate space-related efforts – on the ground here on Earth or in outer space?     

Development,integrated investigation,laboratory and in-flight testing of Chibis-M microsatellite ADCS

Design, analytical investigation, laboratory and in-flight testing of the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) of a microsatellites are considered. The system consists of three pairs of reaction wheels, three magnetorquers, a set of Sun sensors, a three-axis magnetometer and a control unit. The ADCS is designed for a small 10–50 kg LEO satellite. System development is accomplished in several steps: satellite dynamics preliminary study using asymptotical and numerical techniques, hardware and software design, laboratory testing of each actuator and sensor and the whole ADCS. Laboratory verification is carried out on the specially designed test-bench.In-flight ADCS exploitation results onboard the Russian microsatellite “Chibis-M” are presented. The satellite was developed, designed and manufactured by the Institute of Space Research of RAS. “Chibis-M” was launched by the “Progress-13M” cargo vehicle on January 25, 2012 after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS). This paper assess both the satellite and the ADCS mock-up dynamics. Analytical, numerical and laboratory study results are in good correspondence with in-flight data.     

航天器仿真与测试一体化系统

提出了一种航天器仿真与测试一体化系统的方案,此系统具有较好的柔性,包括三个主要的组成部分:前端接口(FE)设备层连接被测系统与一体化系统;仿真环境(SE)部分则能提供航天器各个分系统与空间环境、轨道等要素;测试环境(CE)部分则能自动执行一体化系统的仿真、测试序列,并提供对整个系统运行的管控。文章对这三个部分的实现与相互接口均进行了定义,最后描述了一体化系统适应于不同应用的典型配置,如地面测试系统的评估验证、航天器渐进增量式电测以及故障处理研究等应用。文章提出的一体化系统不但可支持从航天器概念设计、详细设计、AIT等各个阶段的测试工作,也可以用来支持进行航天器故障分析与研究。通过此系统的创建与应用,能够改进航天器研制系统工程,并最终提高航天器的研制效率。