Multiple continuous coverage of the earth based on multi-satellite systems with linear structure

A new and wider definition is given to multi-satellite systems with linear structure (SLS), and efficiency of their application to multiple continuous coverage of the Earth is substantiated. Owing to this widening, SLS have incorporated already well-recognized “polar systems” by L. Rider and W.S. Adams, “kinematically regular systems” by G.V. Mozhaev, and “delta-systems” by J.G. Walker, as well as “near-polar systems” by Yu.P. Ulybyshev, and some other satellite constellations unknown before. A universal method of SLS optimization is presented, valid for any values of coverage multiplicity and the number of satellites in a system. The method uses the criterion of minimum radius of a circle seen from a satellite on the surface of the globe. Among the best SLS found in this way there are both systems representing the well-known classes mentioned above and new orbit constellations of satellites.     

Analysis of Ballistic Structures of Multichannel Communication Satellite Systems on Precessing Elliptic Orbits

Two models of intersatellite communication channels in satellite systems on precessing elliptic orbits are considered. By assuming that these systems provide for a continuous survey of the Earth of the necessary multiplicity, algorithms of the analysis of ballistic system structures are constructed for these models in order to maintain multichannel global communication and organization of corresponding intersatellite channels. The algorithm operation is illustrated by numerical examples. This paper develops the results from [1–3], where a similar approach was advanced for the analysis of ballistic structures of satellite systems with simplified models of motion.     

Rotational motion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Foton M-4</Emphasis>

The actual controlled rotational motion of the Foton M-4 satellite is reconstructed for the mode of single-axis solar orientation. The reconstruction was carried out using data of onboard measurements of vectors of angular velocity and the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field. The reconstruction method is based on the reconstruction of the kinematic equations of the rotational motion of a solid body. According to the method, measurement data of both types collected at a certain time interval are processed together. Measurements of the angular velocity are interpolated by piecewise-linear functions, which are substituted in kinematic differential equations for a quaternion that defines the transition from the satellite instrument coordinate system to the inertial coordinate system. The obtained equations represent the kinematic model of the satellite rotational motion. A solution of these equations that approximates the actual motion is derived from the condition of the best (in the sense of the least squares method) match between the measurement data of the strength vector of the Earth’s magnetic field and its calculated values. The described method makes it possible to reconstruct the actual rotational satellite motion using one solution of kinematic equations over time intervals longer than 10 h. The found reconstructions have been used to calculate the residual microaccelerations.     

Trajectory correction of the Spektr-R spacecraft motion

The results of refining the parameters of the Spektr-R spacecraft (RadioAstron project) motion after it was launched into the orbit of the Earth’s artificial satellite in July 2011 showed that, at the beginning of 2013, the condition of staying in the Earth’s shadow was violated. The duration of shading of the spacecraft exceeds the acceptable value (about 2 h). At the end of 2013 to the beginning of 2014, the ballistic lifetime of the spacecraft completed. Therefore, the question arose of how to correct the trajectory of the motion of the Spektr-R satellite using its onboard propulsion system. In this paper, the ballistic parameters that define the operation of onboard propulsion system when implementing the correction, and the ballistic characteristics of the orbital spacecraft motion before and after correction are presented.     

Design of satellite constellations with continuous coverage on elliptic orbits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Molniya</Emphasis> type

New methods of choosing the structures of satellite constellations (SC) on elliptical orbits of the Molniya type are presented. The methods, using critical inclination and putting the orbit apogee in the Earth’s hemisphere with an area of continuous coverage, are based on geometrical analysis of two-dimensional representation of the coverage conditions and SC motion in the space of inertial longitude of the orbit ascending node and time. The coverage conditions are represented in the form of a certain region. Dynamics of all satellites in this space is represented by uniform motion along a straight line approximately parallel to the ordinate axis, while the satellite system forms a grid. The problem of choosing a minimal (as far as the number of satellites is concerned) SC configuration can be formulated as a search for the most sparse grid. The contemporary advanced methods of computational geometry serve as an algorithmic basis for the problem solution. Design of SC for continuous coverage of latitude belts with the use of kinematically regular systems is considered. A method of analyzing single-track systems for continuous coverage of arbitrary geographic regions is described, which makes a region at any time instant observable by at least one satellite of the system. As an example, SC on elliptical orbits are considered with periods of ～4, 12, and 24 hours.     

Optimization of transfer trajectories to the Apophis asteroid for spacecraft with high and low thrust

The problem of optimization of a spacecraft transfer to the Apophis asteroid is investigated. The scheme of transfer under analysis includes a geocentric stage of boosting the spacecraft with high thrust, a heliocentric stage of control by a low thrust engine, and a stage of deceleration with injection to an orbit of the asteroid’s satellite. In doing this, the problem of optimal control is solved for cases of ideal and piecewise-constant low thrust, and the optimal magnitude and direction of spacecraft’s hyperbolic velocity “at infinity” during departure from the Earth are determined. The spacecraft trajectories are found based on a specially developed comprehensive method of optimization. This method combines the method of dynamic programming at the first stage of analysis and the Pontryagin maximum principle at the concluding stage, together with the parameter continuation method. The estimates are obtained for the spacecraft’s final mass and for the payload mass that can be delivered to the asteroid using the Soyuz-Fregat carrier launcher.     

Gravity-oriented satellite dynamics subject to gravitational and active damping torques

The dynamics of the rotational motion of a satellite moving in the central Newtonian field of force over a circular orbit under the effect of gravitational and active damping torques, which depend on the satellite angular velocity projections, has been investigated. The paper proposes a method of determining all equilibrium positions (equilibrium orientations) of a satellite in the orbital coordinate system for specified values of damping coefficients and principal central moments of inertia. The conditions of their existence have been obtained. For a zero equilibrium position where the axes of the satellite-centered coordinate system coincide with the axes of the orbital coordinate system, the necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability are obtained using the Routh–Hurwitz criterion. A detailed analysis of the regions where the conditions of the asymptotic stability of a zero equilibrium position are fulfilled have been obtained depending on three dimensionless parameters of the problem, and the numerical study of the process of attenuation of satellite’s spatial oscillations for various damping coefficients has been carried out. It has been shown that there is a wide range of damping parameters from which, by choosing the necessary values, one can provide the asymptotic stability of satellite’s zero equilibrium position in the orbital coordinate system.     

基于上升轨迹可达范围的目标拦截发射窗口计算

针对低轨目标拦截任务,提出一种利用上升轨迹可达范围分析的发射窗口计算方法。首先,建立以上升时长和航程为性能指标的上升轨迹和优化模型,确定拦截器上升轨迹可达范围。然后,根据目标星下点与上升轨迹可达范围外包络的穿越关系以及拦截器的上升时长范围,对发射窗口进行初筛,得到准发射窗口。最后,针对每一段筛选出的准发射窗口,通过精确判定目标星下点与每一上升时长可达范围子环的位置关系,得到每段准窗口中能够实现目标拦截的发射窗口,将其取并集得到针对目标拦截的精确发射窗口。仿真表明本文提出的计算方法能够快速准确得到目标拦截的发射窗口。     

从月球逃逸探测小行星的发射机会搜索

从月球逃逸探测小行星的发射机会搜索因需考虑日、地、月引力的影响而使问题变得复杂。针对该多体系统的发射机会搜索问题,提出了一种分层渐近的搜索方法。该方法首先通过分析地月系质心与小行星的几何关系,搜索从地月系质心到小行星的发射机会,进而以地月运动为研究对象,推导出了从月球轨道切向逃逸机会的判别条件,并基于此判别条件及等高线图法对逃逸机会进行了搜索。同时,为提高所得发射机会在多体模型下的轨道修正收敛性,给出了基于月心逃逸轨道参数为终端约束的日-地与日-地-月动力学模型的轨道渐近修正方法。最后,以近地小行星(3908)Nyx和(190491)2000 FJ20为例,搜索其从月球逃逸的发射机会,仿真计算表明了该方法的有效性。     

Estimating the accuracy of the technique of reconstructing the rotational motion of a satellite based on the measurements of its angular velocity and the magnetic field of the Earth

The paper has studied the accuracy of the technique that allows the rotational motion of the Earth artificial satellites (AES) to be reconstructed based on the data of onboard measurements of angular velocity vectors and the strength of the Earth magnetic field (EMF). The technique is based on kinematic equations of the rotational motion of a rigid body. Both types of measurement data collected over some time interval have been processed jointly. The angular velocity measurements have been approximated using convenient formulas, which are substituted into the kinematic differential equations for the quaternion that specifies the transition from the body-fixed coordinate system of a satellite to the inertial coordinate system. Thus obtained equations represent a kinematic model of the rotational motion of a satellite. The solution of these equations, which approximate real motion, has been found by the least-square method from the condition of best fitting between the data of measurements of the EMF strength vector and its calculated values. The accuracy of the technique has been estimated by processing the data obtained from the board of the service module of the International Space Station (ISS). The reconstruction of station motion using the aforementioned technique has been compared with the telemetry data on the actual motion of the station. The technique has allowed us to reconstruct the station motion in the orbital orientation mode with a maximum error less than 0.6° and the turns with a maximal error of less than 1.2°.     

The use of Sun-synchronous orbits for a real-time global coverage satellite

This article describes a method for determining the parameters of a circular Sun-synchronous orbit and coverage characteristics of a satellite for real-time global coverage. Basic solutions for a single satellite have been obtained in the form of intervals of possible orbital parameters and coverage characteristics depending on a given interruption of observations of any given point on the Earth’s surface. The solutions have been used to choose orbital parameters and estimate coverage characteristics for different combinations of input data.     

The enigma of small satellites for earth observation

Small satellites have captured a continuously increasing share of the market in the fields of science, technology and recently also in the telecommunications and Earth observation areas. User requirements and market opportunities for space based satellite systems for Earth observation products have grown substantially in the past decade. Criteria for the utilization of different classes of satellite systems (small and large) and analogies to developments in other areas, e.g. the telecommunications field are discussed. The end to end character of service and product oriented systems as key criteria for market success in the scientific, applications and commercial areas is underlined. Recent developments in the global change, the Earth observation applications and commercial sectors are reviewed and compared. Opportunities for small satellites in the field are related to technology advancements, cost reduction options, and progress in the state of the art in system design.     

The motion of a synchronous satellite in a system similar to the earth-moon system

The stationary motions of a synchronous axisymmetric satellite are studied in the field of attraction by the Earth and a third body whose parameters are close to those of the Moon. Equations of motion are written in canonical variables that take into account the resonance character of the problem. The plots characterizing the dependence of the rotation parameters of the satellite relative to the center of mass on the elements of satellite’s translational motion are presented. A picture is given that represents the initial configuration of the system for implementing stationary motions.     

卫星姿控系统可重构性综合评价方法研究

针对可重构性评价需考虑系统资源、性能等多约束条件的问题,以卫星混合执行机构姿控系统为研究对象,建立了基于组合赋权法的卫星可重构性综合评价方法。首先,综合分析影响卫星姿控系统的指标因素,结合系统可重构性度量指标构建了综合评价指标体系;然后利用层次分析法和熵权法分别得到权重初值,以最小二乘法为工具建立确定具有主客观意义的优化组合评价权重;最后采用欧几里德距离为测度,计算各方案距离正负理想点的相对接近度并以此作为评价准则。针对多方案系统配置实例进行了验证计算,结果表明利用基于组合赋权法的评价方法能有效地对卫星姿态控制系统可重构性进行综合评估,具有较好的应用价值。     

基于MAS的实时诊断技术在电源系统中的应用研究

为了提高卫星这类大规模复杂系统的诊断速度和精度,提出了一种基于MAS 的卫星电源系统分布式诊断框架。框架的核心部分是两类诊断Agent：一类是自适应全局Age nt,负责全局诊断,采用多信号模型的诊断方法;另一类是子系统驻留Agent,负责局部诊 断,采用参数估计的诊断策略,并引入Box\|Jenkins的建模方法。通过通讯Agent和电源专 家Agent实现多Agent间协调工作。在电源系统中的应用表明,两种诊断Agent间优势互补, 提高了诊断效率,并能准确地给出诊断结果。
     

One method of gravitational attitude control of a rotating satellite

The mode of spinning up a low-orbit satellite in the plane of its orbit is studied. In this mode, the satellite rotates around its longitudinal axis (principal central axis of the minimum moment of inertia), which executes small oscillations with respect to the normal to the orbit plane; the angular velocity of the rotation around the longitudinal axis is several tenths of a degree per second. Gravitational and restoring aerodynamic moments were taken into account in the equations of satellite’s motion, as well as a dissipative moment from eddy currents induced in the shell of the satellite by the Earth’s magnetic field. A small parameter characterizing deviation of the satellite from a dynamically symmetric shape and nongravitational external moments are introduced into the equations. A two-dimensional integral surface of the equations of motion, describing quasistationary rotations of the satellite close to cylindrical precession of the corresponding symmetrical satellite in a gravitational field, has been studied by the method of small parameter and numerically. We propose to consider such quasistationary rotations as unperturbed motions of the satellite in the spin-up mode.     

压缩感知与最小二乘联合的卫星姿态抖动估计

卫星在轨运行时姿态存在一定频率的抖动,目前的星敏感器和陀螺等测量仪器受限于测量频率,无法直接测量高频抖动。提出了一种压缩感知和最小二乘相结合的卫星姿态抖动估计方法。根据姿态抖动中的频率稀疏信息,通过压缩感知方法从姿态欠采样数据中恢复出抖动频率,进一步利用最小二乘方法,精确估计出卫星姿态的高频抖动。与单纯采用压缩感知方法或最小二乘方法相比,该方法提高了卫星姿态抖动的估计精度。     

On the Accuracy of the Conjugation of High-Orbit Satellites with Small-Scale Regions in the Ionosphere

The degree of uncertainty that arises when mapping high-orbit satellites of the Cluster type into the ionosphere using three geomagnetic field models (T89, T98, and T01) has been estimated. Studies have shown that uncertainty is minimal in situations when a satellite in the daytime is above the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere at the distance of no more than 5 R_E from the Earth’s surface and is projected into the ionosphere of the northern hemisphere. In this case, the dimensions of the uncertainty region are about 50 km, and the arbitrariness of the choice of the model for projecting does not play a decisive role in organizing satellite support based on optical observations when studying such large-scale phenomena as, e.g., WTS, as well as heating experiments at the EISCAT heating facility for the artificial modification of the ionosphere and the generation of artificial fluctuations in the VLF band. In all other cases, the uncertainty in determining the position of the base of the field line on which the satellite is located is large, and additional information is required to correctly compare the satellite with the object in the ionosphere.     

立方星电源系统最大功率点跟踪优化控制方法

针对立方星在能量来源严重受限条件下如何提高太阳能利用率的难题,提出一种适用于立方星的集中供电式空间微电源架构(EPS),并设计基于改进粒子群优化算法的最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)控制策略来提升能量转换效率。首先,推导太阳电池阵列的数学模型,并根据太阳电池阵列的工作特性,提出电源系统最大功率点跟踪控制的物理系统实现结构。其次,设计基于改进粒子群优化(PSO)的最大功率点跟踪控制算法,并进行了数学仿真校验。最后,对所设计的电源系统架构进行了硬件实现和试验验证。地面试验结果表明,电源系统的太阳能最大转换效率可达95.5%。该电源系统成功应用于世界首颗12U立方星“翱翔之星”的飞行试验,在轨数据表明电源系统工作状态良好,为微纳卫星电源系统的设计提供了有益参考。     

星地遥感数据压缩的差分编码方法研究

为了提高星地传输的工作效率,文章以信息论为理论基础,提出一种差分编码方法用于星地遥感数据的传输。同时,鉴于地表覆盖本身的不确定度与应用需求的不同,提出了分区预测差分编码与保持立体测量精度的差分编码。这两种压缩策略可进一步显著提高差分编码的压缩比。