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).     

透镜式薄壁CFRP管空间伸展臂轴压屈曲分析及试验

对透镜式截面四层铺设薄壁碳纤维增强塑料(CFRP)管空间伸展臂进行轴压载荷试验,得到轴压临界屈曲载荷及屈曲特性。利用有限元模型进行线性特征值屈曲分析,并引入屈曲模态形式作为初始几何缺陷进行非线性屈曲分析,得到轴压下屈曲临界载荷及非线性屈曲特性,并与试验结果进行对比分析。结果表明初始几何缺陷对CFRP管轴压临界载荷影响较大,给CFRP管加入适当的几何缺陷可更有效模拟实际非完善体的屈曲载荷。进而对其材料厚度、层数和铺设角度进行参数分析,得到各参数对轴压临界载荷的影响程度及敏感性,本文对透镜式薄壁CFRP管空间伸展臂的设计和深入研究具有重要参考价值。     

大型空间结构热弹性非线性有限元分析

由薄壁管组成的大型空间结构在外层空间受到太阳等星体的辐射加热，其热变形是值得关注的。为了准确地预测这种变形，首先推导了一种梁的热弹性几何非线性增量有限元格式，用以分析该类结构的热-力学响应，然后考虑到空间结构热流输入与变形耦合的特性，提出了一种热-力学耦合分析的有限元方法。对哈勃太空望远镜太阳能帆板热变形的实例计算表明，数值解与理论解符合较好。数值算例表明，结构内部热变形的不一致程度越大，考虑几何非线性对于热变形计算结果的影响越大；热流入射方向角和热变形大小是影响耦合效应的主要因素。     

Some experimental progresses in the study of self-rewetting fluids for the SELENE experiment to be carried in the Thermal Platform 1 hardware

SELENE (SELf-rewetting fluids for thermal ENErgy management) is a microgravity experiment proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) in response to the Announcement of Opportunities for Physical Sciences. Main objectives of the microgravity research onboard the International Space Station (ISS) include the quantitative investigation of heat transfer performances in model heat pipes and validation of adequate theoretical and numerical models. In particular the research is focused on “self-rewetting fluids”, i.e. fluid mixtures with unusual surface tension properties. This article summarizes preliminary ground-based research activities in preparation of the microgravity experiments. They include: (1) thermophysical properties measurements; (2) study of thermo-soluto-capillary effects in micro-channels; (3) numerical modeling; (4) measurements with optical (e.g. interferometric) and intrusive techniques; (5) surface tension-driven effects and thermal performances test on different capillary structures and heat pipes; and (6) breadboards development and support to definition of scientific requirements.     

Development of multi-functional composite structures with embedded electronics for space application

Conventional spacecraft structural function has been limited to supporting loads and mounting avionics only. In contrast, the technology of ‘multi-functional structures’ can integrate thermal and electronic functions into the spacecraft’s inherent load-bearing capability. In addition, sufficient radiation shielding effectiveness can be provided for the anticipated mission environment. Utilizing this concept, the ratio of electrical functionality to spacecraft volume can be dramatically increased and significant mass savings can be obtained. In this paper, spacecraft electronics are miniaturized using advanced IT applications such as flexible circuitry, miniaturized components, featherweight connectors, and so on, that they can be easily embedded within a structural panel. A sandwich structural panel consists of an aluminum honeycomb core and lightweight CFRP facesheets. Integration of electronics is implemented within the panel by mounting electronics on a multi-layered composite enclosure with multi-materials. This composite enclosure provides a load-bearing, effective thermal conduction, radiation shielding capabilities and an available space for embedding electronics. A series of environmental tests and analyses is carried out to demonstrate that the flight hardware is qualified for the expected mission environments. This approach will be utilized for the advanced small satellite ‘STSAT-3’ to validate the multi-functional structures concept.     

EVA 2000: a European/Russian space suit concept

For the European manned space activities an EVA space suit system was being developed in the frame of the Hermes Space Vehicle Programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). The space suit was to serve the needs for all relevant extravehicular activities for the Hermes Columbus operations planned to begin in 2004. For the present Russian manned space programme the relevant EVAs are performed by the Orlan-DMA semi-rigid space suit. The origin of its development reaches back to the 1970s and has since been adapted to cover the needs for extravehicular activities on Salyut and MIR until today. The latest modification of the space suit, which guaranteed its completely self-contained operation, was made in 1988. However, Russian specialists considered it necessary to start developing an EVA space suit of a new generation, which would have improved performance and would cover the needs by the turn of the century and into the beginning of the next century. Potentially these two suit developments could have a lot in common based on similarities in present concepts. As future manned space activities become more and more an international effort, a safe and reliable interoperability of the different space suit systems is required. Based on the results of the Munich Minister Conference in 1991, the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Agency agreed to initiate a requirements analysis and conceptual design study to determine the feasibility of a joint space suit development, EVA 2000. The design philosophy for the EVA 2000 study was oriented on a space suit system design of: space suit commonality and interoperability; increased crew productivity and safety; increase in useful life and reduced maintainability; reduced development and production cost. The EVA 2000 feasibility study was performed in 1992, and with the positive conclusions for EVA 2000, this approach became the new joint European Russian EVA Suit 2000 Development Programme. This paper gives an overview of the results of the feasibility study and presents the joint requirements and the proposed design concept of a jointly developed European Russian space suit.     

QUASAT program: The ESA reflector

QUASAT is a joint ESA/NASA cooperative mission for a free-flying VLBI antenna to be used with the U.S. and European ground arrays. The spaceborn reflector shall have a diameter of 15 m or more and shall operate at three frequencies: 1.6, 5 and 22 GHz. These requirements are very stringent and very difficult to satisfy. The reflector proposed by the European Space Agency as part of the Quasat assessment study shall be presented. Such reflector shall use the Inflatable Space Rigidized technology under development within ESA. Results of the performances envisaged from such design shall be discussed together with the manufacturing and testing problems envisaged for such reflector. Results derived by different reflector design but using the same Inflatable Space Rigidized technology shall also be presented.     

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.     

Intellectual property rights and space activities

On 5 and 6 December 1994, a two-day workshop was organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Centre for Space Law (ECSL) at ESA's Headquarters in Paris on the theme ‘Intellectual property rights and space activities: a worldwide perspective’. It was attended by some 90 participants and 16 papers were presented, analysing legal and policy issues with regard to intellectual property rights (IPRs) and space activities in a world context.     

The Soviet/Russian spacesuit history: Part III—The European connection

The European spacesuit system (ESSS) initiated by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the late 1980s had many similarities with the Soviet/Russian ORLAN spacesuit system, due to the Hermes system requirements. First, direct contacts in 1989 permitted closer comparison of the two suit systems, and soon the ORLAN manufacturer Zvezda could be contracted as support to the European spacesuit team. In particular, the suit enclosure design and predevelopment testing and operational analysis were performed in close cooperation between Zvezda and the European team under Dornier.

With the changing system requirements and a closer cooperation between ESA and the new Russian Space Agency (RKA) a new joint spaceplane/stations mission scenario came about. This scenario could be served by one spacesuit system, EVA SUIT 2000, which was to be jointly developed by a team headed by Zvezda and Dornier for ESA and RKA. ORLAN-DMA and ESSS experience and hardware were the initial platforms for these activities to create a new generation spacesuits for the Mir 2 and later the ISSs.

A suit demonstrator was manufactured and tested by the end of 1994 when ESA stopped its spacesuit development activities and the joint EVA SUIT 2000 project was terminated. However, many of the features designed, manufactured and tested for the EVA SUIT 2000 were then implemented by Zvezda in the new Russian spacesuit system ORLAN-M, now in full operation onboard the ISS.     

载入航天器的热真空试验

文章概述了美国 NASA 约翰逊航天中心(JSC)进行“阿波罗”飞船热真空试验的经验,介绍了近年来中心在热真空试验设施(容器 B)中进行载人热真空试验的经验和有关技术问题。     

PMI泡沫材料在航天器结构中 应用的可行性研究

文章通过试验研究了两个牌号的PMI泡沫材料的物理及力学性能,着重研究了它们的吸湿性能、压缩蠕变率及在热真空环境下的放气性能,并与航天器结构常用的铝蜂窝芯材作了相应比较。研究表明,优良的介电性能、低热导率、易于加工复杂外形、可设计性等特性使得PMI泡沫材料有望应用于航天器的多功能结构,变截面结构,杆、梁结构,天线结构等,而PMI泡沫材料采取一定的增强措施后也可作为航天器的承力结构。     

C/C复合材料高温热物理性能实验研究

实验研究了烧蚀防热C／C复合材料从常温到高温的等效热膨胀系数、热扩散率、比热随温度的变化情况，并计算了材料不同温度下的热导率与抗热应力系数。结果表明：材料的热膨胀系数很小，接近零膨胀。热扩散率随温度升高而下降，比热随温度升高近似比例增加，而热导率随温度的变化规律与热扩散率相似。材料的抗热应力系数随温度的升高变化不大，抗热震性能稳定。     

Creating a European internal security strategy involving space applications

Space applications are used for countering a wide variety of external security threats but their use for the provision of internal security (for non-military threats like terrorism, organised crime or illegal immigration) is still largely neglected. Several steps have recently been taken to consider space applications for counter-terrorism and other internal security threats. In the context of the general call for a specific European security research programme, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP 7) is conducting several projects using space applications for fighting internal security threats. However, current attempts remain scattered across national and European initiatives, policy fields and pillars, institutional actors and actors involved in various projects. There is thus a strong need for a more integrated approach at the EU-level through a European Internal Security Strategy complementing the existing European Security Strategy. The US has been looking at the provision of homeland security for some time. A revision of existing structures in Europe should thus not neglect the dimension of transatlantic cooperation in this policy area.     

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.     

Thermoelastic characteristics testing on kevlar samples for spacecraft structures

The tensile properties, the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermal conductivity of woven roving (WR) reinforced Kevlar fabrics were experimentally determined. Theoretical values for tensile Young's modulus were calculated by simulating a fabric as an equivalent cross-ply laminate. As thermal expansion coefficient concerns the fabrics have shown an isotropic behaviour. The thermal conductivity normal to fabric plane has also been determined.     

30%SiCp/Al复合材料空间服役温度环境适应性研究

30%SiC_p/Al复合材料具有较高的比强度和比刚度，应用于火星车驱动组件需满足空间环境温度下的高强韧性和高尺寸稳定性需求。文章对粉末冶金法制备的铝基碳化硅复合材料开展了空间环境地面模拟试验，分别从力学性能、组织结构和热物理性能等方面对材料的大温域空间环境适应性进行系统分析。结果表明，材料的力学性能和热物理性能随温度呈现规律性的变化，且具有各向异性:低温条件下抗拉强度提高，线膨胀系数降低；高温条件下冲击韧性提高，导热系数降低；经高低温循环后残余应力降低，抗拉强度提高，线膨胀系数各向异性降低。在此基础上，初步分析了铝基碳化硅复合材料受不同空间温度环境影响，力学性能和热物理性能发生变化的内在机理。     

国外空间反射镜材料及应用分析

空间反射镜材料的选取与反射镜镜坯加工工艺直接影响光学遥感卫星的戍像能力。提高空间相机分辨率的直接途径是增大光学系统的口径,因此大口径空间反射镜的材料技术和镜坯加工技术受到了高度关注。在未来相当长的时间内,相关技术都是研究热点。文章重点研究了常用空间反射镜材料的特性,这些材料包括美国康宁公司的超低膨胀玻璃、德国肖特集团的微晶玻璃、碳化硅和碳化硅复合材料,并对熔接法、浇铸法、烧结法等常用的大口径反射镜镜坯加工方法进行了研究,调研了各类材料的实际在轨应用情况。最后根据上述材料的热膨胀系数和反射镜结构强度等特征,分析总结了这些材料的适用范围。     

空间高稳定碳/碳蜂窝夹层结构制备及性能

针对空间高稳定结构在极端环境下的灵敏度和稳定性需求，提出一种新型高稳定、高承载的轻质碳/碳(C/C)蜂窝夹层结构方案。碳/碳蜂窝夹层结构由化学气相渗透(CVI)致密化获得的整体碳/碳蜂窝和面板经胶粘剂粘接集成，通过评价蜂窝、面板以及夹层结构的内部质量、力学性能及热物理性能，展示了碳/碳蜂窝夹层结构在承载和尺度稳定性方面的优势。研究结果表明,典型特征碳/碳蜂窝承载性能稳定，平压强度＞10 MPa，L/W向剪切强度＞4 MPa，典型特征碳/碳蜂窝夹层结构热膨胀系数低，满足空间环境条件下面内热膨胀系数绝对值低于 1×10 -7 /℃的高稳定设计需求。