Why we need a space elevator

The goals of and vision for development of a space elevator have been discussed repeatedly. However, why we should develop one has been glossed over. This paper will focus upon the major issue—why build a space elevator infrastructure? It considers why we need a space elevator, what missions it would enable and how far it would reduce costs. There is no doubt that some major missions would be enhanced or significantly enabled by a space elevator infrastructure. Global communications, energy, monitoring of the Earth, global/national security, planetary defense, and exploration beyond low-Earth orbit are a few examples. In the end, if we are serious about extending space development and avoiding limitations on the human spirit, the reason we should build a space elevator is because we must!     

非柔性结构太空梯的构想

文章简略介绍太空梯的概念,概述了目前世界上太空梯系统的状况和研制遇到的普遍困难.由于现有的纳米技术和材料以及加工水平还不能满足缆绳式太空梯的要求,因此文章提出建造一种非柔性结构的太空梯的构想,这样的太空梯虽然运行效率不及缆绳式太空梯,但所要求的材料相对容易得到.     

The space elevator in the context of current space exploration policy

The space elevator is an advanced space transportation system that someday could replace chemical rockets as humanity's primary means of reaching Earth's orbit. However, before this can occur, a number of enabling technologies will need to be developed, and a variety of economic and policy questions must be addressed. The goal of this paper is to examine the feasibility of the space elevator in the context of current space exploration policy. The paper reviews the space elevator's critical enabling technologies and presents their wide variety of applications. The challenges of funding the space elevator and of building support for the program are discussed. The potential for international cooperation is considered, and the role of the space elevator in the Vision for Space Exploration is examined. The paper argues that each of the space elevator's component technologies ought to be developed independently to meet separate nearer-term objectives. The space elevator should be just one of many applications considered in making decisions to pursue research and development related to each component technology. The enabling technologies, once mature, might eventually be integrated in the construction of a full-scale space elevator from the Earth's surface to geosynchronous orbit and beyond.     

Towards a lunar base programme

When the requisite technology exists, the US political process will inevitably include lunar surface activities as a major space objective. This article examines a manned lunar base in terms of three distinct functions: the scientific investigation of the Moon and its environment; development of the capability to use lunar resources for beneficial purposes throughout the Earth-Moon systems; and conduct of R&D leading to a self-sufficient and self-supporting manned lunar base. Three scenarios are outlined with respect to each possible function.     

Promoting the coalition for a lunar power system

Powering human civilization in the 21st century with clean energy from the Moon became the focus of a unique conference conducted at the Sea Lodge in LaJolla, California, 9–11 July 1990. Organized by Netrologic Inc of San Diego, the lunar-based Solar Power Planning Workshop attracted an elite group of 25 distinguished scientists, engineers and other professionals to formulate an international Coalition for a Lunar Power System. The participants ranged from Buzz Aldrin of Starcraft Enterprises and Bryan Erb of the Canadian Space Agency, to Osamu Inoue of Shimizu Corporation and Gary McAllister of Bechtel Corporation.     

Dose estimates in a lunar shelter with regolith shielding

Beyond the Earth's atmosphere, galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar energetic particles (SEPs) are a significant hazard to both manned and robotic missions. For long human missions on the lunar surface (months to a year) a radiation shelter is needed for dose mitigation and emergency protection in case of solar events. This paper investigates the interaction of source protons of solar events like those of February 1956 that emitted many fewer particles with energies up to 1000 MeV and of the October 1989 event of lower protons energy but higher fluence, with the lunar regolith and aluminum shielding of a lunar shelter. The shelter is 5 m in diameter and has a footprint of 5×8 m and a 10 cm thick aluminum support structure, however, actual thickness could be much smaller (～1–2 cm) depending on the weight of the regolith shielding piled on top. The regolith is shown to be slightly more effective than aluminum. Thus, the current results are still applicable for a thinner aluminum structure and increased equivalent (or same mass) thickness of the regolith. The shielding thicknesses to reduce the dose solely due to solar protons in the lunar shelter below those recommended by NASA to astronauts for 30 day-operation in space (250 mSv) and for radiation workers (50 mSv) are determined and compared. The relative attenuation of incident solar protons with regolith shielding and the dose estimates inside the shelter are calculated for center seeking, planar, and isotropic incidence of the source protons. With the center seeking incidence, the dose estimates are the highest, followed by those with isotropic incidence, and the lowest are those with the planar incidence.     

Stepping stones to the future: Achieving a sustainable lunar outpost

The current emphasis in the US and internationally on lunar robotic missions is generally viewed as a precursor to possible future human missions to the Moon. As initially framed, the implementation of high level policies such as the US Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) might have been limited to either human lunar sortie missions, or to the testing at the Moon of concepts-of-operations and systems for eventual human missions to Mars [White House, Vision for Space Exploration, Washington, DC, 14 January, 2004. [1]]. However, recently announced (December 2006) US goals go much further: these plans now place at the center of future US—and perhaps international—human spaceflight activities a long-term commitment to an outpost on the Moon.Based on available documents, a human lunar outpost could be emplaced as early as the 2020–2025 timeframe, and would involve numerous novel systems, new technologies and unique operations requirements. As such, substantial investments in research and development (R&D) will be necessary prior to, during, and following the deployment of such an outpost. It seems possible that such an outpost will be an international endeavor, not just the undertaking of a single country—and the US has actively courted partners in the VSE. However, critical questions remain concerning an international lunar outpost. What might such an outpost accomplish? To what extent will “sustainability” be built into the outpost? And, most importantly, what will be the outpost's life cycle cost (LCC)?This paper will explore these issues with a view toward informing key policy and program decisions that must be made during the next several years. The paper will (1) describe a high-level analytical model of a modest lunar outpost, (2) examine (using this model) the parametric characteristics of the outpost in terms of the three critical questions indicated above, and (3) present rough estimates of the relationships of outpost goals and “sustainability” to LCC. The paper will also consider possible outpost requirements for near-term investments in enabling research in light of experiences in past advanced technology programs.     

月面数字地形构造方法研究

月面巡视探测器着陆区域的地形将对其产生重要的影响。文章对月面数字地形构造方法进行了研究。首先,对月面典型地形特征石块和撞击坑的分布规律和典型形状进行了分析。其次,说明了数字地形的生成流程。再次,先后利用两种方法确定石块和撞击坑的直径,在此基础上构建了数字地形。一种方法是根据巡视器的越障能力确定石块和撞击坑直径,该方法可在一定程度上满足巡视探测器移动性能试验需求;另一种方法是随机生成石块和撞击坑的直径,使生成的地形符合月面的实际情况,不仅可以应用于巡视探测器的移动性能试验,而且也可以应用于路径规划和着陆器着陆过程的模拟。     

Design of a high performance suspension for lunar rover based on evolution

In this paper, we propose a new suspension for lunar rover called obverse and reverse four-linkage suspension (ORF-L suspension for short). Its two components are designed based on the evolutions of bogie and rocker. Firstly, we analyze the character of bogie and research the approach to improve its performance. Based on that research, an evolved mechanism of bogie is proposed, named obverse four-linkage. It has better capacity than bogie. In addition an evolved mechanism of rocker is also proposed, named reverse four-linkage. The bogie, rocker and their evolved mechanisms can compose four available suspensions including the interested ORF-L suspension. Because ORF-L suspension is composed of two evolved mechanisms, it has the highest performance. In order to check that, the performance comparison between ORF-L suspension and rocker-bogie suspension are carried out based on simulation. Finally, a prototype rover with ORF-L suspension is designed and manufactured. It shows excellent performance as expected.     

Europe needs a space policy

This article argues that growing space activities are essential to maintain European high-technology ambitions. The approval of ESA's future programme at the ministers' meeting in late 1991 is regarded as an absolute minimum and the adoption of a collective European space policy setting European autonomy, international cooperation, competitiveness and equitable market conditions is urgently required. The article further argues that a power structure to define, adopt and update such a policy and monitor its implementation must be established. It should be based on ESA, with other organizations concerned with space playing advisory roles.     

Analytical definition and proposed concept for the manned infrastructure of a lunar outpost

A recent study made by ESA has reviewed the scientific investigations to be only, or best, performed on the Moon (Return to the Moon, ESA SP-1150, June 1992), and has identified the need for a manned lunar outpost to provide support to field geologists in sampling and in-situ observations of the lunar surface, and to allow the refurbishments of surface stations and rovers. Planning and development for a manned outpost on the Moon requires an in-depth understanding and analysis of the functions this outpost is expected to perform. We therefore analyzed the impact of the proposed scientific investigations on the design of a manned lunar outpost. The specific questions raised in our study were: What are the medical, physiological and psychological risks for a crew to stay and to work on the Moon? What transit and lunar surface infrastructures (habitats and vehicles) are needed to minimize those risks?     

月球探测器转移轨道的中途修正

月球探测器的中途制导指的是在其转移轨道中途对轨道进行修正，使其按预定轨道飞行。本文研究的中途修正问题是确定所需的速度修正脉冲，使探测器不断接近标称轨道，并以预定状态到达月球，完成预定的飞行任务。本文首先建立中途修正的模型，其中月球和太阳的位置由DE405得到。然后，采用精确的数值积分方法找出满足预定条件(近地点高度、近月点高度及转移时间)的转移轨道。以该轨道作为标称轨道，分析中途修正所需要的速度修正脉冲与发射入轨时的初始误差(近地点速度误差、入轨高度误差、发射窗口误差等)和修正时刻的关系。最后分析两次中途修正的速度修正脉冲和修正时刻的关系，并得出适合的中途修正时刻。     

六轮月球探测车运动学建模与分析

从运动特性上看，六轮月球探测车是复杂的多路闭链系统。完整的六轮月球探测车运动学模型应考虑所有车轮与地面的相互运动关系以及滑移的影响。现对滑移条件下的六轮月球探测车进行了运动学建模与分析。根据六轮摇臂式月球探测车的结构特点，以闭链坐标变换和瞬时重合坐标法为基本工具，详细推导了六轮探测车的正、逆运动学模型，分析了相关的运动学特性。所建立的运动学方程直接基于任意三维地形环境。在运动学建模与分析中，将车轮的各项滑移全部单独提取出来考虑，给出了滑移量的估算方法，提出了利用滑移估算值对闭环运动粹制讲行修讵的方法．该研究结果为六轮月球探测车的结构分析与运动控制提供了有力的基础。     

A case for permanent lunar development and investment

This Viewpoint argues that the promise of the Apollo Moon landings was not fully realized and that we should now think seriously about developing a lunar base. This could be effective in a number of economic and environmental sectors and would provide a focus for conversion of the defence industry to more peaceful activities. However, the existing UN space treaties would need to be amended and a new authority created to govern activities on the Moon.     

Policy making in China’s space program: A history and analysis of the Chang’e lunar orbiter project

China’s space program is one of the most advanced, rapidly improving and opaque in the world. Insight into the program’s policy-making process could help eliminate misunderstandings, make intentions more clear and promote stability in US–China relations. This case study of China’s first lunar orbiting probe traces the project from initial policy proposal through agenda-setting, policy approval and final policy implementation. It reveals a highly rational decision-making process that is ruled by incrementalism, consensus building, scientific judgment and the use of leading small groups to coordinate among ministries. This research was guided by several relevant theories, including the “fragmented authoritarian” framework of power, the theory of the “policy entrepreneur” and the recently developed “inside access model”. The paper is one of the first published accounts in the English language to detail, from policy proposal to policy implementation, China’s first mission to the Moon.     

Does the lunar surface still offer value as a site for astronomical observatories?

Current thinking about the Moon as a destination has revitalized interest in lunar astronomical observatories. Once seen by a large scientific community as a highly enabling site, the dramatic improvement in capabilities for free-space observatories prompts reevaluation of this interest. Whereas the lunar surface offers huge performance advantages for astronomy over terrestrial sites, free-space locales such as Earth orbit or Lagrange points offer performance that is superior to what could be achieved on the Moon. While astronomy from the Moon may be cost-effective once infrastructure is there, it is in many respects no longer clearly enabling compared with free space.     

The UK parliamentary space committee: The emergence of a space lobby?

In the past few years the UK has become increasingly active as the financial conscience of the European Space Agency. This is not because the UK government has a wish to spend more on its national space effort; it is because it remains unconvinced of the benefits of certain European space activities, notably manned endeavours. In the absence of an effective UK space lobby, the government's policies have remained largely unchallenged. This article traces the growth of the Parliamentary Space Committee in the context of developments in recent European space policy and highlights the need for an active UK space lobby.     

MPT在探月中的应用方案初探

借鉴“东方红3号”卫星的推进系统组成和“SMART-1”探月器的飞行轨道,提出了2种微波等离子体推力器(MPT)应用于月球探测器的推进系统方案(即复合推进方案和统一推进方案),分析计算了MPT用于姿态控制时对推进剂耗量的影响及用于主推进变轨时推进剂耗量和飞行时间的变化,并讨论了MPT的电源系统带来的附加质量。结果表明,在付出一定飞行时间代价的条件下,MPT的引入将大大增加有效载荷质量。