带倾角合成射流激励器对低速主流矢量控制研究

基于全流场计算模型——X-L,对带倾角合成射流激励器控制宏观低速主流流动进行了数值分率的情况下,可使主流流动方向发生大幅度析和机理研究。结果显示,激励器出口倾角对主流矢量角控制影响很大,在不增加输入功偏转。在激励器存在出口倾角情况下,各状态参数和激励器布置位置对主流矢量影响按规律变化且存在最佳值。压强梯度的存在和旋涡的卷吸作用是合成射流激励器控制宏观低速流流动方向的主要因素。     

Electric transfer optimization for mars sample return mission

The aim of this paper is to analyse an alternative scenario for Mars Sample Return Orbiter mission, where electric propulsion is used for Earth-Mars and Mars-Earth heliocentric cruises and for Mars orbit insertion / escape transfers, whereas chemical propulsion is used for final Mars rendezvous. The problem consists in minimizing the initial vehicle mass to obtain a specific final dry mass in reasonable time. The planetocentric phases correspond to continuous low-thrust trajectories, spiraling around Mars between a low orbit and the influence sphere altitude. The heliocentric phases consist of a succession of low-thrust and coasting arcs with specific departure and arrival conditions at the Earth. For these two types of transfer, efficient optimal control tools exist based on Pontryagin's maximum principle. Thanks to the coordination between planetocentric and heliocentric phases, the solution obtained with these two separate tools gives a good upper bound of the optimal solution in terms of propellant consumption and duration. This optimization procedure is described and finally applied to the proposed mission. The numerical results are presented and compared with the baseline chemical mission solution. The electric option could allow to decrease the spacecraft departure mass but may lead to rather long mission duration.     

Optimal transfer from the lagrangian points

The transfer from the equilateral Lagrangian points of the Earth-Moon system is analysed. The final states of the velocity of the space vehicles and of the rotation velocity of the propulsion vector are assumed given. The trajectory which ensures the transfer in optimal time consists of three arcs. On this trajectory the rotation velocity of the direction of the propulsion has the extremal value or corresponds to the Lawden's tangent law. The use of the matching of the arcs together with transversality conditions and final conditions determines the constants of integration and the evolution time. The resulting parametric equations of the optimal trajectory are of integral form.     

嫦娥三号探测器连续姿控的轨道动力学模型补偿及实现

针对嫦娥三号探测器的连续姿控喷气对飞行轨道产生的扰动影响,在精密定轨中建立了经验力补偿模型,并使用最小二乘估计算法计算经验力模型参数与探测器轨道。通过重叠弧段轨道精度评估法对该模型补偿效果进行了验证,结果显示,定轨预报的星历误差以及拟合残差均有所改善,特别是环月轨道的定轨精度由百米量级提高到十米量级。     

Planar Problem of an Optimal Transfer of a Low-Thrust Spacecraft from High-Elliptic to Geosynchronous Orbit

Low-thrust flights from high-elliptic orbits are of considerable interest, since they allow one to decrease (compared to high-thrust flights) the propulsion consumption and to reduce the flight duration. At the same time, in comparison with the spiral unwinding flights from low near-circular orbits, this scheme minimizes the harmful effect of the radiation belts. Based on the maximum principle, the problem of optimization is reduced to a two-point boundary value problem, which is solved numerically using the modified Newton method. A method is suggested to obtain the initial approximation for solving the boundary value problem. The method takes advantage of the idea of transition from an approximately optimal trajectory to the optimal one. Two problems, which have different low-thrust models, are considered: one with permanently acting low thrust and the other with the possibility of turning it on/off. In both cases no restrictions are imposed on the thrust direction. A comparison of these problems is made. We investigated (i) what gain in the final mass can be attained when passing from the first to the second problem, (ii) at the cost of what loss in flight duration this can be achieved, and (iii) what changes in the optimal program of control must be done in this case.     

基于hp伪谱同伦凸优化的火箭垂直回收在线轨迹规划方法

针对可重复使用运载火箭垂直回收轨迹优化问题,提出了一种带有最优终端时间估计策略的hp伪谱同伦凸优化在线轨迹规划算法。首先,考虑状态约束和过程约束的非凸性,采用无损凸化处理推力幅值约束;然后,结合同伦方法与不动点迭代思想将气动力与非凸质量约束转化为线性时变剖面,完成问题凸化;进一步基于hp flipped Radau伪谱法对问题进行离散化处理,将最优控制问题转化为参数优化问题,进而采用原-对偶内点法求解;最后,为进一步减少燃料消耗,提升经济效益,考虑最优终端时间难以在线确定的问题,结合解析推导与二次插值法,设计了最优终端时间快速估计策略。仿真结果表明所设计的轨迹优化算法最优终端时间估计速度快,收敛性能良好,具有较高的精度和计算效率,具备在线应用的潜力。     

面向任务的电推进航天器性能优化与控制

针对电推进(EP)系统的性能与任务耦合优化及控制问题,提出一种基于电推进特征参数模型的耦合优化方法。以入轨有效载荷质量转移率最优为目标,推导出化学-电推进组合任务与多模态全电推进任务的完备形式的拓展火箭方程与最优比冲(Isp)表达式,得到多模态连续电推进最优比冲的计算方法,并得到相关参数对最优比冲的影响规律。结果表明,提出的耦合优化方法与最优比冲公式对求解多模态电推进任务的最优比冲和研究电推进航天器耦合优化控制问题具有指导意义和通用性。     

国内外先进推进技术发展综述

航天运输领域发展的核心目标包括提高运载能力、降低发射成本及减少发射准备时间等。相对于传统的化学推进技术,先进推进技术采用新能源或新机理,旨在从根本上满足未来对有效载荷、发射成本和发射周期的要求。对国内外组合动力装置、核聚变动力推进、离子推进、激光推进、核子脉冲推进、太阳帆推进、磁场帆推进、布萨德喷气推进、反物质推进等先进推进技术的研究进展进行综述和可行性分析,并给出了发展启示。     

闪蒸射流推进的应用

过热液体在低气压(低于其饱和蒸汽压)环境下,会发生剧烈的蒸发,即过热液体的闪蒸现象。利用这一特性,当过热液体通过喷嘴喷射到真空环境时,便会发生闪蒸射流,其中部分液体发生剧烈的汽化,并以高速分离,产生反作用力,从而实现喷气推进。利用闪蒸射流特性的推进方案成功地应用于某伴飞卫星的推进系统中,实现了卫星伴随飞行的目标,取得了良好的结果。     

Project Icarus: Analysis of Plasma jet driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion as potential primary propulsion driver for the Icarus probe

Hopes of sending probes to another star other than the Sun are currently limited by the maturity of advanced propulsion technologies. One of the few candidate propulsion systems for providing interstellar flight capabilities is nuclear fusion. In the past many fusion propulsion concepts have been proposed and some of them have even been explored in detail, Project Daedalus for example. However, as scientific progress in this field has advanced, new fusion concepts have emerged that merit evaluation as potential drivers for interstellar missions. Plasma jet driven Magneto-Inertial Fusion (PJMIF) is one of those concepts. PJMIF involves a salvo of converging plasma jets that form a uniform liner, which compresses a magnetized target to fusion conditions. It is an Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)–Magnetic Confinement Fusion (MCF) hybrid approach that has the potential for a multitude of benefits over both ICF and MCF, such as lower system mass and significantly lower cost. This paper concentrates on a thermodynamic assessment of basic performance parameters necessary for utilization of PJMIF as a candidate propulsion system for the Project Icarus mission. These parameters include: specific impulse, thrust, exhaust velocity, mass of the engine system, mass of the fuel required etc. This is a submission of the Project Icarus Study Group.     

Human exploration of near earth asteroids: Mission analysis for chemical and electric propulsion

This paper presents a mission analysis comparison of human missions to asteroids using two distinct architectures. The objective is to determine if either architecture can reduce launch mass with respect to the other, while not sacrificing other performance metrics such as mission duration. One architecture relies on chemical propulsion, the traditional workhorse of space exploration. The second combines chemical and electric propulsion into a hybrid architecture that attempts to utilize the strengths of each, namely the short flight times of chemical propulsion and the propellant efficiency of electric propulsion. The architectures are thoroughly detailed, and accessibility of the known asteroid population is determined for both. The most accessible asteroids are discussed in detail. Aspects such as mission abort scenarios and vehicle reusability are also discussed. Ultimately, it is determined that launch mass can be greatly reduced with the hybrid architecture, without a notable increase in mission duration. This demonstrates that significant performance improvements can be introduced to the next step of human space exploration with realistic electric propulsion system capabilities. This leads to immediate cost savings for human exploration and simultaneously opens a path of technology development that leads to technologies enabling access to even further destinations in the future.     

Investigation Into Cost-Effective Propulsion System Options for Small Satellites

The paper summarizes research into cost-effective propulsion system options for small satellites. Research into the primary cost drivers for propulsion systems is discussed and a process for resolving them is advanced. From this analysis, a new paradigm for understanding the total cost of propulsion systems is defined that encompasses nine dimensions – mass, volume, time, power, system price, integration, logistics, safety and technical risk. This paradigm is used to characterize all near-term propulsion technology options. From this effort, hybrid rockets emerges as a promising but underdeveloped technology with great potential for cost-effective application. A dedicated research program was completed to characterize this potential. This research demonstrated that hybrid rockets offer a safe, reliable upper stage option that is a versatile, cost-effective alternative to solid rocket motors. Finally, an innovative technique was derived to parametrically combine the diverse cost dimensions into a useful, quantifiable figure of merit for mission and research planning. Overall, it is shown that the most cost-effective solution is found by weighing all options along the nine dimensions of the cost paradigm within the context of a specific mission.     

On solving the problems of optimization of trajectories of many-revolution orbit transfers of spacecraft

The problem of optimal control over many-revolution spacecraft orbit transfers between circular coplanar orbits of satellites is considered. The spacecraft flight is controlled by a thrust vector of a jet engine with restricted thrust (JERT). The mass expenditure is minimized at a limited time of flight. The optimal control problem is solved based on the maximum principle. The boundary value problem of the maximum principle is solved numerically using the shooting method. A modified computation scheme of the shooting method is suggested (multi-point shooting), as well as a method (correlated with the scheme) of choosing the initial approximation with the use of a solution to the optimization problem in the impulse formulation. The scheme and method allow one to construct many-revolution spacecraft orbit transfers.     

A ballistic-pendulum test stand to characterize small cold-gas thruster nozzles

This paper deals with the design, development and experimentation of a new test stand for the accurate and precise characterization of small cold-gas nozzles having thrust of the order of 0.1 N and specific impulse of the order of 10 s. As part of the presented research, a new cold-gas supersonic nozzle was designed and developed based on the quasi one-dimensional theory. The test stand is based on the ballistic-pendulum principle: in particular, it consists of a suspended gondola hosting the propulsion system and the sample nozzle. The propulsion system consists of an air tank, pressure regulator, solenoid valve, battery and digital timer to command the valve. The gondola is equipped with a fin, immersed in water, to provide torsional and lateral oscillation damping. A laser sensor measures the displacement of the gondola. The developed test stand was calibrated by using a mathematical model based on the inelastic collision theory. The obtained accuracy was of ～1%. Sample experimental results are reported regarding the comparison of the new supersonic nozzle with a commercially available subsonic nozzle. The obtained measurements of thrust, mass flow rate and specific impulse are precise to a level of ～3%. The broad goal of the presented research was to contribute to an upgraded design of a spacecraft simulator used for laboratory validation of guidance, navigation and control algorithms for autonomous docking manoeuvres.     

直/气复合控制导弹的模型预测和自抗扰姿态控制设计

针对直/气复合控制导弹姿态控制系统的特点,提出将非线性模型预测方法与自抗扰控制方法结合的姿态控制策略,设计姿控脉冲发动机阵列点火逻辑,在分析直接侧向力有限约束集的基础上提出直/气复合控制导弹姿态控制系统设计方法。仿真结果表明,所给出的复合控制策略可以有效抑制外部干扰和模型不确定性的影响,显著加快拦截导弹的过载响应速度。     

带倾角相邻合成射流激励器射流矢量控制研究

基于合成射流激励器全流场计算模型——X-L模型,对带倾角相邻合成射流激励器宏观低速流动进行数值模拟。讨论了主次流幅值比、两激励器相位差、频率、倾斜角等参数对主流偏转角度的影响,并将单激励器与相邻激励器对主流的矢量控制效果进行了对比。结果显示,相邻激励器对主流的控制效果优于单激励器;激励器相位差存在最佳值;倾角改变激励器的最佳频率,对最佳相位差影响不大。     

Design of optimal earth pole-sitter transfers using low-thrust propulsion

Recent studies have shown the feasibility of an Earth pole-sitter mission using low-thrust propulsion. This mission concept involves a spacecraft following the Earth's polar axis to have a continuous, hemispherical view of one of the Earth's poles. Such a view will enhance future Earth observation and telecommunications for high latitude and polar regions. To assess the accessibility of the pole-sitter orbit, this paper investigates optimum Earth pole-sitter transfers employing low-thrust propulsion. A launch from low Earth orbit (LEO) by a Soyuz Fregat upper stage is assumed after which solar electric propulsion is used to transfer the spacecraft to the pole-sitter orbit. The objective is to minimize the mass in LEO for a given spacecraft mass to be inserted into the pole-sitter orbit. The results are compared with a ballistic transfer that exploits manifold-like trajectories that wind onto the pole-sitter orbit. It is shown that, with respect to the ballistic case, low-thrust propulsion can achieve significant mass savings in excess of 200 kg for a pole-sitter spacecraft of 1000 kg upon insertion. To finally obtain a full low-thrust transfer from LEO up to the pole-sitter orbit, the Fregat launch is replaced by a low-thrust, minimum time spiral, which provides further mass savings, but at the cost of an increased time of flight.     

Power law distribution in statistics of failures in operation of spacecraft onboard equipment

The possibility of using the statistics of recurrence time for extreme events is studied in this paper having in mind the problems of control and prediction of failures in spacecraft operation. The information about failures onboard satellites of various types presented by the US National Geophysical Data Center was analyzed. It was found that the probability density of recurrence intervals followed a power law of the Pareto type with an index equal to 2.3. The obtained result is consistent both with the theory of normal catastrophes and with the principle of self-organization of criticality for metastable active heterogeneous environment. A practical consequence of the obtained result consists in the fact that predictions of these extreme events should not rely on traditional models with the second-order Pearson statistics. To make predictions, the models are necessary that take into account the power law distribution of recurrence intervals for failures on satellites. The failures should be considered in these models as extreme events connected with manifestation of the space environment factors.     

Optimum design of power-limited propulsion systems with application to fast Earth-to-Mars transfer

Power-limited systems with variable Isp, which have been studied theoretically since the beginning of astronautics, are getting closer to practical applications thanks to recent technological advances in the field of magnetosplasma rockets, such as Ad-Astra’s VASIMR concept. This type of propulsion system is considered for high-speed interplanetary transfers, such as Mars missions, with demanding payload fractions that would be compatible with manned missions. This paper explores the problem of the optimization of a power-limited propulsion system through simple performance models, and investigates the trade-off between the technological requirements, the transfer time and the payload fraction¹. Following previous works existing in literature, we model the technological characteristics of the vehicle through a small number of parameters, the most important of which being the specific weight (or mass-to-power ratio) of the power generation system. Also, we use in our models the classical “trajectory characteristic” parameter (defined as the integral over time of the squared thrust acceleration) which represents – under certain hypotheses – the propulsion requirements for an orbital or interplanetary transfer with a given time and a given thrust strategy. In this paper, we first give a review of existing methods in literature, then we present the equations of a new class of optimal design which maximizes the payload fraction, for a given transfer time and given technological characteristics. This class of optimal design is described through very simple equations that make possible to study more straightforwardly than existing calculations the links between the main mission requirements (transfer time and payload fraction) and the main technological requirements (specific weight of the power generation and structure mass ratio of the whole vehicle, excluding the power generation system). One important result obtained from these equations is a simple expression which estimates the theoretical upper limit of the power source’s specific weight as a function of transfer time and the payload mass ratio. In the last part of this paper, we apply this simple performance model to discuss the feasibility of a fast Earth-to-Mars transfer using a power-limited system.     

考虑负载均衡的过驱动航天器推力器分配方法

以过驱动航天器的推力器控制分配误差最小、推力器负载均衡等为设计目标,构建航天器推力分配混合优化模型,并将其转化为线性规划模型进行求解,提出了一种考虑负载均衡的航天器推力器动态分配算法。该算法在确保分配误差最小前提下,能够降低各推力器的最大分配推力之差,有效均衡各推力器总工作时长和开关次数,进而延长推进系统的整体工作寿命。进一步定义了表征负载均衡性能的推力平衡度和干扰敏感度性能指标,并在此基础上给出了一种分配算法负载均能能力的定量化评价方法。在仿真验证中,采用平衡度和敏感度对算法性能进行定量评估,结果表明该方法在保证控制性能和控制分配误差的前提下,能够有效均衡各推力器最大推力,提高了系统的平衡度和对扰动力矩的鲁棒性。