Autonomous satellite navigation using starlight refraction angle measurements

An on-board autonomous navigation capability is required to reduce the operation costs and enhance the navigation performance of future satellites. Autonomous navigation by stellar refraction is a type of autonomous celestial navigation method that uses high-accuracy star sensors instead of Earth sensors to provide information regarding Earth’s horizon. In previous studies, the refraction apparent height has typically been used for such navigation. However, the apparent height cannot be measured directly by a star sensor and can only be calculated by the refraction angle and an atmospheric refraction model. Therefore, additional errors are introduced by the uncertainty and nonlinearity of atmospheric refraction models, which result in reduced navigation accuracy and reliability. A new navigation method based on the direct measurement of the refraction angle is proposed to solve this problem. Techniques for the determination of the refraction angle are introduced, and a measurement model for the refraction angle is established. The method is tested and validated by simulations. When the starlight refraction height ranges from 20 to 50 km, a positioning accuracy of better than 100 m can be achieved for a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite using the refraction angle, while the positioning accuracy of the traditional method using the apparent height is worse than 500 m under the same conditions. Furthermore, an analysis of the factors that affect navigation accuracy, including the measurement accuracy of the refraction angle, the number of visible refracted stars per orbit and the installation azimuth of star sensor, is presented. This method is highly recommended for small satellites in particular, as no additional hardware besides two star sensors is required.     

卫星自主导航系统存在常值偏差的滤波方法研究

由于敏感器常值偏差对导航精度影响较大,因此有必要对其进行标定。考虑到传统常偏扩维算法计算量大,且可能出现数值病态的问题,提出了两步UKF算法,该算法对状态和偏差实施分离估计,从而达到解耦目的。不仅能够准确标定常值偏差,而且还可以提高导航精度。近地卫星自主导航系统仿真结果验证了该算法的有效性。     

GNSS Satellite Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (SAIM) using inter-satellite measurements

Integrity is the ability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to detect faults in measurements and provide timely warnings to users and operators when the navigation system cannot meet the defined performance standards, which is of great importance for safety of life critical applications. Compared with both Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) and ground based GNSS Integrity Channel (GIC) methods which are widely adopted nowadays, the Satellite Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (SAIM) method can be used to monitor orbit/ephemeris and clock errors, and has advantages in monitoring orbit and clock quality and providing instantaneous responses when faults happen.     

On the observability of Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements

A thorough observability analysis of the Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements from ground based beacons is performed. This analysis involves the evaluation of the Fisher information matrix which is derived from the maximum likelihood estimation. A series of navigation cases with multiple beacons are investigated, and both range and range-rate measurements are considered. The determinant of Fisher information matrix is used to quantify the observability of navigation system, while the trace of Fisher information matrix is used to determine the lower-bound of estimation errors. For one and two beacon cases, the navigation system is unobservable. However, the eigenvectors of Fisher information matrix give the observable and unobservable component. When three or more beacon measurements are employed, the states of entry vehicle become observable. Some valuable analytic conclusions on the relationship between the geometric configuration of beacons and observability are obtained consequently. Finally, simulation results from two navigation examples indicate that our effort is useful for understanding and assessing the observability of the Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements.     

Doppler utilised Kalman estimation (DUKE) of ionospheric delay for satellite navigation

The ionospheric delay experienced by the satellite navigation signals depends upon the Total Electron Content (TEC) and needs to be corrected. While the single frequency receivers always use parametric models to correct this delay, dual frequency receivers, when suffers a loss of lock of one of its signal, also has to resort to these models. Here, an alternative method, based on Doppler, surrogated by range rate variation, has been attempted to estimate the ionospheric delay using a Kalman filter. GPS data have been used for all visible satellites over four days selected around the equinox and solstice with nominal geomagnetic conditions and estimations done in continuous and calibrated modes. Results of continuous estimation, obtained for a mid latitude station, showed moderate accuracy while it was significantly better for the calibrated mode with no seasonal dependence. Estimations done for station within the extent of equatorial anomaly, has not only resulted in relative deterioration in performance, but also shown seasonal dependence. Compared with estimates of Klobuchar model, the Calibrated estimation showed superior performance, conspicuously in the mid latitude station. However, for the continuous mode, performance was at par with the model at higher latitudes but inferior to it in regions within the extent of the equatorial anomaly.     

适用于卫星导航系统的结构化LDPC码

结构化低密度奇偶校验码可通过基矩阵和扩展因子描述,具有较低的编译码复杂度和优异的译码性能。相比卫星导航系统IS-GPS-800协议中的非规则LDPC码,在校验位采用双对角和"a-0-a"连接关系的结构化LDPC码,同样可以达到线性复杂度编码。除此以外,通过设置不同的扩展因子和修剪操作,结构化LDPC码可以灵活支持不同多种长度的自适应传输,其中修剪操作的打孔/截短图案可以通过外信息转移(Extrinsic Informa-tion Transfer Charts,EXIT)分析方法优化。结合圈长分布和外信息度数谱联合优化设计方法,提出单个基矩阵的编码方案,通过配置不同的扩展因子和修剪方案,实现多种传输码长配置。译码仿真结果显示经过优化打孔/截短图案修剪的结构化LDPC码的译码性能要略优于IS-GPS-800协议中的非规则LDPC码。     

脉冲星导航的整周模糊度解算方法研究

脉冲相位是X射线脉冲星导航方法的基本观测量,在测量的脉冲相位与预报相位比对的过程中存在整周期模糊度问题．借鉴GPS载波相位模糊度的解算方法,提出了单差搜索法、最小二乘搜索法和模糊度函数法3种空间搜索方法用以解算脉冲星导航系统的整周模糊度,并针对地球卫星完全迷失的情况进行了搜索仿真验证．结果表明,这3种方法都能够准确地解算出整周模糊度,均可用于脉冲星导航系统的在轨解算．其中最小二乘搜索法的性能稳定,搜索速度快;模糊度函数法搜索速度慢,但适用于装配单X射线探测器的脉冲星导航系统．     

星地激光时间比对在卫星导航系统中的应用

星地精密激光时间比对具有精度高、系统误差少等优点,因此利用星地精密激光时间比对,不但可以对无线电时间比对进行外部精度检验,而且可以检验并分离无线电伪距测量的系统误差,分析检测设备时延的不稳定性和卫星钟的中短期性能指标,提高卫星钟差的预报精度。     

GPS/SINS组合导航系统状态的可观测度分析方法

系统状态的可观测度是检验所设计的Kalman滤波器的收敛精度和速度的重要指标。首先，分别论述分段式定常系统(PWCS)的可观测性分析方法和基于奇异值分解的系统状态可观测度分析方法。然后，证明GPS／SINS组合导航系统满足PWCS分析定理要求，并进一步提出改进的线性时变系统状态的可观测度分析方法，以适用于分析全弹道过程系统状态的可观测度。最后，通过仿真算例说明该方法的合理性和可行性。     

Enhanced crop discrimination using the mid-IR (1.55–1.75μm)

Improvements in crop discrimination can be realized by using mid-IR bands (1.55–1.75 μm and 2.08–2.35 μm) which are sensitive to canopy moisture content. Analyses of data from two growing seasons in Webster County, Iowa clearly indicate that corn and soybeans are highly separable in the mid-IR from early season through harvest. This contrasts sharply with visible and near-IR bands where corn and soybeans are confused throughout much of the growing season. The mid-IR temporal reflectance behavior appears to result from differences between C₄ monocot and C₃ dicot internal leaf structure. If this hypothesis holds, mid-IR observations should improve discrimination in other instances where similar differences in internal leaf structure are present.     

Stimulation of plasma waves in the magnetosphere using satellite JIKIKEN (EXOS-B)

The stimulated plasma wave experiment (SPW) has been successfully carried out in the plasmasphere and the magnetosphere along the JIKIKEN (EXOS-B) satellite orbit where the plasma parameters indicate wide variety of the combination of the electron number density, ranging from 1/cc to 10⁴/cc, and the electron cyclotron frequency, ranging from 6 kHz to 200 kHz.The upper hybrid resonances F_UHR usually persists for long periods up to 125 msec and the electron cyclotron resonances nF_H are stimulated at frequencies with the very high harmonic number n; sometimes, the nF_H resonance takes place for n=47.All the features of the resonances including F_On reflect the characteristics of the magnetospheric plasma that contains the energetic and non-Maxwellian components of the particles. The measurement of the plasma resonance contributes to the detection of the local electron density and the magnetic field intensity. The mode of the propagating radio waves is also determined being compared with the observed local plasma resonance frequency F_p.     

Present-day crustal movement of the Chinese mainland based on Global Navigation Satellite System data from 1998 to 2018

A total of more than 260 continuous stations and 2000 campaign stations from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) project, covering the Chinese mainland and its surrounding areas during the period of 1998–2018, are processed using the Bernese Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) software via a state-of-the-art method. We obtain the coordinate time series of all the stations given in the reference frame ITRF2014, estimate the coseismic deformation, and remove outliers. Lastly, we present the latest, most complete, and most accurate contemporary horizontal velocity field with respect to the stable Eurasian plate, irrespective of the postseismic deformations. This study shows that the signal of tectonic movement in Western China is stronger than that in Eastern China particularly in the Tibetan Plateau, with a rate of 18–32?mm/a. Moreover, the signal decays sharply from south to north. However, North China and South China move coherently to the ESE direction mostly at a rate of 4–10?mm/a and have not experienced any abrupt velocity gradients in their interiors. Meanwhile, Northeast China has the lowest velocity of only 2–4?mm/a in addition to the coastal areas that have slightly larger velocities. The densified and continuous observation of GNSS stations are of great significance to the study of the present-day crustal movement and tectonic deformation characteristics of the Chinese mainland. This would help to provide better constraints on the kinematics and dynamics of the region.     

北斗长河组合导航伪时差测量与ASF修正

通过时间比对手段把长河二号和北斗一号两个导航系统的原子钟组成一个参考时间尺度,测量导航信号由天线发出时刻相对于同一参考时间尺度的时差改正数,通过卫星微波或地面长波信号把改正数发送给用户接收机,经解调解码,就可以进行北斗长河组合导航的伪时差测量,从而解算接收机的位置和钟差。用模式计算和实测相结合的方法解决长河信号的传播的ASF改正问题,是提高组合导航定位准确度的有效手段。     

Biomass Production System (BPS) plant growth unit.

The Biomass Production System (BPS) was developed under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to meet science, biotechnology and commercial plant growth needs in the Space Station era. The BPS is equivalent in size to a double middeck locker, but uses its own custom enclosure with a slide out structure to which internal components mount. The BPS contains four internal growth chambers, each with a growing volume of more than 4 liters. Each of the growth chambers has active nutrient delivery, and independent control of temperature, humidity, lighting, and CO2 set-points. Temperature control is achieved using a thermoelectric heat exchanger system. Humidity control is achieved using a heat exchanger with a porous interface which can both humidify and dehumidify. The control software utilizes fuzzy logic for nonlinear, coupled temperature and humidity control. The fluorescent lighting system can be dimmed to provide a range of light levels. CO2 levels are controlled by injecting pure CO2 to the system based on input from an infrared gas analyzer. The unit currently does not scrub CO2, but has been designed to accept scrubber cartridges. In addition to providing environmental control, a number of features are included to facilitate science. The BPS chambers are sealed to allow CO2 and water vapor exchange measurements. The plant chambers can be removed to allow manipulation or sampling of specimens, and each chamber has gas/fluid sample ports. A video camera is provided for each chamber, and frame-grabs and complete environmental data for all science and hardware system sensors are stored on an internal hard drive. Data files can also be transferred to 3.5-inch disks using the front panel disk drive.     

Simultaneous measurement of multiple radiation-induced protein expression profiles using the Luminex(TM) system.

Space flight results in the exposure of astronauts to a mixed field of radiation composed of energetic particles of varying energies, and biological indicators of space radiation exposure provides a better understanding of the associated long-term health risks. Current methods of biodosimetry have employed the use of cytogenetic analysis for biodosimetry, and more recently the advent of technological progression has led to advanced research in the use of genomic and proteomic expression profiling to simultaneously assess biomarkers of radiation exposure. We describe here the technical advantages of the Luminex(TM) 100 system relative to traditional methods and its potential as a tool to simultaneously profile multiple proteins induced by ionizing radiation. The development of such a bioassay would provide more relevant post-translational dynamics of stress response and will impart important implications in the advancement of space and other radiation contact monitoring.     

A laboratory study on the thermally induced transformation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to the cyanogen anion (CN) in Solar System analog ices

Mixtures of molecular nitrogen and methane have been identified in numerous outer Solar Systemices including the icy surfaces of Pluto and Triton. We have simulated the interaction of ionizing radiation in the Solar System by carrying out a radiolysis experiment on a methane – molecular nitrogen ice mixture with energetic electrons. We have identified the hydrogen cyanide molecule as the most prominent carbon–nitrogen-bearing reaction product formed. Upon warming the irradiated sample, we followed for the first time the kinetics and temporal evolution of the underlying acid–base chemistry which resulted in the formation of the cyanide ion from hydrogen cyanide. On the surfaces of Triton and Pluto and on comets in Oort’s cloud this sort of complex chemistry is likely to occur. In particular, hydrogen cyanide can be produced in low temperature environments (Oort cloud comets) and may be converted into cyanide ions once the comets reach the warmer regions of the Solar System.     

Retrieval of vegetation equivalent water thickness from reflectance using genetic algorithm (GA)-partial least squares (PLS) regression

This study aimed to investigate the performance of genetic algorithms coupled with partial least squares (GA-PLS) modeling of spectral reflectance in retrieving equivalent water thickness (EWT) at leaf and canopy level. A genetic algorithm was used to identify a subset of spectral bands sensitive to the variation in EWT, and PLS was then applied to relate the identified bands to EWT values. GA-PLS was applied to leaf level reflectance available from LOPEX dataset, and canopy data includes reflectance simulated by a leaf radiative transfer model PROSPECT and a canopy radiative transfer model SAILH and acquired by airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS). The results indicate that GA-PLS has the capability of retrieving EWT from leaf and canopy reflectance, and achieved good estimation accuracy, i.e. low root mean square errors (RMSE) and high squared correlation coefficients (R²). For the retrieval at leaf level, the estimation accuracy can be as good as RMSE = 0.0019 g/cm² and R² = 0.939 or better. For the retrieval at canopy level, the model accuracy is RMSE = 0.0061 g/cm² and R² = 0.966 or better when PROSPECT-SAILH simulated reflectance was used; when AVIRIS image spectra were used, the model accuracy is RMSE = 0.0094 g/cm² and R² = 0.8734 for the calibration, and RMSE = 0.0132 g/cm² and R² = 0.7756 for the validation. These results from GA-PLS modeling support the conclusion that GA-PLS has the potential to be applied to AVIRIS, Hyperion and HyMap imagery for retrieving EWT. The selected bands for the AVIRIS datasets differ from those for the LOPEX and PROSPECT-SAILH simulated datasets, and this inconsistence of the selected bands for different datasets indicates that the GA-PLS method has the advantage of tuning the optimum bands for PLS regression and accommodating the effects of confounding factors.