Stability of large damped flexible spacecraft with stored angular momentum

Vibrational stability of large flexible structurally damped spacecraft carrying internal angular momentum and undergoing large rigid body rotations is analysed modeling the systems as elastic continua. Initially, analytical solutions to the motion of rigid gyrostats under torque-free conditions are developed. The solutions to the gyrostats modeled as axisymmetric and triaxial spacecraft carrying three and two constant speed momentum wheels, respectively, with spin axes aligned with body principal axes are shown to be complicated. These represent extensions of solutions for simpler cases existing in the literature. Using these solutions and modal analysis, the vibrational equations are reduced to linear ordinary differential equations. Equations with periodically varying coefficients are analysed applying Floquet theory. Study of a few typical beam- and plate-like spacecraft configurations indicate that the introduction of a single reaction wheel into an axisymmetric satellite does not alter the stability criterion. However, introduction of constant speed rotors deteriorates vibrational stability. Effects of structural damping and vehicle inertia ratio are also studied.     

一种航天器用外热防护涂层材料研究

研制了一种由环氧改性有机硅树脂、聚酰胺类固化剂为基体,以隔热及耐热填料为添加剂的室温固化耐高温外热防护涂料体系;该外热防护涂层材料的拉伸强度3.15MPa,断裂伸长率26%;热导率0.271W/(m.K),比热容2.689 J/(g.K),而且具有优良的隔热性能、耐热性能以及良好的附着力。该涂层材料可用于T700/4319复合材料壳体表面的外防护,并可在350℃温度条件下短期使用。     

A simplified technique for determining the rotational motion of a satellite based on the onboard measurements of the angular velocity and magnetic field of the Earth

The mathematical model, which allowed us to reconstruct the rotational motion of the Bion M-1 and Foton M-4 satellites by processing the measurements of onboard magnetometers and the angular velocity sensor, is sufficiently detailed and accurate. If we slightly lower the requirements for accuracy and transfer to a rougher model, i.e., we will not update the biases in measurements of the angular velocity component, then the measurement processing technique can be significantly simplified. The volume of calculations in minimizing the functional of the least-square technique is reduced; the most complicated part of calculations is performed using the standard procedure of computational linear algebra. This simplified technique is described below, and the examples of its application for reconstructing the rotational motion of the Foton M-4 satellite are presented. A noticeable distinction in the reconstructions of motion, constructed by simplified and more exact techniques, is revealed in processing the measurements over time intervals longer than 4 hours.     

Quasi-synchronous orbits and their employment for the approach of a spacecraft to Phobos

The problem of construction of quasi-synchronous orbits which pass through a prescribed point over the surface of Phobos at a prescribed instant of time is considered. The orbits should pass as close as possible to the surface of Phobos at each passage above the planned region of landing.     

Unloading law for a LEO spacecraft with two-gimbals solar array

The purpose of this paper is to present a modified cross-product unloading law that can be used to provide an open-loop compensation control design to counteract the predominant effects of the gravity gradient torque. The modified cross-product unloading law, is successfully applied to a three-axis stabilized, nadir-pointed LEO spacecraft with two-gimbals solar array. The variation of the two solar array orientations can significantly change the spacecraft's moment of inertia during the nominal operation mode, which can produce significant momentum accumulation in the roll–yaw body plane and cause large yaw pointing error. A rigorous study of momentum management performance capability has been conducted by using a high-fidelity performance simulation software that contains models of four environmental disturbance torque (gravity gradient, aerodynamic, solar, and magnetic). The simulation results show that the proposed momentum unloading control law has enabled a substantial reduction in the maximum accumulated roll momentum, which results in improving the pointing accuracy of the LEO spacecraft enormously.     

液体火箭发动机阻尼机架减振特性研究

对具有橡胶——惯性结构的火箭发动机机架简化模型中动态载荷传播特性进行了研究。机架内动态载荷在依次通过橡胶-惯性结构粘贴位置时,携带的部分动能传递到橡胶材料内,导致机架内应力幅值显著低于能量交换前的应力。通过分析橡胶材料内外表面的速度,发现速度差引起了橡胶阻尼材料沿轴向发生剪切加载和卸载过程,并导致机架传递到橡胶材料的动态能量发生剪切变形的过程中被耗散吸收;此外,机架内动态载荷大小与机架内质点速度的变化量有关,机架内质点动能减小及运动速度降低是引起机架动态载荷幅值降低的根本原因。     

Orbit design for the Spektr-R spacecraft of the ground-space interferometer

In order to carry out tasks of the RadioAstron mission, a high-apogee orbit was designed. On average, the period of its satellite’s orbit around the Earth is 8.5 days with evolution due to gravitational perturbations produced by the Moon and the Sun. The perigee and apogee of this orbit vary within the limits 7500–70000 km and 270000–333000 km, respectively. The basic evolution of the orbit represents a rotation of its plane around the line of apsides. Over 3 years, the plane normal to the orbit draws on the celestial sphere an oval with a semi-major axis of about 150° and semi-minor axis of about 45°.     

Determination of attitude motion of the Foton M-2 satellite using the data of onboard measurements of its angular velocity

We present the resutls of a prompt determination of the uncontrolled attitude motion of the Foton M-2 satellite, which was in orbit from May 31 to June 16, 2005. The data of onboard measurements of the angular velocity vector were used for this determination. The measurement sessions were carried out once a day, each lasting 83 min. Upon terminating a session, the data were transmitted to the ground to be processed using the least squares method and integrating the equations of motion of the satellite with respect to its center of mass. As a result of processing, the initial conditions of motion during a session were estimated, as well as parameters of the mathematical model used. The satellite’s actual motion is determined for 12 such sessions. The results obtained in flight completely described the satellite’s motion. This motion, having begun with a small angular velocity, gradually became faster, and in two days became close to the regular Euler precession of an axisymmetric solid body. On June 14, 2005 the angular velocity of the satellite with respect to its longitudinal axis was approximately 1.3 degrees per second, and the angular velocity projection onto a plane perpendicular to this axis had a magnitude of about 0.11 degrees per second. The results obtained are consistent with more precise results obtained later by processing the data on the Earth’s magnetic field measured on the same satellite, and they complement the latter in determination of the motion in the concluding segment of the flight, when no magnetic measurements were performed.     

Field emission performance of multiwalled carbon nanotubes for a low-power spacecraft neutraliser

Field electron emission from aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes has been assessed to determine if the performance, defined by power consumption, lifetime and emission current, is suitable for use in spacecraft charge neutralisation for field emission electric propulsion (FEEP). Carbon nanotubes grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) were mounted on a dual in line chip with a macroscopic (nickel mesh) extractor electrode mounted ～1 mm above the tubes. The nanotubes’ field emission characteristics (emission currents, electron losses and operating voltage) were measured at ～10^?4 Pa. An endurance test of one sample, running at a software-controlled constant emission current lasted >1400 h, approaching the longest known FEEP thruster lifetime. The emission corresponds to a current density of ～10 mA/cm² at a voltage of 150 V. These results, implementing mature extractor-electrode geometry, indicate that carbon nanotubes have considerable potential for development as robust, low-power, long-lived electron emitters for use in space.     

缓变测量系统的干扰及抑制方法

介绍了液体火箭发动机试验缓变测量系统中干扰的来源及干扰的方式,并针对不同的干扰方式提出了抑制干扰的几种方法。电缆的正确铺设和接地非常重要,利用信调器和软件技术来抑制干扰是测量系统常用手段,数字滤波技术、信号检测技术及“看门狗”技术等在软件中的应用,都起到了良好的抑制干扰的作用。     

Studying the change in characteristics of optical surfaces of a spacecraft

The change in the working characteristics of the optical element sample depending on the thickness of the contamination film applied to the sample has been estimated experimentally. As sources of contamination, the coatings of lens hoods were chosen, which are located in close proximity to the contamination- sensitive optical system of a spacecraft. A series of experiments for applying contamination films of different thickness to the sample of the optical element has been carried out. Based on preliminary estimations, the thickness of the contamination during the entire period of the active existence of the spacecraft will not exceed 3500 Å.     

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°.     

Semianalytic estimations of boundaries of a corridor of spacecraft entry into the planetary atmosphere at considerable values of permissible maximum overload

Trajectories of spacecraft entry into the planetary atmosphere with a velocity essentially exceeding the first cosmic velocity are considered. An estimation of the minimum permissible value of the altitude of conditional pericenter (perigee in the case of the Earth), at which extreme permissible value of maximum overload is reached, is of the main interest. Semianalytic formulas including the cases of considerable values of the maximum overload are suggested.     

Controlling the motion of a spacecraft when approaching a large object of space debris

The problem of calculating the parameters of maneuvering a spacecraft as it approaches a large object of space debris (LOSD) in close near-circular noncoplanar orbits has been considered. In [1–4], the results of analyzing the problem of the flyby of the separated LOSD groups have been presented. It has been assumed that a collector spacecraft approaches the LOSD and captures it or it is inserted into the nozzle of a small spacecraft that has a proper propulsion system (PS). However, in these papers, the flight from one object to another was only analyzed and the problem of approaching to LOSD with a given accuracy was not considered. This paper is a supplement to the cycle of papers [1–4]. It is assumed that, the final stage of approaching the LOSD is implemented by maneuvering in many orbits (up to several dozens) with low-thrust engines, but the PS operating time is fairly small compared with the orbit period in order to make it possible to use impulse approximation in the calculations.     

航天器三维协同研制标准体系研究

三维协同研制具有可视化、精确性的特点,是数字化研制的一项重要工作,数字化技术应用标准化是三维协同研制模式推行的基本保证。通过分析产品数字化研制标准体系的现状,基于航天器三维协同数字化研制全流程,构建航天器三维协同研制的数字化标准框架和标准体系,逐条梳理标准体系下的标准细目。文章介绍三维协同数字化标准现状,提出航天器三维协同标准体系框架、体系及其标准组成。     

Reconstruction of spacecraft rotational motion using a Kalman filter

Quasi-static microaccelerations of four satellites of the Foton series (nos. 11, 12, M-2, M-3) were monitored as follows. First, according to measurements of onboard sensors obtained in a certain time interval, spacecraft rotational motion was reconstructed in this interval. Then, along the found motion, microacceleration at a given onboard point was calculated according to the known formula as a function of time. The motion was reconstructed by the least squares method using the solutions to the equations of satellite rotational motion. The time intervals in which these equations make reconstruction possible were from one to five orbital revolutions. This length is increased with the modulus of the satellite angular velocity. To get an idea on microaccelerations and satellite motion during an entire flight, the motion was reconstructed in several tens of such intervals. This paper proposes a method for motion reconstruction suitable for an interval of arbitrary length. The method is based on the Kalman filter. We preliminary describe a new version of the method for reconstructing uncontrolled satellite rotational motion from magnetic measurements using the least squares method, which is essentially used to construct the Kalman filter. The results of comparison of both methods are presented using the data obtained on a flight of the Foton M-3.     

Algorithms for the transport spacecraft descending stage lateral motion control

This report deals with the problems of synthesizing algorithms for controlling the attitude manoeuver of a transport spacecraft aimed at injecting the spacecraft into a closed terminal domain of “heading-range” phase coordinates which makes it possible to descend to the landing aerodrome region in accordance with a spiral trajectory tracking pattern. The descent trajectory is controlled by changing the roll angle. The principal distinguishing feature of the suggested method of transport spacecraft lateral motion control resides in guiding the spacecraft to a terminal curve and in providing an automatic transfer from roll control to interacting control of roll angle and angle of attack. The performance of the control algorithm under transient conditions are considered in detail.Algorithms controlling the longitudinal range by varing the magnitude of the roll angle and lateral range by selecting the respective sign of the roll control angle are thereafter synthesized separately. The major problem in designing the angular motion control system of transport spacecraft is the development of a high-rate roll axis turn control algorithm. To ensure high accuracy of lateral manoeuvering of the spacecraft it is expedient to accomplish the spacecraft reorientation in roll in a minimum time. It is therewith necessary to take into account with the sideslip angle limitation associated with the need of complying the design conditions of the spacecraft flowaround and with the spacecraft skin selected temperature conditions. It is expected that the total side slip angle is acceptable for measurement. Within the greater portion of the descent trajectory constant-thrust jet-reaction control engines are employed as actuators. Therefore, together with the high speed of response developed control algorithm provides an adequate efficiency of the system from the viewpoint of fuel consumption. The possibilities offered by the suggested algorithms controlling the lateral motions of the center of masses and around the center of masses during the descent stage and in the course of landing approach manoeuvering are illustrated by an example considering a hypothetical transport spacecraft featuring variable aerodynamics and a low frequency of natural oscillations of the angular motion loop. The suggested algorithms make it possible to fully employ the transport spacecraft maneuverability and to meet the terminal heading and velocity requirements within a wide class of disturbances.     

Features of rotational motion of a spacecraft descending in the Martian atmosphere

Angular motion at atmospheric entry is studied in the paper for a spacecraft with a bi-harmonic moment characteristic. Special attention is given to the case when the spacecraft possesses two stable balanced positions, and, hence, it can oscillate in dense atmospheric layers in the ranges of small or large angles of attack. The averaged equations of spacecraft motion are derived, which allow one to increase the speed of calculations by several orders of magnitude. A real example is presented, which concerns a spacecraft specially designed for descending in the Martian atmosphere.