Material considerations in the STEREO solar array design

Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), the third mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes program, launched aboard a single Delta II 7925 launch vehicle on October 25, 2006 from Cape Canaveral. This two-year mission employs two nearly-identical, space-based observatories, one ahead of the Earth in its orbit, and the other trailing behind, to provide the first stereoscopic measurements of the sun and its coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. The STEREO observatories utilize four sets of solar arrays, each of which experienced a two-stage deployment on-orbit. This paper illustrates material considerations in the solar array subsystem design. It first focuses on the solar array substrate, considering material coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) concerns when choosing a substrate laminate to which the solar cells will adhere. It then explores a similar issue when choosing a substrate insert material. Next, the focus shifts to material considerations in the solar array hinge design. This design was driven not just by function, but by a host of different material considerations, ranging from mass savings to fabrication time and cost.     

Space solar array reliability: A study and recommendations

Providing reliable power over the anticipated mission life is critical to all satellites; therefore solar arrays are one of the most vital links to satellite mission success. Furthermore, solar arrays are exposed to the harshest environment of virtually any satellite component. In the past 10 years 117 satellite solar array anomalies have been recorded with 12 resulting in total satellite failure. Through an in-depth analysis of satellite anomalies listed in the Airclaim's Ascend SpaceTrak database, it is clear that solar array reliability is a serious, industry-wide issue. Solar array reliability directly affects the cost of future satellites through increased insurance premiums and a lack of confidence by investors. Recommendations for improving reliability through careful ground testing, standardization of testing procedures such as the emerging AIAA standards, and data sharing across the industry will be discussed. The benefits of creating a certified module and array testing facility that would certify in-space reliability will also be briefly examined. Solar array reliability is an issue that must be addressed to both reduce costs and ensure continued viability of the commercial and government assets on orbit.     

Space solar array reliability: A study and recommendations

Providing reliable power over the anticipated mission life is critical to all satellites; therefore solar arrays are one of the most vital links to satellite mission success. Furthermore, solar arrays are exposed to the harshest environment of virtually any satellite component. In the past 10 years 117 satellite solar array anomalies have been recorded with 12 resulting in total satellite failure. Through an in-depth analysis of satellite anomalies listed in the Airclaim's Ascend SpaceTrak database, it is clear that solar array reliability is a serious, industry-wide issue. Solar array reliability directly affects the cost of future satellites through increased insurance premiums and a lack of confidence by investors. Recommendations for improving reliability through careful ground testing, standardization of testing procedures such as the emerging AIAA standards, and data sharing across the industry will be discussed. The benefits of creating a certified module and array testing facility that would certify in-space reliability will also be briefly examined. Solar array reliability is an issue that must be addressed to both reduce costs and ensure continued viability of the commercial and government assets on orbit.     

空间原子氧环境对太阳电池阵的影响分析

空间原子氧是危害低地球轨道（LEO）航天器在轨性能的最主要空间环境因素之一,其强氧化性能够对包括太阳电池阵在内的航天器外表面暴露材料和组件造成危害。文章分析了某载人航天器在轨原子氧环境、原子氧对不同结构太阳电池阵所用材料的影响以及对太阳电池阵组件电性能的影响,结果表明原子氧对材料的作用能够引起太阳电池阵基板强度降低、电连接可靠性下降及电缆线护套失效等风险,材料的损伤会导致太阳电池组件电性能的下降。鉴于以上结果,作者建议在今后LEO长寿命航天器太阳电池阵研制中,应对原子氧环境条件进行详细设计;同时开展组件级试验,以对电池阵原子氧防护设计的有效性进行验证。     

Rosetta: The ESA comet rendezvous mission

Rosetta was selected in November 1993 for the ESA Cornerstone 3 mission, to be launched in 2003, dedicated to the exploration of the small bodies of the solar system (asteroids and comets). Following this selection, the Rosetta mission and its spacecraft have been completely reviewed: this paper presents the studies performed the proposed mission and the resulting spacecraft design.

Three mission opportunities have been identified in 2003–2004, allowing rendezvous with a comet. From a single Ariane 5 launch, the transfer to the comet orbit will be supported by planetary gravity assists (two from Earth, one from Venus or Mars); during the transfer sequence, two asteroid fly-bys will occur, allowing first mission science phases. The comet rendezvous will occur 8–9 years after launch; Rosetta will orbit around the comet and the main science mission phase will take place up to the comet perihelion (1–2 years duration).

The spacecraft design is driven (i) by the communication scenario with the Earth and its equipment, (ii) by the autonomy requirements for the long cruise phases which are not supported by the ground stations, (iii) by the solar cells solar array for the electrical power supply and (iv) by the navigation scenario and sensors for cruise, target approach and rendezvous phases. These requirements will be developed and the satellite design will be presented.     

太阳帆日心定点悬浮转移轨道设计

研究了太阳帆航天器日心定点悬浮轨道(HFDO)的转移轨道设计问题,以球坐标形式建立了太阳帆的动力学模型,基于该模型给出在日心悬浮轨道基础上实现定点悬浮的条件,提出了一种实现日心定点悬浮的转移轨道设计方法。首先,确定定点悬浮的位置;然后,设计经过该位置的绕日极轨轨道;最后,实施轨道减速实现定点悬浮,并给出了解析形式的轨道控制律。结合太阳极地观测任务,设计了定点悬浮在太阳北极1AU处的太阳帆转移轨道。仿真结果表明:该轨道转移方案总耗时3.5年,太阳帆定点到黄北极距日心1AU处,此后只要保持太阳光垂直照射帆面,即可维持稳定的悬浮状态。     

Mission analysis and systems design of a near-term and far-term pole-sitter mission

This paper provides a detailed mission analysis and systems design of a near-term and far-term pole-sitter mission. The pole-sitter concept was previously introduced as a solution to the poor temporal resolution of polar observations from highly inclined, low Earth orbits and the poor high-latitude coverage from geostationary orbit. It considers a spacecraft that is continuously above either the north or south pole and, as such, can provide real-time, continuous and hemispherical coverage of the polar regions. Being on a non-Keplerian orbit, a continuous thrust is required to maintain the pole-sitter position. For this, two different propulsion strategies are proposed, which result in a near-term pole-sitter mission using solar electric propulsion (SEP) and a far-term pole-sitter mission where the SEP thruster is hybridized with a solar sail. For both propulsion strategies, minimum propellant pole-sitter orbits are designed. In order to maximize the spacecraft mass at the start of the operations phase of the mission, the transfer from Earth to the pole-sitter orbit is designed and optimized assuming either a Soyuz or an Ariane 5 launch. The maximized mass upon injection into the pole-sitter orbit is subsequently used in a detailed mass budget analysis that will allow for a trade-off between mission lifetime and payload mass capacity. Also, candidate payloads for a range of applications are investigated. Finally, transfers between north and south pole-sitter orbits are considered to overcome the limitations in observations due to the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis that causes the poles to be alternately situated in darkness. It will be shown that in some cases these transfers allow for propellant savings, enabling a further extension of the pole-sitter mission.     

固定太阳翼展开后外弯基频的工程计算

太阳翼是航天器电源分系统的重要组成部分。以刚性基板的固定太阳翼为研究对 象,针对航天器总体方案设计阶段的特点,基于“动-势能驻值原理”,将固定太阳翼等效 简化为附集中质量的悬臂梁,并由此推导出固定太阳翼外弯模态基频的近似解析解,提出了 展开后固定太阳翼外弯模态基频的工程近似方法,为今后航天器总体设计人员提供了简单、 可靠的分析方法。
     

空间太阳电池阵的发展现状及趋势

从四方面分析了空间太阳电池阵的发展现状,包括体装式、带桨展开式、单板展开式、多板展开式、柔性多模块多维展开式等总体构型的发展历程,常用太阳电池片如硅电池片、砷化镓电池片、柔性薄膜电池片的材料与性能的发展现状,刚性基板结构、半刚性基板结构、柔性基板结构的发展与应用及五种展开机构的特点与空间应用分析,论述了空间太阳电池阵发展的制约因素,指出了聚光型柔性太阳电池阵是未来空间太阳电池阵发展的趋势,旨在促进空间太阳电池阵向着大尺寸、大功率、模块化、低成本和轻质量的方向发展,以适应大功率航天器的发展需求。     

Combining solar science and asteroid science with the space weather observation network (SWON)

The peculiarity of space weather for Earth orbiting satellites, air traffic and power grids on Earth and especially the financial and operational risks posed by damage due to space weather, underline the necessity of space weather observation. The importance of such observations is even more increasing due to the impending solar maximum. In recognition of this importance we propose a mission architecture for solar observation as an alternative to already published mission plans like Solar Probe (NASA) or Solar Orbiter (ESA). Based upon a Concurrent Evaluation session in the Concurrent Engineering Facility of the German Aerospace Center, we suggest using several spacecraft in an observation network. Instead of placing such spacecraft in a solar orbit, we propose landing on several asteroids, which are in opposition to Earth during the course of the mission and thus allow observation of the Sun's far side. Observation of the far side is especially advantageous as it improves the warning time with regard to solar events by about 2 weeks. Landing on Inner Earth Object (IEO) asteroids for observation of the Sun has several benefits over traditional mission architectures. Exploiting shadowing effects of the asteroids reduces thermal stress on the spacecraft, while it is possible to approach the Sun closer than with an orbiter. The closeness to the Sun improves observation quality and solar power generation, which is intended to be achieved with a solar dynamic system. Furthermore landers can execute experiments and measurements with regard to asteroid science, further increasing the scientific output of such a mission. Placing the spacecraft in a network would also benefit the communication contact times of the network and Earth. Concluding we present a first draft of a spacecraft layout, mission objectives and requirements as well as an initial mission analysis calculation.     

太阳帆推进

太阳帆依靠反射太阳光光子产生推力,在飞行任务的整个过程推力连续作用于飞行器上而不需要任何推进剂。太阳帆可广泛应用于低成本大速度增量的太阳系飞行任务,具有其它推进系统无法替代的优点。简要介绍了太阳帆推进的机理及研究现状,给出了太阳帆飞行器的主要性能参数及需要解决的主要技术关键。     

UltraFlex太阳电池阵的结构优化

以提高圆形太阳电池阵的展开过程稳定性和固有频率为优化目标,以UltraFlex太阳电池阵为模型,采用有限元软件SAMCEF对其进行结构优化。以承重梁材料、斜梁开口高度、斜梁位置、梁截面高度及厚度5种结构参数为优化变量,进行了多种工况的展开动力学仿真和模态计算。经分析发现,结构展开后期太阳毯与支撑梁拉扯会导致支撑梁剪切应力激增;梁材料、斜梁位置与支撑梁截面高度对太阳电池阵的展开过程稳定性影响较大;当梁材料为碳纤维,斜梁位置为1100 mm,梁截面高度为20 mm时,展开过程稳定性最好;斜梁位置和承重梁截面厚度对结构固有频率影响较大;当斜梁位置为900 mm或1100 mm、承重梁截面厚度从3 mm增至3.5 mm时,系统固有频率涨幅最大,由此带来的质量增加可以接受。     

太阳电池阵新型互连片微连接技术探讨

太阳电池阵由多个太阳电池单体串并联组成,焊接部位多,因此电池电路的互连成为其可靠性的制约因素。文章通过分析太阳电池阵新型互连片焊接影响因素,并进行焊接工艺试验验证,摸索出新型互连片的焊接参数,满足太阳电池焊接强度要求,为航天器的长寿命设计提供参考。     

“资源一号”卫星火工控制系统可靠性安全性设计

“资源一号”卫星火工控制系统设计的正确性、合理性和可靠性、安全性,与卫星成败有着非常密切的联系。文章重点描述了“资源一号”卫星火工控制系统可靠性安全性的设计,主要包括火工控制系统的点火电路设计、点火通路电缆设计、太阳电池板（文中简称太阳翼）可靠展开的冗余设计和点火限流电阻的设计等4方面内容,尤其在点火限流电阻的选取和设计方面进行了完善和提高。     

Rapid assessment of radiobiological doses for terrestrial and interplanetary space missions

This paper presents the doses levels expected in orbits in chart form, covering the range 300-800 km of altitude and 0-90 degrees of inclination behind shieldings similar to the Hermes spacecraft and the EVA spacesuit matter distributions. These charts allow users to rapidly find the radiobiological dose received in the most critical organs of the human body either in normal situations or during a large solar event. Outside the magnetosphere, during interplanetary or lunar missions, when the dose received during crossing of the radiation belts become negligible, the dose is due to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar flares. The correct radiobiological assessment of the components of this radiation field becomes a major problem. On the Moon a permanent ground-based station can be shielded by lunar materials against meteoroids and radiations. The radiobiological hazard, essentially linked to the solar flare risk during the transfer phase and the extra-station activities, may be solved by mission planning. For interplanetary flights the problem comes from both increased risk of solar events and from the continuous exposure to GCR. These energetic particles cannot be easily stopped by shieldings; cost considerations imply that more effective materials must be used. Impact on the vehicle design and the mission planning is important.     

Station keeping of a solar sail around a Halo orbit

Solar sails are a concept of spacecraft propulsion that takes advantage of solar radiation pressure to propel a spacecraft. Although the thrust provided by a solar sail is small it is constant and unlimited. This offers the chance to deal with novel mission concept. In this work we want to discuss the controllability of a spacecraft around a Halo orbit by means of a solar sail. We will describe the natural dynamics for a solar sail around a Halo orbit. By natural dynamics we mean the behaviour of the trajectory of a solar sail when no control on the sail orientation is applied. We will then discuss how a sequence of changes on the sail orientation will affects the sail's trajectory, and we will use this information to derive efficient station keeping strategies. Finally we will check the robustness of these strategies including different sources of errors in our simulations.     

Very high delta-V missions to the edge of the solar system and beyond enabled by the dual-stage 4-grid ion thruster concept

A new and innovative type of gridded ion thruster, the “Dual-Stage 4-Grid” or DS4G concept, has been proposed and its predicted high performance validated under an ESA research, development and test programme. The DS4G concept is able to operate at very high specific impulse and thrust density values well in excess of conventional 3-grid ion thrusters at the expense of a higher power-to-thrust ratio. This makes it a possible candidate for ambitious missions requiring very high delta-V capability and high power. Such missions include 100 kW-level multi-ton probes based on nuclear and solar electric propulsion (SEP) to distant Kuiper Belt Object and inner Oort cloud objects, and to the Local Interstellar medium. In this paper, the DS4G concept is introduced and its application to this mission class is investigated. Benefits of using the DS4G over conventional thrusters include reduced transfer time and increased payload mass, if suitably advanced lightweight power system technologies are developed.A mission-level optimisation is performed (launch, spacecraft system design and low-thrust trajectory combined) in order to find design solutions with minimum transfer time, maximum scientific payload mass, and to explore the influence of power system specific mass. It is found that the DS4G enables an 8-ton spacecraft with a payload mass of 400 kg, equipped with a 65 kW nuclear reactor with specific mass 25 kg/kW (e.g. Topaz-type with Brayton cycle conversion) to reach 200 AU in 23 years after an Earth escape launch by Ariane 5. In this scenario, the optimum specific impulse for the mission is over 10,000 s, which is well within the capabilities of a single 65 kW DS4G thruster. It is also found that an interstellar probe mission to 200 AU could be accomplished in 25 years using a “medium-term” SEP system with a lightweight 155 kW solar array (2 kg/kW specific mass) and thruster PPU (3.7 kg/kW) and an Earth escape launch on Ariane 5. In this case, the optimum specific impulse is lower at 3500 s which is well within conventional gridded ion thruster capability.     

月尘累积对太阳电池阵电帘除尘效率影响的实验研究

月尘在月球探测器太阳电池阵表面的累积将会导致其输出功率下降甚至功能失效。近年来,电帘除尘方法被认为是月尘清除防护的有效手段。文章实验研究了月尘累积对三结砷化镓太阳电池性能影响,拟合得到了月尘累积质量与太阳电池相对输出功率的数学模型;利用电帘除尘装置,研究了不同月尘累积质量下电帘的除尘效率。研究结果表明,6 mg/cm2月尘累积质量是太阳电池阵电帘除尘装置启动的最佳工作条件。该研究成果可为开发具有自适应除尘能力的太阳电池阵提供技术支持。     

柔性印制膜在太阳电池阵的应用及热适应性试验研究

针对微小卫星太阳电池阵高体积比的功率需求,设计了带柔性印制电路（FPC）的太阳电池阵。该太阳电池阵将太阳电池、FPC与基板集成为一体,具有厚度薄、质量小等优点。通过热循环试验对其环境适应性进行考核,X射线检测结果表明,太阳电池阵上锡焊焊盘与覆铜层连接部位受热应力的影响较大,在长期高低温循环条件下存在锡焊焊盘与覆铜层断裂的风险。为此,给出提升太阳电池阵上FPC抗热形变能力的设计建议,以期为后续太阳电池阵设计提供参考。