Fiber lasers: a future space technology

The constraints of operation in space have largely precluded the use of conventional solid-state laser systems for applications including remote sensing, communication relays, and active laser radars. A new technology, fiber lasers, may offer all of the needed features at an affordable price. An appealing aspect of the fiber laser is that it does not need a rigid optical bench. Only the output end of the fiber need be held in rigid reference to the optical tracking system. Design, fabrication, and testing of the laser resonator is generally the most expensive and longest lead part of the effort for conventional solid-state lasers. Advances in Fiber Optic technology and devices mean that the "fiber laser" need not be a simple device but may be a complex system employing sophisticated technology such as wavelength selective Bragg reflectors and nonlinear optical frequency shifters. Three companies have recently obtained single-mode outputs of 3540 watts single mode at 1.03-1.1 microns.     

Present needs,capabilities, and future prospects in rocket technology for space research

The paper is a review of the past, present, and future of rocket technology, relating these to the propulsion requirements for exploration of the solar system. It reviews the U.S.A. approach to planning its launch-vehicle programs for space exploration, covers the present capabilities of the U.S.A. family of launch vehicles, and discusses some technology possibilities for future propulsion systems.     

Adiabatic demagnetisation refrigerators for future sub-millimetre space missions

Space worthy refrigeration capable of providing a 100 mK and below heat load sink for bolometric detectors will be required for the next generation of sub-millimetre space missions. Adiabatic demagnetisation refrigeration (ADR), being a gravity independent laboratory method for obtaining such temperatures, is a favourable technique for utilisation in space.We show that by considering a 3 salt pill refrigerator rather than the classic single salt pill design the space prohibitive laboratory ADR properties of high magnetic field (6 Tesla) and a<2 K environment (provided by a bath of liquid⁴He) can be alleviated, while maintaining a sufficient low temperature hold time and short recycle time. The additional salt pills, composed of Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) provide intermediate cooling stages, enabling operation from a 4 K environment provided by a single 4 K mechanical cooler, thereby providing consumable free operation. Such ADRs could operate with fields as low as 1 Tesla allowing the use of high temperature, mechanically cooled superconducting magnets and so effectively remove the risk of quenching.We discuss the possibility of increasing the hold time from 3 hours, for the model presented, to between 40 and 80 hours, plus reducing the number of salt pills to two, through the use of a more efficient Garnet.We believe the technical advances necessitated by the envisaged ADRs are minimal and conclude that such ADRs offer a long orbital life time, consumable free, high efficiency means of milli-Kelvin cooling, requiring relatively little laboratory development.     

Large area solar cells for future space power systems

Space silicon solar cell technology has matured to the extent that large-area planar silicon cells can be fabricated in sizes up to 8 cm×8 cm with efficiencies up to approximately 15%. In order to achieve substantially higher efficiencies, cells based on GaAs are required. It is shown that, subject to certain boundary conditions, the efficiency of GaAs/Ge cells can reach 24% when used in the dual-junction configuration or approximately 19.5% if the Ge substrate is passive. The electrooptical properties of these cells are reviewed, and prospects for achieving these efficiency goals are presented. Experimental performance data are given     

The future of space infrared astronomy

Conclusion I can remember vividly when Tim Hawarden first came into my office about 7 years ago and talked very excitedly about passively-cooled space infrared telescopes. He was sufficiently persuasive that we even managed to get the idea into the various forward-look exercises in which the SERC indulges every year. The idea has evolved considerably since then and the climax of that activity was when Tim presented the case for POIROT to the European Space Agency a couple of years ago. The project did very well indeed as it passed through the peer-review committees and was unlucky just to miss being selected for further study.Since then, the momentum has continued largely through the enthusiasm of Tim and of Harley Thronson's advocacy in the USA. It is my view that the time has come when the agencies have to take these proposals very seriously indeed as the way forward for space infrared astronomy. Our goal over the next two days is to expose all the issues which have to be addressed to convert the concept into a realistic space mission.     

The future of space plasma simulation

Space plasma simulation is a subject which is in its infancy, but which is already having an important impact on space science. Its growth is being spurred onward by the continuing increase in capacity (speed and memory) of computers and by advances in the sophistication of numerical models. These advances are making it possible to simulate more realistic situations using more complex models. Already significant three-dimensional MHD calculations of the magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind have been carried out. In addition multi-dimensional particle simulations are illuminating many of the microscopic physics processes which go on (instabilities, saturation levels and wave nonlinearity, shock structure, etc.). Notwithstanding these advances, the surface has only been scratched; many challenges and opportunities are provided by simulation both for the space physicist and the model builders (also for computer designers). In MHD models more physics need to be included (Hall effect, gyroviscosity, accurate models of boundaries, how do we put microscopic physics effects into macroscopic codes, etc.). For model builders correct treatments of systems containing a large range of important space and time scales, magnetic field strengths, Alfven wave velocity, etc. present real challenges. What are the best ways to diagnose these complex models and obtain meaningful information? What quantities should be looked at? How should they be displayed? A discussion of the promises, the prospects, and the challenges of the above topics will be given with examples taken from recent work.     

Future trends in space power technology

The status of the US Air Force Space Power Research and Development Program is summarized. Generic issues and requirements affecting the strategic planning of space power advances for the 1990s and beyond are described. The major thrusts of the Air Fore part of the Strategic Defense Initiative Office Space Power Program are highlighted, with emphasis on the ongoing advanced component technology development program. The status of these component technologies in the areas of power sources, energy storage, power management and distribution, and thermal management is described. Technology projections for the full range of envisioned technology options for the foregoing are used as the basis for a series of point designs for deriving the subsystem- and system-level benefits of the technologies. The primary focus is on baseload (CW) power systems operating in the range from 100 W for small satellites to 50 kW for potential large surveillance satellites. The secondary focus is on large, multimegawatt pulsed power systems and related components for potential applications such as directed energy. Potential `trump card' technologies related to energy conversion, storage, power electronics, and thermal management are identified     

空间星光测量技术研究发展综述

空间星光测量技术在航天器执行各类任务的过程中发挥着至关重要的作用。简要介绍了空间星光测量技术的基本概念,对典型的空间星光测量敏感器及其应用技术的研究进展进行了总结。通过对比国内外同类型敏感器的主要技术指标,评估了中国当前的研究水平以及与国外的差距。就空间星光测量技术目前存在的低频误差抑制与标校、亚角秒级动态测量精度以及极高精度目标指向测量等关键问题进行了初步分析与探讨。结合空间星光测量技术的研究进展与面临的挑战,对其发展趋势进行了展望,提出了高精度、高动态、多功能、智能化等未来重点研究方向。     

Potential starter/generator technology for future aerospaceapplication

This paper presents a search and comparative review of the literature available on variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) technologies. In particular, most of the progress made in the past ten years, using power electronics and electric machines for VSCF systems is reported. Two VSCF systems, based on induction and switched reluctance machine technologies, are presented. The research on the singly- and doubly-fed induction machines has focused on VSCF for wind power generation; whereas, that on switched reluctance machines has been directly studied as a VSCF technology in aircraft system. Results obtained so far favor the switched reluctance machine over the induction machine. Based on the foregoing comparative review, it is recommended that the induction machine be fully investigated as a VSCF drive in aircraft system. The findings should then be compared with the counterpart SRM system. Issues of comparison may include fault tolerance and redundancy, power density, torque requirements, overload ratings, temperature range and cooling, efficiency and stability over expected operating speed range     

临近空间飞行器推进系统预冷器关键技术

临近空间由于其在现代战争中的重要战略意义已成为各国航空航天领域的研究重点,高超声速飞行器更是国家临近空间军事实力的一个重要标志。由于吸气式高超声速飞行器具有较高的飞行高度与马赫数,预冷技术已成为高超声速飞行器推进系统中的一项关键技术,而高性能预冷器设计是预冷技术的一个重要研究方向,预冷器的可靠性与流动传热特性是预冷系统的重要影响参数,对于紧凑、高效、高可靠性先进预冷器的研究具有十分重要的意义。基于目前公开的临近空间高超声速飞行器的主要动力形式及其对预冷技术的刚性需求,对预冷器设计中的关键技术与发展方向做了详细的阐述。     

Risk-based technology portfolio optimization for early space mission design

The successful design, development, and operation of space missions requires informed decisions to be made across a vast array of investment, scientific, technological, and operational issues. In the work reported in this paper, we address the problem of determining optimal technology investment portfolios that minimize mission risk and maximize the expected science return of the mission. We model several relationships that explicitly link investment in technologies to mission risk and expected science return. To represent and compute these causal and computational dependencies, we introduce a generalization of influence diagrams that we call inference nets. To illustrate the approach, we present results from its application to a technology portfolio investment trade study done for a specific scenario for the projected 2009 Mars MSL mission. This case study examines the impact of investments in precision landing and long-range roving technologies on the mission capability, and the associated risk, of visiting a set of preselected science sites. We show how an optimal investment strategy can be found that minimizes the mission risk given a fixed total technology investment budget, or alternatively how to determine the minimum budget required to achieve a given acceptable mission risk.     

European strategic dependence as related to space technology: navigation

In 1998, EUROSPACE, the Association of the European Space Industry, has conducted a study, the purpose of which was to analyse strategic dependence in the context of space technology. Among the space vulnerability domains, Navigation appears as a quite essential one. The present article reproduces the chapter of the EUROSPACE study related to Satellite navigation and positioning technology.     

Research progress of space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation technology (SNLT): A review

Space missions have become diversified in recent years, where connection and separation devices play a crucial role as key components of various spacecraft. Traditional pyrotechnic devices have the advantages of large carrying capacity, rapid motion and functional reliability. However, their shortcomings such as great release shock, poor safety, unrepeatability and other prominent defects make them unsuitable for new generation spacecraft such as microsatellites to separate at low shock or lock repeatedly, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to develop space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation devices (SNLD) which are required for advanced aerospace missions. In this paper, the progress of the research on space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation technology (SNLT) is summarized and reviewed. Proceed from the principle of reducing shock for non-pyrotechnic devices, present studies are classified from the perspective of actuating technology and systematic designing methods. For non-pyrotechnic actuating techniques, according to different driving sources, the separation devices are classified into several main categories: electric, magnetic, gas and thermal actuating devices. The actuation principle and application prospect of separation techniques are introduced and the working process, dimension and mechanical properties of typical devices are compared and evaluated. For the systematic designing method, the common mechanism types of SNLDs are summarized according to the designing concept of reducing shock. Then connection configurations are classified according to the structural forms of connection devices, of which the principles, bearing capacities and general applications are discussed. This paper systematically summarizes the key problems, puts forward the future development trend of SNLT, and points out the breakthrough direction for related scholars.     

空管技术的革新与未来——访霍尼韦尔航空航天集团亚太区航空运输副总裁

对于未来空管系统的发展,美国与欧洲都已经有了自己的下一代空管技术计划。在美国的NexGen计划与欧洲的SESAR发展计划中,霍尼韦尔都有参与并主导部分关键技术的研发,还与FAA合作为NexGen计划制定系统规划。在珠海航展期间,霍尼韦尔航空航天集团亚太区航空运输副总裁戴殊荣(BrianDavis)先生接受了本刊记者的专访,就