Long-term operation of "Orlan" space suits in the "Mir" orbiting station: experience obtained and its application

The started assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) and its further operation will call for a great number of extravehicular activity sorties (EVA) to be performed by ISS crews. Therefore, of great importance is to make use of the EVA experience gained by cosmonauts in the process of 15-year operation of the Mir orbiting station (OS). Over the 15-year period, Mir crewmembers wearing Orlan type semi-rigid space suits have accumulated 158 man/sorties from the orbiting station. Crewmembers used 15 suits in orbit and some of the suits were in operation for more than 3 years. The paper presents principal design features, which provide effective and safe operation of orbit-based suits, and briefly describes procedures for preparation and maintenance of suit systems, which ensure long-term operation of space suit in orbit. The paper gives results of the space suit modifications, presents suit performance characteristics and lists novel or upgraded components of the space suit and its systems. The paper also summarizes improvements in the Orlan type suits described in some earlier publications. They refer, in the first run, to the improvement of space suit operations characteristics and reliability, and the utilization of the Orlan type space suit in the ISS program. The paper analyses the experience gained and drawbacks detected and observations made, and gives statistical data on long-term space suit operations aboard the Mir station. The paper reviews certain problems in the process of EVAs performed from the station, and describes the ways of their solution as applied to the further utilization of the suit within the ISS program.     

Psycho-social training for man in space.

In preparation for the international manned space station various international and national space agencies are already participating with the Russian MIR programme with short, medium, and long term presence on the MIR station. Although selection criteria for all crew include careful psychological screening, with some effort also regarding team build-up, this has proved insufficient; moreover. little or no effort is expended in the area of psycho-social- or team training. This paper propounds the authors' thesis that, in addition to the steps already being taken, psycho-social training is essential for long-duration flight. A concrete proposal is made for such a training program, with an overview of how such a program will look like; examples of past applications are given.     

“天宫一号”目标飞行器信息管理策略

“天宫一号”目标飞行器信息系统作为目标飞行器的重要功能系统,主要完成目标飞行器内部信息管理以及与地面和载人飞船的通信管理,确保目标飞行器的健康和稳定运行,支持目标飞行器各项任务的完成。文章对"天宫一号"目标飞行器信息系统的信息管理策略进行了概述,包括信息管理需求、设计原则、系统组成、主要技术特点以及可靠性安全性设计。“天宫一号”目标飞行器信息系统的信息管理策略经过首次无人和有人交会对接任务验证,满足任务要求,为后续空间站信息系统详细设计奠定了基础。     

空间站吸声降噪设计的仿真评估与验证

文章针对空间站吸声降噪设计中存在的降噪效果评估问题,以空间站缩比结构为研究对象,利用声学有限元法进行吸声降噪设计仿真评估。首先建立适用于空间站的吸声降噪设计仿真评估模型,然后通过地面噪声试验验证仿真模型的准确性;最后对几种空间站可用的不同性质的吸声材料在缩比结构中的降噪效果进行了定量仿真评估。结果表明塑料泡沫的降噪效果最好,其次是浇注泡沫;浇注泡沫的质量相对较轻。本研究可为预先定量评估空间站吸声降噪设计提供参考。     

空间站舱内噪声评价与降噪技术现状及建议

空间站舱内噪声对航天员危害严重,必须对其进行严格控制。文章首先分析了适用于空间站噪声评价的指标以及主要噪声源特点;总结了空间站的噪声预测方法和不同方法适用的频率范围、局限性;介绍了国际空间站的降噪工作,总结了其中的经验和不足;最后结合我国空间站噪声控制的研究现状,对我国空间站降噪工作提出了建议：降噪工作必须贯穿空间站设计、制造和在轨工作的整个过程,才能对噪声进行有效控制。     

新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的考虑

以空间太阳能电站为应用代表的微波功率传输系统中,微波功率发射阵列是其中的核心组成部分。为保证特定传输距离限制下的波束收集效率,目前国际上多种空间太阳能电站方案中收发天线口径都达到了km级以上。在空间构建大尺度的微波功率发射有源相控阵,面临的主要问题有：发射阵列电性能的高要求、发射阵列折叠状态的总体积限制、大功率发射阵列的热控问题。针对这些问题,文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列的一些研究及设计考虑,主要包括大尺度阵列同源分发倍频的频率分配方案;高效率高集成功率发射组件技术;大尺度阵列相位同步与误差自校正技术;低剖面天线结构及型面误差补偿技术;大型天线3D打印在轨建造方案设想以及空间微波功率发射阵列热控新思路等。文章提出了新型大尺度空间微波功率发射阵列3个方面的6个主要问题,可为空间太阳能电站系统提供可优化、开放性的设计与发展思路。     

载人航天器的可重构式控温回路系统设计

文章提出了载人航天器的可重构式控温回路系统,它由独立的中低温内外回路系统组成,可改善低温内回路由于控温点温度较低而对辐射器散热能力带来的影响,还可在某个外回路辐射器故障时进行系统重构,维持回路功能。建立了控温回路系统非稳态仿真分析模型,对正常工作模式下和某外回路故障工作模式下各舱回路控温点温度、设备温度、流量分配和载人航天器热负荷水平进行了分析。结果表明,双外回路系统比单外回路系统散热能力高27%。当双外回路中某回路故障时,通过系统重构,外回路系统可维持1850W散热能力,能保障载人航天器平台安全,表明可重构式控温回路系统能提高系统可靠性。     

大型磁悬浮CMG转子的组合优化策略

为提高空间站用大型磁悬浮CMG（Control Moment Gyroscope）系统的设计效率,并获得最优设计参数,针对高转速（12000r/min）大角动量（1000N·m·s）磁悬浮转子进行优化设计与分析。提出了一种基于遗传算法(Genetic Algorithm, GA)和序列二次规划算法(Sequential Quadratic Programming, NLPQL)的组合优化策略来优化转子组件。采用ANSYS进行参数化建模,通过ISIGHT软件集成ANSYS实现优化过程。取转子质量和最大等效应力分别最小为优化目标,选择转子轮盘结构尺寸为设计变量,并根据转子运行工况对转子提出包括尺寸、强度、效能等方面约束限制。与GA、NLPQL算法相比组合优化策略的优化结果要优于单纯使用一种全局优化算法或局部优化算法。组合优化策略结果表明转子质量减少了3.92%;安全系数提高了2.69%。实验结果证明了组合优化策略的设计结果。     

“国际空间站”系统特点分析

介绍了＂国际空间站＂的总体设计;分析了＂国际空间站＂系统设计的特点和不足,其中包括重视成熟技术和冗余设计,众多系统故障暴露出技术薄弱性,机器人系统自动化水平有待提高,以及许多先进技术规划未能实施;提出了发展中国空间站的启示与建议,如借鉴国外协力合作系统先进设计经验和科学评估安全性方法,权衡技术继承性与先进性,注重空间站系统设备的设计、维修、机器人开发和延寿问题。     

Space station orbit design using dynamic programming

A space station orbit design mission is characterized by a long-duration and multi-step decision process. First, the long-duration design process is divided into multiple planning periods, each of which consists of five basic flight segments. Second, each planning period is modeled as a multi-step decision process, and the orbital altitude strategies of different flight segments have interaction effects on each other. Third, a dynamic programming method is used to optimize the total propellant consumption of a planning period while considering interaction effects. The step cost of each decision segment is the propellant for orbital-decay maintenance or lifting altitude, and is calculated by approximate analytical equations and combining a shooting iteration method. The proposed approach is demonstrated for a typical orbit design problem of a space station. The results show that the proposed approach can effectively optimize the design of altitude strategies, and can save considerable propellant consumption for the space station than previous public studies.     

支持径向交会对接任务的宽波束中继方法研究

针对神舟飞船和天和空间站径向交会对接形成组合体的工作模式下,神舟飞船宽波束中继S终端对中继卫星视场缩小导致测控覆盖率降低的现象,提出一种基于组阵和时空分集技术的宽波束中继S链路的设计构想,通过在天和空间站宽波束中继S终端内部增设功分器和合路器,以及在组合体径向对接口的对接总线内部增设高频电缆。利用天和空间站的宽波束中继S发射天线和接收天线,传送神舟飞船的宽波束中继S信号。神舟飞船宽波束中继S终端,同时接收和处理组合体对接总线内部高频电缆和神舟飞船I/III象限收发的宽波束中继S信号,解决了中继卫星过顶遮挡导致的测控覆盖率降低的问题,提升了链路可靠性。经仿真分析,相比单独工作模式,测控覆盖率提升了25.3%。对于接收链路,采用时空分集技术,对3个方向的宽波束中继S信号进行互相关解算和最大比合并,获得信号合并增益,有效提升了接收信号的信噪比和有效带宽。     

等离子体对空间飞行器表面充电效应探测研究

为确保空间飞行器在轨安全，有必要搭载探测器对轨道空间环境进行实时监测，获取表面充电效应数据。在对轨道空间充电环境分析的基础上，确定探测器的任务目标并完成基于电位探头和电流探头的探测器方案设计，包括探头设计和电路设计。探测器设计方案在空间环境特殊效应测量领域迈出的关键一步，为更多空间效应参数的测量奠定了坚实基础。     

Development of HEP-XXMF Series Hall Thrusters in BICE

Hall thruster is a type of electric propulsion thruster which is often regarded as a moderate specific impulse space propulsion technology and is used primarily for station keeping and orbit maintenance tasks. Magnetic field is the most important aspect in Hall thruster's design. Each time the performance improvement of Hall thrusters is accompanied with the regeneration of magnetic field design. Now, all the major space nations treat the magnetic field design as the key technology for Hall thrusters, and many Hall thrusters have emerged in recent years, for example, BPT-4000 and NASA-173 M. In China, based on magnetic focus technology, the Beijing Institute of Control Engineering(BICE) has been developing Hall thrusters ranged from hundreds of watts to 5 kilowatts, including the 1500 W HEP-100 MF and the 5 k W HEP-140 MF Hall thrusters. This paper briefly reviews the development of the HEP-XXMF series Hall thruster. The principle of the Hall thruster, the design methods and the current status of HEP-100 MF and HEP-140 MF are discussed in the paper.     

空间站空间因特网与空间通信链路设计

为改善在空间站长期值守的航天员的业务生活,提出建立空间站网吧,为航天员提供因特网服务的构想。为此分析研究空间站空间因特网服务系统及其关键技术,提出空间站空间因特网服务系统构建方案。结合这一系统构建方案,一是研究解决了支持复杂异构网络运行的空间因特网网络协议设计技术,空间站空间因特网直接采用TCP/IP协议,并通过系统设计,较好地克服了TCP/IP协议不能适应空间通信链路的难题,支持采用基于TCP/IP协议的商用货架(COTS)软、硬件产品,可明显降低空间站空间因特网服务系统建设与维护成本;二是研究解决了涉及空间站测控通信网运行安全和空间信息安全的空间通信链路设计技术,空间站在同一条空间通信链路同时传输空间因特网数据和空间站测控通信数据,空间通信链路采用CCSDS的AOS协议,并通过建立虚拟的物理信道,解决了空间因特网数据和空间站测控通信数据的安全隔离问题,能满足空间站测控通信网运行安全和空间信息安全的要求。     

利用地月间空间站的载人登月飞行模式分析

为提高空间站利用率,降低载人登月任务成本,有效开发地月空间,研究了基于地月空间不同轨道空间站的载人登月飞行模式。首先对比直接往返登月飞行模式,对基于空间站的载人登月飞行模式进行任务分析,通过空间站将载人登月任务解耦为载人天地往返任务和登月任务两部分;其次通过轨道设计和稳定性分析提出考虑登月任务需求的地月间空间站可运行轨道和停泊点;最后建立一套飞行模式评价模型,从速度增量需求、飞行时间、空间环境、登月任务窗口、测控条件、交会对接技术难度、后续任务支持性和任务可靠性方面对6种不同位置空间站的登月飞行模式进行分析和定量评价。评价结果表明基于L2点Halo轨道空间站的载人登月飞行模式为更优飞行模式。     

国外航天器推进剂在轨吹除技术跟踪研究

受大气阻力的影响,空间站长期在轨的轨道维持需要消耗大量的推进剂,因此有必要进行推进剂补给。而补给结束后的管路内残留推进剂在轨吹除,是保障空间站任务安全的必要条件。文章对国外航天器液体真空排放的研究现状进行了跟踪,重点就液体温度、压力、饱和蒸气压、液体中气体含量以及喷口尺寸外形等因素对液体排放特性的影响进行了分析和评价。在国外跟踪调研的基础上,对我国开展空间站推进剂在轨吹除的研究提出了启示。     

绳系卫星系统交会对接的应用与设计

文章介绍了绳系系统交会对接这项新技术在空间中的应用。主要包括:空间站利用系绳与航天器交会对接,实现为空间站提供各种供给;利用绳系系统与空间碎片对接,可回收或转移空间碎片,保护空间环境;利用一级或多级的绳系系统组成轨道转移系统,实现向地球同步轨道或火星轨道上转移和运送有效载荷。文章还介绍了绳系交会对接系统的设计,包括系统的一般控制方法和算法以及系统的结构设计。随着各项相关技术的发展,绳系卫星系统交会对接将发挥更大作用。     

Omicron space habitat—research stage II

The design presented in this paper is in response to the revolution in private space activities, the increasing public interest in commercial flights to space and the utilization of structures such as space hotels or private orbital habitats. The baseline for the Omicron design concept is the Russian Salyut derived space station module. Salyut was the first space station to orbit the Earth. Its unique design and technical features were what made the development of space stations Salyut 1–7, MIR and the International Space Station (ISS) Zwezda service module possible. Due to its versatility and the reliable operating launch vehicle Proton, this space module series has the potential to be adapted for space hotel development. This paper proposes a conceptual design of the space habitat called Omicron, with particular focus on interior design for the microgravity environment. The Omicron concepts address the needs of space tourism with a strong emphasis on the safety and comfort of the spaceflight participants. The Omicron habitat supports three inhabitants in nominal conditions (e.g., two passengers and one astronaut). The habitat provides a flexible interior, facilities and spaces dynamically transforming in order to accommodate various types of activities, which will be performed in an organically formed interior supporting spatial orientation and movement in microgravity. The future development potential of Omicron is also considered. The baseline version is composed solely of one rigid module with an inverted cupola for observations. An alternative version offers more space using an inflatable structure. Finally, a combination of multiple Omicron modules enables the creation of a larger orbital habitat. The Omicron's subsystems support a few days visit by trained passengers. The transport to the habitat would be provided e.g., by the Soyuz TMA spacecraft carried by the Soyuz launch vehicle in the early stage of Omicron's development, before a fully reusable spacecraft would be available.     

Ensuring of long operation life of the orbiting station EVA space suit

Russia has gained a lot of experience in operating the space suits (SS) during the extravehicular activities (EVA) by the crews of SALYUT-6, SALYUT-7 and MIR orbiting stations. A total of 21 Orlan-type space suits of various models were operated onboard the orbiting stations (OS) during almost 20 years period. Some of these space suits served up to 3 years in orbit. The paper reviews special features of long SS operation (without return to the Earth) onboard an orbiting station as well as the problems associated with SS repeated use by several crews. An analysis of measures to support solving of the problems of SS long stay and reliable operation onboard the orbiting station is made: selection of a corresponding SS type and separate elements design; selection of the materials; routine and preventive maintenance; development tests. The advantages of the space suit of a semi-rigid type for solving the above problems are shown. The paper includes a short analysis of space suits' operation onboard the Russian orbiting station MIR, and some restuts of inspection of the Orlan-DMA space suit returned to the Earth from orbit by STS-79 alter long operation in orbit. Recommendations on further improvement of the space suits for EVA operations in the International Space Station (ISS) are given.