Collision between Satellites in Stationary Orbits

The collisions between stationary satellites, and those between a stationary satellite and abandoned stationary satellites which have nearly synchronous orbits with relatively large inclination are discussed. A general formula is introduced for calculating the probability of collision, as a function of time, three-dimensional sizes, orbital bounds, and numbers of satellites. Numerical calculation shows that the probability of collision is negligible if the sizes and numbers are comparable to those of existing satellites, whereas collision is possible for larger size, e.g., for a huge hypothetical gigawatt solar power satellite. The possibility would become large if the satellites continued to increase in number and to be abandoned in the stationary orbit at the present rate over a century, even if the size is ordinary, such as several meters.     

A Concept of Position Fixing by a Passive Mode Navigation Satellite System

A position fix in a passive mode using satellites usually necessitates an expensive computer or lengthy hand calculation. This is the largest drawback of passive navigation and it would be more desirable if the user could find his position by a mere glance at a chart and table, as one uses Loran. The first step toward this goal is to use a synchronous satellite because it simplifies the problem. The next step is to find the position of the user by a Loran type of chart, which is universal, and correct this apparent position by looking at a special table which is made according to the amount of perturbation of both the satellite and the user's position. An example of the position fix along the route between Yokohama to Hawaii is shown. The concept can be extended to orbiting satellites due to the rules which govern the motion of satellites, if the fix accuracy is in the order of 2 to 5 miles. This method should be more accurate than the common sextant and more practical due to the fact that the satellite can be used at any time and in any weather. As a total system, it will be better than Omega because it could provide additional navigation information such as communication or traffic control by using satellites.     

MEO/LEO双层卫星网络中层间链路的连接度分析

作为未来卫星移动通信系统的一个重要的研究方向,提出了一种由MEO卫星和LEO卫星共同组成的双层卫星网络(Double-Layer Satellite Network,DLSN),以更好为用户提供多媒体服务.作为多层卫星网络的一个重要的研究内容,连接不同高度上卫星的层间链路(Inter-Orbit-Links,IOLs)的特性对于整个DLSN网络的性能会有很大的影响.根据所设计的多层卫星网络的星座参数,通过对层间链路几何特性的研究,分析了多层卫星网络中MEO卫星与LEO卫星的连接度性能.采用计算机仿真的方法,给出了层间链路连接度的特性.结果表明,为了提高网络性能,在多层卫星网络中应按照一定参数有选择的建立层间链路,而不是简单的采用视距可见原则建立层间链路.     

Satellite Librational Damping Using a Quasi-Feedback Solar Controller

The feasibility of developing a simple quasi-feedback solar attitude controller is explored. The case of arbitrarily-shaped satellites carrying two pairs of solar surfaces in circular orbits is considered. An approximate analytical approach is used to synthesize the suitable open-loop control relations enabling decay of the satellite librations. The quasi-feedback control scheme suggested here is found to be quite effective in damping the pitch motion. The proposed control approach appears to be particularly attractive as it requires knowledge of the librational angle and velocity only at a fixed satellite position in orbit.     

INMARSAT integrity channels for global navigation satellite systems

The transmission of integrity information using a signal format compatible with the Global Positioning System (GPS) and relayed through a geostationary satellite repeater, which will be critical in achieving high integrity and availability of global navigation by satellite is discussed. The inclusion of navigation repeaters designed to fulfil this function, the next generation of INMARSAT spacecraft, INMARSAT-3 is examined. The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) integrity channel (GIC) will employ pseudorandom codes in the same family as, but distinct from, the codes reserved by GPS. The data format of the basic integrity channel is designed to convey user range error information for 24 to 40 satellites. A closed-loop timing compensation technique will be used at the uplinking Earth station, to make the signal's clock and carrier Doppler variations identical to those that would result from an onboard signal source. Therefore, the INMARSAT-3 satellites will increase the number of useful navigation satellites available to any user, and can also function as sources of precise timing. There is also a possibility that wide area differential corrections can be carried on the same signal     

Overview of multiple satellite communication networks

Recently interest in packet communications has stimulated an interest in constellations of low altitude satellites. Such a configuration would have less propagation delay and be cheaper to launch than satellites at higher or geosynchronous altitude. However, many more satellites are necessary at low altitude to achieve reasonable coverage of the earth and insure availability of the resource. Further, the geometry of such a constellation would be dynamic with communication links of short duration as the satellites speed past each other or a ground site. The most difficult design issue in these systems is a stable method of routing messages that will sustain a reasonable level of traffic. This paper explores the problems of routing and switching messages through a constellation of low altitude satellites and examines some of the related demands on technology. The dynamic nature of crosslinks, uplinks, and downlinks requires a very agile antenna system, and the volume of information for routing of traffic is overwhelming. Use of some type of facetted phased array antenna is advocated to solve the former problem, but the latter problem is more subtle. Since the volume of ephemeris and constellation data as well as the rate of update is unmanageable, schemes relying on some form of broadcast or random access may be considered. It is concluded that none of the known or examined approaches to routing and switching is completely satisfactory     

HOI延迟对LEO卫星简化动力学POD的影响

通常使用无电离层(IF)线性组合(LC)消除低地球轨道(LEO)卫星简化动力学精密定轨(POD)一阶电离层延迟误差,忽略了高阶电离层(HOI)延迟误差。随着LEO卫星POD技术的发展,计算不同轨道高度的HOI延迟并探索其变化已成为进一步提高POD精度的重要手段。首先,使用国际参考电离层-2016(IRI-2016)和国际地磁参考场第13代(IGRF-13)模型,计算电离层穿刺点(IPP)位置和地磁场强度。其次,使用平滑星载GNSS数据计算电离层斜路径总电子含量(STEC)。然后,分别计算GOCE、GRACE-A和SWARM-A/B卫星的二阶和三阶电离层延迟。最后,评估了HOI延迟对LEO卫星重叠轨道分析、卫星激光测距(SLR)检核和精密科学轨道(PSO)比较结果的影响。实验结果表明：HOI延迟对LEO卫星简化动力学POD的影响大约在毫米至厘米的数量级上;HOI延迟对LEO卫星简化动力学POD外符合精度的影响分别达到0.92,0.22,0.21和0.18 mm;随着LEO卫星轨道高度的增加,HOI延迟对LEO卫星简化动力学POD的影响减小。     

双卫星故障条件下的RAIM可用性研究

现有的关于接收机自主完好性监测（RAIM）算法大部分是基于单颗卫星故障的假设,但随着GPS技术的发展,多颗卫星发生故障的可能性已不能再被忽视,特别是两颗卫星同时发生故障的情况。本研究基于对水平定位误差保护级（HPL）的分析,从一颗卫星故障的可用性出发,推导出两颗卫星故障时的可用性。率先给出了在两颗卫星故障的情况下,天津区域内RAIM算法的可用性。仿真结果表明：两颗卫星故障的可用性低于单颗卫星故障的可用性。     

Spacecraft design considerations for small satellite remote sensing

The idea of adapting existing small satellite technology for remote sensing purposes is discussed. The major design problems and constraints influencing the design of a small low-cost remote sensing satellite bus are identified using the subsystem approach. Key design areas include the improvement of battery technology and the development of a deployable solar array, attitude control assemblies, on-board data processing/storage, and ground station data acquisition. Although the eventual satellite would also have to be somewhat larger, more powerful and, above all, more sophisticated than the previous small satellites, this is considered to be a natural progression of research in this area     

Characterization of NAVSTAR GPS and GLONASS on-board clocks

Investigation into navigation satellite on board clock frequency references and performance are reported. The focus is on the stability of the clocks aboard the NAVSTAR GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS satellites as well as those used by their respective maser control stations and associated time scales. Allan-variance techniques have been applied to determine the long-term time-domain behavior of satellite clocks in an attempt to identify different regions of power spectral density. Coupled with analysis of relative-frequency drift over a period of many weeks, this behavior allows the type of satellite onboard standard to be tentatively identified. The known nature of the GPS clocks has shown that the different types of clocks aboard the satellites (crystal, rubidium, and cesium) are distinguishable given a sufficient sample time. The same approach has been applied to the GLONASS satellites, and a comparison of the results obtained from GPS has allowed conjecture on the type of clock used by the GLONASS satellites. It appears that GLONASS has used clocks of the quality of rubidium atomic oscillators since at least 1986, and that the quality and performance of onboard standards have increased steadily with time. Some current satellites perform well enough in terms of frequency drift, flicker FM noise floor, and long-term stability to compare favorably with the cesium beam standards carried on NAVSTAR GPS satellites launched in 1983-84     

Planetesimals and Satellitesimals: Formation of the Satellite Systems

The origin of the regular satellites ties directly to planetary formation in that the satellites form in gas and dust disks around the giant planets and may be viewed as mini-solar systems, involving a number of closely related underlying physical processes. The regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn share a number of remarkable similarities that taken together make a compelling case for a deep-seated order and structure governing their origin. Furthermore, the similarities in the mass ratio of the largest satellites to their primaries, the specific angular momenta, and the bulk compositions of the two satellite systems are significant and in need of explanation. Yet, the differences are also striking. We advance a common framework for the origin of the regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn and discuss the accretion of satellites in gaseous, circumplanetary disks. Following giant planet formation, planetesimals in the planet’s feeding zone undergo a brief period of intense collisional grinding. Mass delivery to the circumplanetary disk via ablation of planetesimal fragments has implications for a host of satellite observations, tying the history of planetesimals to that of satellitesimals and ultimately that of the satellites themselves. By contrast, irregular satellites are objects captured during the final stages of planetary formation or the early evolution of the Solar System; their distinct origin is reflected in their physical properties, which has implications for the subsequent evolution of the satellites systems.     

Aircraft Interrogation Scheduling with ASTRO-DABS

In the ASTRO-DABS concept for surveillance and data link, aircraft are interrogated by one of three geostationary transmitter satellites, each covering 1/3 of the contiguous United States. Interrogation scheduling involves a roll call such that aircraft responses to receiving satellites do not overlap (garble). A simple approach is developed which utilizes range ordering of aircraft with respect to transmitter satellites, but is independent of receiver satellite locations and aircraft distribution. Bounds on roll-call duration are established, showing that interrogation of 80 000 aircraft requires between 4.0 and 6.4 seconds with the ASTRO-DABS transmission format. If aircraft distribution is regionally concentrated (i.e., clustered), the roll-call duration nears the lower bound, since fewer gaps between interrogations are needed to preclude garbling.     

Collocation of two GEO satellites and one inclined GSO satellite

Three collocation strategies are planned and analyzed for the cluster of two geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites and one inclined geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite in the same longitude control band of 116°E±0.05° . The longitudinal control bands are allocated for the two GEO satellites and one inclined GSO satellite with seven-day East/West station-keeping maneuver cycle. The latitudinal control bands are allocated for the two GEO satellites with fourteen-day North/South station-keeping maneuver cycle. One inclined GSO satellite is allowed for natural inclination drift. The coordinated eccentricity vector and inclination vector separation method is applied for the collocation, and the maneuver schedule is planned to minimize the operational load by avoiding simultaneous maneuvers. A total of six months of station-keeping maneuver simulations are performed for the three different strategies.     

磁强计数据辨识卫星自旋状态

针对近地低轨三轴稳定卫星在轨管理后期,除磁强计外其他姿态敏感器都无效情况下的姿态异常问题,分析了三轴稳定卫星失去姿态基准后,星体自旋状态下三轴磁强计测量数据的特点,提出了使用磁强计测量数据的矢量信息,以找到能够获取卫星状态的方法,从而建立了磁强计测量矢量与卫星自旋轴的几何关系,给出了处于自旋状态下的卫星自旋轴确定方法。通过此种辨识方法,获得了某气象卫星姿态异常翻转状态下的自旋矢量方向和自旋角速度,从而证明了该辨识方法快速、有效,可以作为姿态异常卫星自旋状态的辨识手段,为恢复卫星姿态提供了重要信息,具有一定的工程应用价值。     

高能电子对地球同步轨道卫星的影响分析

为了厘清在轨GEO(Geosynchronous Earth Orbit,地球同步轨道)卫星不时出现异常的原因,提高卫星执行任务的可靠性,首先从机理上介绍了空间环境中的地球辐射带及高能电子的情况,引出GEO卫星所处恶劣空间环境的现实;其次基于我国SEPC(Space Environment Prediction Center,国家空间环境预报中心)以及NSMC(National Satellite Meteorological Center,国家卫星气象中心)的空间环境月报资料,结合某GEO环境业务卫星故障的实际数据,经统计归纳,分析得出了地球辐射带中的高能电子是导致GEO卫星发生故障的主要原因;最后按照事例技术分析、常规按需预报和特殊情况下的实时预报等3个层次对高能电子预报方法进行了初步探讨。通过分析可以看出,为提高卫星完成任务的可靠性、降低长期管理风险,需要加强GEO卫星所处空间环境高能电子的预报工作。     

Semipassive Pitch Attitude Control of Satellites by Solar Radiation Pressure

Pitch attitude control of earth-pointing satellites by solar radiation pressure is investigated. Development of a controller that is simple to implement and yet promises asymptotic stability of the system is presented. The analysis establishes the capability of the solar controller in stabilizing even the gravitationally unstable equilibrium orientation. The semipassive nature of the system promises an increased operational lifetime for the satellite.     

Strategies for in-orbit calibration of drag-free control systems

Drag-Free Satellites (DFS) are a class of scientific satellite missions designed for research on fundamental physics as well as geodesy. They consist, basically, of a small inner satellite (test mass) located in a cavity inside a larger satellite, the normal one. The Drag-Free Attitude Control System (DFACS) is the most complex technology on-board these satellites. This key technology allows the residual accelerations on experiments on board the satellites to be significantly reduced. In order to achieve this very low disturbance environment (for some missions <10⁻¹⁴ g) the drag-free control system has to be optimized. This optimization process is required because of uncertainties in system parameters that demand a robustness of the control system. This paper will present approaches for in-orbit calibration of drag-free control systems. The discussion includes modeling, with scale factors and cross couplings, possible excitation signals, comparison of different parameter identification/estimation methods as well as simulation results.     

Urban area performance of GPS receiver with simultrac capability

The theory of operation, practical applications, and technical performance of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver designed for urban area use are presented. The receiver tracks as many as eight satellites, or all visible satellites, and uses the signals of the four best satellites to ascertain its location. If visibility of one satellite is blocked, one of the additional satellites can be used to provide continuous navigation. Component-level system design choices are shown to support superior automotive vehicle location performance, including optimum mobile communication with satellites and ground-based relays     

基于多目标粒子群算法的导航星座优化设计

导航星座的设计涉及诸多优化变量的选取,优化设计的目的是选取合适的优化变量使导航星座最大程度地满足人们需求。提出了将导航性能和卫星生产成本作为目标对导航星座进行多目标优化设计的研究方案,导航星座基本构型为中轨道(MEO)与地球静止轨道(GEO)卫星组成的混合星座,MEO卫星用于全球导航,GEO卫星用于增强星座对中国及周边地区的导航性能。探讨了MEO和GEO的轨道设计思路。阐述了星座导航性能与卫星生产成本的计算方法,并选取定位精度因子(PDOP)作为导航性能指标。介绍了基本粒子群算法和多目标优化的概念,提出了改进的多目标粒子群算法(MOPSO),给出了该算法的计算步骤和测试结果。讨论了导航星座多目标优化设计的数学模型,列举了优化设计变量的定义域,采用MOPSO算法对导航星座进行了多目标优化设计,通过分析优化设计结果,说明了导航星座多目标优化设计方案的可行性。