The overredundant spacecraft—A competitive approach to future telecommunication satellites

Present operational space telecommunication systems are based on simultaneous availability of more than one satellite on orbit, mainly a spare satellite in addition to the operational one.Considering the costs associated to the delivery of extra flight models and to extra launchers, the question is asked whether it would not be advantageous to launch a very limited number of “overredundant” spacecraft instead of several standard satellites.The paper gives main conditions of reliability, size and redundancy concept under which an “overredundant” spacecraft could be a competitive approach to future operational systems.     

Post-disposal orbital evolution of satellites and upper stages used by the GPS and GLONASS navigation constellations: The long-term impact on the Medium Earth Orbit environment

The long-term evolution and environmental impact in MEO of all the abandoned spacecraft and upper stages associated with the GPS and GLONASS navigation constellations were analyzed. The orbits of the disposed objects, as of 1 May 2011, were propagated for 200 years and snapshots of their evolving distribution were obtained, together with an estimation of the changing collision probability with the spacecraft of the operational navigation systems existing or planned in MEO, i.e., GLONASS, GPS, Beidou and Galileo. The probability that the abandoned objects considered will collide with the operational spacecraft of the navigation constellations is very low, even taking into account the intrinsic eccentricity instability of the disposal orbits. Assuming the present or envisaged configuration of the constellations in MEO, the probability of collision, integrated over 200 years, would be <1/300 with a GLONASS spacecraft, <1/15,000 with a GPS or Beidou spacecraft, and <1/250,000 with a Galileo spacecraft. The worst disposal strategy consists in abandoning satellites and upper stages close to the altitude of the operational constellation (GLONASS), while a re-orbiting a few hundred km away (GPS) is able to guarantee an effective long-term dilution of the collision risk, irrespective of the eccentricity instability due to geopotential and luni-solar perturbations. The disposal strategies applied so far to the GPS satellites should be able to guarantee for at least a few centuries a sustainable MEO environment free of collisions among intact objects. Consequently, there would be no need to adopt disposal schemes targeting also the optimal value of the eccentricity vector. However, it should be pointed out that the GPS disposal strategy was devised well in advance of the Beidou constellation announcement, so most of the abandoned satellites were re-orbited fairly close to the altitude of the new Chinese system. A new re-orbiting approach will be therefore needed in the future.     

Space-based servicing

On-orbit servicing of spacecraft and payloads is one of the most viable economic justification for a permanent, manned space station. Services include the changeout of Orbital Replaceable Units (ORU's), the replenishment of consumables, general maintenance, on-orbit assembly and repair of failures. Among economic and operational advantages are: longer spacecraft operational lifetime; lower acquisition cost of satellites; improved spacecraft performance. A comparison is made between space station and shuttle-based servicing.     

国外中继卫星对航天器交会对接的测控通信支持

中继卫星系统的天基测控通信是近代航天技术的重大突破,它能够有效地满足航天器交会对接的测控通信需要。文章分析了美国＂跟踪与数据中继卫星系统＂（TDRSS）和欧洲＂阿特米斯＂（ARTEMIS）中继卫星对＂自动转移飞行器＂（ATV）与＂国际空间站＂（ISS）交会对接任务的测控通信支持,总结了国外中继卫星系统支持航天器交会对接...     

Protecting spacecraft against meteoroid/orbital debris impact damage: an overview

Meteoroids and orbital debris pose a serious damage threat to all spacecraft. The effects of a meteoroid/orbital debris (M/OD) impact depend on a variety of factors, including where the M/OD impact occurs, the size, composition, and speed of the impacting object, and the function of the impacted spacecraft system. These effects can be minimal, can degrade a functional spacecraft component, or can compromise spacecraft functionality, even to the point of mission loss or loss of life. To minimize the damage threat from the meteoroid/orbital debris environment, it is often necessary to install protective shielding around critical spacecraft systems. If a system cannot be shielded, operational constraints may need to be imposed to reduce the damage threat. This paper presents an overview of the research and development activities performed since the late 1950s with an aim of increasing the level of protection afforded satellites and spacecraft operating in the M/OD environment and ultimately mitigating the mechanical and structural effects of an M/OD impact.     

欧空局今后十年空间探测战略

欧空局目前正在研究今后十年的空间探测任务,这些任务可以分为两大类,一类是具有研究性的地球探测任务,另一类是可供使用的地球观察任务。这些研究要求的卫星质量不同,小的不足1000kg,大的可达3000kg;功率不同,小的不到500W,大的超过1500W;轨道高度也不同,从500km到800km。除降雨量观测任务由于飞行器结构和系统的限制是在低倾角轨道上执行外,其他大部分任务将在太阳同步轨道上执行。     

Tracking and data relay satellite system: NASA's new spacecraft data acquisition system

The growth in NASA's ground network complexity and cost triggered a search for an alternative. Through a lease service contract, Western Union will provide to NASA 10 years of space communications services with a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). A constellation of four operating satellites in geostationary orbit and a single ground terminal will provide complete tracking, telemetry and command service for all of NASA's Earth orbital satellites below an altitude of 12,000 km. The system is shared: two satellites will be dedicated to NASA service; a third will provide backup as a shared spare; the fourth satellite will be dedicated to Western Union's Advanced Westar commercial service. Western Union will operate the ground terminal and provide operational satellite control. NASA's Network Control Center will provide the focal point for scheduling user services and controlling the interface between TDRSS and the rest of the NASA communications network, project control centers and data processing facilities. TDRSS single access user spacecraft data systems should be designed for efficient time shared data relay support. Reimbursement policy and rate structure for non-NASA users are currently being developed.     

Cost reduction trends in space communications by larger satellites/platforms

The paper analyses first the satellite growth trend in the past and the specific characteristics of communication satellites, as there are specific mass per channel and payload share vs. spacecraft mass.

With assistance of a cost model (derived from actual spacecraft cost) it is shown that larger satellites are more cost effective. The same applies to the launch cost, also showing a reduction in specific cost (per kg or per channel-year) for larger payloads.

Finally different types of communication satellites/platforms are compared (two smaller satellites, one large satellite, modular docked assemblies) for the same total communication capacity of 72 000 dual telephone channels. It is shown that for each orbital communication capacity a certain optimum spacecraft size exists which leads to minimum space segment cost.     

单航天器无需机动对星座多星交会轨道全解

文献[1,2]已研究了单航天器无需变轨对Walker星座多星交会的轨道设计,在此基础上,依据交会点必是轨道交点的轨道特性,提出了轨道全解的解析法,可给出该轨道所能够交会卫星的最大数目,研究结果可为单航天器无需大机动变轨对星座多星接近的轨道应用提供理论参考。     

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.     

我国数据中继卫星系统发展建议

天链一号数据中继卫星在轨成功运行,标志着我国在天基信息传输领域的重大突破,今后发展方向是建设中继卫星组网系统,以满足数据中继不断增长的需求.分析表明:经度间距约为180°的地球静止轨道(GEO)双星组网系统,只需在我国本土设立控管站,利用地面高速光纤干线,双星就能对离地高度大于95km的航天器实现100%轨道覆盖的中继...     

大型低轨航天器与星座卫星的碰撞风险研究

针对商业小卫星星座迅猛发展对航天器飞行安全造成潜在威胁的问题,以600 km高度星座和大型低轨航天器为研究对象,通过区域方法(BOX)和碰撞概率风险评估方法,分析了星座与大型低轨航天器的碰撞风险。根据星座轨道演化分析表明,整个星座卫星与大型低轨航天器可能发生碰撞的时间相对集中,持续时间约 1~ 2年。BOX方法计算结果表明,每颗卫星与大型低轨航天器交会,并进入红色预警门限的交会次数约10次左右。碰撞概率计算结果表明,约有5%的卫星进入红色预警门限,星座如果在寿命末期采取无控再入将对大型低轨航天器在1~2年内产生较大的威胁。     

A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

分离模块异构航天器集群松散队形设计

针对近地轨道分离模块航天器集群,考虑航天器之间面质比差异,提出一种能在较长时间内维持两星之间相对距离的松散队形设计方法。该方法以相对偏心率向量和相对轨道倾角向量描述松散队形,以两颗卫星之间的轨道长半轴之差和相对相位角之差为优化变量,并且通过设置虚拟空间圆解决避碰问题,保证在考虑气动力摄动的情况下,异构航天器松散编队能够有较长时间满足距离要求。仿真研究表明,针对轨道高度为500 km的参考轨道,当两星面质比分别为0.003 m 2/kg和0.0032 m 2/kg时,两颗卫星之间的距离能够在50天内处于200 m到20 km之间。     

卫星编队多Agent软件结构仿真研究

随着小卫星技术的发展,今后由多颗微小卫星近距离编队飞行将成为在轨航天器部署的主要形式。本文把多Agent思想引入卫星编队,提出了基于多Agent卫星编队软件结构,根据编队中不同卫星Agent的智能水平和相互关系给出了4种分布形式,在把智能水平最高的主星Agent模块化结构做重点介绍的同时,以避免两星碰撞为例阐述了模糊控制逻辑在主星决策Agent中的应用。     

Satellite-aided land mobile radio experiments,applications and problems

Radio communications between vehicles or individuals and base stations are essential to many public safety, law enforcement and commercial users in urban areas. Present day communications are limited to nearly line-of-sight distances from the vehicle or hand portable units to a base station or repeater. It is probable that many potential users in rural, remote and offshore areas would benefit if the communications were available everywhere on land and territorial waters. Geosynchronous satellites can serve as repeaters for mobile and personal radios, and they appear to be a cost effective means of providing the service.Voice bandwidth communication and automatic position monitoring of an automobile were tested using the VHF transponders of NASAs ATS-3 and ATS-1 satellites. Voice communications were reliable and position fixes were accurate to one fourth mile, with 0.3 mile precision of individual fixes.Demonstrations for potential users have included emergency medical voice and telemetry communications between ambulances and hospitals.While technical feasibility of satellite-aided mobile and personal communications has been demonstrated, and its potential value is appreciated by a small segment of the user community, many problems remain before an operational system could be implemented. Solutions to the problems require an experimental satellite with a multibeam antenna. The satellite or its associated ground terminals should incorporate computer controlled network switching to test demand assignment of channels. Prolonged experience by many users of the experimental satellite in their routine operations would aggregate user needs and define the capital investment that would be justified to implement a commercial operating system.     

缓解航天器带电方法的研究

空间等离子体和航天器表面的相互作用常会导致航天器带电,造成危害。近年来,有人提出或试验了一些缓解的办法。文章对现有的缓解方法进行评论,讨论每一种方法的优缺点,并举SCATHA和DSCS卫星的例子对取得的结果加以说明。     

An alternative approach to solar system exploration planning

Planning for the future exploration of the solar system has involved the structuring of a series of missions that address major scientific objectives at a minimum runout cost for the entire endeavor. In many cases, however, the optimal structuring of a program that would minimize the runout cost would entail an unacceptable high annual funding. Our actual planning must consider the planning wedge imposed on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is vital that a plan be structured that copes with the annual restraint. If we do not recognize this, our plan will not be realized and a queing problem will result, thus negating all of our planning efforts.This paper presents ideas as to how planetary initiatives can be structured, wherein the peak annual funding is minimized. One vital aspect in the plan is to have a transportation capability that can launch a mission in any planetary opportunity. Solar electric propulsion can provide this capability. Another cost reduction approach would be to structure a mission set in a time sequenced fashion that could utilize essentially the same spacecraft for the implementation of several missions. This opportunity does exist. A third technique would be to fulfill a scientific objective in several sequential missions rather than attempt to accomplish all of the objectives with one mission. This approach might be applied to a mission currently in the planning stage designated the Saturn Orbiter Dual Probe mission. The current concept involves the delivery of a Saturn probe, a Titan probe, and a Saturn Orbiter by a one Shuttle launch. In this case, the orbiter must serve as a relay station for both probes; map the magnetosphere of Saturn; conduct a survey of Saturn's major satellites; and perform the planetological observation of Saturn itself. This mission entails the development of a complex spacecraft that would be required to have a fairly long life due to the extended mission operations at the benefit of accomplishing the mission with one launch. An alternate approach would be to break the mission into two separate elements. We could, for example, launch a Saturn orbiter carrying a Saturn entry probe. After serving as a communications relay system for the Saturn probe, the orbiter would then be specialized to map the magnetosphere of Saturn. A second launch would involve the delivery of a Titan probe by another orbiter where after delivery the orbiter would conduct the planetological observation of Saturn and its satellites. For the split-launch option, the runout cost for the two missions would be greater than the single launch option. However, optimum structuring of the two missions could materially reduce the peak annual funding.This paper presents data on the estimated cost on a year by year basis of a mission set structured to minimize the runout cost with no concern as to the peak annual funding as compared to a mission set that would yield the same scientific objectives in a slightly longer time span wherein the annual peak funding would be minimized. The consequences of this revised plan are analyzed.     

新型航天器抗辐射加固技术的研究重点

未来新型航天器在研制模式、设计技术、元器件及材料等方面与以往卫星相比将有较大变化,从而对抗辐射加固技术提出新的要求。因此,抗辐射加固技术的研究重点须在以往研究基础上进行调整。文章从航天器总体角度,对新型航天器抗辐射加固技术的研究重点进行探讨。     

单粒子效应及充放电效应诱发航天器故障的甄别与机理探讨

单粒子效应(SEE)是诱发航天器故障最重要的空间环境因素之一,其与充放电效应(SESD)诱发故障的宏观表象相像,但具体影响细节及防护设计又不尽相同,导致工程上将大量可能由SESD诱发的航天器故障简单归零为SEE并进行改进设计,但复飞后的航天器在轨故障依然不断.截至目前,鲜有综合比对研究以揭示这2种效应诱发星用器件错误和...