CAST激光驱动微小飞片及其超高速撞击效应研究进展

激光驱动飞片技术(LDFT)在模拟微米级空间碎片对航天器的超高速撞击效应方面具有独特的优势。文章全面介绍了北京卫星环境工程研究所在激光驱动飞片技术与微米级空间碎片超高速撞击效应地面模拟研究中取得的若干进展,包括激光驱动飞片的理论计算、超高速飞片的稳定发射技术、超高速飞片速度瞬态测量技术、航天器外露表面的超高速撞击特性、超高速撞击累积损伤评价方法,以及微米级空间碎片超高速撞击防护技术探索等研究。同时,展望了激光驱动飞片技术以及微米级空间碎片累积撞击实验研究的发展方向。     

微米级空间碎片超高速撞击地面试验技术的研究进展

微米级空间碎片对航天器的累积效应将对其性能造成严重的影响,国外已开展了相关的超高速撞击地面试验技术研究.针对微米级空间碎片特点,国外相继发展了激光驱动加速、粉尘静电加速、电炮加速和等离子体加速等四种主要的地面试验技术.主要介绍了四种试验技术的原理和方法以及国内外研究进展,并对上述试验技术的各自特点作了对比,对各自适用范围进行了讨论.     

微米级空间碎片粉尘静电模拟加速设备现状原理及发展现状

由于微米级空间碎片数量巨大,与航天器的碰撞频率碰撞概率很高,虽然单次撞击不一定造成航天器损坏,但其累积效应仍然会影响航天器的性能。超高速地面模拟实验是研究微米级空间碎片撞击效应最直接、最有效的手段,国外已发展了粉尘静电加速设备用于模拟微米级空间碎片的撞击效应。文章对粉尘静电模拟加速设备的原理和发展现状进行了介绍,并对该种设备的优缺点进行了分析讨论。     

粉尘静电加速设备原理及发展现状

微米级空间碎片数量巨大,与航天器的碰撞概率很高,其累积效应会影响航天器的性能.国外已发展了粉尘静电加速设备用于模拟微米级空间碎片的撞击效应.文章对粉尘静电模拟加速设备的原理和发展现状进行了介绍,并对该种设备的优缺点进行了分析讨论.     

地基激光测距系统观测空间碎片进展

卫星激光测距作为地基光电望远镜系统重要技术应用,可直接精确测量空间碎片距离,提升碎片目标轨道监测精度。基于上海天文台60 cm口径激光测距望远镜,应用百赫兹重复率高功率激光器、高效率激光信号探测系统等,建立了空间碎片激光测距系统,实现了对距离500~2600 km、截面积0.3~20 m2的碎片目标观测,测距精度优于1 m,具备了碎片目标常规测量与应用能力。此外,开展了空间目标白天监视技术研究,实现了亮于6星等恒星的白天观测,并进行了望远镜局部指向误差模型分析,分析结果可应用于空间碎片白天激光观测的目标监视与引导。     

同步带1-10cm级空间碎片可见光探测技术研究

针对目前天地基碎片探测装备无法对同步轨道带1 10cm级空间碎片进行探测的问题,文章在对同步轨道带碎片分布规律、碎片探测技术手段进行分析总结的基础上,分析探讨了高轨航天器搭载光电传感器实现同步轨道带1 10cm级碎片探测所具备的技术指标和功能特点,并对基于天基测角信息的空间碎片轨道确定算法及相关技术进行分析。基于本文所述的分析论证和技术方法,可以确定高轨航天器实现对同步轨道带1 10cm级碎片的探测识别和轨道确定的可行性及能力需求,为同步轨道带1 10cm级碎片的天基光学探测提供一定的技术支持,为同步轨道带碎片探测专用航天器的研制论证提供技术支撑。     

国外空间目标探测与识别系统发展现状研究

介绍了美国、俄罗斯、欧洲的空间目标探测与识别系统发展现状,例如美国地基新型S频段空间篱笆雷达和利用轨道优势进行探测识别的作战响应空间-5(ORS-5)卫星,俄罗斯具有空间目标识别能力的新型高频沃罗涅日(Voronezh)雷达、雷达光学结合探测识别的树冠(Krona)系统,ESA空间碎片望远镜及德国试验监视与跟踪雷达(GESTRA)等。总结分析了国外空间目标探测与识别系统的发展趋势,例如正在发展高频雷达和大口径大面阵光学探测识别设备,建立天基、地基互补探测识别系统,研究雷达与激光、光学相结合的探测识别技术等,可为我国发展空间目标探测与识别系统提供参考。     

SDEEM2015空间碎片环境工程模型

文章介绍了哈尔滨工业大学空间碎片高速撞击研究中心"十二五"期间发布的空间碎片环境工程模型(SDEEM 2015)。该模型可实现LEO空间碎片环境描述,空间碎片撞击风险评估以及地基探测结果仿真,还可输出LEO航天器不同轨道位置处空间碎片撞击通量随撞击方位角、撞击速度及碎片尺寸的分布规律,地基探测设备探测区域内空间碎片空间密度及通量的分布情况等信息。SDEEM 2015适用轨道高度范围为200~2000 km,时间范围为1959年—2050年,所考虑的空间碎片来源包括解体碎片、Na K液滴、固体火箭发动机喷射物、溅射物和剥落物。     

激光移除空间碎片过程的三维仿真与建模

基于轨道力学和激光与物质相互作用理论建立激光移除空间碎片的三维变轨模型。该模型利用激光站/卫星与碎片位置和速度矢量作为初始数据,通过设定激光参数,实时计算和更新速度增量矢量,能够真实地反映碎片的移除过程。该模型包括地基和天基两种类型,根据激光作用临界条件与降轨效果计算碎片的降轨过程,能够实时输出碎片轨道信息,图形化输出使结果更加直观。考虑到速度增量分量对轨道倾角的影响,该模型增加了碎片逃逸情况的判断。最后,利用该模型计算了地基/天基系统移除多种空间碎片材料的过程和效果,发现钢材料碎片移除难度最大,而移除多层绝缘材料的效率最高。     

一种新型空间微小碎片超高速碰撞试验地面模拟方法

文章简要叙述了空间微小碎片环境及其对航天器的影响,同时介绍了一种新型空间微小碎片超高速碰撞地面模拟方法——激光驱动飞片技术。     

二级轻气炮模拟空间碎片超高速碰撞试验技术

二级轻气炮是用来模拟空间碎片超高速碰撞效应的重要设备。文章首先介绍了目前二级轻气炮国内外的发展的概况;阐述了其工作原理及所使用的工作气体和试验用品;然后讨论了影响二级轻气炮性能的初始注气压力、活塞速度、弹丸释放压力、活塞质量、弹丸质量等若干参量;最后对反映二级轻气炮性能的重要指标弹丸出口速度和动态碰撞角的测试技术和方法进行了分析。     

Research Progress in Laser Active Debris Removal of CAST

Based on the introduction to theresearch status and trend of international space-based laser debris re-moval technology, the existing problems of space-based laser debris removal technology are systematically analyzed.In view of the existing problems, the work and research progress of the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft EnvironmentEngineering in this field are introduced from several aspects, such as dynamic behavior of laser-driven debris, orbittransfer model, ground simulation system, space-based removal system scheme and target selection strategy. The mainresearch methods include laser-driven micro-impulse measurement experiment, surface triangulation three-dimension-al reconstruction calculation method based on laser-material interaction theory, simulation calculation based on orbitaldynamics, etc. It also looks forward to the future research direction in the field of this technology.     

天基激光清除空间碎片方案与可行性研究

介绍了激光烧蚀驱动机理和空间碎片降轨清除原理,通过分析计算确立了空间碎片降轨清除判据和2 种降轨清除模式。理论计算给出了清除1200、800 和500 km 三个典型低地球轨道上空间碎片所必须的速度增量、激光器功率、单脉冲能量、激光发射镜直径等主要参数值。对比分析显示现有的硬件指标和条件能够满足清除低地球轨道上空间碎片的设计要求,因此,天基激光清除空间碎片方案从技术角度是可行的。     

L׳ADROIT – A spaceborne ultraviolet laser system for space debris clearing

Small (1–10 cm) debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are extremely dangerous, because they spread the breakup cascade. Pulsed laser active debris removal using laser ablation jets on target is the most cost-effective way to re-enter the small debris. No other solutions address the whole problem of large (~100 cm, 1 t) as well as small debris. Physical removal of small debris (by nets, tethers and so on) is uneconomical because of the energy cost of matching orbits. In this paper, we present a completely new proposal relative to our earlier work. This new approach uses rapid, head-on interaction in 10–40 s rather than 4 minutes, using 20–40 kW bursts of 100 ps, 355 nm UV pulses from a 1.5 m diameter aperture on a space-based station in LEO. The station employs “heat-capacity” laser mode with low duty cycle to create an adaptable, robust, dual-mode system which can lower or raise large derelict objects into less dangerous orbits, as well as clear out the small debris in a 400-km thick LEO band. Time-average laser optical power is less than 15 kW. The combination of short pulses and UV wavelength gives lower required fluence on target as well as higher momentum coupling coefficient. An orbiting system can have short range because of high interaction rate deriving from its velocity through the debris field. This leads to much smaller mirrors and lower average power than the ground-based systems we have considered previously. Our system also permits strong defense of specific assets. Analysis gives an estimated cost less than $1 k each to re-enter most small debris in a few months, and about 280 k$ each to raise or lower 1-ton objects by 40 km. We believe it can do this for 2000 such large objects in about four years. Laser ablation is one of the few interactions in nature that propel a distant object without any significant reaction on the source.     

A space based radar on a micro-satellite for in-situ detection of small orbital debris

The increase in the number of satellites in the Near Earth Orbit is exponential. The consequent increase in pollution of the orbital environment is of growing concern to the international community. There are currently only two observation systems available for measurement of orbital debris. Ground based radar and telescopes can detect objects larger than about 7 cm. Passive space based systems provide an accurate statistical estimation of flux for debris smaller than about 0.1 mm in size. Consequently, there is no way of obtaining information about debris in the millimeter-size range. Considering that the relative speed between objects in space is commonly in the km/s range, millimeter sized debris carry enough energy to be deadly to astronauts or to totally destroy the functioning of any satellite. Then National space agencies have recommended launching orbital spacecraft carrying debris detection experiments for gaining a better understanding of small debris.CNES (the French Space Agency) is developing a new family of micro-satellites, that will make possible to put into orbit a totally new system of radar that could measure in-situ flux of debris. We present results of this system analysis, which would cumulate the advantages of both ground-based radar and in orbit passive experiments.The proposed method for detection is quite original and allows the radar to act like a band-pass filter with respect to the debris diameter. The optimum frequency is shown to be in the Ka-band. Two points are critical in the definition of the radar: the average power available and the false alarm probability in the detection criterion. Therefore, we present a special receiver chain in order to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. The estimate of the radial velocity through Doppler frequency measurement may be used to discriminate orbital debris from meteoroids. This system could be built today using an existing Continuous Wave amplifier. Several hundreds of objects per year could be detected yielding an accurate statistical estimation.The orbital debris radar would be a major contribution to our knowledge of millimeter sized debris. This experiment would contribute to making the current models more accurate at all inclinations. The micro-satellite concept would make the orbital debris radar mission cheap enough for considering a constellation of such satellites.     

A laser-optical system to re-enter or lower low Earth orbit space debris

Collisions among existing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) debris are now a main source of new debris, threatening future use of LEO space. Due to their greater number, small (1–10 cm) debris are the main threat, while large (>10 cm) objects are the main source of new debris. Flying up and interacting with each large object is inefficient due to the energy cost of orbit plane changes, and quite expensive per object removed. Strategically, it is imperative to remove both small and large debris. Laser-Orbital-Debris-Removal (LODR), is the only solution that can address both large and small debris. In this paper, we briefly review ground-based LODR, and discuss how a polar location can dramatically increase its effectiveness for the important class of sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) objects. With 20% clear weather, a laser-optical system at either pole could lower the 8-ton ENVISAT by 40 km in about 8 weeks, reducing the hazard it represents by a factor of four. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a space-based LODR system. We estimate cost per object removed for these systems. International cooperation is essential for designing, building and operating any such system.     

天基激光驱动空间碎片降轨效果仿真研究

在当前天基激光移除碎片方案设计中,通常采用k J级高能激光器、100 m/s大速度增量和简单降轨模型计算移除系统参数,然而k J级天基高能激光器尚未实现。文章基于目前实验室现有的J级激光器水平,参考现阶段碎片移除方案,针对特定区域的目标空间碎片,结合碎片轨道特性信息建立降轨模型,仿真研究目标碎片在低能量天基激光驱动下的运动过程和降轨效果,分析了影响目标碎片降轨效果的因素。对部署在500 km轨道高度的天基平台移除附近碎片的仿真结果表明,速度增量和降轨高度的变化具有累积效应,提高频率、增大有效作用距离等可延长激光烧蚀驱动时间,进而增强碎片降轨效果。分析表明,J级小能量激光器通过长时间的烧蚀,也可有效驱动和移除1~10 cm碎片。     

System engineering analysis of derelict collision prevention options

Sensitivities to the future growth of orbital debris and the resulting hazard to operational satellites due to collisional breakups of large derelict objects are being studied extensively. However, little work has been done to quantify the technical and operational tradeoffs between options for minimizing future derelict fragmentations that act as the primary source for future debris hazard growth. The two general categories of debris mitigation examined for prevention of collisions involving large derelict objects (rocket bodies and payloads) are active debris removal (ADR) and just-in-time collision avoidance (JCA). Timing, cost, and effectiveness are compared for ADR and JCA solutions highlighting the required enhancements in uncooperative element set accuracy, rapid ballistic launch, despin/grappling systems, removal technologies, and remote impulsive devices. The primary metrics are (1) the number of derelict objects moved/removed per the number of catastrophic collisions prevented and (2) cost per collision event prevented. A response strategy that contains five different activities, including selective JCA and ADR, is proposed as the best approach going forward.     

激光驱动接力移除空间碎片的小卫星星座及可行性研究

在众多空间碎片移除技术中,天基激光烧蚀驱动是一种高效的、有广阔应用前景的移除技术,特别是针对移除海量的、尺寸在1~10 cm的危险碎片而言,更是具有独特优势。然而,这一技术对高能激光器单脉冲能量、光束质量、发射镜口径等要求很高,目前的硬件水平还达不到实用指标要求,制约了其天基应用。为了克服这些硬件技术障碍,本文另辟蹊径,利用小卫星概念,提出了由不同轨道高度小卫星平台组成小卫星星座,通过在每个小卫星平台上的激光驱动接力来逐步降低碎片轨道高度,最终达到移除空间碎片的小卫星接力移除星座的构想。基于现有的激光器性能参数,根据激光烧蚀驱动碎片动力学模型计算了单个卫星平台的移除能力,结果显示,10 J单脉冲能量激光器和0.5 m直径发射镜,能够对20 km范围内、尺寸小于10 cm碎片进行有效驱动。进而,针对空间碎片密集度高而应用最广的800 km轨道高度区域,设计了由分布在不同轨道高度的30颗小卫星组成接力驱动移除星座系统方案,通过仿真模拟计算验证了星座系统的移除碎片的可行性。该研究利用目前热门的小卫星星座,降低了天基激光移除空间碎片技术对硬件的性能要求,为该技术的应用提供了新的思路和途径,所提出的小卫星接力驱动星座系统方案也有工程参考价值。