Beyond global: the international imperative of space

Despite provisions declarations that outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all states, it is a finite resource. This article argues for the need to ensure rational use of this resource via a major restructuring of space law. Focusing on telecommunications it proposes a change in the assignment of radio-spectrum and suggests that space must be treated as a means of advancing genuine globalisation.     

碳纤维及碳-碳复合材料透射电镜样品制备方法

研究了碳纤维和碳-碳复合材料透射电镜样品制备技术。超薄切片法具有很多优点,并与离子轰击法进行了比较。用金刚石刀超薄切片法制备的薄膜样品电子透明度高,平行度好,而且具有清洁的表面。并对在电镜观察中识别在薄膜的制备过程中引入的假象做了分析。     

Damage assessment of large space structures through the variational approach

The present investigation is focused on the solution of a dynamic inverse problem which is concerned with the assessment of damage in large space structures by means of measured vibration data. This inverse problem has been presented as an optimization problem and has been solved through the use of the conjugate gradient method with the adjoint equation, also called the variational approach. When a high number of damaged elements has to be found and these elements are also severely damaged, it is shown that the use of an additional method is necessary in order to provide a better initial guess for the conjugate gradient method. A stochastic method, represented by the genetic algorithm method, has been chosen because it provides robust search in complex spaces and also reduces the chance of converging to local optima. The application of this hybrid approach showed that better results can be achieved, although the computational time for the application analyzed here could increase. The damage estimation has been evaluated using noiseless and noisy synthetic experimental data, and the reported results are concerned with a space truss structure.     

Observations from over a decade of experience in developing faster, better, cheaper missions for the NASA small explorer program

The Small Explorer (SMEX) Project at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has accumulated nearly a decade of experience building missions with the underlying philosophy of “Faster, Better, Cheaper” (FBC). Five satellites are now successfully operating on-orbit with only one serious instrument anomaly. Together this Project has accumulated 14.6 years of on-orbit experience without a spacecraft bus failure. Additionally, this project, under the Explorer Technology Infusion effort, has developed a protoflight version of a 21^st Century FBC spacecraft bus that has just completed environmental qualification and has been selected at the base spacecraft for NASA's Triana mission. Design and production of these six high performance spacecraft, in just ten years time, has provided a unique base of experience from which to draw lessons learned. This paper will discuss the fundamental practices that have been used by the SMEX Project in achieving this record of success.     

利用极化信息实现目标重构的算法研究

本文研究了一个光滑的、理想导电的、凸散射体的轮廓重构问题。主要从物理光学散射场的一阶修正项入手,分析了散射场的共极化和交叉极化信息与目标表面形状之间的关系,获得了散射场的极化特性与散射体表面上镜面点的主曲率密切相关的概念。借助于微分几何中曲面再现问题,重构出目标的外形图象。     

基于ARIMA模型的拉萨降水量时间序列分析与预测

应用差分自回归滑动平均模型（ARIMA）模型对西藏拉萨地区1969年至2009年的年降水量资料进行建模分析。建立的模型通过了参数的显著性检验和模型的显著性检验。模型的实证分析表明在短期内模型具有较高的预测精度,ARIMA模型可以较好的应用于降水量的预测,对相关部门采取措施应对自然灾害提供了理论支持。     

基于ARIMA模型的拉萨降水量时间序列分析与预测

应用差分自回归滑动平均模型（ARIMA）模型对西藏拉萨地区1969年至2009年的年降水量资料进行建模分析。建立的模型通过了参数的显著性检验和模型的显著性检验。模型的实证分析表明在短期内模型具有较高的预测精度,ARIMA模型可以较好的应用于降水量的预测,对相关部门采取措施应对自然灾害提供了理论支持。     

C/C复合材料高温热物理性能实验研究

实验研究了烧蚀防热C／C复合材料从常温到高温的等效热膨胀系数、热扩散率、比热随温度的变化情况，并计算了材料不同温度下的热导率与抗热应力系数。结果表明：材料的热膨胀系数很小，接近零膨胀。热扩散率随温度升高而下降，比热随温度升高近似比例增加，而热导率随温度的变化规律与热扩散率相似。材料的抗热应力系数随温度的升高变化不大，抗热震性能稳定。     

The new millennium program: Fast-track procurements

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) New Millennium Program (NMP) has embarked on a technology flight-validation demonstration program to enable the kinds of missions that NASA envisions for the 21st century. Embedded in this program is the concept of rapid mission development supported by a fast-track procurement process. This process begins with the decision to initiate a procurement very early in the program along with the formation of a technical acquisition team. A close working relationship among the team members is essential to avoiding delays and developing a clear acquisition plan. The request for proposal (RFP) that is subsequently issued seeks a company with proven capabilities, so that the time allotted for responses from proposers and the length of proposals they submit can be shortened. The fast-track procurement process has been demonstrated during selection of NMP's industrial partners and has been proven to work.     

Flunking on space station cooperation?

This article looks at the collaboration between the USA and Europe to develop a permanently manned space station. The US view was initially somewhat conjectural and European involvement has become a matter of dispute. The problem started with President Reagan's vague invitation which has not been followed up. NASA, directed by Congress, has already established a programme to which European contributions would appear as afterthoughts. While, on the other hand, the Europeans have asked for a collaboration, at the same time insisting on separate ownership, jurisdiction, use and control of the elements they intend to provide.     

Controlling the motion of a spacecraft when approaching a large object of space debris

The problem of calculating the parameters of maneuvering a spacecraft as it approaches a large object of space debris (LOSD) in close near-circular noncoplanar orbits has been considered. In [1–4], the results of analyzing the problem of the flyby of the separated LOSD groups have been presented. It has been assumed that a collector spacecraft approaches the LOSD and captures it or it is inserted into the nozzle of a small spacecraft that has a proper propulsion system (PS). However, in these papers, the flight from one object to another was only analyzed and the problem of approaching to LOSD with a given accuracy was not considered. This paper is a supplement to the cycle of papers [1–4]. It is assumed that, the final stage of approaching the LOSD is implemented by maneuvering in many orbits (up to several dozens) with low-thrust engines, but the PS operating time is fairly small compared with the orbit period in order to make it possible to use impulse approximation in the calculations.     

Analysis of the dynamics of the deployed aerodynamic space tether system

An analysis of the motion of a deployed space system that consists of two end bodies connected by a tether has been considered. One of the bodies has a relatively large ballistic coefficient that ensures aerodynamic braking or the stabilization of the motion of the entire system in relatively low near-Earth orbits. The deployment of this system mainly occurs due to the action of aerodynamic forces. Several ways of deploying the system have been analyzed, including (1) the uncontrolled release of the tether with hardly any braking; (2) deployment with constant braking force; (3) the dynamic control law without feedback, when the resistance force varies according to a set program; (4) a kinematic control law with feedback when programs are set for varying the velocity and length of the tether release. To analyze the dynamics of the system, a mathematical model of motion has been constructed in which the motion of the end bodies relative to their centers of mass is taken into account.     

An optimal microsatellite system for optical remote sensing data management

Inter-Satellite Link represents an innovative aspect in remote sensing missions, allowing the exchange of data between satellites of a constellation according to appropriate algorithms for the minimization of the delivery time of requested data. In a recent study, the feasibility of gaining a long period of Inter-Satellite Link with an acceptable level of Bit Error Rate has been demonstrated by using a Walker Constellation composed of 20 micro-satellites located on Sun-Synchronous Orbits. In this paper, an investigation into the performance of such a constellation through the implementation of an optimal process of target access and data exchange among satellites has been carried out, together with a sizing of the onboard telecommunication system. A process analysis has been executed through the modelling of weighted fitting functions, specific for an optical remote sensing system.     

On the contribution of space medicine in the public health care

With the beginning of space era, a new branch of medicine has arisen and has been developing along with human exploration of outer space. And even though space medicine mainly faces the same problems as traditional medicine--cosmonauts health care and their high efficiency--this branch, has its own features, associated with the unusual factors of space flight, of which weightlessness is the major one. During the development of manned cosmonautics (duration of a human stay in space has reached already 438 days), methods of cosmonauts medical support and monitoring of their condition have been developed, knowledge of human possibilities and methods of process of organism adaptation to various and frequently severe conditions of external environment have increased. All this led to the fact that nowadays space medicine can become useful for improvement of human health care not only in space but also on the Earth. Moreover, the problem of implementation of cosmonautics achievements, and in particular of space medicine, in practice of public health care presents one of the most important issues concerning human health care. It is also connected with public opinion which is more and more concerned about the efficiency of significant expenses on space activities, especially lately. People often are set by the questions: what has space given, what fruits has space research provided to mankind, which results of this research can be used on the Earth already today for improvement of their life, for discussion of many difficult earthly problems? In terms of using cosmonautics possibilities, its achievements for health care and treatment, it is possible to define a few branches, in which purposeful studies are carried out.     

Estimating the accuracy of the technique of reconstructing the rotational motion of a satellite based on the measurements of its angular velocity and the magnetic field of the Earth

The paper has studied the accuracy of the technique that allows the rotational motion of the Earth artificial satellites (AES) to be reconstructed based on the data of onboard measurements of angular velocity vectors and the strength of the Earth magnetic field (EMF). The technique is based on kinematic equations of the rotational motion of a rigid body. Both types of measurement data collected over some time interval have been processed jointly. The angular velocity measurements have been approximated using convenient formulas, which are substituted into the kinematic differential equations for the quaternion that specifies the transition from the body-fixed coordinate system of a satellite to the inertial coordinate system. Thus obtained equations represent a kinematic model of the rotational motion of a satellite. The solution of these equations, which approximate real motion, has been found by the least-square method from the condition of best fitting between the data of measurements of the EMF strength vector and its calculated values. The accuracy of the technique has been estimated by processing the data obtained from the board of the service module of the International Space Station (ISS). The reconstruction of station motion using the aforementioned technique has been compared with the telemetry data on the actual motion of the station. The technique has allowed us to reconstruct the station motion in the orbital orientation mode with a maximum error less than 0.6° and the turns with a maximal error of less than 1.2°.     

Multibeam array designed for use in a maritime system using an OTS platform

The study, based on actual hardware specifically developed for a multibeam array, has been concerned with the definition of a payload compatible with the requirements of a second generation maritime system. The proposed payload designed to operate in an OTS spacecraft has the following performance. 19 beam global coverage, give 70 Maritime channels having 52.4 dB Hz quality in deep fades. Mass of payload incl. antenna, 112 kg; d.c. power consumption, 334 W; Operational life time, 7 yr.     

Theory of physical libration of the Moon with the liquid core: Forced librations

For a two-layer model of the Moon that consists of a solid nonspherical mantle and an ellipsoidal homogeneous liquid core, a theory of forced librations under the effect of gravitational Earth’s moments has been developed. The motion of the Moon over its orbit has been described by the high-accuracy theory of DE/LE-4 orbital motion. Tables have been constructed that present forced librations of the Moon caused by the second harmonic of its force function, in the neighborhood of its motion according to the generalized Cassini laws. Disturbances of the first-order with respect to dynamic compressions of the Moon and its core are obtained in analytical form for Andoyer variables and Poincare variables and for the projection of the angular velocity vector of Moon’s mantle rotation and the Poincare coordinate system (relative to which core’s liquid accomplishes simple motion) on its major central axes of inertia, as well as for the classical variables in the Moon libration theory, etc. Constructed tables of the forced librations theory give the amplitudes and periods of librations and combinations of arguments of the orbital motion theory that correspond to libration parameters. The interpretation of basic variations has been given and a comparison with the previous theories has been carried out, in particular with the modern empirical theory constructed based on the laser observation data.     

按降低轨迹灵敏度综合最优设计飞行控制系统

本文提出了一个按降低轨迹灵敏度综合最优设计飞行控制系统的方法。它能使系统具有满意的动态品质,同时对系统参数的变化及非线性产生的影响具有较强的鲁棒性。该设计方法具有通用性和程序化,系统实现简单。     

Plastic Cubesat: An innovative and low-cost way to perform applied space research and hands-on education

This paper describes the design and the manufacturing of a Cubesat platform based on a plastic structure.The Cubesat structure has been realized in plastic material (ABS) using a “rapid prototyping” technique. The “rapid prototyping” technique has several advantages including fast implementation, accuracy in manufacturing small parts and low cost. Moreover, concerning the construction of a small satellite, this technique is very useful thanks to the accuracy achievable in details, which are sometimes difficult and expensive to realize with the use of tools machine. The structure must be able to withstand the launch loads. For this reason, several simulations using an FEM simulation and an intensive vibration test campaign have been performed in the system development and test phase. To demonstrate that this structure is suitable for hosting a complete satellite system, offering innovative integrated solutions, other subsystems have been developed and assembled.Despite its small size, this single unit (1U) Cubesat has a system for active attitude control, a redundant telecommunication system, a payload camera and a photovoltaic system based on high efficiency solar cells.The developed communication subsystem has small dimensions, low power consumption and low cost. An example of the innovations introduced is the antenna system, which has been manufactured inside the ABS structure. The communication protocol which has been implemented, the AX.25 protocol, is mainly used by radio amateurs. The communication system has the capability to transmit both telemetry and data from the payload, in this case a microcamera.The attitude control subsystem is based on an active magnetic system with magnetorquers for detumbling and momentum dumping and three reaction wheels for fine control. It has a total dimension of about 50×50×50 mm. A microcontroller implements the detumbling control law autonomously taking data from integrated magnetometers and executes pointing maneuvers on the basis of commands received in real time from ground.The subsystems developed for this Cubesat have also been designed to be scaled up for larger satellites such as 2U or 3U Cubesats. The additional volume can be used for more complex payloads. Thus the satellite can be used as a low cost platform for companies, institutions or universities to test components in space.