Performance relationships between ground model and space prototype of deployable space antennas

Performance testing is very useful in the design of deployable space antennas. It is arduous and costly to carry out the prototype experiments on the ground because of the large aperture of the antenna and the difficulty of simulating space environments. Thus, a smaller replica of the antenna, called scale model, is used to achieve the performance testing for reasons of economy, convenience, and saving in time. In this paper, a two-step approach is proposed to predict the prototype performance of the antenna in the space environment according to the performance testing of the scale model. The first step is to analyze the similarity between the prototype and the model in the same environment. Different methods are adopted according to the different performance of the antenna. The scaling laws of the driving force of the deployable Astromesh antenna are established through the differential equations on the basis of the deployment dynamic equations, while the scaling laws of frequency are derived by the dimensional analysis method. The second step is to analyze the performance relationships of the scale model in the different environments. Experiments on the scale model can be performed to obtain the performance relationships. Finally, a complete example of the natural frequency analysis is given to illustrate the two-step method.     

Goals and preparation method for ground operations for the manned space flight Altair

The mission's success fully depends on the Payload Operations conducted during the space flight. The Ground Team has to be trained to assist the Space Crew, to replan the cosmonaut's activities when contingengies occurr onboard and to change or cancel Payload activities when required. In order to act efficiently during the mission, the Ground Team must be prepared in advance of the flight and able to operate special tools for tracking the mission's progress, anticipating problems and taking decisions in realtime.

This document sets out the approach for conducting such a preparation for Ground Operation. It will be focused on the Altaïr mission performed in July 1993 onboard the Russian Mir space station.     

Application of a Multiple Hypothesis Filter to near GEO high area-to-mass ratio space objects state estimation

Optical surveys have identified a class of high area-to-mass ratio (HAMR) objects in the vicinity of the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) regime. The nature of these objects is not well known, though their proximity to the GEO belt implies origins from space objects (SOs) near GEO. These HAMR objects pose a collision hazard as they transit through the vicinity of active GEO satellites. Due to their high area-to-mass ratios (AMRs), ranging from 0.1 to 20 m²/kg and higher, the effective solar radiation pressure perturbs their orbits significantly. Improvements in detection sensitivity will result in large numbers of uncorrelated tracks from surveys. A Multiple Hypothesis Filter (MHF) approach to the initial state estimation and track association provides a potentially automated and efficient approach to the processing of multiple un-correlated tracks.The availability of long-term optical angles data collected for a set of near GEO HAMR objects provides the means for testing candidate estimation processes such as the MHF. A baseline orbit determination (OD) process uses an Extended Kalman Filter/Smoother to manually estimate the 6 orbital elements and the effective area-to-mass ratio (AMR) which drives the solar radiation pressure perturbations on the orbital trajectories. In addition to allowing the characterization of the long-term behavior of the AMR, this process establishes a pseudo-truth trajectory to which the MHF analysis can be compared. An Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) is applied in the MHF estimation process to estimate the 6 orbital elements and AMR, with no a priori state assumptions, and the results are compared to the pseudo-truth results for validation.The work to be presented summarizes the UKF/MHF process and assesses state estimation performance based on selected data for selected near GEO HAMR objects having a range of AMR value and variations. The prediction accuracy is also assessed by comparing predictions derived from filter updates to segments of the pseudo-truth trajectory determined from data not included in the updates.     

Registration of space objects: ESA member states’ practice

The registration of space objects is indispensable for the orderly administration of outer space. Most states recognize this and comply with the instruments—the Registration Convention and the UN General Assembly Resolution—set up to permit registration, but they display different approaches to and interpretations of the concept of registration. This article examines the registration practices of various European Space Agency (ESA) member states and of ESA itself. It finds that, despite varied policies, the system seems to be working well. However, there has been a worrying rise in non-registrations over the past few years, perhaps linked to the growth in the number of, especially commercial, entities engaging in space activities.     

Acquisition and tracking of laser beams in space communications

A general consideration of the problem of acquisition and tracking of laser beams is given for intersatellite communications. An optimum multi-step system for antenna acquisition and pointing is determined. For the acquisition and pointing stage an equivalent bit rate is introduced. Using this criteria, an approach is derived to compare the acquisition system to the optimum one as well as to the communication channel with regard to the required optical power. The laser tracking system has been also considered. The advantage of a tracking system with two integrators has been shown.     

Some peculiarities of changes in characteristics of proper atmosphere of space objects

We consider the behavior of the proper atmosphere of space objects in interaction with a flow of incident particles and when the orientation of an object changes. An asymmetry in the behavior of a sorption film with respect to an incident flow of atmospheric particles and the flow’s angular characteristics is shown, as well as the film influence on operation of sensors of the spacecraft’s attitude control system. A recommendation concerning usage of heavy gases for technological operations onboard spacecraft is given.     

射频信号相位自动控制技术在DVOR地面信标中的应用

引言基于多卜勒全向信标(DVOR)的工作原理是指地面信标分别通过中央天线、边带天线发射3种不同频率的射频信号,上述具有特定频率和相位关系的射频信号通过空间合成形成一个完整的VOR信号。该信号体现为一个载波上含有30Hz、以9960Hz为中心的具有频率调制的副载波等等调制信号的射     

临近空间飞行器在电子侦察中的应用研究

临近空间飞行器具有航空航天飞行器无法比拟的优势,在军事上有着广阔的应用前景。介绍了临近空间及临近空间飞行器的概念和特点,总结了临近空间飞行器的发展现状和趋势,并着重探讨了临近空间飞行器在电子侦察方面的应用。     

氢原子钟的空间应用前景

氢原子钟仍是目前可移动的和实用的最高稳定度的时频标准。作为参考,10^-16稳定度的氢原子钟很适合空间科学测量。文章介绍了氢原子钟的特点及其在空间科学实验中的潜在应用前景。     

Cross-cultural issues in space operations: A survey study among ground personnel of the European Space Agency

Today's space operations involve co-working of people with different ethnical, professional and organisational backgrounds. The aim of this study was to examine the implications of cultural diversity for efficient collaboration within the European Space Agency (ESA), and between ESA employees and representatives from other agencies. ESA employees from European countries (N=576) answered to the CULT Ground Survey. The results showed that differences in relation to leadership and decision making were the most important issues thought to interfere with efficient co-working within ESA, and between ESA employees and colleagues from other agencies. Employees who collaborated with more than three nationalities within ESA indicated most challenges in co-working due to differences in compliance, behavioural norms and competitiveness. Challenges in co-working differed between agencies, and these differences were consistent with value differences in the national populations. The results may have applied value for training of European employees working in international space program teams.     

基于稀疏重构的杂波环境下红外图像空间邻近目标超分辨方法

基于稀疏重构的超分辨方法是应对空间邻近目标的有效方法之一,但是当目标处于杂波环境下时,杂波会布满在整个视场范围内,导致场景原有的稀疏性被破坏。针对这一现象提出了一种在杂波环境下的超分辨方法。该方法充分利用了传感器的结构特性以及重构算法中的参数,通过建立观测信号的红外成像模型并利用像元网格划分的方式,建立空间邻近目标群的位置和幅度信号的稀疏表示,并利用其光学系统的点扩散函数来构造超完备字典,最后通过控制重构场景中非零元素的个数比例来使重构参数处于一个合理的区间范围,以此来达到去除杂波干扰并准确重建稀疏目标的目的。     

Real time confocal laser scanning microscopy: potential applications in space medicine and cell biology

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), in which tissues may be rendered fatally light-sensitive represents a relatively novel treatment for cancer and other disorders such as cardiovascular disease. It offers significant application to disease control in an isolated environment such as space flight. In studying PDT in the laboratory, low energy lasers such as HeNe lasers are used to activate the photosensitized cellular target. A major problem associated with these studies is that events occurring during actual exposure of the target cells to the system cannot be examined in real time. In this study HeLa cells were photosensitized and photodynamic activation was accomplished using the scanning microbeam from a confocal laser scanning microscope. This form of activation allowed for simultaneous photoactivation and observation and facilitated the recording of events at a microscopic level during photoactivation. Effects of photodynamic activation on the target cells were monitored using the fluorophores rhodamine 123 and ethidium homodimer-1. Potential applications of these forms of analyses to space medicine and cell biology are discussed.     

免清洗焊接技术在航天测试设备中的应用

各军用产品、测试设备在选用有机助焊剂装配焊接完成后,都需清洗焊点,单个系统的焊点将会有成千上万,而仅对于连接器的清洗工作将更是一个耗时、耗力的工作,不但清洗质量难以保证,而且残留的助焊剂将可能腐蚀焊点,造成电气性能的下降。通过免清洗焊接技术的应用来保证原有品质、简化工艺流程,更为重要的是能缩短生产周期,降低废料产生,减少产品被腐蚀性的程度。通过试验,使用免清洗Ⅰ的可焊性要好于其它免清洗助焊剂,所焊电路板经过高、低温试验和振动试验,焊点外观质量、导通情况正常。     

VFW技术在发动机试验系统多余物检测中的应用

论述了发动机试验工艺系统多余物产生机理、多余物控制的基本要求,提出了一种基于VFW技术建立的便携式简易内窥镜多余物图像检测系统.主要对软件设计思路进行了论述,并详细介绍了该系统在现有试车台工艺系统多余物控制中的应用,该技术的应用实现了多余检测过程的数字化管理,提高了试验系统单元部件多余物检测效率.并使检测手段便捷化.     

Transparency and confidence-building measures for space security

Transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) are a set of tools designed to display, predict and discipline states’ behaviour with respect to maintaining the security of space. With intentional and unintentional threats to the peaceful use of space on the rise, there is a growing international consensus on the need for greater transparency in space-related activities as well as confidence-building measures to reduce the prospects of disruption to the ever-expanding role of space in our day-to-day lives. Terrestrial TCBMs can serve as a guide to understanding what political arrangements are possible in space, including certain precedents in the areas of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament. At the same time, current and emerging challenges in space - including orbital space debris, risk of collisions, growing saturation of the radiofrequency spectrum, the crowding of satellites in geostationary (GEO) orbit and threat of purposeful disruption - need to be evaluated in the context of unilateral, bilateral, multilateral and private initiatives to increase space situational awareness and security. This paper describes and evaluates various prospective TCBMs alongside current proposals to advance safety and security in space, including the EU Draft Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. It offers specific recommendations, arguing that Europe is uniquely qualified to negotiate a 21st century TCBM architecture thanks to its history of diplomacy and ability to identify common ground among disparate parties. This will only happen, however, with a more defined institutional design and the EU’s emergence as a global civilian leader.     

三维工艺与MES在航天发动机数字化制造中的应用研究

为了提高航天发动机数字化研制能力,对航天发动机数字化制造的理论进行了研究,包括数字化制造的环节、各环节所使用的数字化工具以及这些工具间的相互关系。重点研究并阐述了三维工艺与MES(Manufacturing Executive System,制造执行系统)在数字化制造中的应用。     

Europe's space plans and opportunities for cooperation

This is a slightly abridged and edited version of the welcoming speech made by European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen at the ‘Winning through co-operation: sharing the benefits of space’ conference held in Brussels on 17–18 February 2005 as part of European Space Week. The importance of space for Europe across many areas—now explicitly acknowledged by the European Commission—is highlighted. Future initiatives are discussed and the Union's approach to international cooperation is outlined. It was hoped that the conference would provide an opportunity for participants to identify the best opportunities for partnership in space.     

Applying international space station (ISS) and solar-sail technology to the exploration and diversion of small,dark near earth objects (NEO's)

Space-Station technology, micron-thick 100-m solar sails, and a near-Earth propulsion system allow exploration of small, dark Near-Earth-Objects (NEO's) of cometary origin. Early crewed missions to NEO's could analyze the objects' properties and evaluate resource-mining possibilities. Later missions to Earth-threatening 100-m radius NEO's could deploy NEO-centered, high-area, low-mass reflective structures. The solar gravitational parameter (GM_sun) on a NEO is slightly reduced by increased radiation pressure. The central-force-field equations reveal that NEO eccentricity and average solar distance are thereby slightly increased. Given decades of warning and long-lived reflective canopies, such structures can convert Earth-impacts into near-misses. Although not suitable for NEO mining, such structures are superior to nuclear detonations because (as revealed by the 1994 Jupiter-comet interaction) NEO calving may be a consequence of explosions. NEO despinning is not required.