Cubesat solar sail 3-axis stabilization using panel translation and magnetic torquing

A Cubesat mission with a deployable solar sail of 5 meter by 5 meter in a sun-synchronous low earth orbit is analyzed to demonstrate solar sailing using active attitude stabilization of the sail panel. The sail panel is kept parallel to the orbital plane to minimize aerodynamic drag and optimize the orbit inclination change caused by the solar pressure force normal to the sail surface. A practical control system is proposed, using a combination of small 2-dimensional translation of the sail panel and 3-axis magnetic torquing which is proved to have sufficient control authority over the gravity gradient and aerodynamic disturbance torques. Miniaturized CMOS cameras are used as sun and nadir vector attitude sensors and a robust Kalman filter is used to accurately estimate the inertially referenced body rates from only the sun vector measurements. It is shown through realistic simulation tests that the proposed control system, although inactive during eclipse, will be able to stabilize the sail panel to within ±2° in all attitude angles during the sunlit part of the orbit, when solar sailing is possible.     

Solar sail attitude control using shape variation of booms

Active attitude control of solar sails is required to control the direction of the force generated by Solar Radiation Pressure (SRP). It is desirable to control the attitude through propellant-free means. This paper proposes a new method for attitude control of solar sails: A boom consisting of “smart” structural material can be deformed by the piezoelectric actuator, and Solar Radiation Pressure torque will be generated due to shape variation of sail membrane caused by boom deformation. The method has the advantages of simple structure, small disturbance and small additional load, and is not limited by the size of the solar sail. The case of rendezvous with the Asteroid 2000 SG344 is used to verify the attitude control around the pitch and yaw axes.     

Dynamic modeling and beating phenomenon analysis of space robots with continuum manipulators

Space robotics has been used extensively in complex space missions. Rigid-manipulator space robots may suffer from rigid-body collisions with targets. This collision is likely to cause damage to the space robot and the target. To overcome such a problem, a novel Continuum-Manipulator Space Robot (CMSR) for performing on-orbit servicing missions is proposed in this paper. Compared with rigid-manipulator space robots, CMSRs are able to perform compliant operations and avoid rigid-body collisions with a target. The CMSR consists of two kinds of flexible components, including solar arrays and continuum manipulators. The elastic vibrations of these flexible components disturb the position and attitude of CMSRs. The beating phenomenon introduced by the energy transfer among these flexible components can cause damage to solar arrays. The complicated dynamic coupling poses enormous challenges in dynamic modeling and vibration analysis. The dynamic model for CMSRs is derived and the mechanism of the beating phenomenon is analyzed in this paper. Simulation results show that an obvious beating phenomenon occurs and the amplitude of the solar arrays increases significantly when the natural frequencies of two kinds of flexible components are close. A method is provided to avoid the beating phenomenon.     

太阳帆航天器动力学建模与求解

 太阳帆航天器动力学建模与求解是姿态控制与结构振动抑制的基础,具有重要的理论与工程意义。针对带有控制杆和控制叶片的太阳帆航天器,进行结构的合理简化。应用矢量力学基本原理,推导出考虑弹性振动的太阳帆航天器姿态动力学方程,再对其进行简化,分别得到基于控制叶片和控制杆的两类太阳帆航天器的姿态动力学方程,联立太阳帆支撑杆振动方程,结合非约束模态的定义对运行于超地球同步转移轨道的太阳帆航天器动力学方程进行了求解及分析,结果表明所建立的太阳帆动力学模型可准确地描述柔性太阳帆航天器的动力学特性。     

The Solar Wind - Inner Heliosphere

The solar wind in the inner heliosphere, inside ~ 5 AU, has been almost fully characterized by the addition of the high heliographic latitude Ulysses mission to the many low latitude inner heliosphere missions that preceded it. The two major omissions are the high latitude solar wind at solar maximum, which will be measured during the second Ulysses polar passages, and the solar wind near the Sun, which could be analyzed by a Solar Probe mission. Here, existing knowledge of the global solar wind in the inner heliosphere is summarized in the context of the new results from Ulysses.     

Review of in-space assembly technologies

With the rapid development of space technology and the increasing demand for space missions, the traditional spacecraft manufacturing, deployment and launch methods have been unable to meet existing needs. In-space assembly (ISA) technologies can effectively adapt to the assembly of large space structures, improve spacecraft performance, and reduce operating costs. In this paper, the development and technologies for ISA are reviewed. ISA is classified from multiple angles, and the research status of ISA is shown clearly through the visual mapping knowledge domain. Then the development status of autonomous robot assembly in the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada and China is reviewed. Furthermore, the key technologies of ISA are analyzed from three aspects: assembly structure design, robot technologies and integrated management technologies. ISA technologies are still facing major challenges and need to be further explored to promote future development. Finally, future development trends and potential applications of ISA are given, which show that ISA will play a vital role in human space exploration in the future.     

Structural dynamic responses of a stripped solar sail subjected to solar radiation pressure

The stripped solar sail whose membrane is divided into separate narrow membrane strips is believed to have the best structural efficiency. In this paper, the stripped solar sail structure is regarded as an assembly made by connecting a number of boom-strip components in sequence. Considering the coupling effects between booms and membrane strips, an exact and semi-analytical method to calculate structural dynamic responses of the stripped solar sail subjected to solar radiation pressure is established. The case study of a 100 m stripped solar sail shows that the stripped architecture helps to reduce the static deflections and amplitudes of the steady-state dynamic response. Larger prestress of the membrane strips will decrease stiffness of the sail and increase amplitudes of the steady-state dynamic response. Increasing thickness of the boom will benefit to stability of the sail and reduce the resonant amplitudes. This proposed semi-analytical method provides an efficient analysis tool for structure design and attitude control of the stripped solar sail.     

Artificial equilibrium points and bi-impulsive maneuvers to observe 243 Ida

In the restricted three-body problem, the traditional Lagrange points L₁ and L₂ are the only equilibrium points near the asteroid 243 Ida. The thrust generated by a solar sail over a spacecraft enables the existence of new artificial equilibrium points, which depend on the position of the spacecraft with respect to the asteroid and the attitude of the solar sail. Such equilibrium points generate new spots to observe the body from above or below the plane of motion. Such points are very good observational locations due to their stationary condition. This work provides a preliminary analysis to observe Ida through the use of artificial equilibrium points as spots combined with transfer maneuvers between them. Such combination can be used to observe the asteroid from more different points of view in comparison to fixed ones. The analyses are made for a spacecraft equipped with a solar sail and capable of performing bi-impulsive maneuvers. The solar radiation pressure is used both to maintain the equilibrium condition and to reduce the costs of the transfers and/or to create transfers with longer duration. This is a new aspect of the present research, because it combines the continuous thrust with initial and final small impulses, which are feasible for most of the spacecraft, because the magnitudes of the impulses are very low. These combined maneuvers may reduce the transfer times of the maneuvers in most of the cases, compared with the maneuvers based only on continuous thrust. Several options involved in these transfers are shown, like to minimize the fuel spent ($\mathrm{\Delta }\mathit{v}$) as a function of the transfer time or to extend the duration of the travel between the points. Extended transfer times can be useful when observations are required during the transfers.     

太阳帆材料研究进展

太阳帆飞船由于无需动力等优势近年来引起了各国科学家的研究兴趣,并在深空探测领域具有重要的应用前景.太阳帆的结构设计和材料选择是影响其性能的重要因素,本文结合太阳帆飞行环境的特点,介绍了太阳帆的基本结构和飞行原理,重点针对目前几种比较典型的太阳帆设计,对其支撑材料以及帆面薄膜材料进行了综述,并分析了各种材料和设计的性能特点.     

Cosmic Rays in the Heliosphere: Requirements for Future Observations

Since the publication of Cosmic Rays in the Heliosphere in 1998 there has been great progress in understanding how and why cosmic rays vary in space and time. This paper discusses measurements that are needed to continue advances in relating cosmic ray variations to changes in solar and interplanetary activity and variations in the local interstellar environment. Cosmic ray acceleration and transport is an important discipline in space physics and astrophysics, but it also plays a critical role in defining the radiation environment for humans and hardware in space, and is critical to efforts to unravel the history of solar activity. Cosmic rays are measured directly by balloon-borne and space instruments, and indirectly by ground-based neutron, muon and neutrino detectors, and by measurements of cosmogenic isotopes in ice cores, tree-rings, sediments, and meteorites. The topics covered here include: what we can learn from the deep 2008–2009 solar minimum, when cosmic rays reached the highest intensities of the space era; the implications of ¹⁰Be and ¹⁴C isotope archives for past and future solar activity; the effects of variations in the size of the heliosphere; opportunities provided by the Voyagers for discovering the origin of anomalous cosmic rays and measuring cosmic-ray spectra in interstellar space; and future space missions that can continue the exciting exploration of the heliosphere that has occurred over the past 50 years.     

Energy and power

Energy sources for aerospace systems include electrochemicals, mechanical rotation, solar illumination, radioisotopes, and nuclear reactors. Energy is converted to power with engines, turbines, photovoltaics, thermoelectric and thermionic devices, and electrochemical processes. Although some early spacecraft flew with battery power, for longer flights the choice has been either solar or nuclear. Manned spacecraft must have power for the total mission duration including boost into orbit, on-orbit, and subsequent re-entry. Batteries are too heavy for extended manned space missions; tradeoff study alternatives range from radioisotope heated thermionic converters to hyperbolic-fueled engines. Arrays of solar cells are the obvious choice for powering space stations and for other extended-duration missions. This article emphasizes developments for space and airplane power systems. Enabling technologies are described along with significant spin-offs and future systems     

人工智能在航天器制导与控制中的应用综述

航天器制导与控制技术是保障空间任务顺利实施的关键技术之一。当前,动力学模型的强非线性以及参数不确定性制约了高精度姿轨控技术的发展,而系统故障则决定航天器姿轨控的成败。以机器学习为代表的新一代人工智能技术航天器制导控制领域展现了巨大的应用潜力。首先对基于人工智能技术的轨迹制导和姿态控制中的研究发展及应用现状进行归纳,分析航天器轨迹规划、姿态控制、故障诊断以及容错控制技术的发展趋势。然后,从鲁棒轨迹规划、自适应姿态控制、快速故障诊断和自适应容错控制等4个方面总结适用于未来航天任务的航天器姿轨控关键技术。最后,针对智能姿轨控技术的应用所面临的挑战,从姿轨控架构、算法最优性、算法的训练以及技术验证等方面提出相应的发展建议。     

空间在轨装配技术综述

代表国家科技实力的空间站、空间望远镜、大型通信天线、空间太阳能电站、在轨燃料补给站、深空探测中转站及地外基地等空间大型平台和基础设施的建设需求日益迫切,如何对此进行智能自主建造是当前的巨大技术挑战。鉴于大型平台与基础设施在未来空间探索中的重要性,国内外航天研究机构均提出并发展了在轨装配的系列技术方案。本文主要对在轨装配研究现状和技术发展情况进行系统地综述。首先分析了有人与无人在轨装配的国内外技术进展,总结了在轨装配技术的发展路线、装配层次与方法;然后在此基础上,详细梳理了在轨装配的技术需求和应用前景,并得出在轨装配的使能关键技术——模块化技术、机器人技术和地面模拟装配技术,预期为中国未来的空间在轨装配研究提供有益的参考。     

Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research

A theory of the origin and evolution of the Solar System (Alfvén and Arrhenius, 1975, 1976) which considered electromagnetic forces and plasma effects is revised in the light of new information supplied by space research. In situ measurements in the magnetospheres and solar wind have changed our views of basic properties of cosmic plasmas. These results can be extrapolated both outwards in space, to interstellar clouds, and backwards in time, to the formation of the solar system. The first extrapolation leads to a revision of some cloud properties which are essential for the early phases in the formation of stars and solar nebulae. The latter extrapolation makes possible to approach the cosmogonic processes by extrapolation of (rather) well-known magnetospheric phenomena.Pioneer-Voyager observations of the Saturnian rings indicate that essential parts of their structure are fossils from cosmogonic times. By using detailed information from these space missions, it seems possible to reconstruct certain events 4–5 billion years ago with an accuracy of a few percent. This will cause a change in our views of the evolution of the solar system.     

重复使用运载器制导与控制技术综述

本文对重复使用运载器制导与控制技术进行综述。随着航天技术的发展,对航天运载器重复使用的需求也日益剧增,具备可复用的天地往返运输能力也一直是航天工业追求的重要目标之一,而制导与控制将发挥重要的作用。首先回顾了全球范围内重复使用运载器的研究进展,随后从不同的维度对其发展途径进行分类和分析,并从垂直起飞垂直着陆（VTVL）、垂直起飞水平着陆（VTHL）、水平起飞水平着陆（HTHL）等3个方面对制导与控制的需求进行了梳理。针对不同的起降模式,详细构建了完整的制导与控制模型、约束与目标函数,从而对比在不同场景下制导与控制的特点和挑战。在此基础上,对在VTVL、VTHL、HTHL 3种工作方式下制导与控制理论研究与工程实践中所取得的研究成果进行分析,并对各种方法的特点进行了论述和比对。最后对本领域当前亟待突破的技术难点和发展趋势进行了讨论,并对推动重复使用运载器应用的重点研究方向进行了归纳和展望。     

Dynamic analysis of spinning solar sails at deployment process

The spinning deployment process of solar sails is analyzed in this study.A simplified model is established by considering the out-of-plane and in-plane motions of solar sails.The influences of structure parameters,initial conditions,and feedback control parameters are also analyzed.A method to build the geometric model of a solar sail is presented by analyzing the folding process of solar sails.The finite element model of solar sails is then established,which contains continuous cables and sail membranes.The dynamics of the second-stage deployment of solar sails are simulated by using ABAQUS software.The influences of the rotational speed and out-of-plane movement of the hub are analyzed by different tip masses,initial velocities,and control parameters.Compared with the results from theoretical models,simulation results show good agreements.     

飞行器测控通信技术发展趋势与建议

在研究国内外测控通信技术现状与发展动态的基础上,梳理出未来测控通信发展趋势：将走向综合化网络、高精度和航天器自主导航,发展光学测控通信技术,提升跟踪与数据中继能力,建设天基靶场,加强安全防护,以及设备高度综合化、数字化、软件化和低成本等;结合我国测控通信技术发展遇到的技术“瓶颈”与挑战,探讨了当前我国测控通信发展面临的主要任务：制定顶层规划,继续提升技术水平,满足新平台新任务测控需求,探索新概念与前沿技术等;最后,提出了我国测控通信重点发展方向及其关键技术的建议.     

Current status, architecture, and future technologies for theInternational Space Station electric power system

The Electric Power System (EPS) being built for the International Space Station has undergone several significant changes over the last year, as major design decisions have been made for the overall station. While the basic topology and system elements have remained the same, there are important differences in connectivity, assembly sequence, and start-up. The key drivers for these changes in architecture have been the goal to simplify verification, and most significantly, the introduction of extensive Russian participation in the program. Having the Russians join the international community in this project has resulted in an expanded station size, larger crew, and almost doubled the observable surface of the Earth covered by the station. For the power system it has meant additional interfaces for power transfer, and new challenges for solar tracking at the higher inclination orbit. This paper reviews the current architecture and emphasizes the new features that have evolved, as the design for the new, larger station has developed. Additionally, the possible application of developing technology to the station, and other future missions is considered     

Isotopic Composition of the Solar Wind Inferred from In-Situ Spacecraft Measurements

The Sun is the largest reservoir of matter in the solar system, which formed 4.6 Gyr ago from the protosolar nebula. Data from space missions and theoretical models indicate that the solar wind carries a nearly unfractionated sample of heavy isotopes at energies of about 1 keV/amu from the Sun into interplanetary space. In anticipation of results from the Genesis mission’s solar-wind implanted samples, we revisit solar wind isotopic abundance data from the high-resolution CELIAS/MTOF spectrometer on board SOHO. In particular, we evaluate the isotopic abundance ratios ¹⁵N/¹⁴N, ¹⁷O/¹⁶O, and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O in the solar wind, which are reference values for isotopic fractionation processes during the formation of terrestrial planets as well as for the Galactic chemical evolution. We also give isotopic abundance ratios for He, Ne, Ar, Mg, Si, Ca, and Fe measured in situ in the solar wind.     

大跨时空任务背景下的太阳能无人机任务规划技术研究进展

通过任务规划技术合理的优化太阳能无人机的飞行轨迹和动力学参数,能够有效提高太阳能无人机的能量利用率,使其胜任许多大范围跨时间跨空间飞行任务。从能量建模、续航评估和能量管理策略3个方面对大跨时空任务背景下太阳能无人机任务规划技术的研究进展进行了综述。在能量建模方面,介绍了当前主流的太阳辐射模型和能量生产基本框架;在续航评估方面,分析了目前的指标设计和应用方法;在能量管理策略方面,从能量综合应用、风力滑翔机制、轨迹优化方法和面向特定任务的应用4个角度,梳理了当前的研究现状。最后,对该领域未来可能的研究方向进行了展望。