The Tactical Communications Satellite

Early in 1969 the U. S. Air Force placed into synchronous orbit the largest communications satellite built to date. This vehicle, the tactical communications satellite (TACSAT), together with a variety of ground terminals, is designed to test experimentally and develop tactical communications concepts for all military services. This paper describes the spacecraft design focusing on the communications repeater. Measured performance characteristics affecting communications utilization of the spacecraft are presented.     

ATS-6 Significance

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6), the most powerful, most sophisticated, most versatile communications satellite flown to date, is the last of NASA's experimental satellites intended to demonstrate major advances in communications and spacecraft technology. It is a multipurpose, multidisciplinary spacecraft whose principal objectives were to demonstrate a large, unfurlable antenna structure and precise pointing and attitude control in the synchronous orbit The spacecraft carries 27 different experiments, 3 of which demonstrate users' applications of satellite communications. Significant advances in antenna technology, precise attitude control, materials technology, spacecraft structures, and thermal control have been successfully demonstrated. The most significant accomplishments of the ATS-6 mission are the demonstration of the practicality of satellite broadcasting to small, simple, inexpensive ground stations and the uses of this potential service in the solution of social problems involving education and health care. The success of these initial demonstrations has led ATS-6 experimenters and potential users to incorporate a Public Service Satellite Consortium dedicated to the provision of satellite broadcasting services for educational and health-care applications.     

DF Vectoring: Application to Stationary Synchronous Satellites

Several methods of using an earth-based radio reference signal to determine the three-axis attitude of a synchronous satellite, and two types of spacecraft electronic systems (amplitude measurement and phase measurement), which obtain attitude and pointing information from the radio reference signal for orientating the spacecraft and for directing large-aperture antennas aboard the spacecraft are described. The earth-based radio reference signal also enables the electronic systems to determine angles to other ground stations with respect to fixed (reference) stations on the earth. These attitude- and angle-determining techniques are applicable to communications satellites, navigational satellites, and intersatellite data relay systems.     

Advanced communications satellite technology

Technology drivers for commercial communications satellites are examined based on the efficient use of spacecraft mass which is to be accomplished by increasing the efficiency of the microwave power amplifiers and antenna feed systems used for communications satellites, such as the INTELSAT series. The history of the INTELSAT series of satellites, the late 1980s market and available technology, and future directions of development are considered. Emphasis is on multibeam solid-state antennas, microwave switch matrices, solid-state power amplifiers, and the use of several filter modes in one physical cavity. By using quasimonolithic solid state techniques in a class B amplification mode they have achieved 40-60% efficiencies, compared with 20% for the conventional travelling wavetube amplifiers. It is concluded that technology directed towards improving the economics of satellite communications will continue to be a major driver of future communications satellite payloads. Through their use and their extension, the authors foresee more than doubling the telephone channels per satellite from the current 80000 to perhaps 200000 by the turn of the century     

Rescheduling of observing spacecraft using fuzzy neural network and ant colony algorithm

This paper aims at rescheduling of observing spacecraft imaging plans under uncertainties. Firstly, uncertainties in spacecraft observation scheduling are analyzed. Then, considering the uncertainties with fuzzy features, this paper proposes a fuzzy neural network and a hybrid rescheduling policy to deal with them. It then establishes a mathematical model and manages to solve the rescheduling problem by proposing an ant colony algorithm, which introduces an adaptive control mechanism and takes advantage of the information in an existing schedule. Finally, the above method is applied to solve the rescheduling problem of a certain type of earth-observing satellite. The computation of the example shows that the approach is feasible and effective in dealing with uncertainties in spacecraft observation scheduling. The approach designed here can be useful in solving the problem that the original schedule is contaminated by disturbances.     

An LMI-based decoupling control for electromagnetic formation flight

Electromagnetic formation flight(EMFF) leverages electromagnetic force to control the relative position of satellites. EMFF offers a promising alternative to traditional propellant-based spacecraft flight formation. This novel strategy is very attractive since it does not consume fuel. Due to the highly coupled nonlinearity of electromagnetic force, it is difficult to individually design a controller for one satellite without considering others, which poses challenges to communications.This paper is devoted to decoupling control of EMFF, including regulations, constraints and controller design. A learning-based adaptive sliding mode decoupling controller is analyzed to illustrate the problem of existing results, and input rate saturation is introduced to guarantee the validity of frequency division technique. Through transformation, the imposed input rate saturation is converted to state and input constraints. A linear matrix inequalities(LMI)-based robust optimal control method can then be used and improved to solve the transformed problem. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed decoupling control.     

ATS-6 Experiment Summary

The ATS-6 is the most advanced experimental satellite that has evolved from the Application Technology Satellite Program conducted and implemented by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC). This project utilizes a state-of-the-art spacecraft and ground terminal network to perform advance studies and to conduct technological demonstrations in a large number of scientific areas. The design and implementation of this unique spacecraft permitted multiple experimentation simultaneously. The control of the spacecraft is performed at ATS Operational Control Center (ATSOCC) located at NASA/GSFC. Experimentation which was performed covered a wide spectrum of communications, technological, meterorological, and scientific subjects. Three principal ground terminals are utilized to assist the experimenters to acquire data. Data reduction and analysis are performed by the many facilities at NASA/GSFC in support of the experimenters.     

Nontracking antenna performance for inertially controlled spacecraft using TDRSS

A series of tests to validate an antenna pointing concept for spin-stabilized satellites using a data relay satellite is described. These tests show that proper antenna pointing on an inertially stabilized spacecraft can lead to significant access time through the relay satellite even without active antenna pointing. We summarize the test results, the simulations to model the effects of antenna pattern and space loss, and the expected contact times. We also show how antenna beam width affects the results.     

Progress in Reentry Communications

Considerable progress has been made in the past few years toward understanding and solving the spacecraft communications blackout problem caused by the reentry plasma sheath. A summary of the causes and effects of the reentry plasma sheath is presented, together with a discussion of reentry plasma diagnostic techniques, proposed methods of alleviating the communications blackout, and a review of the reentry flight experiments performed to better our understanding of the reentry plasma.     

A Kilowatt Rotary Power Transformer

Many future satellite configurations will require the transfer of signals and power across rotating interfaces. Satellite systems are particularly cost effective for both commercial and military communications applications if their useful lifetime can be demonstrated to be greater than five years. The rotary transformer has the desireable characteristics of high reliability and low noise which qualify it as a potential replacement for slip rings. This paper describes the development of a rotary transformer for typical spacecraft applications. The transformer is built in modular sections, each capable of transferring 500 watts across a gap at efficiencies greater than 88 percent, dc to dc. The design effort included a study of pertinent electrical characteristics required for typical spacecraft configurations, electrical design and analyses of the overall dc-dc converter, mechanical design of the transformer cores and their assembly, and a study of transformer core and winding characteristics. Breadboard test results have demonstrated the desired level of efficiency, satisfactory operation over temperature, and satisfactory electrical characteristics.     

Japan's CS (Sakura) Communications Satellite Experiments

The Japanese Communications Satellite (CS), called Sakura, is a "Medium Capacity Communications Satellite for Experimental Purposes" and is the first experimental communications satellite in which 30/20 GHz bands were adopted and were developed for practical domestic use. Large scale field trials have been carried out for more than three years in order to evaluate 30/20 GHz (Ka-band) and 6/4 GHz (C-band) domestic satellite communications system technologies under actual operational conditions by using the CS Sakura launched in December 1977. Through the various experiments on Kand C-band large fixed and small transportable Earth station systems, satellite control experiments, and Ka-band propagation measurements, it has been verified that the medium capacity satellite communications system meets the design objectives.     

一种基于投影寻踪的航天器健康评估方法

针对常用健康评估方法在航天器测控管理领域应用过程中出现的通用性、易用性和适用性方面的不足,提出了一种基于投影寻踪评估模型的航天器健康评估方法.该方法首先计算得出分系统运行状态的可信度;然后利用卫星故障预案和故障实例构建投影寻踪评估模型,自动获取运行状态指数评价权重;最后通过构建等级评价标准对航天器健康状态进行评估.以某在轨卫星为例进行仿真测试,验证结果显示该方法所构建模型简便且易于升级维护,评估结果与实际情况吻合,对解决实际的工程问题具有实用价值.     

Overview of Commercial Satellite Communications

The period from Arthur Clarke's 1945 prediction of geosynchronous satellite communications covering the entire planet until satellites were stationed over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans was less than 25 years. In the following 15 year period, satellite communications has affected all of us. Most international calls are carried by satellite. Much of the television that we watch has been relayed, processed, or distributed by satellite. In fact, many of us who live in cabled cities can choose among 50 channels or more for viewing on a particular night, largely brought to us by satellite. Some morning papers, radio programs, and basic weather data appear coast to coast rapidly because of the satellite. Even while we sleep, computers in an increasing number of business offices are talking to each other by satellite. Virtually the whole world, from the busiest urban center to the most remote island, can be interconnected by satellite communications networks capable of providing economical and reliable transmission of communications signals, including voice, data, electronic mail, and video. The satellite's advantages of distance insensitivity, point-to-multipoint capability, and improved quality over long distances are unique. These facts have led Clarke to speculate on the future impact of satellite communications in The View from Serendip (1977): I submit . . . that the eventual impact of the communications satellite upon the whole human race will be at least as great as that of the telephone upon the so-called developed societies.     

一种改进双块补零北斗导航接收机弱信号捕获方法

利用卫星导航系统对高轨航天器进行自主导航与高精度定轨,对接收机的捕获灵敏度要求极高,双块补零(DBZP)算法是无辅助下卫星导航弱信号捕获的理想方案,然而受限于数据处理量大,DBZP实际应用难度大。在深入分析双块补零机理的基础上,结合矩阵重构的思想,提出了一种改进双块补零北斗导航接收机弱信号捕获方法。该方法对参与块内相关运算的基带信号和本地测距码分别进行重构,解决了块内点数与快速傅里叶变换输入点数之间的矛盾,提高了北斗导航接收机弱信号捕获性能。仿真实验结果分析表明,改进双块补零算法对信噪比没有损失,可以保证对低至15dB·Hz的弱信号进行有效捕获,能够满足高轨航天器定轨、室内外无缝导航等对接收机高灵敏度的需求。本方法是在块内运算层面对DBZP进行优化,具备良好的通用性和可移植性,与优化相干积分策略的各种改进DBZP算法可以无缝对接,进一步提高北斗导航接收机信号处理的效能。同时,重构的思想也适用于其他采用码分多址信号的卫星导航系统的弱信号检测和捕获,对提升多星座卫星导航系统的基带信号处理性能具有参考意义。     

估计飞行器羽流影响的点源流动模型和计算机程序

目前和今后使用火箭发动机进行轨道和姿态控制的空间飞行器都要遇到发动机排气羽流影响问题.本文讨论了一种迅速估算轴对称的羽流远流场对飞行器影响的近似分析方法和相应的计算机程序.这种点源分析方法考虑了排气气体和喷管的特性.通过计算发动机排气羽流场,计算排气羽流干扰力矩和推力损失,这些影响在飞行器设计中必须给予考虑和控制.利用该方法和计算机程序对一个卫星模型进行了羽流影响的计算.     

Integer ambiguity resolution in GPS for spinning spacecrafts

A procedure to compute the integer ambiguity problem when a GPS receiver is used in a multiple antenna configuration attached to a rotating spacecraft is presented. The method is applied to a simulation of an experimental satellite which uses the GPS receiver for attitude determination     

Adaptive controller design for satellite attached by non-cooperative object

When non-cooperative body attachment occurs in space, the inertia of the new combination and the change of the system’s momentum are unknown.This uncertainty may lead to the instability of the spacecraft’s attitude control.In order to solve this problem, we propose an adaptive control scheme based on the inertia estimation of the new, combined system of non-cooperative body and satellite.This method can allow the new combination of different situations to reach a stable state with a high level o...     

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAGNETOSPHERIC RESEARCH WITH COORDINATED CLUSTER AND GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS

ESA's first multi-satellite mission Cluster is unique in its concept of 4 satellites orbiting in controlled formations. This will give an unprecedented opportunity to study structure and dynamics of the magnetosphere. In this paper we discuss ways in which ground-based remote-sensing observations of the ionosphere can be used to support the multipoint in-situ satellite measurements. There are a very large number of potentially useful configurations between the satellites and any one ground-based observatory; however, the number of ideal occurrences for any one configuration is low. Many of the ground-based instruments cannot operate continuously and Cluster will take data only for a part of each orbit, depending on how much high-resolution (burst-mode') data are acquired. In addition, there are a great many instrument modes and the formation, size and shape of the cluster of the four satellites to consider. These circumstances create a clear and pressing need for careful planning to ensure that the scientific return from Cluster is maximised by additional coordinated ground-based observations. For this reason, the European Space Agency (ESA) established a working group to coordinate the observations on the ground with Cluster. We will give a number of examples how the combined spacecraft and ground-based observations can address outstanding questions in magnetospheric physics. An online computer tool has been prepared to allow for the planning of conjunctions and advantageous constellations between the Cluster spacecraft and individual or combined ground-based systems. During the mission a ground-based database containing index and summary data will help to identify interesting datasets and allow to select intervals for coordinated studies. We illustrate the philosophy of our approach, using a few important examples of the many possible configurations between the satellite and the ground-based instruments.     

航天器解体模型研究的新进展

航天器解体模型用于描述航天器因爆炸或碰撞解体所产生碎片的数量、尺寸、面质比以及速度等特性的分布规律,对于空间碎片环境建模与演化、空间碎片撞击风险评估及空间解体事件分析具有重要意义。分析了目前广泛使用的NASA标准解体模型的特点,介绍了近年来国内外在航天器解体模型方面的研究进展。国外的研究主要介绍了日本九州大学和德国EMI实验室开展的卫星撞击试验以及NASA最近启动的新一轮卫星撞击研究项目。国内的研究主要介绍中国空气动力研究与发展中心（CARDC ）开展的卫星撞击试验和仿真研究,以及在此基础上发展的CARDC-SBM航天器碰撞解体模型,并比较分析了该模型与 NASA 标准解体模型的差别。对当前航天器解体模型研究存在的不足进行了分析,提出了下一步应关注的研究方向。     

三轴轮控航天器姿态大角度机动控制器设计

研究了飞轮作为执行机构的航天器姿态大角度机动问题。建立了飞轮控制的姿态动力学模型;基于Lya-punov稳定性定理,设计了闭环控制器并给出了参数自适应律的解析表达式;分析了有界噪声作用下该模型的控制效果。仿真结果表明,所设计的控制器具有较强的鲁棒性和抗干扰能力。