Accurate orbit predictions for debris orbit manoeuvre using ground-based lasers

Orbit manoeuvre of low Earth orbiting (LEO) debris using ground-based lasers has been proposed as a cost-effective means to avoid debris collisions. This requires the orbit of the debris object to be determined and predicted accurately so that the laser beam can be locked on the debris without the loss of valuable laser operation time. This paper presents the method and results of a short-term accurate LEO (<900 km in altitude) debris orbit prediction study using sparse laser ranging data collected by the EOS Space Debris Tracking System (SDTS). A main development is the estimation of the ballistic coefficients of the LEO objects from their archived long-term two line elements (TLE). When an object is laser tracked for two passes over about 24 h, orbit prediction (OP) accuracy of 10–20 arc seconds for the next 24–48 h can be achieved – the accuracy required for laser debris manoeuvre. The improvements in debris OP accuracy are significant in other applications such as debris conjunction analyses and the realisation of daytime debris laser tracking.     

Precise orbit determination using the batch filter based on particle filtering with genetic resampling approach

In this study, genetic resampling (GRS) approach is utilized for precise orbit determination (POD) using the batch filter based on particle filtering (PF). Two genetic operations, which are arithmetic crossover and residual mutation, are used for GRS of the batch filter based on PF (PF batch filter). For POD, Laser-ranging Precise Orbit Determination System (LPODS) and satellite laser ranging (SLR) observations of the CHAMP satellite are used. Monte Carlo trials for POD are performed by one hundred times. The characteristics of the POD results by PF batch filter with GRS are compared with those of a PF batch filter with minimum residual resampling (MRRS). The post-fit residual, 3D error by external orbit comparison, and POD repeatability are analyzed for orbit quality assessments. The POD results are externally checked by NASA JPL’s orbits using totally different software, measurements, and techniques. For post-fit residuals and 3D errors, both MRRS and GRS give accurate estimation results whose mean root mean square (RMS) values are at a level of 5 cm and 10–13 cm, respectively. The mean radial orbit errors of both methods are at a level of 5 cm. For POD repeatability represented as the standard deviations of post-fit residuals and 3D errors by repetitive PODs, however, GRS yields 25% and 13% more robust estimation results than MRRS for post-fit residual and 3D error, respectively. This study shows that PF batch filter with GRS approach using genetic operations is superior to PF batch filter with MRRS in terms of robustness in POD with SLR observations.     

Two-level optimization approach for Mars orbital long-duration,large non-coplanar rendezvous phasing maneuvers

A relative dynamics equation-set based on orbital element differences with J₂ effects is derived, based on which a two-level approach is proposed to optimize the Mars orbital rendezvous phasing with a large difference in the initial ascending node. The up-level problem uses the revolution deviation between the target spacecraft and the chaser as the design variable, and employs a linear search to find the optimum. The low-level problem uses the maneuver revolutions, locations, and impulses as the design variables, and is solved using a hybrid genetic algorithm combined with sequential quadratic programming. To improve the solution accuracy, an iteration method is developed to satisfy the terminal constraints of the absolute numerical integration trajectory. Test cases involving Mars sample return missions with large initial node differences are presented, which show that the relative dynamics, two-level optimization model, and hybrid optimization algorithm are efficient and robust. Compared with previously published results, the total velocity increment has been further reduced by utilizing this proposed approach. It is found that a five-impulse plan requires the least quantity of propellant, and a propellant-optimal minimum rendezvous duration exists for this long-duration, large non-coplanar rendezvous problem.     

Orbit determination by genetic algorithm and application to GEO observation

This paper demonstrates an initial orbit determination method that solves the problem by a genetic algorithm using two well-known solutions for the Lambert’s problem: universal variable method and Battin method. This paper also suggests an intuitive error evaluation method in terms of rotational angle and orbit shape by separating orbit elements into two groups. As reference orbit, mean orbit elements (original two-lines elements) and osculating orbit elements considering the J2 effect are adopted and compared. Our proposed orbit determination method has been tested with actual optical observations of a geosynchronous spacecraft. It should be noted that this demonstration of the orbit determination is limited to one test case. This observation was conducted during approximately 70 min on 2013/05/15 UT. Our method was compared with the orbit elements propagated by SGP4 using the TLE of the spacecraft. The result indicates that our proposed method had a slightly better performance on estimating orbit shape than Gauss’s methods and Escobal’s method by 120 km. In addition, the result of the rotational angle is closer to the osculating orbit elements than the mean orbit elements by 0.02°, which supports that the estimated orbit is valid.     

地月L2点周期轨道的月球背面覆盖分析

地月L2点附近轨道具备独特的动力学和运动学特性,是月球背面探测任务的中继卫星首选布设位置。面向未来月球背面探测任务的中继通信需求,分析并研究了地月L2点周期轨道(halo轨道)对月球背面的覆盖。在圆型限制性三体问题模型下,研究并给出了halo轨道族延拓计算方法,基于延拓法设计了地月系大范围南北halo轨道族;给出了中继卫星的月球背面覆盖计算模型,定义了相应的时间覆盖因子;数值仿真了地月系南北halo轨道族的月球背面覆盖情况。研究结果表明:地月L2点周期轨道幅值和类型决定其对月面的覆盖性,幅值较小的轨道的月面整体覆盖性较好,幅值较大的轨道对月球南北极覆盖较好,南北族轨道分别有利于月球南北半球的覆盖。文章研究可为我国\"嫦娥4号\"月球背面探测任务的中继星轨道设计提供有益参考和借鉴。     

基于夏氏最小二乘的轨道控制力系数辨识

在航天器轨道捕获、轨道维持和空间目标碰撞规避中都需要进行航天器轨道机动。针对航天器轨道机动过程中推力器的推力系数为装订常数,没有根据在轨工作实际进行优化而导致出现较大误差的情况,对控制力拟合系数进行辨识,作为修正控制参数以补偿轨道控制误差的依据,提高轨道控制精度。统计分析在轨管理的典型航天器平台及其发动机的轨道控制历史数据,分析轨道控制理论和在轨控制数据拟合建立轨道控制经验模型,用当前可测量的系统输入和输出预测系统输出的未来演变,得到不同工作情况下实际轨道控制误差与控制参数及其他主要影响因素之间关系的经验公式,为轨道控制策略决策提供参考。选取轨道半长轴控制量300m以上和300m以下的两类近地卫星,对其轨道控制历史数据进行分析,经实际数据测试,采用夏氏法进行推力系数拟合后预测的速度变化量精度较高。该种计算方法利用了轨道控制历史数据,计算方法简单,提高了轨道控制速度增量的预测精度,对轨道控制实施具有参考意义。     

Hierarchical approach for fast searching optimal launch opportunity in a wide range

Launch opportunity search is crucial for preliminary design of interplanetary trajectories. However, it is difficult to obtain the optimum solution efficiently when the range of search is wide. In this paper, a new fast search algorithm based on a modified hierarchical approach is proposed. At the top level, a simplified Pork-Chop diagram is plotted by sampling interpolation to delimit the candidate regions of the optimal solution. Each candidate region contains only one optimal solution, which fundamentally avoids the local optimal problem of genetic algorithms. At the bottom level, a hybrid optimization approach combining the genetic algorithm and the conjugate directions method is used to solve the accurate optimal solution of each candidate region and obtain the global optimal launch opportunity in the whole wide range of search. Simulation results show that the proposed hierarchical approach can quickly and robustly find the global optimal launch opportunity in a wide search space.     

基于表面再现 Marching cubes算法改进与实现

从医学体数据中得到对象的三维可视图像有广泛的应用领域,例如医学诊断、法医学、古人类学等.本文讨论并分析了一种基于表面再现的 Marching cubes算法的优点及存在的不足,给出了算法在时空开销、不确定性等方面的改进和解决方案,改进后的算法在实际系统中取得了良好的效果.     

月球精确软着陆最优标称轨迹在轨制导方法

为实现在月球表面期望的着陆点进行精确软着陆（PPL）,且满足燃耗最优性要求,基于提出的LIDAR目标点在轨自主选定的月球精确软着陆方案,对月球PPL最优标称轨迹在轨快速规划制导方法进行研究。首先针对月球PPL三维球体非线性轨道动力学模型,采用Legendre Gauss Lobatto伪光谱方法将轨迹优化的最优控制问题转化为非线性规划问题（NLP）,再利用SQP优化算法求解月球PPL最优标称轨迹,最后通过遗传算法对优化结果进行验证,并提出应用遗传算法提供SQP在轨规划初值数据库的方案。仿真结果表明了最优标称轨迹在轨规划方法的快速性和有效性。