Line-of-sight pointing stability for "drifting" satellites

Explored here is the feasibility of a new attitude control approach for satellites in high altitude elliptic orbits, in order to compensate for the effect of longitudinal periodic drift relative to the ground station. A simple attitude control technique using tethers has been proposed for achieving the fixed apparent satellite orientation with respect to the ground segment of the space mission. Combining the proposed feedback tether length control law with the analytically developed open-loop control policy results in a significant improvement of the controller performance. To illustrate implementation of the proposed concept, the particular case of 24 h elliptic orbits has been considered. A high degree of satellite pointing along the drifting line-of-sight made possible even with modest tether lengths makes the concept particularly attractive.     

Tethered dual spacecraft configuration: a solution to attitude control problems

A new dual spacecraft configuration comprising of two spacecraft halves judiciously connected through extremely short tethers is proposed. The simple tethered configuration induces stabilizing torques when subjected to attitude disturbances, thus ensuring 3-d pointing stability of both the satellite platforms. The enhanced system performance obtained using tethers enables a much greater flexibility in the choice of satellite mass distribution. Three particular TSS models involving parallel tethers, a `parachute-like' conical tether layout as well as a single tether connection have been considered. A detailed numerical response simulation shows that these modes of tether attachments bring about a radical change in the satellite attitude behavior from the nominal one involving relatively large librational amplitudes or instability to a virtually fixed desired orientation. Of these, the parachute configuration appears to be superior. The passive nature of the proposed mechanisms using tether lengths on the order of merely a couple of meters needed for small and medium size systems makes the concept particularly attractive for future space missions. Finally, it is felt that the proposed tethered dual satellite systems may offer a simple answer to three-axis attitude control problems.     

双星编队对空间非合作目标的仅测角跟踪方法

针对单星仅测角对目标跟踪误差较大和不良测量条件下跟踪精度下降的问题,提出利用编队卫星对非合作目标进行联合跟踪的方法。采用考虑地球非球形J2引力摄动的轨道动力学模型,建立多视线测量模型,融合编队卫星对目标的观测数据。然后,基于新息设计增益调节矩阵提高滤波器在测量故障条件下的鲁棒性。最后,建立仿真模型进行验证。仿真结果表明,相比单星跟踪,该方法的位置误差和速度误差分别减少了27.06%和26.96%。在系统存在异常量测时,相比常规滤波,该方法也具有更高的精确性和更好的鲁棒性。     

Libration and end body swing stabilization of a parallel partial space elevator system

This paper studies the libration and stabilization of a parallel partial space elevator system in circular orbits. The system is made up of two paralleled partial space elevators, each of which consists of one main satellite, one end body and a climber moving along the tether between them. The libration characteristics of the elevator are studied through numerical analysis by a new dynamic model, and a novel control strategy is proposed to stabilize the swing of the end body by projecting the climber speeds only. Optimal control method is used to implement the new control strategy in the case where the climbers move in opposite direction. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy whose application will neither sacrifice the transport efficiency nor exacerbate libration significantly.     

空间绳系机器人捕获目标后的面内自适应回收方法

在空间绳系机器人(TSR)捕获目标星后,操作机构与目标星形成质量、惯量和系绳连接点位置等参数未知的组合体,且系绳长度、偏角与组合体姿态严重耦合,控制输入严格受限,回收控制十分困难。针对其回收难题,综合考虑系绳长度、系绳偏角与组合体姿态,利用拉格朗日法建立了轨道面内的动力学模型,并基于动态逆理论设计了一种自适应抗饱和回收控制方法。首先,在对组合体质量、惯量与系绳连接点进行在线估计的基础上,设计一种自适应动态逆回收控制器;然后,设计辅助变量对控制输入进行补偿,解决控制输入受限问题;最后进行仿真验证。仿真结果表明,在线估计器能够快速有效地估计组合体动力学参数,回收控制系统能够利用受限的控制输入克服抓捕时刻的系绳偏角和组合体姿态扰动,并沿设计的回收轨迹实现稳定有效回收。     

空间绳系机器人逼近目标协调控制方法

 为了节省空间绳系机器人的末端执行装置在逼近目标卫星过程中推力器所使用的燃料,本文提出一种利用推力器、反作用轮及空间系绳的协调控制方法。首先利用二次型最优控制器(LQR)算法计算出末端执行装置逼近目标所需的理想轨道控制力,然后利用模拟退火算法将所需轨道控制力优化分配到推力器及空间系绳,同时利用时间延迟算法通过反作用轮补偿空间系绳产生的姿态干扰力矩。仿真结果表明,利用该协调控制方法能显著节省末端执行装置上推力器的燃料消耗,有效抑制空间系绳协调控制力产生的姿态干扰,使末端执行装置保持相对稳定的姿态。     

Satellite Librational Damping Using a Quasi-Feedback Solar Controller

The feasibility of developing a simple quasi-feedback solar attitude controller is explored. The case of arbitrarily-shaped satellites carrying two pairs of solar surfaces in circular orbits is considered. An approximate analytical approach is used to synthesize the suitable open-loop control relations enabling decay of the satellite librations. The quasi-feedback control scheme suggested here is found to be quite effective in damping the pitch motion. The proposed control approach appears to be particularly attractive as it requires knowledge of the librational angle and velocity only at a fixed satellite position in orbit.     

Global communication using a constellation of low Earth meridianorbits

The concept of meridian orbits is briefly reviewed. It is shown that, if a satellite in the meridian orbit makes an odd number (>1) of revolutions per day, then the satellite passes over the same set of meridians twice a day. Satellites in such orbits pass over the same portion of the sky twice a day and every day. This enables a user to adopt a programmed mode of tracking, thereby avoiding a computational facility for orbit prediction, look angle generation, and auto tracking. A constellation of 38 or more satellites placed in a 1200-km altitude circular orbit is favorable for global communications due to various factors. It is shown that appropriate phasing in right ascension of the ascending node and mean anomaly results in a constellation wherein each satellite appears over the user's horizon one satellite after another. Visibility and coverage plots are provided to verify the continuous coverage     

基于变结构控制器的敏捷卫星姿态机动方法

随着遥感卫星观测能力的逐步提升,对卫星敏捷机动能力提出了更高的要求。针对敏捷卫星大角度姿态机动问题,以6个单框架控制力矩陀螺(SGCMG)组成五棱锥构型的姿态控制系统执行机构,在构建敏捷卫星姿态运动数学模型以及设计SGCMG系统操纵律的基础上,对卫星绕Euler轴进行姿态机动的角轨迹进行规划,并设计了一种基于误差四元数与误差角速度的变结构控制器。仿真及在轨验证结果表明,该控制器能够完成规划轨迹的良好跟踪且具有较强的鲁棒性,研究成果对敏捷卫星姿态控制系统的设计具有重要的参考意义。     

Collision between Satellites in Stationary Orbits

The collisions between stationary satellites, and those between a stationary satellite and abandoned stationary satellites which have nearly synchronous orbits with relatively large inclination are discussed. A general formula is introduced for calculating the probability of collision, as a function of time, three-dimensional sizes, orbital bounds, and numbers of satellites. Numerical calculation shows that the probability of collision is negligible if the sizes and numbers are comparable to those of existing satellites, whereas collision is possible for larger size, e.g., for a huge hypothetical gigawatt solar power satellite. The possibility would become large if the satellites continued to increase in number and to be abandoned in the stationary orbit at the present rate over a century, even if the size is ordinary, such as several meters.     

21世纪AMSS／GNSS空间段发展方向兼论卫星资源国际共享问题

航空移动卫星系统（ＡＭＳＳ）空间段采用单一的ＧＥＯ轨道卫星，未来将有ＭＥＯ和ＬＥＯ轨道卫星加入运行，仍然不排斥ＧＥＯ轨道卫星的使用。全球导航卫星系统（ＧＮＳＳ）空间段采用ＭＥＯ轨道卫星，未来将仍然以ＭＥＯ为主，可能有ＨＥＯ轨道卫星加入运行。２１世纪的空间段将为不同轨道卫星的多星座组合，采用一星多用、星座共用，形成多功能卫星和多功能星座。和平时期卫星资源的国际民间共建共营共享将更为普遍，要有全球观点，国内各行各业要有全局观点，对监测和增强系统统一筹建共用系统，防止分散投资、重复建设     

14.5-14.8 GHz Frequency Sharing by Data Relay Satellite Uplinks and Broadcasting-Satellite Uplinks

Data relay satellites are being developed to provide real-time data links between research satellites in low earth orbits and central data acquisition and processing facilities. Frequency assignments for data relay satellite links will be made in bands allocated internationally to the space research service. One of the bands which will be used lies between 14.5 and 15.35 GHz, where the space research service has had a frequency allocation as a secondary service since 1971. During the General World Administrative Radio Conference of the International Telecommunication Union, held in Geneva in 1979, a primary frequency allocation was made in the band 14.5-14.8 GHz to the fixed-satellite service, specifically for use by earth-to-space links of the broadcasting satellite service. The feasibility of shared band operation is evaluated between data relay satellite uplinks and broadcasting-satellite feeder links in the band 14.5-14.8 GHz. Relationships for predicting interference power levels are formulated, as functions of satellite separation and of earth station separation. Tradeoffs between satellite separation angle and earth station separation are explored, and conclusions are drawn regarding the feasibility of band sharing. Co-channel operation is demonstrated to be technically feasible for typical systems, provided appropriate separations are maintained.     

空间环境对超低轨道卫星轨迹规划的影响

针对超低轨道卫星受空间环境影响显著,对特定目标的轨迹规划难度大的问题,分析了经验大气模型中空间环境参数预报的预报误差以及空间环境参数预报对轨迹规划的影响.在目前空间环境参数预报的误差特性的基础上,建立了轨道控制量和空间环境参数双变量的轨迹评估规划的算法,通过轨迹规划评估后选取最优轨迹规划方案.该算法能够很好地适应空间环境参数的变化,降低空间环境参数预报误差带来的轨道控制风险.目前,该算法已在某超低轨道卫星的轨迹规划中得到成功应用,对需要考虑空间环境因素影响的较低轨道卫星的轨迹规划与控制具有一定的借鉴意义.     

软件无线电在卫星测控模拟器中的应用

卫星测控模拟器在航天领域有着重要的应用,以往的卫星测控模拟器多为一星专用.为顺应降低卫星操作费用的发展趋势,通用卫星测控模拟器应运而生.本文介绍了软件无线电的基本思想,及其在通用卫星模拟器设计中的应用与优势.     

Large angle pitch attitude maneuver of a satellite using solarradiation pressure

The force exerted by the solar radiation, though very small in magnitude, produces significant effects, especially in the case of high altitude satellites. The solar radiation pressure represents one freely available environmental force that may be put to use for various purposes. This may lead to enhancement of the life of the satellite since it consumes a very nominal amount of on-board energy. The advantages offered by the solar radiation pressure have drawn the attention of several researchers. Various controllers were proposed for many space missions, particularly for attitude control and stabilization of satellites. A controller for achieving large angle pitch attitude maneuver is described. The proposed control law is very simple in its form and requires a minimum number of on-board computations. Varieties of cases are tried and the effect of various parameters is studied     

Geostationary tether satellite system and its application tocommunication systems

The geostationary tether satellite system expands the geostationary orbit resource from a one-dimensional arc into a two-dimensional disk. The tethered satellites, each several thousand kilometers apart and aligned along the local vertical, are stabilized at the altitude of the geosynchronous orbital speed. When this system is applied to communications systems, it is estimated that the number of satellites can be increased as much as thirteenfold and the communication capacity can be increased more than seventeenfold, compared with a conventional geostationary satellite orbit system     

面向高轨空间的北斗导航性能增强星座选型研究

由于高轨空间超出北斗卫星导航系统的正常服务区域,导航信号微弱、可见性差,难以实现高轨飞行器全程稳定可靠的导航定位服务。提出了以空间卫星为时空基准传递平台,向高轨空间区域发射导航信号,从而提高高轨飞行器导航性能的方法,并展开面向高轨空间的北斗导航性能增强星座选型研究。基于卫星可见性、精度衰减因子（DOP）、信号接收门限和所需增强卫星数目等评估指标,仿真分析了基于LEO星座、MEO星座和HEO星座的北斗导航增强性能。     

Spaceborne GPS receiver antenna phase center offset and variation estimation for the Shiyan 3 satellite

In determining the orbits of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites using spaceborne GPS, the errors caused by receiver antenna phase center offset (PCO) and phase center variations (PCVs) are gradually becoming a major limiting factor for continued improvements to accuracy. Shiyan 3, a small satellite mission for space technology experimentation and climate exploration, was developed by China and launched on November 5, 2008. The dual-frequency GPS receiver payload delivers 1 Hz data and provides the basis for precise orbit determination within the range of a few centime-ters. The antenna PCO and PCV error characteristics and the principles influencing orbit determi-nation are analyzed. The feasibility of PCO and PCV estimation and compensation in different directions is demonstrated through simulation and in-flight tests. The values of receiver antenna PCO and PCVs for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Shiyan 3 satellites are estimated from one month of data. A large and stable antenna PCO error, reaching up to 10.34 cm in the z-direction, is found with the Shiyan 3 satellite. The PCVs on the Shiyan 3 satellite are estimated and reach up to 3.0 cm, which is slightly larger than that of GRACE satellites. Orbit validation clearly improved with independent k-band ranging (KBR) and satellite laser ranging (SLR) measurements. For GRACE satellites, the average root mean square (RMS) of KBR resid-uals improved from 1.01 cm to 0.88 cm. For the Shiyan 3 satellite, the average RMS of SLR resid-uals improved from 4.95 cm to 4.06 cm.     

拴连卫星系统在轨道保持中的镇定的一种新方法

给出了求拴连卫星系统在轨道保持中的局部镇定律的一种新方法。当拴连卫星系统的拴连约束假设为刚性且无质量时,在构造镇定律时,必须应用有关临界镇定的一些结果。方法是中心流形理论和Lyapunov方法的一种组合,和Liaw & Abed的方法相比,它避免Hopf分叉理论的应用和Floquet指数的计算,易为工程上应用。     

Optical fiber geostationary tether satellite (F-GTS) system design

The geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) is a limited natural resource and its efficient utilization is very important. The geostationary tether satellite (GTS) system has a number of satellites aligned along the local vertical on either side of the nominal geostationary position. The system is synchronized with the Earth's rotation and all the various altitudes are geostationary, Furthermore, optical-fiber geostationary tether satellite (F-GTS) system has been introduced to improve the GTS system, with regard to increment of communication capacity, simplification of interference paths and intersatellite link (ISL) capability. The F-GTS system design is discussed with the purpose of achieving a realistic satellite network. Three frequency bands, i.e., the 14/11, 30/20, and 50/40 GHz bands, are examined for selection of the optimum frequency band. The F-GTS system example for covering the service areas in Japan is discussed with regard to satellite antenna diameter, communication capacities, etc. To apply the F-GTS system to the whole GSO, the diagonal azimuth orbit arrangement method is proposed for low latitude service areas. Moreover, the F-GTS communication capacity and total communication capacity, when the F-GTS systems are applied to the whole GSO, are also examined.