Effects of optical parameter measurement uncertainties and solar irradiance fluctuations on solar sailing

The heliocentric orbital dynamics of a spacecraft propelled by a solar sail is affected by some uncertainty sources, including possible inaccuracies in the measurement of the sail film optical properties. Moreover, the solar radiation pressure, which is responsible for the solar sail propulsive acceleration generation, is not time-constant and is subject to fluctuations that are basically unpredictable and superimposed to the well-known 11-year solar activity cycle. In this context, this work aims at investigating the effects of such uncertainties on the actual heliocentric trajectory of a solar sail by means of stochastic simulations performed with a generalized polynomial chaos procedure. The numerical results give an estimation of their impact on the actual heliocentric trajectory and identify whether some of the uncertainty sources are more relevant than others. This is a fundamental information for directing more accurate theoretical and experimental efforts toward the most important parameters, in order to obtain an accurate knowledge of the solar sail thrust vector characteristics and, eventually, of the spacecraft heliocentric position.     

Optimal solar sail trajectory approximation with finite Fourier series

The heliocentric transfer of a solar sail-based spacecraft is usually studied from an optimal perspective, by looking for the control law that minimizes the total flight time. The optimal control problem can be solved either with an indirect approach, whose solution is difficult to obtain due to its sensitivity to an initial guess of the costates, or with a direct method, which requires a good estimate of a feasible (guess) trajectory. This work presents a procedure to generate an approximate optimal trajectory through a finite Fourier series. The minimum time problem is solved using a nonlinear programming solver, in which the optimization parameters are the coefficients of the Fourier series and the positions of the spacecraft along the initial and target orbits. Suitable constraints are enforced on the direction and magnitude of the sail propulsive acceleration vector in order to obtain feasible solutions. A comparison with the numerical results from an indirect approach shows that the proposed method provides a good approximation of the optimal trajectory with a small computational effort.     

常值推力下面内轨道优化的一种改进间接法

针对常值推力下航天器面内轨道转移燃耗最省的轨道优化问题,利用极大值原理导出了最优轨迹下推力方向角应满足的控制方程,结合动力学方程建立了一种求解航天器面内最优转移轨道的改进间接法,及其在推力方向角调节能力受限条件下的应用方法。由于避免了协态变量微分方程组的求解,改进间接法相对于传统间接法降低了初值猜测的难度和计算量;与采用Gauss伪谱法求解相比,所建立的改进间接法求解结果精度更高,数值光滑性更好。仿真算例表明:推力方向角调节能力受限会改善推力方向角变化规律,降低推力方向角变化范围;就燃耗而言,推力越大燃耗越多,优化轨道节省燃耗更加显著。     

基于分段常值的全电推进GEO卫星制导策略

电推进技术因其比冲高的技术特点在GEO轨道转移中应用可大大减少燃料质量,提高有效载荷质量比,延长任务寿命等。针对全电推进GEO卫星入轨的轨迹优化和制导问题,首先利用间接法获得小推力燃料最优GEO轨道转移的数值解,提出一种多项式曲线拟合最优轨迹的方法,多项式曲线形式简单,可作为参考轨道在星上存储和使用。在多项式参考轨道的基础上,建立了一种分段常值推力跟踪参考轨道的闭环制导策略,在常值推力条件下,轨道要素控制量与控制力有解析关系,简化了制导律设计;将多圈轨道转移问题分解为多个单圈轨道优化问题。结果显示,本文提出的分段常值跟踪制导策略跟踪精度高,和最优轨道相比多消耗7%的燃料。本制导策略控制结构简单,易于工程实施。     

Accurate approximation of in-ecliptic trajectories for E-sail with constant pitch angle

Propellantless continuous-thrust propulsion systems, such as electric solar wind sails, may be successfully used for new space missions, especially those requiring high-energy orbit transfers. When the mass-to-thrust ratio is sufficiently large, the spacecraft trajectory is characterized by long flight times with a number of revolutions around the Sun. The corresponding mission analysis, especially when addressed within an optimal context, requires a significant amount of simulation effort. Analytical trajectories are therefore useful aids in a preliminary phase of mission design, even though exact solution are very difficult to obtain. The aim of this paper is to present an accurate, analytical, approximation of the spacecraft trajectory generated by an electric solar wind sail with a constant pitch angle, using the latest mathematical model of the thrust vector. Assuming a heliocentric circular parking orbit and a two-dimensional scenario, the simulation results show that the proposed equations are able to accurately describe the actual spacecraft trajectory for a long time interval when the propulsive acceleration magnitude is sufficiently small.     

基于Lyapunov最优反馈控制的月球中继卫星转移轨道设计

摘要： 随着电推进器及小推力转移变轨的研究逐渐深入,在深空探测领域应用电推力器是必然的发展趋势.文章基于以月球中继卫星的运行轨道地月L2点Halo轨道为目标轨道的轨道转移任务,采用Lyapunov最优反馈控制方法,计算单一轨道根数的局部最优控制率,通过遗传算法调整五个轨道根数的权重,得到时间最优的月球中继卫星小推力轨道转移方案,具有工程应用意义.     

Necessary conditions for the optimality of singular arcs of spacecraft trajectories subject to multiple gravitational bodies

This document analyzes the optimality of intermediate thrust arcs (singular arcs) of spacecraft trajectories subject to multiple gravitational bodies. A series of necessary conditions for optimality are formally derived, including the generalized Legendre–Clebsch condition. As the order of singular optimality turns out to be two, an explicit formula for the singular optimal control is also presented. These analytical outcomes are validated by showing that they are identical to Lawden’s classical result if the equations of motion are reduced for a central gravity field. Practical utility is demonstrated by applying these analytical derivations to a candidate optimal trajectory near the Moon subject to solar and Earth perturbation. While the candidate optimal trajectory turns out to be bang-singular-bang, the intermediate thrust arc satisfies all the necessary conditions for optimality.     

Feasibility analysis of solar thermal propulsion system with thermal energy storage

Possessing relatively high specific impulse and moderate thrust levels, solar thermal propulsion (STP) is a promising candidate in spacecraft propulsion system. However, the traditional solar thermal propulsion system suffers from thrust failure in the shadow area, which seriously affects its applicability. In this paper, we investigate feasibility of regenerative solar thermal propulsion system (RSTP) incorporating thermal energy storage, which can effectively overcome unmatched synchronous working time and illumination time. A numerical model for RSTP considering the whole energy transfer process from light concentrating, heat storage, to thrust generation is built, which is verified by experiment measurements with relative errors less than 15 %. The result shows that the maximum time to complete heat storage is about 4000 s, which is within the illumination time for low Earth orbit. In the solar eclipse region, the thrust (F_t) and the specific impulse (I_sp) of the system increase with the propellant flow rate, which can reach about 2 N and 690 s, respectively. What’s more, the system can operate for around 100 s continuously at the maximum thrust in the shadow area. This work provides alternative approaches for microsatellite propulsion with high specific impulse, high thrust, and continuous operation despite presence of solar eclipse.     

一种小推力借力飞行转移轨道初始设计方法

提出一种基于正弦指数函数的小推力借力飞行转移轨道初始设计方法。建立极坐标形式的正弦指数函数表达式,用于模拟小推力转移轨道,并用绕圈参数和飞行路径角对转移轨道的参数进行表征;在约束条件下对转移轨道参数进行离散化处理,求解转移轨道与目标星投射轨道在参考面内的交点,计算到达目标轨道时刻的极角,进而得出小推力转移轨道的初始设计参数;设计了地球—木星的火星借力小推力转移轨道,仿真结果验证了该方法在小推力转移轨道初始设计中的快速性与准确性。     

A simple control law for reducing the effective characteristic acceleration of a solar sail

The direction and magnitude of a solar sail acceleration are strongly related. For this reason, once the characteristic acceleration has been fixed, it is not possible to modulate the acceleration in a particular direction. In this work, a semi-analytical switching control law is derived, enabling a solar sail to emulate a smaller effective characteristic acceleration (without changes in geometry or optical properties); by periodically changing the pitch (cone) angle of the sail, in average over time, the acceleration produced by the sail matches exactly (in both direction and magnitude) that of a “smaller” sail. The range in which this is possible is determined, and the limitations on this range due to the size difference is computed. The method is validated on optimal Earth-Mars trajectories.     

A lunar cargo mission design strategy using variable low thrust

A design technique for a near optimal, Earth–Moon transfer trajectory using continuous variable low thrust is proposed. For the Earth–Moon transfer trajectory, analytical and numerical methods are combined to formulate the trajectory optimization problem. The basic concept of the proposed technique is to utilize analytically optimized solutions when the spacecraft is flying near a central body where the transfer trajectories are nearly circular shaped, and to use a numerical optimization method to match the spacecraft’s states to establish a final near optimal trajectory. The plasma thruster is considered as the main propulsion system which is currently being developed for crewed/cargo missions for interplanetary flight. The gravitational effects of the 3rd body and geopotential effects are included during the trajectory optimization process. With the proposed design technique, Earth–Moon transfer trajectory is successfully designed with the plasma thruster having a thrust direction sequence of “fixed-varied-fixed” and a thrust acceleration sequence of “constant-variable-constant”. As this strategy has the characteristics of a lesser computational load, little sensitivity to initial conditions, and obtaining solutions quickly, this method can be utilized in the initial scoping studies for mission design and analysis. Additionally, derived near optimal trajectory solution can be used as for initial trajectory solution for further detailed optimization problem. The demonstrated results will give various insights into future lunar cargo trajectories using plasma thrusters with continuous variable low thrust, establishing approximate costs as well as trajectory characteristics.     

Extrasolar space exploration by a solar sail accelerated via thermal desorption of coating

For extrasolar space exploration it might be very convenient to take advantage of space environmental effects such as solar radiation heating to accelerate a solar sail coated by materials that undergo thermal desorption at a particular temperature. Thermal desorption can provide additional thrust as heating liberates atoms, embedded on the surface of the solar sail. We are considering orbital dynamics of a solar sail coated with materials that undergo thermal desorption at a specific temperature, as a result of heating by solar radiation at a particular heliocentric distance, and focus on two scenarios that only differ in the way the sail approaches the Sun. For each scenario once the perihelion is reached, the sail coat undergoes thermal desorption. When the desorption process ends, the sail then escapes the Solar System having the conventional acceleration due to solar radiation pressure. We study the dependence of a cruise speed of a solar sail on perihelion of the orbit where the solar sail is deployed. The following scenarios are considered and analyzed: (1) Hohmann transfer plus thermal desorption. In this scenario the sail would be carried as a payload to the perihelion with a conventional propulsion system by a Hohmann transfer from Earth’s orbit to an orbit very close to the Sun and then be deployed. Our calculations show that the cruise speed of the solar sail varies from 173?km/s to 325?km/s that corresponds to perihelion 0.3?AU and 0.1 AU, respectively. (2) Elliptical transfer plus Slingshot plus thermal desorption. In this scenario the transfer occurs from Earth’s orbit to Jupiter’s orbit; then a Jupiter’s fly-by leads to the orbit close to the Sun, where the sail is deployed and thermal desorption comes active. In this case the cruise speed of the solar sail varies from 187?km/s to 331?km/s depending on the perihelion of the orbit. Our study analyses and compares the different scenarios in which thermal desorption comes beside traditional propulsion systems for extrasolar space exploration.     

End-to-end trajectory design for a solar-sail-only pole-sitter at Venus,Earth, and Mars

The concept of a pole-sitter has been under investigation for many years, showing the capability of a low-thrust propulsion system to maintain a spacecraft at a static position along a planet’s polar axis. From such a position, the spacecraft has a view of the planet’s polar regions equivalent to that of the low- and mid-latitudes from geostationary orbit. Previous work has hinted at the existence of pole-sitters that would only require a solar sail to provide the necessary propulsive thrust if a slight deviation from a position exactly along the polar axis is allowed, without compromising on the continuous view of the planet’s polar region (a so-called quasi-pole-sitter). This paper conducts a further in-depth analysis of these high-potential solar-sail-only quasi-pole-sitters and presents a full end-to-end trajectory design: from launch and transfer to orbit design and orbit control. The results are the next steppingstone towards strengthening the feasibility and utility of these orbits for continuous planetary polar observation.     

最优控制理论在垂直发射舰空导弹转弯控制中的应用

本文应用最优控制理论研究了垂直发射舰空导弹转弯控制段的控制规律,并以某低空、超低空、近程舰空导弹为研究背景进行弹道优化设计,通过大量计算结果,分析了燃气舵最大舵偏角与工作时间、反馈回路参数等对垂直发射导弹弹道特性的影响。最后选取一组最优参数对全弹道进行了仿真计算。结果表明:将垂直发射技术应用于对付近程、高速、掠海目标是有效的,可以实现的。     

基于高斯伪谱法的空天飞机上升段最优轨迹设计

针对复杂多约束条件下空天飞机上升段燃料最优轨迹优化问题,提出一种基于高斯伪谱法的上升段轨迹优化策略.依据发动机的推力特性将上升轨迹合理分段,使原最优控制问题转化为多段最优控制问题后,采用高斯伪谱法进行并行优化计算.数值仿真结果表明采用这种轨迹优化策略能够满足组合动力系统工作模态转换时对飞行状态的约束条件,可以在较短的时间内完成高精度的上升段轨迹优化任务,从而验证了该方法的有效性.     

Application of a modified generalized sail model on a solar sail with wrinkles

In this paper, we present an analysis of effect of wrinkles on the solar sail performance. We describe different analytical, semi-analytical and numerical approaches to the calculation of general large-scale curvature of a solar sail as well as parameters of so-called wrinkled domains, and introduce the impact of such wrinkles on the thrust and torque of the solar sail. Finally, we present a model of an optically-orthotropic surface for such non-ideal sail, providing a connection with the Generalized Sail Model, and other solar sail thrust models.     

Optimal guidance based on receding horizon control for low-thrust transfer to libration point orbits

This paper addresses the design and computation of a guidance law for a transfer mission from an orbit near the Earth to a halo orbit around the libration point L₂ in the Sun–Earth system. The guidance law, which is designed based on receding horizon control and compensates for launch velocity errors that are introduced by inaccuracies of the launch vehicle, is solved using the generating function method. During the design of the closed-loop guidance law, the entire transfer mission, which is considered a nonlinear optimal control problem, is evaluated to obtain a nominal reference trajectory. Using the launch velocity errors and the uncertainty of the model, a spacecraft controlled by the proposed guidance law tracks the reference trajectory. Furthermore, the original Riccati differential equation in the receding horizon control algorithm is replaced by an equivalent convenient form of the Riccati differential equation that is based on the generating function. The high-efficiency solution of the equivalent equation avoids the online direct integration of the original Riccati differential equation, which significantly increases the computational efficiency for the receding horizon control problem. Numerical simulations using a nonlinear bicircular four-body model demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed receding horizon guidance law for the transfer mission. In addition, the generating function method improves the computational efficiency by at least one order of magnitude over the backward sweep method in solving the receding horizon control problem.     

Mission analysis and performance comparison for an Advanced Solar Photon Thruster

The so-called “compound solar sail”, also known as “Solar Photon Thruster” (SPT), is a design concept, for which the two basic functions of the solar sail, namely light collection and thrust direction, are uncoupled. In this paper, we introduce a novel SPT concept, termed the Advanced Solar Photon Thruster (ASPT), which does not suffer from the simplified assumptions that have been made for the analysis of compound solar sails in previous studies. After having presented the equations that describe the force on the ASPT and after having performed a detailed design analysis, the performance of the ASPT with respect to the conventional flat solar sail (FSS) is investigated for three interplanetary mission scenarios: an Earth–Venus rendezvous, where the solar sail has to spiral towards the Sun, an Earth–Mars rendezvous, where the solar sail has to spiral away from the Sun, and an Earth-NEA rendezvous (to near-Earth asteroid 1996FG3), where a large change in orbital eccentricity is required. The investigated solar sails have realistic near-term characteristic accelerations between 0.1 and 0.2 mm/s². Our results show that an SPT is not superior to the flat solar sail unless very idealistic assumptions are made.     

Solar flare forecasting model supported with artificial neural network techniques

Nowadays operational models for solar activity forecasting are still based on the statistical relationship between solar activity and solar magnetic field evolution. In order to set up this relationship, many parameters have been proposed to be the measures. Conventional measures are based on the sunspot group classification which provides limited information from sunspots. For this reason, new measures based on solar magnetic field observations are proposed and a solar flare forecasting model supported with an artificial neural network is introduced. This model is equivalent to a person with a long period of solar flare forecasting experience.