双体小行星系统平衡态与稳定性研究

由于双体小行星独特的运动形式可为行星的演化提供重要线索,因而成为小行星探测中的热点目标。基于双椭球体模型研究了双小行星系统的相对运动、平衡态及稳定性。首先基于双椭球的全二体模型建立了双星系统相对运动的动力学方程;其次利用拉格朗日方程,通过求解系统角动量和能量,建立了双星系统平衡态对应的状态约束;最后给出了通过零速度状态曲面判断双星系统平衡态稳定性的一般性方法,在此基础上分析了小行星物理参数变化对系统平衡态稳定性的影响。研究可为未来双体小行星系统探测任务中的轨道设计与控制提供重要的理论参考。     

Trajectory optimization of multiple asteroids exploration with asteroid 2010TK7 as main target

In this study, the Earth’s Trojan asteroid 2010 TK₇ is selected as the rendezvous target. The multiple flyby sequence of asteroid exploration was proposed by optimizing the probe’s orbit. Impulsive maneuvers and low-thrust propulsion were used respectively to design the trajectories of the multiple asteroids exploration mission. Under impulsive maneuvers, gravity assist technique was adopted to reduce fuel consumption. First a reference orbit with only 2010 TK₇ as the rendezvous target was designed. Then five asteroids near the reference orbit were selected as candidates. Finally, we obtained a multiple asteroids exploration sequence of three asteroids based on gravity assist technique and genetic algorithm, and an additional velocity impulse of 0.4?km/s was required. In the subsequent section, a sixth-degree inverse polynomial shape-based method is applied to the low-thrust trajectory design of 2010 TK₇, and the exploration sequence under the action of low-thrust propulsion was provided.     

基于最小轨道交叉距离的小行星顺访探测目标预筛选方法

小行星探测有助于研究太阳系演化等重要科学问题,在深空探测任务转移途中实施小行星顺访探测可增加科学研究回报。直接通过轨道递推筛选小行星探测目标计算量大、效率低,针对该问题提出了基于最小轨道交叉距离的目标预筛选方法。在推导出适用于计算双曲线轨道的最小轨道交叉距离公式后,将此理论应用到小行星顺访探测目标筛选中。首先基于探测器与小行星轨道的形状、空间位置计算二者轨道在空间中的几何最近距离,预筛选出可能满足接近距离标准的小行星目标;然后基于轨道递推模型,筛选出真实最近距离小于可接近标准的目标小行星。仿真结果显示,基于最小轨道交叉距离的预筛选方法可有效减少计算量,降低计算时间,提高小行星顺访目标筛选的效率。      

On tethered sample and mooring systems near irregular asteroids

A tethered asteroid sample and mooring system is investigated in this paper. In this system the spacecraft is moored to the surface of an irregular asteroid such as 216 Kleopatra by using a rocket-propelled anchor with a cable. The rocket-propelled anchor is a kind of space penetrator, which can inject into asteroids at high speeds generated by its own rocket engine. It can be used to explore the interior structure of asteroids, and it can also be used as a sample collector. When the sampling mission is done, the sample can be pulled back to the spacecraft with the anchor. Using this method, the spacecraft can be kept in a safe region in which it cannot be trapped by the gravitational field of the asteroid. This work is concerned with the dynamics of the tethered system near irregular asteroids. First, a shape model and gravitational field model of irregular asteroids are built. Then, the configuration and the stability of the tethered system are investigated, and the quasi-periodic motion near the equilibrium point of the tethered system is analyzed. Finally, the non-uniform density distribution of the asteroids is considered. The deployment process and the oscillation of the tethered system in the uncertain asteroid gravity field are simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The feasibility of the tethered asteroid sample and mooring system is proved.     

潜在威胁小行星碰撞防御的计算与分析

研究了采用碰撞的方式进行小行星防御的动力学问题。采用多面体模型来建立小行星的外形模型,以碎石堆模型来建立小行星的结构模型,计算了小行星受到与其密度和材质相同的球体高速碰撞过程和碰撞后的碎石分布。计算过程在考虑了小行星与碰撞球体的接触形变以及小行星内部组成碎石堆的接触形变条件下,计算了碎石堆内部的相互引力、法向接触力、切向静摩擦力、切向动摩擦力和滚动摩擦力矩。以小行星101955 Bennu(中文名贝努)为对象计算了潜在威胁小行星的碰撞防御过程的动力学行为。结果显示:采用高速碰撞的方法进行小行星防御可以有效地将小行星撞成大量碎小的石块,且该方法具有核爆的方法不可比拟的优势,即对空间环境无污染。     

Modeling and experimental validation of sawing based lander anchoring and sampling methods for asteroid exploration

This paper presents a novel lander anchoring system based on sawing method for asteroid exploration. The system is composed of three robotic arms, three cutting discs, and a control system. The discs mounted at the end of the arms are able to penetrate into the rock surface of asteroids. After the discs cut into the rock surface, the self-locking function of the arms provides forces to fix the lander on the surface. Modeling, trajectory planning, simulations, mechanism design, and prototype fabrication of the anchoring system are discussed, respectively. The performances of the system are tested on different kinds of rocks, at different sawing angles, locations, and speeds. Results show that the system can cut 15?mm deep into granite rock in 180?s at sawing angle of 60°, with the average power of 58.41?W, and the “weight on bit” (WOB) of 8.637?N. The 7.8?kg anchoring system is capable of providing omni-directional anchoring forces, at least 225?N normal and 157?N tangent to the surface of the rock. The system has the advantages of low-weight, low energy consumption and balance forces, high anchoring efficiency and reliability, and could enable the lander to move and sample or assist astronauts and robots in walking and sampling on asteroids.     

Study the influence of anchoring parameters on asteroid drilling anchoring with discrete element simulation

Asteroid exploration has become a research hotspot, and anchoring probes to asteroids is essential for in situ scientific detections. The influence of ultrasonic drilling force-closure anchoring parameters on the anchoring performance and its influence mechanism are studied based on discrete element simulation. An anchoring simulation model is established after calibrating virtual asteroid soil, and its validity is verified by anchoring experiments. Discrete element simulations are performed to study the effect of cross-sectional shape and longitudinal cross-sectional shape of anchoring rods on anchoring force. The internal influence mechanism of anchor configurations on the anchoring force is analyzed by extracting the number of stressed particles in the simulation area. The anchoring force has a positive correlation with the cross-sectional area. The rotation of non-circular anchors causes fluctuations in the anchoring force. The effect of the anchored material strength on the anchoring force is studied with the calibrated virtual asteroid soil. The relationship between anchoring force and anchoring parameters is studied, and the optimal anchoring angle is 54° for anchored material strength of 100 kPa. Finally, the variation of the anchoring force with the direction of external force is studied. This work can guide the anchor configuration design and the anchoring condition parameter optimization.     

小行星形貌测绘与表征技术

小行星表面形貌测绘是深空小行星探测的首要任务。提出了一种适应探测器抵近观测的立体视觉在线测绘小行星形貌的方法,即先由立体相机获得所摄重叠区的三维地形,再用前后立体模型的连接点将各个独立模型连成一个完整地形信息,经整体最小二乘平差,确定小行星的形貌模型及特征;同时提出了一种基于等值线分析的撞击坑特征提取方法,即通过提取、分析地形等值线识别出地形中撞击坑特征。实验结果显示,本文所构建的原型系统能够快速重建出探测区域的三维地形,并识别出地形中撞击坑特征,证明了所提方法具有实用性。     

A mission concept for the low-cost large-scale exploration and characterisation of near earth objects

This paper presents the preliminary mission and science analysis of a new mission concept for the large scale, low-cost exploration of Near Earth Objects (NEOs). The concept is to enable close range observations of NEOs by performing close flybys of a series of NEOs at one of their nodal points, with pairs of small spacecraft flying in formation. The paper presents a preliminary assessment of accessible asteroids and multi-target tour trajectories from data available in the JPL small-body database.The main instruments on board each spacecraft are a camera and a LIDAR which together can be used for orbit determination, surface imaging, direct asteroid ranging and asteroid mass estimation via intersatellite ranging. The paper provides a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the measurable quantities during each flyby. In particular, the feasibility of a novel method of NEO mass estimation is assessed.     

A fast Chebyshev polynomial method for calculating asteroid gravitational fields using space partitioning and cosine sampling

This paper presents a computationally fast method for solving gravitational accelerations near irregularly-shaped asteroids. This method is based on analytical three-dimensional Chebyshev polynomial approximation of the polyhedral gravity. For the purpose of improving the approximation accuracy, space partitioning schemes based on practical flight zones is used to avoid interpolation the whole space around the target asteroid. Specifically, a minimum ellipsoid close to the asteroid surface is defined to select the space for surrounding trajectories with safe distance and a cone connected to the surface is defined to select the space for descent trajectories. Moreover, interpolation points are sampled in a cosine sampling fashion according to the Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto nodes and a radial adaption technique. The performance of different space partitioning schemes is analyzed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through simulations of solving gravitational accelerations at the test points near different shaped asteroids 1996 HW1, 433 Eros, 25143 Itokawa and 101955 Bennu.     

小行星附近制导与控制研究综述

由于小行星具有引力场不规则、物理参数不确定性大、表面逃逸速度小等因素,使得小行星附近制导和控制极具挑战性。回顾了小行星探测任务的历史、现状和意义;针对小行星附近制导与控制研究的基础即小行星附近动力学,分析了研究现状;针对悬停、绕飞、转移、着陆等任务形式,详细介绍了轨道制导和控制方法方面的热点问题和研究现状;基于研究现状,列举了部分未来可进一步研究的方向和问题。     

深空撞击载荷总体技术分析与效能仿真

以近地小行星2016HO3为深空撞击目标开展科学探测,从爆炸成型弹丸技术、安全可靠爆炸技术、撞击载荷分离技术、撞击效能仿真技术等7个方面系统详细地进行了基于聚能爆炸成型弹丸的撞击载荷技术体系解析与技术内涵阐述,给出了深空撞击载荷初步总体设计方案;通过弹丸撞击靶板的数值模拟仿真,得到了撞击速度在0.2～0.4 cm/μs...     

Solar-photon sail hovering orbits about single and binary asteroids

Solar-photon sails can be useful for missions towards and about asteroids. Indeed, for the interplanetary transfer phase, missions to asteroids often require a large variation in inclination and solar-photon sails perform very well for such high energy missions. In the same way, solar-photon sails are also expected to perform well in the phase about the asteroid. This paper studies single and binary asteroids’ hovering regions by using a sailcraft. In order to consider a sailcraft with its own mass and shape, the mutual polyhedral method (usually used to study asteroid dynamics) is used; therefore, the sailcraft is designed by means of tetrahedra. The procedure to obtain the hovering regions about a single asteroid is presented and an accurate analysis of the control variables is carried out. Moreover, control torques required to maintain hovering orbits are obtained by considering the gravitational torques acting on the sailcraft due to the asteroid. In the end, the theory for hovering orbits is extended to binary-asteroid systems and applied to the binary system 1999 KW4.     

小行星形貌特征的分析与描述

小行星形貌特征的分析对深空探测器的导航、着陆点的选取具有重要意义。现有的深空星体形貌特征的分析与描述主要集中在火星、月球等类地天体上,而作为宇宙中为数众多、信息量丰富的小行星却鲜有文献对其形貌特征作详细深入的介绍。文章以Vesta、Eros、Mimas等人类已探测的小行星为例,分析了几种典型的小行星表面形貌特征,完善了凹坑、岩石等形貌特征的描述参数,并用仿真实验生成了Mimas小行星表面的Herschel凹坑模型。实验结果显示,所提出的特征描述方法具有较好的仿真度和实用性。     

载人小行星探测的总体方案设想

载人探测近地小行星的工程规模和技术难度介于载人探月和载人火星探测之间,是人类开展载人火星探测和飞向更遥远深空的跳板,对于航天技术的发展和科学问题的探索有着极其重要的意义。在调研国外载人小行星探测方案设想的基础上,结合我国航天技术现状和发展趋势,提出了一种载人小行星探测的总体方案设想,并梳理了载人小行星探测的关键技术。研究成果可以作为我国载人小行星探测任务论证和设计的有益参考。     

小行星表面有机物的红外光谱探测方法

小行星的有机物记录了太阳系早期有机物的形成发展历史,为地球早期生命前体出现的研究提供了重要依据,对于研究生命起源和演化具有重要意义.本文综合分析了小行星表面可能存在的有机物成分、种类及其赋存状态,利用红外光谱开展地面模拟实验,探讨有机物的红外光谱特征及其影响因素.结果表明,不同类型有机物的红外光谱特征与其类型、结构、温...     

A sample collector for robotic sample return missions I: Temperature effect on collected mass

Sample return is playing an increasingly important role in solar system exploration. Among the possible mission on the horizon, are sample return from asteroids, comets, the Moon and Mars. A collector initially intended for near-Earth asteroids is the touch-and-go-impregnable-pad (TGIP). Here we explore the effect of temperature on its collection capabilities. Temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroid mission targets range from −43 to 36 °C. Experiments were conducted at −75, −50, −25, 23, 65, and 105 °C. It was found that the mass of sample collected by the TGIP increased almost linearly to 23 °C and then leveled off at higher temperatures. We also found that the collector did not lose its ability to collect samples after being subjected to −75 °C temperatures (essentially frozen) and then thawed. These experiments have shown that the TGIP can operate effectively at temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroids, especially if collection is performed on the sunward side of the asteroid.     

陨石、流星体与小行星及彗星的演化关系

小行星、彗星和流星体(meteoroid)都是绕太阳公转的小天体,它们只是在轨道特性和物理-化学性质方面有所不同,流星体泛指在行星际空间运行的、质量从10~(-16)克微流星体或微尘到10~8克的所有小天体,当它们闯入地球大气时与大气剧烈碰撞而产生发光的流星(meteor)现象,落到地面的流星体残余则称为陨石或陨星(meteorite)。     

Proposal for a multiple-asteroid-flyby mission with sample return

Asteroid exploration provides a new approach to study the formation of the solar system and the planetary evolution. Choosing a suitable target and designing of feasible profile for asteroid mission are challenging due to constraints such as scientific value and technical feasibility. This paper investigates a feasible mission scenario among the potential candidates of multiple flybys and sample return missions. First, a group of potential candidates are selected by considering the physical properties and accessibility of asteroids, for the sample return missions. Second, the feasible mission scenarios for multiple flybys and sample return missions to various spectral-type asteroids are investigated. We present the optimized design of preliminary interplanetary transfer trajectory for two kinds of missions. One is the single sample return mission to asteroids with various spectral types. The other is the multiple flybys and sample return mission to several asteroids. In order to find the optimal profiles, the planetary swing-by technique and Differential Evolution algorithm are used.     

China's Future Missions for Deep Space Exploration and Exoplanet Space Survey by 2030

Four future missions for deep space exploration and future space-based exoplanet surveys on habitable planets by 2030 are scheduled to be launched. Two Mars exploration missions are designed to investigate geological structure, the material on Martian surface, and retrieve returned samples. The asteroids and main belt comet exploration is expected to explore two objects within 10 years. The small-body mission will aim to land on the asteroid and get samples return to Earth. The basic physical characteristics of the two objects will be obtained through the mission. The exploration of Jupiter system will characterize the environment of Jupiter and the four largest Moons and understand the atmosphere of Jupiter. In addition, we further introduce two space-based exoplanet survey by 2030, Miyin Program and Closeby Habitable Exoplanet Survey (CHES Mission). Miyin program aims to detect habitable exoplanets using interferometry, while CHES mission expects to discover habitable exoplanets orbiting FGK stars within 10 pc through astrometry. The above-mentioned missions are positively to achieve breakthroughs in the field of planetary science.