Dynamics and control for contactless interaction between spacecraft and tumbling debris

Tumbling debris has become a great threat to orbit activities. Contactless interaction is a novel concept for active debris removal, through which the tumbling debris no longer rotates freely but is under control. The contactless interaction method aims to de-tumble the debris and then maintain desired relative states between the spacecraft and debris. The spacecraft is simultaneously stabilized through three-axis attitude control, which makes the de-tumbling and capture operation much safer, more effective and accurate. The dynamics and control for the contactless interaction have been little studied in the past years. This paper considers a generic dynamics and control problem for contactless interaction between a spacecraft and debris. A translational and rotational dynamics model of contactless interaction is proposed and the 6-DOF equations are established. The contactless interaction control law is designed with the backstepping method, and the spacecraft three-axis control law is designed with the PD control. Simulation results show that the angular momentum is transferred from the debris to the spacecraft and the debris is thus de-tumbled. The desired relative states are achieved efficiently. Significantly, the spacecraft and debris no longer rotate in the inertial frame and, hence, the safety and accuracy for capture operation are guaranteed.     

航天器与空间碎片的混合编队重构控制与应用

针对空间碎片清理问题,提出了一种利用航天器与空间碎片混合编队队形重构控制技术捕获碎片的方法。首先,分析了地/月—日系L2拉格朗日平动点附近的限制性三体环境,并建立了编队卫星相对运动动力学模型;其次,提出了以太阳光压力作为航天器与空间碎片编队队形重构的控制力,实现各从星接近空间碎片的目的;最后,设计了基于线性二次型的最优控制器,并在Matlab/Simulink环境下进行仿真实验。仿真结果表明该方法可控制从星到达期望的位置(空间碎片的位置),且太阳帆板的姿态变化在可控范围内,进而证明了该方案可以应用于复杂空间环境下的碎片清理任务。     

Simulation of long-term rotational dynamics of large space debris: A TOPEX/Poseidon case study

Accurate knowledge of the rotational dynamics of a large space debris is crucial for space situational awareness (SSA), whether it be for accurate orbital predictions needed for satellite conjunction analyses or for the success of an eventual active debris removal mission charged with stabilization, capture and removal of debris from orbit. In this light, the attitude dynamics of an inoperative satellite of great interest to the space debris community, the joint French and American spacecraft TOPEX/Poseidon, is explored. A comparison of simulation results with observations obtained from high-frequency satellite range measurements is made, showing that the spacecraft is currently spinning about its minor principal axis in a stable manner. Predictions of the evolution of its attitude motion to 2030 are presented, emphasizing the uncertainty on those estimates due to internal energy dissipation, which could cause a change of its spin state in the future. The effect of solar radiation pressure and the eddy-current torque are investigated in detail, and insights into some of the satellite’s missing properties are provided. These results are obtained using a novel, open-source, coupled orbit-attitude propagation software, the Debris SPin/Orbit Simulation Environment (D-SPOSE), whose primary goal is the study of the long-term evolution of the attitude dynamics of large space debris.     

基于视惯融合的大型空间碎片质心位置辨识

大型自由翻滚碎片的质心是在轨操作基坐标系下的不动点，也是碎片连体基下动力学参数向卫星坐标系转换的基准，对其精确识别是提高碎片动力学参数辨识精度的关键。提出基于惯性单元测量数据与双目视觉定位数据融合的大型空间碎片质心位置识别方法。基于无力矩欧拉方程，获取附着到空间碎片表面的惯性单元间转换关系，利用该转换关系对惯性单元冗余测量数据优化，再优化求解惯性单元到质心点距离；利用双目视觉获取惯性单元上标记点动态坐标，再利用惯性单元到质心点距离，基于三点定位原理识别大型空间碎片的质心位置。以加入高斯白噪声的惯性单元与双目视觉测量数据进行仿真，结果表明优化解算后惯性单元实时测量数据的误差降低到1%以下，解算的质心位置三轴误差小于0.47mm；开展了地面试验，结果表明，解算的质心位置三轴误差小于0.49mm。仿真和试验证明，该方法能够为大型空间碎片的消旋、捕获任务提供准确的数据基准。     

基于多项式近似的空间碎片群体轨道预报算法

快速准确地分析空间碎片群轨道演化行为对于其他在轨航天器碰撞规避至关重要。在各摄动力的作用下,空间碎片群演化运动呈现出复杂的非线性特征。空间碎片群体个体数量巨大,如果通过对空间碎片群中每个空间碎片进行轨道积分来分析群体预报的方法会导致计算量过大。针对该问题,提出一种基于多项式近似的轨道快速预报分析方法。该方法将空间碎片群分为少量的标称碎片和其他大量关联碎片。针对标称碎片的轨道预报采用数值积分求解保证预报精度;而针对其他大量的关联碎片轨道预报问题,采用多项式泰勒展开半解析方法求解,从而在保证预报精度的前提下有效减少空间碎片群轨道预报的计算量。为了验证方法的有效性,对不同空间碎片群进行了轨道预报仿真。仿真结果表明,当轨道预报精度设定在1m范围内时,多项式近似算法的计算量较蒙特卡洛方法计算效率提高了2.2~17.2倍,验证了所提出方法的有效性。     

一种低轨废弃目标的捕获与回收方案

如何清除轨道上日益增多的废弃目标已成为国内外航天活动无法回避的现实问题和迫切需解决的问题.针对低轨道大型废弃目标回收问题,基于天基回收技术的概念,提出了一种新型组合式柔性捕获回收方案.使用空间绳网捕获废弃目标后通过充气式增阻离轨方式进行被动离轨,再利用充气式进入减速技术(inflatable entry deceler...     

A Partially Orthogonal EnKF approach to atmospheric density estimation using orbital debris

A key requirement for accurate trajectory prediction and space situational awareness is knowledge of how non-conservative forces affect space object motion. These forces vary temporally and spatially, and are driven by the underlying behavior of space weather particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Existing trajectory prediction algorithms adjust space weather models based on calibration satellite observations. However, lack of sufficient data and mismodeling of non-conservative forces cause inaccuracies in space object motion prediction, especially for uncontrolled debris objects. The uncontrolled nature of debris objects makes them particularly sensitive to the variations in space weather. Our research takes advantage of this behavior by utilizing observations of debris objects to infer the space environment parameters influencing their motion.The hypothesis of this research is that it is possible to utilize debris objects as passive, indirect sensors of the space environment. We focus on estimating atmospheric density and its spatial variability to allow for more precise prediction of LEO object motion. The estimated density is parameterized as a grid of values, distributed by latitude and local sidereal time over a spherical shell encompassing Earth at a fixed altitude of 400 km. The position and velocity of each debris object are also estimated. A Partially Orthogonal Ensemble Kalman Filter (POEnKF) is used for assimilation of space object measurements to estimate density.For performance comparison, the scenario characteristics (number of objects, measurement cadence, etc.) are based on a sensor tasking campaign executed for the High Accuracy Satellite Drag Model project. The POEnKF analysis details spatial comparisons between the true and estimated density fields, and quantifies the improved accuracy in debris object motion predictions due to more accurate drag force models from density estimates. It is shown that there is an advantage to utilizing multiple debris objects instead of just one object. Although the work presented here explores the POEnKF performance when using information from only 16 debris objects, the research vision is to utilize information from all routinely observed debris objects. Overall, the filter demonstrates the ability to estimate density to within a threshold of accuracy dependent on measurement/sensor error. In the case of a geomagnetic storm, the filter is able to track the storm and provide more accurate density estimates than would be achieved using a simple exponential atmospheric density model or MSIS Atmospheric Model (when calm conditions are assumed).     

非合作失效航天器绳系拖曳系统研究

空间碎片的不断增加给人类航天活动的开展和在轨资产的安全造成严重威胁。在已经提出的多种空间碎片主动清除方式中,绳系拖曳（tethered space tug,TST）系统因有较好的应用前景而受到广泛关注。部分失效航天器因星上器件损坏且姿态控制系统异常,始终将姿态维持在某一特定指向,针对此类具有典型的非合作特征的大型空间碎片,开展绳系拖曳动力学与控制研究。将拖船和目标均视作刚体,用牛顿法建立了TST系统的动力学模型;根据目标姿态稳定方式分为自旋稳定和三轴稳定两种情况,开展了绳系拖曳动力学分析与控制设计,并考察了系绳在失效航天器表面连接点位置对系统稳定状态的影响。仿真结果表明,拖船和失效航天器会在系绳连接下表现出抗衡特点,最终系统会稳定在不同的均衡状态附近。此研究为安全清除尚有残余姿态控制能力的失效航天器中相关拖曳动力学与控制问题提供了参考。     

基于卫星编队的空间碎片视觉高精度导航方法

视觉方法被广泛应用于空间碎片这类和卫星之间没有任何通信的非合作目标导航。针对观测过程中视觉传感器的像差偏差引起位置不确定的问题,提出了利用卫星编队的立体视觉导航方法。首先,利用卫星编队构造了长基线的视觉传感器,通过Fisher矩阵对系统的可观测性进行了分析,验证了系统是可观的;其次,对视觉传感器进行了误差分析,通过安排最优视差角,使多颗卫星的观测信息融合达到最优;最后,应用卫星编队的视觉导航方法对空间碎片进行了导航仿真验证。结果表明,基于卫星编队的视觉导航方法可以显著减小观测误差,精度能达到01m量级,而且编队构形简单,易于工程实现。     

匹配滤波方法在非相干散射雷达测量空间碎片中的应用

利用2010年3月25日欧洲非相干散射雷达的常规电离层探测数据, 分析了实测数据中接收功率突变的现象. 高度发生在500 km以上的功率突变一般不是由于地球物理影响产生的, 而要归因于卫星或空间碎片. 采用匹配滤波方法实现了对空间碎片的探测和提取, 利用相干积累的方法提高了信噪比, 共获得363个碎片, 得到了碎片随高度和时间的分布. 结果表明, 碎片高度分布主要集中在800 km左右, 与欧洲非相干散射组织现有的碎片数据具有一致性.      

Active space debris charging for contactless electrostatic disposal maneuvers

The remote charging of a passive object using an electron beam enables touchless re-orbiting of large space debris from geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using electrostatic forces. The advantage of this method is that it can operate with a separation distance of multiple craft radii, thus reducing the risk of collision. The charging of the tug–debris system to high potentials is achieved by active charge transfer using a directed electron beam. Optimal potential distributions using isolated- and coupled-sphere models are discussed. A simple charging model takes into account the primary electron beam current, ultra-violet radiation induced photoelectron emission, collection of plasma particles, secondary electron emission and the recapture of emitted particles. The results show that through active charging in a GEO space environment high potentials can be both achieved and maintained with about a 75% transfer efficiency. Further, the maximum electrostatic tractor force is shown to be insensitive to beam current levels. This latter later result is important when considering debris with unknown properties.     

A novel signal processing approach for LEO space debris based on a fence-type space surveillance radar system

The increase in space debris can seriously threaten regular activities in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop robust, efficient and reliable techniques to understand the potential motions of the LEO debris. In this paper, we propose a novel signal processing approach to detect and estimate the motions of LEO space debris that is based on a fence-type space surveillance radar system. Because of the sparse distribution of the orbiting debris through the fence in our observations, we formulate the signal detection and the motion parameter estimation as a sparse signal reconstruction problem with respect to an over-complete dictionary. Moreover, we propose a new scheme to reduce the size of the original over-complete dictionary without the loss of the important information. This new scheme is based on a careful analysis of the relations between the acceleration and the directions of arrival for the corresponding LEO space debris. Our simulation results show that the proposed approach can achieve extremely good performance in terms of the accuracy for detection and estimation. Furthermore, our simulation results demonstrate the robustness of the approach in scenarios with a low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and the super-resolution properties. We hope our signal processing approach can stimulate further work on monitoring LEO space debris.     

基于相控阵雷达波束篱笆的空间碎片数量与分布估计方法

随着载人航天与空间站等航天活动的增多,不能有效防护、也无法定期跟踪和编目的小尺寸(尤其是1～10 cm)碎片的危害越来越受到关注,这些碎片信息的获取依赖于统计采样技术.针对简化的相控阵雷达波束篱笆空间碎片探测模式,提出了一种采用统计技术估计空间碎片总数量以及高度和倾角分布的方法.将碎片穿越波束篱笆的过程用Poisson分布来建模,根据观测时段内穿越波束篱笆目标的平均到达率及测量的轨道高度和倾角数据来估计给定轨道高度范围或倾角范围内碎片的数量,进而得到碎片的总数量以及碎片数量随轨道高度或倾角的分布.在获取雷达散射截面信息时,该方法还可用于估计碎片数量随尺寸的分布.通过仿真实验验证了该方法的有效性.      

Semi-analytical theory of mean orbital motion for geosynchronous space debris under gravitational influence

This paper provides a hamiltonian formulation of the equations of motion of an artificial satellite or space debris orbiting the geostationary ring. This theory of order 1 has been formulated using canonical and non-singular elements for eccentricity and inclination. The analysis is based on an expansion in powers of the eccentricity and of the inclination. The theory accounts for the influence of the Earth gravity field expanded in spherical harmonics, paying a particular attention to the resonance occurring for geosynchronous objects. The luni-solar perturbations are also taken into account. We present the resonant motion and its main characteristics: equilibria, stability, fundamental frequencies and width of the resonant area by comparison with a basic analytical model. Finally, we show some results concerning the long term dynamics of a typical space debris under the influence of the gravitational field of the Earth and the luni-solar interactions.     

电磁航天器编队动力学建模与运动规划方法

基于电磁航天器作用原理,利用拉格朗日方法,建立电磁航天器“绳系”动力学模型.基于偏差线性化动力学模型,以切向、径向编队为例,分析编队构型保持稳定性,设计构型保持控制律;将双星电磁航天器编队(EMFF,Electromagnetic Formation Flight)重构运动规划问题转化为标准优化问题,利用高斯伪谱优化方法进行求解.并提出序列控制策略,将该双星模型扩展应用于多星电磁编队构型重构问题,转化为多阶段运动规划问题利用多阶段优化方法进行求解.仿真结果表明本文的动力学建模方法和控制方法是可行的.      

Prospects of using a permanent magnetic end effector to despin and detumble an uncooperative target

Space debris, such as defunct satellites and upper stages of rockets, becomes an uncooperative target after losing its attitude control and communication ability. In addition, tumbling motion can occur due to environmental perturbations and residual angular momentum prior to the object’s end-of-mission. To minimize the collision risk during docking and capturing of the tumbling target, a non-contact method based on the eddy current effect is put forward to transmit the control torque to the tumbling target. The main idea is to induce a controllable torque on the conducting surface of the tumbling target using a rotational magnetic field generated by a Halbach rotor. The radial and axial Halbach rotors are used to damp the spinning and nutation motions of the target, respectively. The normal and tangential force are evaluated concerning the relative pose between the chaser and the target. A simplified dynamic model of the nutation damping and despinning processes is developed and the influences of the asymmetrical principal moments of inertia and transverse angular velocity are discussed. The numerical simulation results show that the designed Halbach rotor stabilized the target attitude within an acceptable time. The electromagnetic nutation damping and despinning method provides new solutions for the development of on-orbit capture technology.     

Deorbiter CubeSat mission design

This paper presents the mission design for a CubeSat-based active debris removal approach intended for transferring sizable debris objects from low-Earth orbit to a deorbit altitude of 100 km. The mission consists of a mothership spacecraft that carries and deploys several debris-removing nanosatellites, called Deorbiter CubeSats. Each Deorbiter is designed based on the utilization of an eight-unit CubeSat form factor and commercially-available components with significant flight heritage. The mothership spacecraft delivers Deorbiter CubeSats to the vicinity of a predetermined target debris, through performing a long-range rendezvous maneuver. Through a formation flying maneuver, the mothership then performs in-situ measurements of debris shape and orbital state. Upon release from the mothership, each Deorbiter CubeSat proceeds to performing a rendezvous and attachment maneuver with a debris object. Once attached to the debris, the CubeSat performs a detumbling maneuver, by which the residual angular momentum of the CubeSat-debris system is dumped using Deorbiter’s onboard reaction wheels. After stabilizing the attitude motion of the combined Deorbiter-debris system, the CubeSat proceeds to performing a deorbiting maneuver, i.e., reducing system’s altitude so much so that the bodies disintegrate and burn up due to atmospheric drag, typically at around 100 km above the Earth surface. The attitude and orbital maneuvers that are planned for the mission are described, both for the mothership and Deorbiter CubeSat. The performance of each spacecraft during their operations is investigated, using the actual performance specifications of the onboard components. The viability of the proposed debris removal approach is discussed in light of the results.     

Influence of Earth’s shadowing effects on space debris stability

Solar radiation pressure affects the evolution of high area-to-mass geostationary space debris. In this work, we extend the stability study of Valk et al. (2009) by considering the influence of Earth’s shadows on the short- and long-term time evolutions of space debris. To assess the orbits stability, we use the Mean Exponential Growth factor of Nearby Orbits (MEGNO), which is an efficient numerical tool to distinguish between regular and chaotic behaviors. To reliably compute long-term space debris motion, we resort to the Global Symplectic Integrator (GSI) of Libert et al. (2011) which consists in the symplectic integration of both Hamiltonian equations of motion and variational equations. We show how to efficiently compute the MEGNO indicator in a complete symplectic framework, and we also discuss the choice of a symplectic integrator, since propagators adapted to the structure of the Hamiltonian equations of motion are not necessarily suited for the associated variational equations. The performances of our method are illustrated and validated through the study of the Arnold diffusion problem. We then analyze the effects of Earth’s shadows, using the adapted conical and cylindrical Earth’s shadowing models introduced by Hubaux et al. (2012) as the smooth shadow function deriving from these models can be easily included into the variational equations. Our stability study shows that Earth’s shadows greatly affect the global behaviour of space debris orbits by increasing the size of chaotic regions around the geostationary altitude. We also emphasize the differences in the results given by conical or cylindrical Earth’s shadowing models. Finally, such results are compared with a non-symplectic integration scheme.     

基于优化的羽流撞击消旋技术瞄准策略设计

针对自由翻滚目标卫星的消旋问题,使用化学推力器羽流撞击的方式进行消旋具有较高的可行性和安全性。当目标太阳翼法线与星本体自旋轴存在一定夹角时,需要对消旋推力器的瞄准策略进行设计,以提高控制精度和系统效率。目前国内外对于一般情况下瞄准策略的设计仍存在空白。基于参数化羽流撞击模型,对空间目标的动力学特性进行分析并给出典型工况,分析了羽流撞击力对相对位置姿态的敏感性,得到了瞄准策略设计的一般性准则,在此基础上设计了瞄准策略优化模型的完整表达。仿真计算表明,该瞄准策略适用于太阳翼法向相对期望消旋力矩方向存在一定夹角的情况,并且在保证力矩幅值较大的条件下令精度达到10°以内。该方法适用于太阳翼相对自旋轴倾斜和存在章动运动的目标卫星,从而为服务平台控制系统设计提供支持。