A parametric study of space transfer/upper propulsion stages

For Space Transportation System (i.e. Space Shuttle) launched satellites destined for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), there is a need for cost-effective, versatile propulsion systems to provide the perigee burn, i.e. to boost the satellite from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Surveys of commercial spacecraft activities and future GEO satellite requirements indicate that a spacecraft propulsion system that will provide the perigee burn for a broad range of future commercial satellites would have an excellent market potential.Parametric studies to investigate and define attractive perigee-burn upper propulsion systems (i.e. an Upper Propulsion Stage, or a UPS) are presented. The feasibility and payload capacilities that could be provided by a UPS assembled from essentially off-the-shelf components and subsystems, and the benefits that could be achieved by using major subsystems specifically tailored for the application are presented. The results indicate that attractive UPS configurations can be defined using either off-the-shelf or optimized major subsystems.     

Ariane transfer vehicle in service of man in orbit

The Ariane transfer vehicle (ATV), an Ariane 5 borne, unmanned propulsion vehicle, is designed to transport the logistics needed to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and the man tended free flyer (MTFF) step 2 with pressurized and unpressurized cargo and to dispose the waste. The ATV is an expendable vehicle and is disposed of by a safe atmospheric burn up. In accordance with the AR5 schedule it should be operational in 1996 for missions toward ISS and beyond the year 2000 for MTFF 2 missions. The main constituents of the proposed ATV are the modified AR5 third stage L5, an upgraded VEB steering the launcher as well as the ATV and the P/L-adaptor providing mechanical and umbilical links to the payload. The mechanical part of the RVD-kit will be placed on the payload-module, the main RVD sensors are located on the adaptor and the needed computer intelligence will be integrated on the VEB. To minimize the development, and recurring costs, the ATV concept fully complies to the idea of maximum use of existing hardware and software, mainly from the AR5, Hermes and Columbus programs thus minimizing development and recurring costs. The ATV is compatible to ISS, MTFF and OMV and is able to transport logistic modules compatible with NSTS and U.S.-expendable launchers.     

Transport Characteristics of Macroparticles in Dusty Plasma Induced by Solar Radiation under Microgravity Conditions

The transport characteristics of macroparticles, charged by the solar radiation under microgravity conditions, were investigated by analyzing the videorecords of experiments carried out onboard the Mirorbital station. The temperature, distributions of velocities, charge, friction coefficient, and diffusion coefficient were obtained for bronze particles.     

The Solution of Some Problems of Optimizing the Processes of a Flexible Correction of Motion of Satellite Systems: I

The first of a series of problems of the optimization of correction of satellite systems, moving over near-circular orbits, is considered. The correction is accomplished by means of low-thrust engines and is supposed to be flexible, where only the parameters of the relative motion of satellites must be corrected. The problem has a large dimension, but is invariant with respect to renumbering of satellites. This allows us to decompose the problem, i.e., to find new variables, linearly dependent on old ones, in which the problem breaks down into a series of independent subproblems of low dimension. The decomposition is accomplished by means of the technique [1] based on the theory of linear representations of groups.     

Numerical Simulation of Impact Loading on Solid Propellant Within an Orthotropic Shell

The strain–stress state of the solid propellant rocket engines (SPREs) is simulated under impact. The effect of orientation of elastic and strength properties of orthotropic organoplastic shell material on the strain–stress state of the solid propellant is investigated. Normal and oblique impact of single steel cylinder projectiles, both simultaneous and at different times of multiple, converging steel spheric particles with SPRE are investigated in this study. The investigation is conducted numerically. The numerical modeling was carried out in a three-dimensional formulation by the method of finite elements for the continuous approach of the mechanics of a deformable solid. The destruction of the anisotropic material is described by the tensor-polynomial criterion of the fourth degree, which takes into account the influence of hydrostatic pressure.     

On the dynamics of a novel manipulator with slewing and deployable links

Using a novel space platform-based manipulator with slewing and deployable links, the paper addresses two issues of considerable importance: (a) How important is it to model flexibility of the system? (b) How many modes are needed to adequately represent the elastic character? Results suggest that the fundamental mode is able to capture physics of the response quite accurately. Due to its massive character, the platform dynamics is virtually unaffected, even by severe maneuvers of the manipulator. Hence, treating the platform as rigid would save the computational cost without affecting the accuracy. Although the link flexibility does affect the manipulator's tip vibration, the joint and platform vibrations remain negligible. The revolute joint flexibility appears to be an important parameter affecting both the joint as well as tip responses. The information should prove useful in the design of this new class of manipulators.     

Influence of Trapped Plasma on the Structure of Collisionless Thin Current Sheets

Using both analytical and numerical models of the collisionless anisotropic current sheet generated by the impinging flows of transient ions, we have studied the self-consistent solutions taking the plasma trapped in the sheet into account. It is demonstrated that there exists a limited window in the space of system parameters where self-consistent solutions can exist. When the density of the quasi-trapped plasma is sufficiently large, a redistribution of the total current can be a cause of the sheet decay, when the local current of the trapped particles compensate (totally or in part) the main current in the center and at the edges of the sheet, while the total current generated by ions on the trapped trajectories vanishes.     

Using the PROGRESS transport spacecraft in structure of the International Space Station for realization of scientific experiments under microgravity conditions

The problem is considered of using the PROGRESS transport spacecraft, which will deliver the payload on the ISS, as a free flying platform for realization of space experiments. For maintenance of the ISS 5-6 PROGRESS flights per year are planned. Usually after delivery of the payload the PROGRESS undocks from the ISS and burns down in the Earth atmosphere. However, the operating conditions of its onboard systems allow to prolong operation and to make free flight near to the station and repeatedly to be docked to it. It is offered to use this possibility for performing experiments on Material Science.     

Optimum Number of Stages in a Staged Vehicle

The problem of optimum partitioning of a staged vehicle (SV) and determination of the minimal number of stages to provide for a maximum velocity in the vertical SV motion in a homogeneous gravity field is considered at a given value of payload mass.     

On the breakdown of wave fronts of characteristics in an ideal dissociating gas

Using the method of characteristics, the problem of breaking or non-breaking of waves is studied in a plane cylindrically or spherically symmetric flow of an ideal dissociating gas. It is investigated as to how the effects of dissociation and that of the wave front curvature influence the breaking or non-breaking of waves. In a symmetrical converging gas motion a remarkable difference between the behaviours of cylindrical and spherical waves is discovered.