Time-Optimal Control of a Bounded Phase-Coordinate Process II: High-Order Systems with Multiple Control Inputs

This paper considers the problem arising from the design of an autopilot for a large booster. The motion-controlling actuators of the booster have both position and rate limits. The problem is formulated as a bounded phase-coordinate problem and analyzed by the ``backing out of the target' procedure. A method of constructing the optimal control is presented. An example of an oscillatory system with two control inputs is given, and the optimal control is expressed as an explicit time function.     

Estimated Flight Time for Optimum Trajectories

Various methods are presented for estimating the flight time for vehicles which fly an optimum trajectory. A realistic example is considered in order to display the inherent accuracy of each of these methods. Numerical integration methods are found to be the most accurate. Simple formulas are derived for the case where a less accurate estimate is acceptable. All of these methods require less computation than would be required in order to solve the overall optimization problem. Thus any one of these methods can be applied to an onboard guidance scheme or control system which requires a real time estimate of the time-to-go.     

Comments on the Communication and Data Problems Associated with a Mars Trip During a Conjunction Phase

The analysis and comments presented in this paper are meant to establish the general communication parameters associated with Martian flyby probes and with lander and manned vehicles. Fundamental data transfer problems are reviewed to define comparisons and trends of tradeoffs for future studies. Selected focal points are based upon the long propagation path length, with inherent time delays, and the high noise produced by the sun. These problems are magnified because large quantities of data must be obtained to satisfy the needs of the scientific community and the curiosity of an interested public. A comparison of two communication systems is provided: the microwave spectrum and the optical spectrum, as represented by the microwaves at 2.3 GHz and the laser at 6328 ?. A method of cost effectiveness or value received from space missions (a criterion of power input for data quantity received) is also presented.     

Checkout: A Changing Technology

On-board/in-flight checkout of future aerospace systems will necessitate a fundamental departure from today's design and checkout activities. The interrelationship of checkout, incorporated into prime vehicular functions, man as a subsystem, and standardization Of hardware/software must be considered as a functional and integral entity if the efforts of today's long-range planning are to become tomorrow's reality. This paper will describe future systems checkout, maintenance and support considerations, and actions and tentative measures necessary for implementation. The realization of the implementation of these concepts into functional elements will depend, accurately and economically, upon the degree of government perceptiveness and the extent of industrial support.     

High-Sensitivity Quartz Accelerometer for Measurements of Small Accelerations of Spacecraft

A quartz sensor of small accelerations with a capacitive transducer is designed and produced, allowing one to measure spacecraft accelerations with a resolution of 10^–7 m/s² in the range ±10^–1 m/s². The results of calibration of the sensor by the method of inclinations are presented.     

Lunar transportation scenarios utilising the Space Elevator

The Space Elevator (SE) concept has begun to receive an increasing amount of attention within the space community over the past couple of years and is no longer widely dismissed as pure science fiction. In light of the renewed interest in a, possibly sustained, human presence on the Moon and the fact that transportation and logistics form the bottleneck of many conceivable lunar missions, it is interesting to investigate what role the SE could eventually play in implementing an efficient Earth to Moon transportation system. The elevator allows vehicles to ascend from Earth and be injected into a trans-lunar trajectory without the use of chemical thrusters, thus eliminating gravity loss, aerodynamic loss and the need of high thrust multistage launch systems. Such a system therefore promises substantial savings of propellant and structural mass and could greatly increase the efficiency of Earth to Moon transportation. This paper analyzes different elevator-based trans-lunar transportation scenarios and characterizes them in terms of a number of benchmark figures. The transportation scenarios include direct elevator-launched trans-lunar trajectories, elevator launched trajectories via L1 and L2, as well as launch from an Earth-based elevator and subsequent rendezvous with lunar elevators placed either on the near or on the far side of the Moon. The benchmark figures by which the different transfer options are characterized and evaluated include release radius (RR), required delta v, transfer times as well as other factors such as accessibility of different lunar latitudes, frequency of launch opportunities and mission complexity. The performances of the different lunar transfer options are compared with each other as well as with the performance of conventional mission concepts, represented by Apollo.     

Microgravity effects on water supply and substrate properties in porous matrix root support systems.

The control of water content and water movement in granular substrate-based plant root systems in microgravity is a complex problem. Improper water and oxygen delivery to plant roots has delayed studies of the effects of microgravity on plant development and the use of plants in physical and mental life support systems. Our international effort (USA, Russia and Bulgaria) has upgraded the plant growth facilities on the Mir Orbital Station (OS) and used them to study the full life cycle of plants. The Bulgarian-Russian-developed Svet Space Greenhouse (SG) system was upgraded on the Mir OS in 1996. The US developed Gas Exchange Measurement System (GEMS) greatly extends the range of environmental parameters monitored. The Svet-GEMS complex was used to grow a fully developed wheat crop during 1996. The growth rate and development of these plants compared well with earth grown plants indicating that the root zone water and oxygen stresses that have limited plant development in previous long-duration experiments have been overcome. However, management of the root environment during this experiment involved several significant changes in control settings as the relationship between the water delivery system, water status sensors, and the substrate changed during the growth cycles.     

Planetary preservation: the need for legal provision

The Earth has been hit by NEOs many times in its history and there is always a risk that this will happen again. While we are beginning to acquire the technology that could warn of and divert a future collision, the legal instruments needed to facilitate a global response to the problem are lacking, especially given that the most likely means of diverting a NEO would involve nuclear weapons that could also be used on Earth. An analysis of the current legal situation is used to support the argument that new rules must be created. The author also discusses US Air Force policy on the subject and whether planetary defense is consistent with its goal of achieving and sustaining US superiority in space.     

The development of a Russian communication satellite of small class, operating in the geostationary and high-elliptical orbits

In 1994–1995 Lavochkin Association (Russia) together with the other enterprises in accordance with technical requirements of the Russian Space agency, developed a new Russian communication satellite of a small class that will operate in both the geostationary (GSO) and high-elliptical (HEO) orbits. This satellite may be injected into operational orbits using a SOYUZ-2 launch vehicle (LV) and a FREGAT upper stage (US) from Plesetsk and Baykonur space launch sites (SLS).The main reason for creating such a satellite was to decrease the cost of the support and development of the Russian communication geostationary satellites group.Russian satellites Horizont, Express, Ekran and Gals, which operate in GSO, are the basis of the space segment for communications, radio and TV broadcasting. All of these satellites are injected into GSO by the PROTON LV. PROTON is a launch vehicle of a heavy class. The use of a middle class LV instead of a heavy class will allow to reduce considerably the launch cost. The change of a heavy class LV to a LV of middle class determined one economic reason for this project. Besides, the opportunity to launch S/C into GSO from Russian Plesetsk SLS increases the independence of Russia in the domain of space communications, despite the presence of the contract with Kazachstan about the rent of Baykonur SLS. Finally, use of small satellites with a rather small number of transponders is more effective than the use of big satellites. It will allow also to increase a satellite group (by the launch of additional satellites) precisely in accordance to the development of the ground segment.     

降低NEPE推进剂燃速的途径探讨

通过对NEPE推进剂燃烧表面的热平衡分析，指出了影响推进剂燃速的3个因素：“嘶嘶”区（fizz）的温度梯度、凝聚相反应热和燃面温度，提高了降低NEPE推进剂燃速的可能途径，研究了某些燃速降速剂的作用及其对推进剂能量的影响。用实验证明了降低燃速几个途径的可行性。