Finite-time relative orbit-attitude tracking control for multi-spacecraft with collision avoidance and changing network topologies

This paper addresses the relative position tracking and attitude synchronization control problem for spacecraft formation flying (SFF). Based on the derived relative coupled six-degree-of-freedom dynamics, a robust adaptive finite-time fast terminal sliding mode controller is proposed to achieve the desired formation in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. It is shown that the designed controller is effective for changing information exchange topology making it robust to node failure. Then, the artificial potential function method is employed to generate collision avoidance schemes to modify the controller such that inter-agent collision avoidance can be ensured during the formation maneuver, which is critical for practical missions. The stability of the overall closed-loop system is proved by using Lyapunov theory. Finally, numerical examples for a given SFF scenario are presented to illustrate the performance of the controller.     

Analysis of BDS-3 distributed autonomous navigation based on BeiDou system simulation platform

Satellite autonomous navigation is an important function of the BeiDou-3 navigation System (BDS-3). Satellite autonomous navigation means that the navigation satellite uses long-term forecast ephemeris and Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) measurements to determinate its own spatial position and time reference without the support of the ground Operation and Control System (OCS) for a long time to ensure that the navigation system can normally maintain the time and space reference. This paper aims to analyze the feasibility of distributed autonomous navigation algorithms. For the first time, a ground parallel autonomous navigation test system (GPANTS) is built. The performance of distributed autonomous navigation is then analyzed using the two-way ISL ranging of BDS-3 satellites. First, the BDS simulation platform and the GPANTS are introduced. Then, the basic principles of distributed satellite autonomous orbit determination and time synchronization based on ISL measurements are summarized. Preliminary evaluation of the performance of the BDS-3 constellation autonomous navigation service under ideal conditions through simulation data. Then the performance of autonomous navigation for 22 BeiDou-3 satellites using ISL measurements is evaluated. The results show that when satellites operate autonomously for 50 days without the support of any ground station, the User Range Error (URE) of autonomous orbit determination is better than 3 m, and the time synchronization accuracy is better than 4 ns.     

Can an impulsive variation of the solar wind plasma pressure trigger a plasma bubble? A case study based on CSES,Swarm and THEMIS data

During the August 25, 2018 geomagnetic storm, the new borne CSES-01 satellite and the Swarm A satellite detected a really large equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) in the post-midnight sector over western Africa. We investigated the features of this deep ionospheric plasma depletion using data from the Langmuir probes on-board CSES-01 and Swarm A satellites, and data from the high-precision magnetometer and the electric field detector instruments on-board CSES-01. Using also plasma and magnetic field data from THEMIS-E satellite we found that, during the passage of the magnetic cloud that drove the geomagnetic storm, an impulsive variation lasting about ten minutes characterized the solar wind (SW) pressure. The analysis of the delay time, between the occurrence of such impulsive variation and the detection of the plasma bubble, suggests a possible link between the SW pressure impulsive variation as identified by THEMIS-E and the generation of the EPB as detected by CSES-01 and Swarm A. We put forward the hypothesis that the SW pressure impulsive variation might have triggered an eastward prompt penetrating electric field that propagated from high to equatorial latitudes, overlapping in the nightside region to the zonal westward electric field, causing either a reduction or an inversion, at the base of the EPB triggering.     

空间光学遥感器光机结构材料应用情况及展望

介绍了空间光学遥感器的技术特点,综述了近年来空间光学遥感器光机结构材料的应用状况,对空间光学遥感器的光机结构材料发展趋势进行了展望。     

Characterisation of residual ionospheric errors in bending angles using GNSS RO end-to-end simulations

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) is an innovative meteorological remote sensing technique for measuring atmospheric parameters such as refractivity, temperature, water vapour and pressure for the improvement of numerical weather prediction (NWP) and global climate monitoring (GCM). GNSS RO has many unique characteristics including global coverage, long-term stability of observations, as well as high accuracy and high vertical resolution of the derived atmospheric profiles. One of the main error sources in GNSS RO observations that significantly affect the accuracy of the derived atmospheric parameters in the stratosphere is the ionospheric error. In order to mitigate the effect of this error, the linear ionospheric correction approach for dual-frequency GNSS RO observations is commonly used. However, the residual ionospheric errors (RIEs) can be still significant, especially when large ionospheric disturbances occur and prevail such as during the periods of active space weather. In this study, the RIEs were investigated under different local time, propagation direction and solar activity conditions and their effects on RO bending angles are characterised using end-to-end simulations. A three-step simulation study was designed to investigate the characteristics of the RIEs through comparing the bending angles with and without the effects of the RIEs. This research forms an important step forward in improving the accuracy of the atmospheric profiles derived from the GNSS RO technique.     

Physical Modeling of Electromagnetic Interference in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle under Action of the Electric Transport Contact Network

The technique was developed for studying the noise immunity of electronic systems of unmanned aerial vehicles on the basis of physical modeling. The mathematical models, the scheme of a test bench, and examples of parameter calculation for physical modeling of electromagnetic interference in communication lines under the influence of switching magnetic fields of electric transport contact network are proposed. An example of physical modeling of electromagnetic interference in communication lines is presented.     

随遇接入卫星应急任务响应技术研究

面对在轨卫星当前对突发事件、灾难应急等突发性、短暂性的使用需求,传统空间系统应用存在任务规划提前制定、难以临时变更的缺点,卫星系统无法快速对该类突发事件进行资源保障.因此迫切需要构建高效、即时的空间任务执行体系.研究了随遇接入卫星应急任务响应技术,该技术可统筹任务执行过程中涉及的各条链路及各类资源,全面改善任务执行即时性.     

Experimental research of air-throttling ignition for a scramjet at Ma 6.5

An experimental investigation on ignition characteristics with air-throttling in an ethylene-fueled scramjet under flight Ma 6.5 conditions was conducted.The dynamic process of air-throttling ignition was explored systematically.The influences of throttling parameters,i.e.,throttling mass rate and duration,were investigated.When the throttling mass rate was 45% of the inflow mass rate,ambient ethylene could be ignited reliably.The delay time from ignition to throttling was about 45–55 ms.There was a threshold of throttling duration under a certain throttling mass rate.It was shorter than 100 ms when the throttling mass rate was 45%.While a 45%throttling mass rate would make the shock train propagate upstream to the isolator entry in about10–15 ms,four lower throttling mass rates were tested,including 30%,25%,20%,and 10%.All of these throttling mass rates could ignite ethylene.However,combustion performances varied with them.A higher throttling mass rate made more ethylene combust and produced higher wall pressure.Through these experiments,some aspects of the relationships between ignition,flame stabilization,combustion efficiency,and air-throttling parameters were brought to light.These results could also be a benchmark for CFD validation.     

Observations of wave activity in the ionosphere over South Africa in geomagnetically quiet and disturbed periods

The present paper deals with observations of wave activity in the period range 1–60 min at ionospheric heights over the Western Cape, South Africa from May 2010 to July 2010. The study is based on the Doppler type sounding of the ionosphere. The Doppler frequency shift measurements are supplemented with measurements of collocated Digisonde DPS-4D at SANSA Space Sciences, Hermanus. Nine geomagnetically quiet days and nine geomagnetically active days were included in the study. Waves of periods 4–30 min were observed during the daytime independent of the level of geomagnetic activity. Amplitudes of 10–30 min waves always increased between 14:00 and 16:15 UT (16:00–18:15 LT). Secondary maxima were observed between 06:00 and 07:00 UT (08:00–09:00 LT). The maximum wave amplitudes occurred close to the time of passage of the solar terminator in the studied region which is known to act as a source of gravity waves.     

Mathematical modeling of unloading a linear shock cord used in aircraft engineering

A mathematical model of accelerating a body along the inclined and horizontal rails under the tension force of the prestretched shock cord has been developed and numerically realized. The nonlinearity of load-strain dependence is taken into account. The shock cord is modeled as an absolutely flexible deformable thread. The results of numerical study are compared with the experiment data.