The influence of solid rocket motor retro-burns on the space debris environment

The ESA space debris population model MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference) considers firings of solid rocket motors (SRM) as a debris source with the associated generation of slag and dust particles. The resulting slag and dust population is a major contribution to the sub-millimetre size debris environment in Earth orbit. The current model version, MASTER-2005, is based on the simulation of 1076 orbital SRM firings which contributed to the long-term debris environment. A comparison of the modelled flux with impact data from returned surfaces shows that the shape and quantity of the modelled SRM dust distribution matches that of recent Hubble Space Telescope (HST) solar array measurements very well. However, the absolute flux level for dust is under-predicted for some of the analysed Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) surfaces. This points into the direction of some past SRM firings not included in the current event database. The most suitable candidates for these firings are the large number of SRM retro-burns of return capsules. Objects released by those firings have highly eccentric orbits with perigees in the lower regions of the atmosphere. Thus, they produce no long-term effect on the debris environment. However, a large number of those firings during the on-orbit time frame of LDEF might lead to an increase of the dust population for some of the LDEF surfaces. In this paper, the influence of SRM retro-burns on the short- and long-term debris environment is analysed. The existing firing database is updated with gathered information of some 800 Russian retro-firings. Each firing is simulated with the MASTER population generation module. The resulting population is compared against the existing background population of SRM slag and dust particles in terms of spatial density and flux predictions.     

Spacecraft detumbling using movable telescoping appendages

The dynamics of detumbling a randomly spinning spacecraft using externally mounted, movable telescoping appendages are studied both analytically and numerically. Two types of telescoping appendages are considered: (a) where an end mass is mounted at the end of an (assumed) massless boom; and (b) where the appendage is assumed to consist of a uniformly distributed homogeneous mass throughout its length. From an application of Lyapunov's second method, boom extension maneuvers can be determined to approach either of two desired final states: close to a zero inertial angular velocity state and a final spin rate about only one of the principal axes. Recovery dynamics are evaluated analytically for the case of symmetrical deployment. Numerical examination of other asymmetrical cases verifies the practicality of using movable appendages to recover a randomly tumbling spacecraft.     

Why we need a space elevator

The goals of and vision for development of a space elevator have been discussed repeatedly. However, why we should develop one has been glossed over. This paper will focus upon the major issue—why build a space elevator infrastructure? It considers why we need a space elevator, what missions it would enable and how far it would reduce costs. There is no doubt that some major missions would be enhanced or significantly enabled by a space elevator infrastructure. Global communications, energy, monitoring of the Earth, global/national security, planetary defense, and exploration beyond low-Earth orbit are a few examples. In the end, if we are serious about extending space development and avoiding limitations on the human spirit, the reason we should build a space elevator is because we must!     

An X-ray survey of flat spectrum radio sources

Flat spectrum radio sources from the MPIfR north pole radio survey at 5 GHz (Kühret al. 1981) were observed with the Einstein X-ray observatory, at optical, mm, and radio wavelengths. The sources show rather extreme properties in all wavelength regions. Here we review the results for the first six sources from the survey (Kühret al. 1981, Biermannet al. 1981a, b, c, Biermann and Schlickeiser 1981, Frickeet al. 1981, Eckartet al. 1981).     

Multivariate bootstrapped relative positioning of spacecraft using GPS L1/Galileo E1 signals

GNSS-based precise relative positioning between spacecraft normally requires dual frequency observations, whereas attitude determination of the spacecraft, mainly due to the stronger model given by the a priori knowledge of the length and geometry of the baselines, can be performed precisely using only single frequency observations. When the Galileo signals will come available, the number of observations at the L1 frequency will increase as we will have a GPS and Galileo multi-constellation. Moreover the L1 observations of the Galileo system and modernized GPS are more precise than legacy GPS and this, combined with the increased number of observations, will result in a stronger model for single frequency relative positioning. In this contribution we will develop an even stronger model by combining the attitude determination problem with relative positioning. The attitude determination problem will be solved by the recently developed Multivariate Constrained (MC-) LAMBDA method. We will do this for each spacecraft and use the outcome for an ambiguity constrained solution on the baseline between the spacecraft. In this way the solution for the unconstrained baseline is bootstrapped from the MC-LAMBDA solutions of each spacecraft in what is called: multivariate bootstrapped relative positioning. The developed approach will be compared in simulations with relative positioning using a single antenna at each spacecraft (standard LAMBDA) and a vectorial bootstrapping approach. In the simulations we will analyze single epoch, single frequency success rates as the most challenging application. The difference in performance for the approaches for single epoch solutions, is a good indication of the strength of the underlying models. As the multivariate bootstrapping approach has a stronger model by applying information on the geometry of the constrained baselines, for applications with large observation noise and limited number of observations this will result in a better performance compared to the vectorial bootstrapping approach. Compared with standard LAMBDA, it can reach a 59% higher success rate for ambiguity resolution. The higher success rate on the unconstrained baseline between the platforms comes without extra computational load as the constrained baseline(s) problem has to be solved for attitude determination and this information can be applied for relative positioning.     

用于低速风洞飞行器气动导数试验的绳牵引并联支撑系统

 为了用同一套绳牵引并联支撑系统来实现低速风洞静导数和动导数实验,采用理论与实验相结合的方法,总结了在WDPSS-8项目中所做的研究工作。结果表明,传统的杆支撑系统存在如支架对空气流场的影响等不可避免的缺陷;张线支撑系统很适合用于飞行器的静导数实验中,但它不能用在飞行器的动导数实验中;绳牵引并联支撑系统WDPSS-8能成功用于静导数实验中,且它在动导数实验中有潜在用途。WDPSS-8项目中的理论问题都得到解决,但实验方面还有不少问题有待解决。