How we will go to Mars

This article studies the efficiency of ejecting waste generated by the life support system (LSS) of a manned spacecraft to reduce initial mass on low earth orbit. The spacecraft is used for a long-duration interplanetary mission and is equipped with either a chemical or a nuclear-thermal propulsion system. For this study we simulate an optimal control problem for a given spacecraft maneuver. An impulsive approximation of the optimal interplanetary spacecraft trajectory is assumed, which allows us to reduce the general optimal control problem to hierarchic structure of 'outer' and 'inner' subproblems. This structure is analyzed using the Pontryagin's Maximum principle. Numerical results, illustrating the efficiency of waste ejection are shown for typical Earth-Mars transfer trajectories. This results confirm in theory that using a waste ejection system makes an early manned Mars mission possible without having to design and build new, advanced biological LSS.     

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.     

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.     

复合材料壳体与喷管的卡环连接结构研究

较详细地对复合材料壳体与喷管卡环连接结构进行了有限元应力,应变分析,对卡环,接头及倒锥等多体接触问题进行研究;对“Ｉ”型及“Ｌ”型卡环结构分别进行了计算和比较,并给出计算结果及结果分析。     

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.     

劳（Lao）喷管扩张段优化设计的数值方法研究

本文建立了火箭发动机喷管扩张段优化设计（Lao喷管）的型面曲线近似作图法的数学模型，将作图法转化为等价的优化问题，并给出了优化问题解的迭代方法，最后采用泛函网络的方法对离散的数值解进行了曲线拟合，以便于数控加工的编程。     

The applications of lower power satellites for direct television broadcasting

The use of 12 GHz satellites for TV broadcasting directly to individual homes and small communities has been the subject of analysis and design study by groups in many countries. Implementation of the concept has been slow to follow because of the high satellite transmitter powers of from 100 to 450 W that have usually been determined to be necessary. Accumulated experience in Canada with 12 GHz operation and the evolution of technology are leading to changes in the concept of direct broadcasting such that lower power satellites may be capable of meeting the requirements.

Hermes, the Canadian/U.S. 12/14 GHz Communications Technology Satellite, has been in use for over 3 years in a program of experiments and measurements. This program has included an extensive six month experiment in direct broadcasting to 7 small communities. Experience with Hermes has shown that the signal strength is stable over long periods of time and that in Canada, significant precipitation attenuation at 12 GHz is of relatively short duration and typically occurs only during certain seasons. Operation with low propagation margins is feasible if some picture degradation and some outages at these times are acceptable. The frequency and duration of occurrence of outages can be controlled by the Earth station G/T which is cost sensitive. An individual may choose to use a low cost system with a small antenna and accept a degraded picture and outages at some times. A small community may choose to pay more for a larger antenna and lower noise receiver to achieve better performance.

Developments in technology are reducing the noise figure of mass-producible receivers from more than 6 dB to as low as 4 dB. Another technology contribution is the use of reduced bandwidth and other signal processing techniques in low-cost receivers. While use of such techniques may introduce distortions that would be unacceptable in rebroadcasting systems, there is little impact for individual and community reception. Use of both technologies reduce the required satellite EIRP or ground terminal G/T.

A field trial was begun in April 1979 to test these concepts for use in television program delivery. One hundred Earth stations capable of being tuned across a 500 MHz band and having antennas with diameters of either 1.2 m or 1.8 m are being installed for a test in Canada to receive TV signals from the 20 W transponders of ANIK-B (peak EIRP of 51 dBw) on an experimental basis. The acceptability of the video signals and the technical performance of the low-cost terminals in the bands of non-technical users are being evaluated.

The paper will summarize the concept of TV broadcasting with lower power satellites and describe the results to date of the ANIK-B field trials.     

Low-velocity detonations in cast and pressed high explosives

A model of low velocity detonations in charges of cast and pressed high explosives confined in metal tubes with thin walls is suggested. An analytical solution is obtained and velocities and pressures of stationary LVD waves are calculated as functions of the parameters of the wall confinement. The fraction of the total chemical energy transferred to maintain the shock wave and the average rate of reaction in the wave are estimated and the dynamics of transient predetonation processes are analysed. An explanation of the causes of the secondary shock wave formation in the transition from deflagration to normal detonations is suggested and the delay of this secondary wave is calculated and compared with experimental data.     

智能天线结构模糊自适应变形控制实验研究

基于dSPACE半物理仿真系统和所研制的压电作动器,设计并构建了智能天线结构实验平台,进行了结构变形控制实验研究。实验中采用常规PID作为基本控制方法,并在此基础上设计了一种模糊自适应PID控制器,将两种方法对应的不同控制效果进行了对比。结果表明:在所给的实验条件下,基于压电材料可实现对智能天线结构变形的控制,作动器控制变形量最大可达166μm;两种控制方法均可对结构变形进行控制,模糊自适应方法的绝对位置控制精度达到±0.5μm;应用模糊自适应PID控制方法对结构进行变形控制,较之常规PID控制方法能够降低系统响应的超调量,缩短稳定时间,提高控制精度,得到更好的控制过程。     

基于双目视觉的返回舱着陆横向速度测量

通过分析返回舱在着陆时所具有的水平速度也可能对着陆安全构成威胁的事实，论述了为返回舱增加横向缓冲装置的必要性，由此提出亟需解决的问题——在返回舱着陆下降过程中测量其水平运动速度。提出了全新概念的以视觉图像为唯一信息来源的返回舱水平速度测量方法，仅以双目摄像机系统作为传感器，避免了对返回舱原有传感器系统的改造。通过对着陆区域地面图像的采集和在线处理，利用双目交会测量原理得到返回舱当前的大地坐标和姿态。仿真实验证明，方法简单易行，测量结果可靠。