GNSS global real-time augmentation positioning: Real-time precise satellite clock estimation,prototype system construction and performance analysis

Lots of ambiguities in un-differenced (UD) model lead to lower calculation efficiency, which isn’t appropriate for the high-frequency real-time GNSS clock estimation, like 1 Hz. Mixed differenced model fusing UD pseudo-range and epoch-differenced (ED) phase observations has been introduced into real-time clock estimation. In this contribution, we extend the mixed differenced model for realizing multi-GNSS real-time clock high-frequency updating and a rigorous comparison and analysis on same conditions are performed to achieve the best real-time clock estimation performance taking the efficiency, accuracy, consistency and reliability into consideration. Based on the multi-GNSS real-time data streams provided by multi-GNSS Experiment (MGEX) and Wuhan University, GPS + BeiDou + Galileo global real-time augmentation positioning prototype system is designed and constructed, including real-time precise orbit determination, real-time precise clock estimation, real-time Precise Point Positioning (RT-PPP) and real-time Standard Point Positioning (RT-SPP). The statistical analysis of the 6 h-predicted real-time orbits shows that the root mean square (RMS) in radial direction is about 1–5 cm for GPS, Beidou MEO and Galileo satellites and about 10 cm for Beidou GEO and IGSO satellites. Using the mixed differenced estimation model, the prototype system can realize high-efficient real-time satellite absolute clock estimation with no constant clock-bias and can be used for high-frequency augmentation message updating (such as 1 Hz). The real-time augmentation message signal-in-space ranging error (SISRE), a comprehensive accuracy of orbit and clock and effecting the users’ actual positioning performance, is introduced to evaluate and analyze the performance of GPS + BeiDou + Galileo global real-time augmentation positioning system. The statistical analysis of real-time augmentation message SISRE is about 4–7 cm for GPS, whlile 10 cm for Beidou IGSO/MEO, Galileo and about 30 cm for BeiDou GEO satellites. The real-time positioning results prove that the GPS + BeiDou + Galileo RT-PPP comparing to GPS-only can effectively accelerate convergence time by about 60%, improve the positioning accuracy by about 30% and obtain averaged RMS 4 cm in horizontal and 6 cm in vertical; additionally RT-SPP accuracy in the prototype system can realize positioning accuracy with about averaged RMS 1 m in horizontal and 1.5–2 m in vertical, which are improved by 60% and 70% to SPP based on broadcast ephemeris, respectively.     

Attitude control without angular velocity measurement for flexible satellites

In this paper, by using quaternion models, the problem of attitude control is investigated for a class of flexible satellites. Two control laws are presented for the considered flexible satellite models to guarantee convergence of the closed-loop systems without using angular velocity measurement. One is in the form of a partial state feedback for the case where the modal variable is available, and the other is in the form of an observer-based partial state feedback for the case where the modal variable cannot be measured. Finally, an example is employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control laws.     

基于LADRC的无人直升机轨迹跟踪

无人直升机轨迹控制系统是对多输入/多输出强耦合非线性系统进行解耦控制的系统。为解决无人直升机轨迹控制效果依赖于直升机物理参数的测量和辨识精度以及外部扰动大小问题,提出了一种基于线性自抗扰控制(LADRC)的多回路无人直升机轨迹控制系统。首先建立无人直升机X-Cell的飞行动力学模型,并引入风切变、大气紊流和突风模型以更加准确模拟真实飞行环境;然后对X-Cell进行配平计算以验证动力学模型和配平算法的准确性,并选取一组配平值作为轨迹控制仿真的初始状态和操纵量;随后根据被控量的动力学方程阶次选取对应的一阶和二阶LADRC基本控制器,并结合时间尺度原理,自内向外依次构建无人直升机的姿态、速度和位置控制回路,将三回路串联从而建立了无人直升机轨迹控制系统;而后进行了稳定性分析,特征根计算结果表明轨迹控制系统镇定了X-Cell开环系统不稳定的动态特性;最后将该控制系统应用于各种扰动下直升机轨迹跟踪仿真,结果表明本文无人直升机轨迹控制系统能很好地实现带爬升率的"8"字形轨迹跟踪,且相比于基于比例积分和微分(PID)控制的轨迹控制系统,该控制系统具有更优的鲁棒性和抗扰性。     

等离子体气动激励控制超声速边界层分离的实验研究

等离子体气动激励与超声速气流相互作用已成为高速流动控制领域的研究热点。激波与边界层相互作用现象广泛存在于超声速飞行器之中。本文进行了等离子体气动激励控制压缩角区和激波诱导边界层分离的实验,通过流场纹影显示和壁面静压测量,研究等离子体气动激励如何影响激波、激波如何影响边界层特性的科学问题。实验结果表明:施加毫秒量级表面电弧放电能够前移压缩角区的诱导斜激波,使分离区后移,分离区域增加,但激波强度减弱,流场总压增加;施加微秒量级表面电弧放电能够抑制激波诱导边界层分离,使分离区减小,流场总压减小。基于实验结果,认为毫秒量级表面电弧放电激励控制超声速气流的主要机理为放电过程的焦耳热效应;微秒量级表面电弧放电激励控制超声速气流的主要机理为焦耳热效应和冲击波效应共同作用。     

深空探测器自主技术发展现状与趋势简

 深空探测器距离地球远、所处环境复杂、苛刻,利用地面测控站进行深空探测器的遥测和遥控已经很难满足探测器控制的实时性和安全性要求。深空探测器自主技术即通过在探测器上构建一个智能自主管理软件系统,自主地进行工程任务与科学任务的规划调度、命令执行、星上状态的监测与故障时的系统重构,完成无人参与情况下的探测器长时间自主安全运行,自主技术已经逐渐成为深空探测领域未来发展的一项关键技术。本文首先分析了传统测控模式对深空探测的约束,回顾了深空探测器自主技术发展的现状,分析了实现深空探测器自主运行的关键技术,包括在轨自主管理系统设计技术、自主任务规划技术、自主导航与控制技术、自主故障处理技术和自主科学任务操作技术。然后结合深空探测工程实施和技术发展需求,提出未来深空探测器自主技术发展的趋势和重点。     

Optimal guidance of extended trajectory shaping

To control missile＇s miss distance as well as terminal impact angle, by involving the timeto-go-nth power in the cost function, an extended optimal guidance law against a constant maneuvering target or a stationary target is proposed using the linear quadratic optimal control theory.An extended trajectory shaping guidance（ETSG） law is then proposed under the assumption that the missile-target relative velocity is constant and the line of sight angle is small. For a lag-free ETSG system, closed-form solutions for the missile＇s acceleration command are derived by the method of Schwartz inequality and linear simulations are performed to verify the closed-form results. Normalized adjoint systems for miss distance and terminal impact angle error are presented independently for stationary targets and constant maneuvering targets, respectively. Detailed discussions about the terminal misses and impact angle errors induced by terminal impact angle constraint, initial heading error, seeker zero position errors and target maneuvering, are performed.     

The art and science of interstellar message composition: a report on international workshops to encourage multidisciplinary discussion

Throughout the history of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), there has been widespread recognition of the profound societal implications of detecting intelligence beyond Earth. At the SETI Institute, interstellar message construction serves as the focus of a multidisciplinary attempt to prepare for the cultural impact of signal detection and the critical events that would follow. Interstellar message construction at the SETI Institute builds upon the recommendations of the 1991–1992 Workshops on the Cultural Aspects of SETI, while also exploring opportunities for multidisciplinary contributions on new topics. Through a series of international workshops in Toulouse, Paris, Zagreb, Washington, and Bremen, the SETI Institute and partner organizations have fostered broad-based discussion about some of the most important decisions that would follow detection of extraterrestrial intelligence, including “should we reply?” and if so, “what should we say, and how might we say it?”. Several of the themes addressed at these workshops will be highlighted, including the relationship between art and science in designing messages, the value of interactive messages, and the importance of better understanding the nature of language.     

Asymmetry in Active SETI: A case for transmissions from Earth

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) typically presupposes contact with extraterrestrial civilizations much longer lived than humanity. Many have argued that given humanity's “youth,” the burden of transmitting should be placed on the extraterrestrial civilizations, which presumably possess more advanced technologies. These assumptions have contributed to the current emphasis on Passive SETI. Complementing this existing stress on Passive SETI with an additional commitment to Active SETI, in which humankind transmits messages to other civilizations, would have several advantages, including (1) addressing the reality that regardless of whether older civilizations should be transmitting, they may not be transmitting; (2) placing the burden of decoding and interpreting messages on advanced extraterrestrials, which may facilitate mutual comprehension; and (3) signaling a move toward an intergenerational model of science with a long-term vision for benefiting other civilizations as well as future generations of humans. Technological requirements for Active SETI are considered, and a case is made for Active SETI as a means for experimentally testing variants of the Zoo Hypothesis. Recommendations are provided for sustaining Passive and Active SETI and the communities that conduct these searches.     

System test results from the GNC experiments on the PRISMA in-orbit test bed

The PRISMA in-orbit test bed will demonstrate guidance, navigation, and control strategies for spacecraft formation flying and rendezvous. The project is funded by the Swedish National Space Board and the prime contractor is the Swedish Space Corporation. The project is further supported by the German Aerospace Center, the Technical University of Denmark, and the French Space Agency. PRISMA was launched on June 15, 2010 and after three weeks of operations, all on-board systems and units have passed an initial commissioning phase. Separation of the two PRISMA satellites from each other is expected by mid-August 2010.PRISMA consists of two spacecraft: MAIN and TARGET. The MAIN spacecraft has full orbit control capability while TARGET is attitude controlled only.The Swedish Space Corporation is responsible for three groups of guidance, navigation, and control experiments. These experiments include GPS- and vision-based formation flying during which the spacecraft will fly in passive as well as forced motion. The three experiments are: autonomous formation flying, proximity operations with final approach/recede maneuvers, and autonomous rendezvous. This paper presents system test results from two of these experiments as obtained with the flight-ready system. The system tests consist of a series of simulations performed on the flight model spacecraft with a large amount of hardware in the loop.     

Hybrid rocket engine,theoretical model and experiment

The purpose of this paper is to build a theoretical model for the hybrid rocket engine/motor and to validate it using experimental results. The work approaches the main problems of the hybrid motor: the scalability, the stability/controllability of the operating parameters and the increasing of the solid fuel regression rate. At first, we focus on theoretical models for hybrid rocket motor and compare the results with already available experimental data from various research groups. A primary computation model is presented together with results from a numerical algorithm based on a computational model. We present theoretical predictions for several commercial hybrid rocket motors, having different scales and compare them with experimental measurements of those hybrid rocket motors. Next the paper focuses on tribrid rocket motor concept, which by supplementary liquid fuel injection can improve the thrust controllability. A complementary computation model is also presented to estimate regression rate increase of solid fuel doped with oxidizer. Finally, the stability of the hybrid rocket motor is investigated using Liapunov theory. Stability coefficients obtained are dependent on burning parameters while the stability and command matrixes are identified. The paper presents thoroughly the input data of the model, which ensures the reproducibility of the numerical results by independent researchers.