USA-193 decay predictions using public domain trajectory data and assessment of the post-intercept orbital debris cloud

In early 2008, the need arose to predict the orbital decay of the American spacecraft USA-193, whose characteristics, function and orbit were classified information. With no orbit data and independent Italian tracking capability available, we turned our attention on the orbits determined by a worldwide network of about 20 visual satellite observers. The orbits of USA-193 obtained from their visual observations were therefore used as the sole source of orbit information. Contrary to our expectations, this exercise was extremely successful and we learned a lot in the process. The orbits provided by the visual observers were very accurate for such a low satellite (although the minimum and very stable level of solar activity helped considerably); however, data gaps of a few days were sometimes possible, due to unfavorable pass geometry or weather and light conditions. In any case, the orbital period and the semimajor axis were so accurate that it was possible for us to obtain very good decay fits using special perturbation software, including various atmospheric density models together with all the other relevant perturbing accelerations. We were therefore able to estimate accurate values of the ballistic parameter and the resulting decay and reentry predictions were extremely stable. Amateur optical observations and images of USA-193 had also led to a rough estimation of the shape and sizes of the satellite, revealing that the solar arrays had never been deployed. With this information, and taking into account our estimates of the ballistic parameter, we obtained reasonable and consistent values of the spacecraft mass. Based on previous reentry fragmentation analyses, we were then able to guess the expected USA-193 casualty area, casualty expectancy, debris ground footprint and probability of impact in Italy. Lastly, after the decision by the US Government to destroy the satellite, we independently predicted the interception time windows and the post-event ground tracks. Following the successful spacecraft breakup, we analyzed the evolution of the resulting debris cloud and assessed its (very limited) adverse impact on the circumterrestrial environment.     

A ballistic-pendulum test stand to characterize small cold-gas thruster nozzles

This paper deals with the design, development and experimentation of a new test stand for the accurate and precise characterization of small cold-gas nozzles having thrust of the order of 0.1 N and specific impulse of the order of 10 s. As part of the presented research, a new cold-gas supersonic nozzle was designed and developed based on the quasi one-dimensional theory. The test stand is based on the ballistic-pendulum principle: in particular, it consists of a suspended gondola hosting the propulsion system and the sample nozzle. The propulsion system consists of an air tank, pressure regulator, solenoid valve, battery and digital timer to command the valve. The gondola is equipped with a fin, immersed in water, to provide torsional and lateral oscillation damping. A laser sensor measures the displacement of the gondola. The developed test stand was calibrated by using a mathematical model based on the inelastic collision theory. The obtained accuracy was of ～1%. Sample experimental results are reported regarding the comparison of the new supersonic nozzle with a commercially available subsonic nozzle. The obtained measurements of thrust, mass flow rate and specific impulse are precise to a level of ～3%. The broad goal of the presented research was to contribute to an upgraded design of a spacecraft simulator used for laboratory validation of guidance, navigation and control algorithms for autonomous docking manoeuvres.     

Dextre: Improving maintenance operations on the International Space Station

The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), known as “Dextre”, is currently slated to launch in February 2008 for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS) as the final component of Canada's Mobile Servicing System (MSS). Dextre's primary role on the Space Station is to perform repair and replacement (R&R) maintenance tasks on robotically compatible hardware such as Orbital Replaceable Units (ORUs), thereby eventually easing the burden on the ISS crew.This burden on the on-orbit crew translates practically into crew time being a limited resource on the ISS, and as such, finding ways to assist the crew in performing their tasks or offloading the crew completely when appropriate is a bonus to the ISS program. This is already accomplished very effectively by commanding as many non-critical robotics tasks as possible, such as powering up and free-space maneuvering of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), known as “Canadarm2”, from the Ground.Thus, beyond its primary role, and based on an increasing clarity regarding the challenges of external maintenance on the ISS, Dextre is being considered for use in a number of ways with the objective of improving ISS operations while reducing and optimizing the use of crew time through the use of ground control for various tasks, pre-positioning hardware, acting as a temporary storage platform to break an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) day into manageable timelines, and extending the physical reach and range of the Canadarm2.This paper discusses the planned activities and operations for Dextre an rationale for how these will help optimize the use of crew resources on the ISS.     

激波与物质界面相互作用的数值模拟

计算激波与物质界面相互作用问题的关键是精确捕获运动物质界面.采用level set捕获物质界面,用改进虚拟流(modified ghost fluid method)方法定义虚拟流节点参数,从而将多介质流问题分解成多个单一介质流问题求解.应用该方法对激波与物质界面相互作用系列问题进行了数值模拟,并给出了物质界面的演化过程.计算结果发现激波强度、物质界面对涡的形式有很大影响,界面两边的密度比决定了界面是否反转.     

硅橡胶热膨胀模具设计与纵横加筋壁板成型质量分析

 采用闭模硅橡胶热膨胀工艺和硅橡胶辅助热压罐工艺,制备了碳纤维复合材料纵横加筋壁板,分析了2种工艺成型过程的特点及其对成型质量的影响。进一步考察了硅橡胶辅助热压罐工艺下工艺间隙、硅橡胶厚度和金属模块定位对制件密实状态和尺寸精度的影响。结果表明:相比闭模热膨胀工艺,所采用的硅橡胶辅助热压罐工艺及其模具方案更适合于成型纵横加筋壁板;热压罐工艺应按照硅橡胶自由膨胀的方式来设计工艺间隙;硅橡胶的厚度对密实质量影响较小,但厚度越大温度不均匀性越明显;热压罐工艺中采用金属模块定位的方法可以明显提高加筋肋交汇处的尺寸精度和密实质量。研究结果对复合材料格栅结构制造质量控制技术的发展具有指导意义。     

合成射流微扰动对后台阶湍流分离流动控制的实验研究

后台阶流动是流体力学中一个经典的研究课题,代表着工程中一类横截面突扩的钝体绕流问题。后台阶流动分离会导致一些不利的影响,如高速旋涡的形成、流动损失、压力脉动以及气动噪声等。基于阵列式合成射流激励器对二维矩形后台阶湍流分离再附流动控制进行了研究,综合应用表面测压、七孔探针、粒子图像测速仪(PIV)和热线等多种实验手段,获取了后台阶的表面压力分布和非定常流场结构。结果表明:利用在台阶前缘形成的合成射流微扰动可使无量纲再附点长度降低25%,合成射流控制使得沿台阶下游的湍动能和雷诺应力增强,提高了台阶下游流场的混合效率。热线结果表明,频率是后台阶分离流动控制的重要参数,当频率为260 Hz,扰动频率与剪切层涡脱落频率之比为1.32时,合成射流控制可使位于1/2倍频的剪切层能量增强,仅需消耗较小的能量即可实现流动控制的目的。     

固体火箭发动机喷管阻尼特性的数值仿真

为了探究影响固体火箭发动机喷管阻尼特性的关键因素,基于典型柱状装药固体火箭发动机二维简化模型,利用脉冲衰减法,开展喷管阻尼特性数值仿真计算,研究了喉通比和燃烧室长度对喷管阻尼常数的影响规律,结果发现数值模拟结果与经验公式理论预估结果有较好的一致性,证实了该数值方法的有效性;在此基础上,进一步探讨了无法由经验公式直接获知的诸如喷管收敛半角以及收敛型面对喷管阻尼常数的影响规律,结果表明:收敛半角对喷管阻尼常数有很大的影响,在设计范围内,较小的收敛角有益于提高喷管阻尼特性;收敛段型面对喷管阻尼也有一定的影响,凸型型面阻尼特性优于锥型型面,锥形型面优于凹形型面.      

基于合成射流的二维后台阶分离流主动控制

作为一种新的流动控制激励器,合成射流技术在流动分离控制、降低压力脉动和抑制噪声等方面具有广阔的应用前景。实验利用合成射流主动控制技术对二维后台阶湍流分离再附流动控制进行了研究,应用表面测压、粒子图像测速(PIV)和热线等多种实验测试技术对后台阶表面压力分布、流场结构以及剪切层特性进行了测试。结果表明,在台阶前缘施加合成射流可有效减小回流区范围和降低再附长度,当合成射流的动量系数为0.301×10^-3时,可使再附点长度减小25%。合成射流控制使得沿台阶下游的湍动能和雷诺应力增强,提高了台阶下游流场的混合效率。热线动态结果表明频率是后台阶分离流动控制的关键参数,当频率为260 Hz、激励频率与剪切层涡脱落频率之比为1.32、激励频率等同于旋涡脱落频率时,合成射流控制效果最好,仅需消耗较小的能量即可实现流动控制的目的。     

大型客机燃油重量特性仿真技术研究

基于虚拟飞行的大型客机特性评估,需要更加精准的燃油重量特性,而现有的燃油重量特性分析方法在计算速度和精度上已经无法满足需求,也没有系统的燃油重量特性仿真工具。针对这一问题,改进传统燃油切片法,提出一种基于数据库和耗油顺序的分析方法,分为油箱燃油重量特性数据库构建、燃油系统瞬时重量特性计算和燃油系统重量特性实时监控3个模块进行研究,并基于CATIA二次开发平台,VC++开发环境和Unity3D游戏引擎,开发了一套较系统的飞机燃油重量特性分析软件。选用双通道的A330-300客机作为算例,根据官方公布的数据,利用CATIA建立油箱组模型,作为仿真的原始输入,经过前处理、仿真和后处理3个步骤,对算法及软件的快速性和准确性进行了验证,也说明了发展燃油主动重心控制技术的必要性。     

壁温对高超声速飞行器阻力的影响

为了研究壁温对高超声速飞行器阻力的影响,在常规高超声速风洞和脉冲燃烧加热风洞中开展试验研究,结合数值仿真,分析了试验中的流动机理及试验结果差异产生的本质原因。提出了典型高超声速飞行器阻力预测准则。对飞行条件下的飞行器阻力进行预测,验证了预测准则的正确性。研究表明:壁温与来流静温比是造成不同风洞试验阻力差异的主要原因,对发动机内流道的压差阻力和摩擦阻力均有显著影响。在高超声速飞行器阻力预测时,要同时模拟马赫数、雷诺数、壁温与来流静温比3个相似参数。