Method of virtual trajectories for the design of gravity assisted missions

A method of virtual trajectories is proposed for the design of multiple gravity assist trajectories. The method comprises two principal stages. First, for a chosen planetary sequence, a database of virtual trajectories is tabulated. Then the database screening and refinement are performed. The design of trajectory to Jupiter is presented.     

Reachable domain of spacecraft with a single tangent impulse considering trajectory safety

The reachable domain of the two-body transfer orbit with a single upper-bounded tangent impulse is studied. Three cases are analyzed for either the magnitude of the tangent impulse or the initial impulse point being free, or both being free. For a fixed impulse magnitude and a free initial impulse point, the initial orbit is proved to be one of the envelopes of the reachable domain. Moreover, the trajectory safety for the transfer orbit requires a lower bound on the perigee altitude and an upper bound on the apogee altitude. Then the ranges of the impulse magnitude and the initial true anomaly can be obtained by solving quadratic and cubic inequalities, respectively. If both constraints are required for an arbitrary impulse point, the range of the impulse magnitude is obtained with impulses at the perigee and the apogee. Several numerical examples with different eccentricities are provided to show the geometry of the reachable domain and to verify the proposed method.     

Vertical motions in Thailand after the 2004 Sumatra–Andaman Earthquake from GPS observations and its geophysical modelling

Following previous findings from ongoing GPS research in Thailand since 2004 we continue to exploit the GPS technique to monitor and model land motions induced by the Sumatra–Andaman Earthquake. Our latest results show that up to the end of 2010, Thailand has been co-seismically displaced and is subsequently undergoing a post-seismic horizontal deformation with total displacements (co-seismic plus post-seismic) ranging from 10.5 to 74.7 cm. We observed the largest horizontal displacements in the southern part of Thailand and moderate and small displacements in the central and northern parts. In addition to horizontal displacements throughout Thailand, continuous GPS measurements show that large parts of Thailand are subsiding at rates up to 1 cm/yr. It is the first time that such vertical post-seismic deformations at large distances (650–1500 km away from the Earthquake’s epicentre) have been recorded. We have investigated the physical processes leading to the observed subsidence. While after-slip on the subduction interface induces negligible or even slightly positive vertical motions, relaxation in the asthenosphere is associated with a sizable subsidence. Predictions from a 3D finite element model feature an asthenosphere with an effective viscosity of the order of 3 * 10¹⁸ Pas, fit the horizontal post-seismic data and the observed subsidence well. This model is then used to predict the subsidence over the whole seismic cycle. The subsidence should go on with a diminishing rate through the next two decades and its final magnitude should not exceed 10 cm in the Bangkok area.     

应用模糊变权的启发式搜索进行飞行轨迹优化

回顾了军机轨迹优化问题的提出及研究历史，介绍了几种主要方法的特点，特别是启发式搜索算法应用于飞行轨迹优化问题时存在的主要问题。提出为了得到较好的近优路径而采取的模糊变权处理方法。通过计算不同加权下解的情况，说明模糊变权方法是使加权随具体情况作相应调整的有效手段，为提高飞行路径规划系统的有效性开辟了一个新思路。     

弹道修正执行机构综述

二维弹道修正弹是一种低成本、高精度的精确打击弹药,修正机构是弹道修正弹上的重要部件,其性能决定了弹丸的弹道修正能力。针对弹道的二维修正需求,介绍了国内外对二维弹道修正弹修正机构的研究状况;列举了应用在二维弹道修正弹上不同类型的修正机构;阐述了不同类型修正机构的工作原理、特点以及各自的局限性。最后,对不同类型修正机构特性进行了比较,给出了相关技术指标,对比了各自的优缺点。阐述了选择和设计执行机构应注意的问题。     

Disturbance observer based model predictive control for accurate atmospheric entry of spacecraft

Facing the complex aerodynamic environment of Mars atmosphere, a composite atmospheric entry trajectory tracking strategy is investigated in this paper. External disturbances, initial states uncertainties and aerodynamic parameters uncertainties are the main problems. The composite strategy is designed to solve these problems and improve the accuracy of Mars atmospheric entry. This strategy includes a model predictive control for optimized trajectory tracking performance, as well as a disturbance observer based feedforward compensation for external disturbances and uncertainties attenuation. 500-run Monte Carlo simulations show that the proposed composite control scheme achieves more precise Mars atmospheric entry (3.8?km parachute deployment point distribution error) than the baseline control scheme (8.4?km) and integral control scheme (5.8?km).     

Solar activity prediction studies and services in NAOC

Solar activity prediction services started in 1960’s in National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC). As one of the members of the International Space Environment Service (ISES), Regional Warning Center of China (RWC-China) was set up in 1990’s. Solar Activity Prediction Center (SAPC), as one of the four sub-centers of RWC-China, is located in NAOC. Solar activity prediction studies and services in NAOC cover short-term, medium-term, and long-term forecast of solar activities. Nowadays, certain prediction models, such as solar X-ray flare model, solar proton event model, solar 10 cm radio flux model, have been established for the practical prediction services. Recently, more and more physical analyses are introduced in the studies of solar activity prediction, such as the magnetic properties of solar active regions and magnetic structure of solar atmosphere. Besides traditional statistics algorithms, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence techniques, such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) method, are employed in the establishment of forecast models. A Web-based integrated platform for solar activity data sharing and forecast distribution is under construction.     

Influence of the gravitational vertical on geometric visual illusions

The occurrence of geometric orientation illusions and the perception of ambiguous figures were analyzed in 24 subjects during static body tilt relative to gravity on Earth. Results showed that illusions such as the Rock's diamond/square, the Ponzo illusion, and orientation contrast illusions occurred less frequently, and that depth reversal of ambiguous figures took more time when subjects were lying on their side or supine compared to upright, thus suggesting that the gravitational reference plays a significant role in these “visual” illusions. The structure of images, our representation of the environment, and orientation relative to gravity are all integral parts in interpreting visual images. In a weightless environment where no gravitational reference can be used, it is expected that similar alterations in visual perception will occur.     

关于外测新体制的一些分析与思考

针对外测新体制下数据处理中遇到的一些重要问题进行了较为深入的讨论。认真分析了多站测速系统的严重病态以及样条约束的EMBET算法在目标非平稳段的剩余截断误差等制约弹道处理精度的重要问题,并提出解决问题的思路与方法。     

A multi-aircraft conflict detection and resolution method for 4-dimensional trajectory-based operation

Conflict Detection and Resolution(CDR) is the key to ensure aviation safety based on Trajectory Prediction(TP). Uncertainties that affect aircraft motions cause difficulty in an accurate prediction of the trajectory, especially in the context of four-dimensional(4D) Trajectory-Based Operation(4DTBO), which brings the uncertainty of pilot intent. This study draws on the idea of time geography, and turns the research focus of CDR from TP to an analysis of the aircraft reachable space constrained by 4D waypoint constraints. The concepts of space–time reachability of aircraft and space–time potential conflict space are proposed. A novel pre-CDR scheme for multiple aircraft is established. A key advantage of the scheme is that the uncertainty of pilot intent is accounted for via a Space-Time Prism(STP) for aircraft. Conflict detection is performed by verifying whether the STPs of aircraft intersect or not, and conflict resolution is performed by planning a conflict-free space–time trajectory avoiding intersection. Numerical examples are presented to validate the efficiency of the proposed scheme.