Scheduling algorithms for rapid imaging using agile Cubesat constellations

Distributed Space Missions such as formation flight and constellations, are being recognized as important Earth Observation solutions to increase measurement samples over space and time. Cubesats are increasing in size (27U, ～40?kg in development) with increasing capabilities to host imager payloads. Given the precise attitude control systems emerging in the commercial market, Cubesats now have the ability to slew and capture images within short notice. We propose a modular framework that combines orbital mechanics, attitude control and scheduling optimization to plan the time-varying, full-body orientation of agile Cubesats in a constellation such that they maximize the number of observed images and observation time, within the constraints of Cubesat hardware specifications. The attitude control strategy combines bang-bang and PD control, with constraints such as power consumption, response time, and stability factored into the optimality computations and a possible extension to PID control to account for disturbances. Schedule optimization is performed using dynamic programming with two levels of heuristics, verified and improved upon using mixed integer linear programming. The automated scheduler is expected to run on ground station resources and the resultant schedules uplinked to the satellites for execution, however it can be adapted for onboard scheduling, contingent on Cubesat hardware and software upgrades. The framework is generalizable over small steerable spacecraft, sensor specifications, imaging objectives and regions of interest, and is demonstrated using multiple 20?kg satellites in Low Earth Orbit for two case studies – rapid imaging of Landsat’s land and coastal images and extended imaging of global, warm water coral reefs. The proposed algorithm captures up to 161% more Landsat images than nadir-pointing sensors with the same field of view, on a 2-satellite constellation over a 12-h simulation. Integer programming was able to verify that optimality of the dynamic programming solution for single satellites was within 10%, and find up to 5% more optimal solutions. The optimality gap for constellations was found to be 22% at worst, but the dynamic programming schedules were found at nearly four orders of magnitude better computational speed than integer programming. The algorithm can include cloud cover predictions, ground downlink windows or any other spatial, temporal or angular constraints into the orbital module and be integrated into planning tools for agile constellations.     

Adaptation of the bottomside electron density profile of the IRI model to data of topside radiosounding

A method is proposed for reconstructing the electron density profiles N(h) of the IRI model from ionograms of topside satellite sounding of the ionosphere. An ionograms feature is the presence of traces of signal reflection from the Earth's surface. The profile reconstruction is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the N(h) –profile is calculated from the lower boundary of the ionosphere to the satellite height (total profile) by the method presented in this paper using the ionogram. In this case, the monotonic profile of the topside ionosphere is calculated by the classical method. The profile of the inner ionosphere is represented by analytical functions, the parameters of which are calculated by optimization methods using traces of signal reflection, both from the topside ionosphere and from the Earth. At the second stage, the profile calculated from the ionogram is used to obtain the key parameters: the height of the maximum hmF2 of the F2 layer, the critical frequency foF2, the values of B0 and B1, which determine the profile shape in the F region in the IRI model. The input of key parameters, time of observation, and coordinates of sounding into the IRI model allows obtaining the IRI-profile corrected to real experimental conditions. The results of using the data of the ISIS-2 satellite show that the profiles calculated from the ionograms and the IRI profiles corrected from them are close to each other in the inner ionosphere and can differ significantly in the topside ionosphere. This indicates the possibility of obtaining a profile in the inner ionosphere close to the real distribution, which can significantly expand the information database useful for the IRTAM (IRI Realmax Assimilative Modeling) model. The calculated profiles can be used independently for local ionospheric research.     

Lineament mapping and fractal analysis using SPOT-ASTER satellite imagery for evaluating the severity of slope weathering process

The present study describes a remote sensing approach for preparing lineament map that subsequently indicates the influence of lineament density in the severity of weathering development. In this study, SPOT-5 data, the integration of SPOT-ASTER and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were used and processed. The existence of an active fault system in the south of Mashhad city, NE Iran and presence of schistose rocks in this area result in the development of numerous lineament features. This region was selected for this research. Lineament features including fractures, bedding plane, cleavage, shear zones and schistosity were mapped in the study area. The results indicate that the highest concentration of lineaments occurred in the central-western and south-eastern parts of the study area, which coincide with metamorphic outcrops and NW-SE trending fault system. A comparison of lineament statistical analysis and field survey demonstrated that the structural discontinuities have a significant effect on forming and distribution of weathering profiles. It was observed that increasing the number, length and density of structural discontinuities led to strong severity in weathering, which can produce deep residual soils susceptible to landslide occurrence. The remote sensing approach developed in this study can be applicable for preparing lineament maps and evaluating the severity of weathering development in other active fault zones around the world.     

真空低温环境红外亮温标准装置设计

对遥感技术现状及面临的问题进行了介绍，明确了建立真空低温环境红外亮温计量标准装置的意义，对国内外研究现状进行了梳理，对研究的标准装置的技术路线和设计方案进行了详细叙述。     

Spin rate and spin axis orientation of LARES spectrally determined from Satellite Laser Ranging data

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a powerful technique able to measure spin rate and spin axis orientation of the fully passive, geodetic satellites. This work presents results of the spin determination of LARES – a new satellite for testing General Relativity. 529 SLR passes measured between February 17 and June 9, 2012, were spectrally analyzed. Our results indicate that the initial spin frequency of LARES is f₀ = 86.906 mHz (RMS = 0.539 mHz). A new method for spin axis determination, developed for this analysis, gives orientation of the axis at RA = 12^h22^m48^s (RMS = 49^m), Dec = −70.4° (RMS = 5.2°) (J2000.0 celestial reference frame), and the clockwise (CW) spin direction. The half-life period of the satellite’s spin is 214.924 days and indicates fast slowing down of the spacecraft.     

Simulation of long-term rotational dynamics of large space debris: A TOPEX/Poseidon case study

Accurate knowledge of the rotational dynamics of a large space debris is crucial for space situational awareness (SSA), whether it be for accurate orbital predictions needed for satellite conjunction analyses or for the success of an eventual active debris removal mission charged with stabilization, capture and removal of debris from orbit. In this light, the attitude dynamics of an inoperative satellite of great interest to the space debris community, the joint French and American spacecraft TOPEX/Poseidon, is explored. A comparison of simulation results with observations obtained from high-frequency satellite range measurements is made, showing that the spacecraft is currently spinning about its minor principal axis in a stable manner. Predictions of the evolution of its attitude motion to 2030 are presented, emphasizing the uncertainty on those estimates due to internal energy dissipation, which could cause a change of its spin state in the future. The effect of solar radiation pressure and the eddy-current torque are investigated in detail, and insights into some of the satellite’s missing properties are provided. These results are obtained using a novel, open-source, coupled orbit-attitude propagation software, the Debris SPin/Orbit Simulation Environment (D-SPOSE), whose primary goal is the study of the long-term evolution of the attitude dynamics of large space debris.     

卫星电源系统短路暂态特性分析及对策

针对卫星电源系统短路故障导致母线电压跌落、业务中断甚至整星失效的问题,分别采用电路模型和数学模型的方法对短路后母线电压的暂态特性进行分析,指出故障持续过程经历母线电容放电、太阳电池阵动作、放电调节器动作、蓄电池经二极管直接供电这4个阶段,分析了各阶段母线电压的暂态响应及转换条件。随后,研究了发生稳态电压跌落的条件及其影响因素。针对航天器通常使用的快速熔断器保护,分析了母线电压跌落受熔断I~2T、短路通路阻抗、蓄电池内阻、蓄电池开路电压的影响程度。依据暂态特性的分析,提出接地优化方法以及蓄电池开路电压、短路通路阻抗和欠压保护点的配合设计方法,使得短路暂态过程母线电压跌落程度满足系统关键单机运行的需求。     

The impact of different background errors in the assimilation of satellite radiances and in-situ observational data using WRFDA for three rainfall events over Iran

Satellite radiances and in-situ observations are assimilated through Weather Research and Forecasting Data Assimilation (WRFDA) system into Advanced Research WRF (ARW) model over Iran and its neighboring area. Domain specific background error based on x and y components of wind speed (UV) control variables is calculated for WRFDA system and some sensitivity experiments are carried out to compare the impact of global background error and the domain specific background errors, both on the precipitation and 2-m temperature forecasts over Iran. Three precipitation events that occurred over the country during January, September and October 2014 are simulated in three different experiments and the results for precipitation and 2-m temperature are verified against the verifying surface observations. Results show that using domain specific background error improves 2-m temperature and 24-h accumulated precipitation forecasts consistently, while global background error may even degrade the forecasts compared to the experiments without data assimilation. The improvement in 2-m temperature is more evident during the first forecast hours and decreases significantly as the forecast length increases.     

多波段光谱辐亮度计量值溯源技术研究

光谱辐亮度计是实现空间遥感仪器在地面实验室内进行高精度光谱定标的关键设备之一，本文基于标准探测器的辐亮度传递原理，利用视场光阑、孔径光阑、窄带滤光片和光电二极管研制了10测量通道的遮光筒式多波段光谱辐亮度计，测量波长分布在（400~1 100）nm范围。具有校准通道，与积分球单色光源匹配使用，实现光谱辐亮度的量值溯源，测量不确定度优于2.2%。     

飞机铆接件隐藏缺陷的远场涡流检测探头优化与试验

远场涡流检测技术因检测深度深和检测结果可靠性高等诸多优点适合飞机多层金属铆接构件的快速检测。针对飞机铆接件铆钉孔沿边隐藏裂纹的原位检测，建立了多层金属铆接构件隐藏缺陷平面远场涡流检测有限元模型，对激励线圈内径、磁路结构以及屏蔽阻尼进行了仿真优化，研制了激励线圈和检测线圈均带组合屏蔽结构的传感器，采用激励-检测线圈环绕铆钉旋转扫描的方式，研究多层金属铆接构件铆钉孔沿边隐藏裂纹信号特征。仿真与试验结果表明：罐形磁芯聚磁效果是柱形磁芯的1.85倍，采用铝+铜组合屏蔽罩能够将远场区提前10 mm，检测线圈位于缺陷正上方时，检测信号的幅值和相位存在极大值，且极大值随着缺陷埋深的增加逐渐下降，研究成果可望用于指导飞机多层金属铆接构件的工程检测实践。