Behavior of tethered debris with flexible appendages

Active exploration of the space leads to growth of a near-Earth space pollution. The frequency of the registered collisions of space debris with functional satellites highly increased during last 10 years. As a rule a large space debris can be observed from the Earth and catalogued, then it is possible to avoid collision with the active spacecraft. However every large debris is a potential source of a numerous small debris particles. To reduce debris population in the near Earth space the large debris should be removed from working orbits. The active debris removal technique is considered that intend to use a tethered orbital transfer vehicle, or a space tug attached by a tether to the space debris. This paper focuses on the dynamics of the space debris with flexible appendages. Mathematical model of the system is derived using the Lagrange formalism. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the mutual influence of the oscillations of flexible appendages and the oscillations of a tether. It is shown that flexible appendages can have a significant influence on the attitude motion of the space debris and the safety of the transportation process.     

United Nations Human Space Technology Initiative (HSTI)

The Human Space Technology Initiative was launched in 2010 within the framework of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications implemented by the Office for Outer Space Affairs of the United Nations. It aims to involve more countries in activities related to human spaceflight and space exploration and to increase the benefits from the outcome of such activities through international cooperation, to make space exploration a truly international effort.     

Thick galactic cosmic radiation shielding using atmospheric data

NASA is concerned with protecting astronauts from the effects of galactic cosmic radiation and has expended substantial effort in the development of computer models to predict the shielding obtained from various materials. However, these models were only developed for shields up to about 120 g/cm² in mass thickness and have predicted that shields of this mass thickness are insufficient to provide adequate protection for extended deep space flights. Consequently, effort is underway to extend the range of these models to thicker shields and experimental data is required to help confirm the resulting code. In this paper empirically obtained effective dose measurements from aircraft flights in the atmosphere are used to obtain the radiation shielding function of the Earth's atmosphere, a very thick, i.e. high mass, shield. Obtaining this result required solving an inverse problem and the method for solving it is presented. The results are shown to be in agreement with current code in the ranges where they overlap. These results are then checked and used to predict the radiation dosage under thick shields such as planetary regolith and the atmosphere of Venus.     

Challenges and perspectives of transport cargo vehicles utilization for performing research in free flight

Russian Progress transport cargo vehicles have successfully been used in different space station programs since 1978. At present time, they play an important role in the International Space Station (ISS) project. Main tasks performed by the transport cargo vehicle (TCV) in the station program are the following: refueling of the station, delivery of consumables and equipment, waste removal, station attitude control and orbit correction maneuver execution.     

An ethical duty: Let astronautical development unfold – to make the people more secure

In examining alternative space-development models, one observes that Heinlein postulated the first Moon flight as the outcome of the focused action of an individual – building upon an ample commercial aerospace transportation infrastructure. The same technological basis and entrepreneurial drive would then sustain a fast human and economic expansion on three new planets. Instead, historically, humans reached the Moon thanks to a “Faustian bargain” between astronautical developers and governments. This approach brought the early Apollo triumphs, but it also created the presumption of this method as the sole one for enabling space development. Eventually, the application of this paradigm caused the decline of the astronautical endeavor. Thus, just as conventional methods became unable to sustain the astronautical endeavor, space development appeared as vital, e.g., to satisfy the people?s basic needs (metabolic resources, energy, materials, and space), as shown elsewhere. Such an endeavor must grow from actions generating new wealth through commercial activities to become self-supporting. Acquisition and distribution of multiform space resources call, however, for a sound ethical environment, as predatory governments can easily forfeit those resources.     

Study on O2 generation and CO2 absorption capability of four co-cultured salad plants in an enclosed system

The ability to generate O₂ and absorb CO₂ of several co-cultured vegetable plants in an enclosed system was studied to provide theoretical reference for the future man-plant integrated tests. Four kinds of salad plants (Lactuca sativa L. var. Dasusheng, Lactuca sativa L. var. Youmaicai, Gynura bicolor and Cichorium endivia L.) were grown in the CELSS Integration Test Platform (CITP). The environmental factors including O₂ and CO₂ concentration were continuously monitored on-line and the plant biomass was measured at the end of the test. The changing rules of O₂ and CO₂ concentration in the system were basically understood and it was found that the O₂ generated by the plants could satisfy the respiratory needs of 1.75 persons by calculation. It was also found that the plants could absorb the CO₂ breathed out by 2 persons when the light intensity was raised to 550 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPF. The results showed that the co-cultured plants hold good compatibility and excellent O₂-generating and CO₂-absorbing capability. They could also supply some fresh edible vegetable for a 2-person crew.     

Analytical-HZETRN model for rapid assessment of active magnetic radiation shielding

The use of active radiation shielding designs has the potential to reduce the radiation exposure received by astronauts on deep-space missions at a significantly lower mass penalty than designs utilizing only passive shielding. Unfortunately, the determination of the radiation exposure inside these shielded environments often involves lengthy and computationally intensive Monte Carlo analysis. In order to evaluate the large trade space of design parameters associated with a magnetic radiation shield design, an analytical model was developed for the determination of flux inside a solenoid magnetic field due to the Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) radiation environment. This analytical model was then coupled with NASA’s radiation transport code, HZETRN, to account for the effects of passive/structural shielding mass. The resulting model can rapidly obtain results for a given configuration and can therefore be used to analyze an entire trade space of potential variables in less time than is required for even a single Monte Carlo run. Analyzing this trade space for a solenoid magnetic shield design indicates that active shield bending powers greater than ∼15 Tm and passive/structural shielding thicknesses greater than 40 g/cm² have a limited impact on reducing dose equivalent values. Also, it is shown that higher magnetic field strengths are more effective than thicker magnetic fields at reducing dose equivalent.     

嵌入式软件测试开发环境的框架设计

采用软件设计上的复用思想,对嵌入式软件仿真测试环境进行框架的设计,可以使测试环境在不做大幅度修改的情况下适应不同的被测软件,节省设计的时间和费用.论述了由框架开发软件的过程,并把此过程应用于测试环境;对嵌入式软件仿真测试环境进行总体分析,确定了它的3个主要组成部分;归纳出作为测试环境重要组成部分的测试开发环境的基本功能,并使用专门针对框架开发的UML-F建模语言设计了一个框架;对已开发成功的测试开发环境框架,提出了具体的框架适配方案.本设计已在实际工程中得到了应用.     

空间光学望远镜在轨建造中的结构机构技术

围绕空间光学望远镜在轨建造中的结构机构技术进行分析,重点包括结构机构相关的关键技术基本概念和技术特点,分别对大型望远镜空间结构拓扑构型优化及模块技术、光机结构机构的高精度展开调整及锁合技术、典型光机元件的在轨增材制造技术、机器人辅助自主精密装配及控制技术进行了技术内涵及先进技术途径分析.最后展望了在轨建造中结构机构技术...     

飞行器复杂外结构的环境热流计算方法

提出了一种通用的、适合飞行器复杂外结构环境热流的计算方法。采用由环境映射面组成的封闭结构对空间飞行器进行包覆,根据飞行器的轨道特征及瞬时位置,确定映射面上环境热流的大小及方向。在映射封闭结构与飞行器表面组成的辐射换热系统中,通过蒙特卡罗法结合设备表面的镜、漫反射特性,计算环境映射面到各设备表面的辐射传递因子,进而获得在轨飞行器不同位置的瞬时环境热流。计算中考虑了结构表面间的遮挡及多次反射问题,解决了空间飞行器因设备众多、尺寸差异大、表面辐射特性不同等给热流计算带来的困难,并为后期的热分析计算提供精确数据。