On the effect of considering more realistic particle shape and mass parameters in MMOD risk assessments

One of the primary mission risks tracked in the development of all spacecraft is that due to micro-meteoroids and orbital debris (MMOD). Both types of particles, especially those larger than 0.1 mm in diameter, contain sufficient kinetic energy due to their combined mass and velocities to cause serious damage to crew members and spacecraft. The process used to assess MMOD risk consists of three elements: environment, damage prediction, and damage tolerance. Orbital debris risk assessments for the Orion vehicle, as well as the Shuttle, Space Station and other satellites use ballistic limit equations (BLEs) that have been developed using high speed impact test data and results from numerical simulations that have used spherical projectiles. However, spheres are not expected to be a common shape for orbital debris; rather, orbital debris fragments might be better represented by other regular or irregular solids. In this paper we examine the general construction of NASA’s current orbital debris (OD) model, explore the potential variations in orbital debris mass and shape that are possible when using particle characteristic length to define particle size (instead of assuming spherical particles), and, considering specifically the Orion vehicle, perform an orbital debris risk sensitivity study taking into account variations in particle mass and shape as noted above. While the results of the work performed for this study are preliminary, they do show that continuing to use aluminum spheres in spacecraft risk assessments could result in an over-design of its MMOD protection systems. In such a case, the spacecraft could be heavier than needed, could cost more than needed, and could cost more to put into orbit than needed. The results obtained in this study also show the need to incorporate effects of mass and shape in mission risk assessment prior to first flight of any spacecraft as well as the need to continue to develop/refine BLEs so that they more accurately reflect the shape and material density variations inherent to the actual debris environment.     

Instability of the present LEO satellite populations

Several studies conducted during 1991–2001 demonstrated, with some assumed launch rates, the future unintended growth potential of the Earth satellite population, resulting from random, accidental collisions among resident space objects. In some low Earth orbit (LEO) altitude regimes where the number density of satellites is above a critical spatial density, the production rate of new breakup debris due to collisions would exceed the loss of objects due to orbital decay.     

磨粒分析技术及其在发动机故障诊断中的应用

基于显微形态学方法的磨损微粒显微分析技术是近年来出现的解决发动机磨损故障诊断问题的新方法之一。应用形态学分析方法建立一套磨粒显微特征描述体系提取磨粒特征信息,作为磨粒识别的信息基础,可以准确地完成磨粒自动识别。基于发动机润滑系统磨粒分析的结果和颗粒摩擦学理论,比较准确地评估出发动机接触磨损部件的磨损状态,进而诊断或预测此类磨损故障;另外,此项分析诊断技术在发动机气路磨损故障诊断中也具有潜在的应用前景。      

ESA开展GEO上小碎片的调查

文章主要介绍了欧空局开展地球同步轨道(GEO)小碎片的调查情况及相应技术.     

Area-oriented coordinated trajectory planning of dual-arm space robot for capturing a tumbling target

The growing amount of space debris poses a threat to operational spacecraft and the long-term sustainability of activities in outer space. According to the orbital mechanics, an uncontrolled space object will be tumbling, bringing great challenge to capture and remove it. In this paper, a dual-arm coordinated ‘‘Area-Oriented Capture"(AOC) method is proposed to capture a non-cooperative tumbling target. Firstly, the motion equation of the tumbling target is established, based on which, the dynamic properties are analyzed. Then, the ‘‘Area-Oriented Capture"concept is presented to deal with the problem of large pose(position and attitude) deviation and tumbling motion. An area rather than fixed points/devices is taken as the object to be tracked and captured. As long as the manipulators' end-effectors move to a specified range of the objective areas(not fixed points on the target, but areas), the target satellite will be hugged by the two arms.At last, the proposed method and the traditional method(i.e. fixed-point oriented capture method)are compared and analyzed through simulation. The results show that the proposed method has larger pose tolerance and takes shorter time for capturing a tumbling target.     

Investigation of Hypervelocity Impacts on Retrieved Surfaces by Direct Simulation Monte Carlo

Hypervelocity impacts on the retrieved Hubble Space Telescope (HST) solar array was investigated by our extended Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) model and the result matches well with the measured data in most of the particle mass range. The revelation of the altitude dependence of particles flux onto the retrieved surfaces provides some insight in understanding the observed higher flux onto Mir space station relative to that onto Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). Our analysis suggests that a slightly higher primary flux onto Mir space station would be possible even without taking into account the secondary impacts, as a result of the existence of the highly eccentric orbits of small-sized debris. It is, furthermore, predicted that 43% of the measured impact flux onto Mir station in PIE experiment may be from secondary impacts, and a corresponding 7% for the detectors in Echantillions experiment.     

空间碎片的形成,危害及防护

对空间碎片的形成，危害及航天防护等问题进行了讨论，简述了领域内的研究成果，包括基本概念、理论模型和设计方案，并对今后空间碎片研究的重要性和研究的内容进行了分析。     

磨粒监测与分析系统在航空发动机状态监控中的应用(英文)

磨损颗粒是研究机器磨损状态时最直接、最重要的信息元 ,通过对滑油中的磨粒进行监测与分析以判断机械设备的磨损状况 ,可以监测并预防机械设备的磨损故障。本文介绍的磨粒监测与分析系统 ( DMAS)具有制谱简单、自动化程度高、能及时准确预报及诊断机器的各种磨损类故障等特点 ,可以有效地保障机器安全可靠地运行。本文详细地阐述了这套系统的基本原理、软硬件组成 ,以及在航空发动机磨损状态监测中的应用     

Will space run out of space? The orbital debris problem and its mitigation

An appraisal of current and future risks from space debris is presented with the aid of calculations carried out by the MASTER model. The efficacy of various technical options -- such as fuel venting, de-orbiting and use of a graveyard orbit -- for counteracting the problem is discussed. The article then focuses on governmental and international cooperative measures and looks at the recent work done by subcommittees of the UN COPUOS.     

空间碎片撞击概率分析软件开发、校验与应用

航天器空间碎片撞击概率分析软件是我国独立设计开发的"空间碎片防护设计软件包"的重要组成部分。本文简要介绍了撞击概率分析软件的主要功能模块组成;重点对该软件的正确性进行了国际标准工况校验,并给出工程应用算例。