Dynamic modeling and optimization for space logistics using time-expanded networks

This research develops a dynamic logistics network formulation for lifecycle optimization of mission sequences as a system-level integrated method to find an optimal combination of technologies to be used at each stage of the campaign. This formulation can find the optimal transportation architecture considering its technology trades over time. The proposed methodologies are inspired by the ground logistics analysis techniques based on linear programming network optimization. Particularly, the time-expanded network and its extension are developed for dynamic space logistics network optimization trading the quality of the solution with the computational load. In this paper, the methodologies are applied to a human Mars exploration architecture design problem. The results reveal multiple dynamic system-level trades over time and give recommendation of the optimal strategy for the human Mars exploration architecture. The considered trades include those between In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and propulsion technologies as well as the orbit and depot location selections over time. This research serves as a precursor for eventual permanent settlement and colonization of other planets by humans and us becoming a multi-planet species.     

Redefining safety in commercial space: Understanding debates over the safety of private human spaceflight initiatives in the United States

In 2009 President Obama proposed a budget for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that canceled the Constellation program and included the development of commercial crew transportation systems into low Earth orbit. This significant move to shift human spaceflight into the private sector sparked political debate, but much of the discourse has focused on impacts to “safety.” Although no one disputes the importance of keeping astronauts safe, strategies for defining safety reveal contrasting visions for the space program and opposing values regarding the privatization of U.S. space exploration. In other words, the debate over commercial control has largely become encoded in arguments over safety. Specifically, proponents of using commercial options for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) argue that commercial vehicles would be safe for astronauts, while proponents of NASA control argue that commercial vehicles would be unsafe, or at least not as safe as NASA vehicles. The cost of the spaceflight program, the technical requirements for designing a vehicle, the track record of the launch vehicle, and the experience of the launch provider are all incorporated into what defines safety in human spaceflight. This paper analyzes these contested criteria through conceptual lenses provided by fields of science and technology policy (STP) and science, technology, and society (STS). We ultimately contend that these differences in definition result not merely from ambiguous understandings of safety, but from intentional and strategic choices guided by normative positions on the commercialization of human spaceflight. The debate over safety is better considered a proxy debate for the partisan preferences embedded within the dispute over public or private spaceflight.     

火星探测器推进系统初步设想

火星探测是深空探测的重要内容之一,全面了解和掌握火星探测器的特点对进行火星探测具有重要意义.本文分析了国外火星探测器推进系统的系统组成和工作原理,介绍了我国火星探测器推进系统的初步设计方案,结合工程应用现状,提出了火星探测器推进系统的关键技术.     

载人小行星探测的任务特点与实施途径探讨

介绍了载人小行星探测的发展现状,对目前美国基于"猎户座"飞船的载人小行星探测的概要方案进行了描述,包括探测器系统组成、运载火箭和飞行方案等内容。从速度增量、目标星引力等方面,分析了载人小行星探测的任务特点,并与载人火星探测、载人月球探测以及无人小行星探测的任务特点进行了比较。给出了载人小行星探测的实施途径建议,包括目标星选择、载人飞船系统设计等。讨论了其所涉及的推进、星际飞行安全保障、小行星表面行走等关键技术。研究结果可为我国开展载人深空探测提供参考。     

系绳辅助的行星际轨道捕获研究

针对深空探测中应用动量交换系绳辅助进行行星际轨道捕获时的系绳控制问题,首先对运行在目标行星双曲线飞越轨道上的探测器系统进行动力学建模,给出了一致性轨道捕获条件和系绳最佳切断点,并进行了动力学特性分析。考虑到子探测器捕获后的变轨需求及系绳收放速率的限制,提出了新的最优控制方法,并应用模拟退火算法进行了数值求解。仿真结果表明,系绳切断时指向恰当,子探测器距离目标行星最近,将有利于后续变轨;系绳最大收放速率约为30m/s,切实可行。     

考虑动态不确定因素的深空探测器任务规划

针对现有的任务规划方法在响应深空动态不确定因素的扰动情况时存在的不确定因素识别度低、响应策略单一等问题,文章提出了一种考虑动态不确定因素的深空探测器任务规划算法。首先,对不确定扰动按从轻到重四个等级进行划分,并采用模糊神经网络评估不确定扰动属于哪种扰动级别,根据评估结果选择对应的扰动响应策略;然后,采用基于分层任务网络规划（HierarchicalTaskNetwork,HTN）的局部任务修复方法,对受到扰动的子系统对应的复合任务重新进行任务分解,完成对初始规划方案的调整修复。仿真结果表明所提出的算法可以有效地对深空动态不确定因素进行评估和响应,从而提高了任务规划的可靠性和灵活性。     

低温推进剂在轨加注技术与方案研究综述

为了探究适用于低温推进剂在轨加注的相关技术与方案,通过文献调研与对比分析,介绍国内外在轨加注技术的研究现状,梳理低温推进剂在轨加注的关键技术,研究现有加注技术与方案对低温推进剂的适用性,并提出我国开展相关研究的思路与方向。研究表明：1）气液分离、蒸发量控制、质量测量和流体驱动循环等技术是直接影响推进剂在轨加注系统结构与加注性能的关键技术;2）低温推进剂具有沸点低、表面张力小等特殊性,对气液分离、系统热防护等技术的性能要求更高;3）表面张力式气液分离、纤维镜或射频质量检测、多层隔热材料、热力学排气系统（TVS）以及无排气加注等先进技术方案对低温流体和微重力环境均具有更好的适用性,将成为实现低温推进剂在轨加注的关键突破口。     

火星探测出舱机构的识别定位与坡度测量

为实现火星探测两器分离过程中出舱机构的坡度测量,提出一种基于立体视觉技术的出舱机构识别定位与坡度测量方法。首先,采用特征匹配的方法对场景中的出舱机构进行识别定位。针对巡视器导航相机成像视角变化以及出舱机构倾角变化导致图像产生几何形变,火星表面光照因素的影响以及巡视器硬件的计算能力,并结合出舱机构自身特点,提出一种区域特征与Blob特征相融合的识别定位方法。采用加速鲁棒性特征（SURF）算法检测图像中的局部不变特征,并用最大稳定极值区域（MSER）算法检测图像最稳定极值区域,两种特征相融合之后构造SURF描述算子并进行特征匹配。同时,采用M估计抽样一致性（MSAC）算法计算对应点变换矩阵,实现出舱机构在场景中的初步定位。然后,通过对出舱机构上人工标志的精确定位以及三维重建,并采用主成分分析法进行平面拟合,实现出舱机构的坡度测量。试验结果表明,该方法对成像视角变化以及光照变化具有鲁棒性,提取的有效特征数以及计算时间均优于尺度不变特征变换（SIFT）算法,基本满足火星探测中出舱机构坡度测量要求。     

利用绳系太阳帆减缓小行星自转的技术研究

提出一种利用太阳帆绳系系统逐渐减小小行星自转速率的方法。在系绳长度不变的情况下,利用太阳帆受到的太阳光压力使其始终保持与小行星同步,避免了由于小行星自转而引起的系绳缠绕问题。通过控制太阳帆使系绳始终拉紧,系绳中的拉力便可以持续提供一个与小行星自转方向相反的力矩,从而减小其自转速率。仿真结果表明,面积10⁶ m²的太阳帆,经过约86天可将小行星的自转消除,验证了该方法的有效性。     

一种基于压电驱动的火星岩石钻探器的研制

钻取采样是未来火星探测采样任务中获取星表岩石样本的一种有效方式。压电驱动的超声波钻取采样技术以压电陶瓷作为作动元件,对火星表面复杂环境具有一定的适应性。基于高频冲击钻进的工作原理,超声波钻探装置容易刺入火星表面坚硬的岩石。作为一种轻质小巧、低功耗的钻探器,超声波钻探器非常适合火星表面岩石的原位探测采样任务。本文借助仿真和试验手段验证了超声波钻探器的岩石钻进能力和钻探效率。超声波钻探器的研制可为未来火星表面岩石的钻探采样任务提供技术参考。