探月飞行的调相轨道

早期的探月飞行都采用直接由地球飞到月球的地月转移方式,探测器由运载火箭直接发送到地月转移轨道,这样做的好处是飞行时间比较短,只需3至5天的时间。20世纪90年代开始的新一轮探月活动中采用了一种新的飞行方式,探测器飞离地球前,先在绕地球飞行的调相轨道上运行若干圈,这样做的好处有三：一是可以在运载火箭能力不够的情况下,由探测器来补充;二是可以减小转移轨道中途修正的负担;三是可以扩大发射机会窗口。文章以嫦娥一号探测器及美、日的两个月球探测器为例,详细讨论了这种新的飞行方式,同时还对我国后续探月计划的飞行轨道提出了初步建议。     

火星太阳电池翼除尘方法综述

“萤火一号”火星探测器即将发射升空,标志着我国火星探测计划实施的开始。然而,火星尘埃在范德华力和静电力的作用下积聚在太阳电池翼的表面,使其转换效率下降,影响火星探测器的寿命。因此,开展火星太阳电池翼除尘技术的研究是非常有意义的。文章主要介绍了火星太阳电池翼的除尘方法,特别是目前最受关注的电帘除尘方法,并对其基本结构、除尘原理、除尘效率和透光性做了详细的描述,对开展火星太阳电池翼除尘技术的研究具有一定的参考作用。     

萤火一号火星轨道器开环追踪技术

中国首个火星探测器萤火一号计划于2009年10月和俄罗斯的火卫一采样探测器一道发射升空。萤火一号将探测火星的空间环境,并验证深空导航测控与通信技术。与常规的火星探测任务不同,该探测器的轨道与位置测量主要利用天文甚长基线干涉测量技术、开环跟踪测量技术、差分单程测距测速技术、同波束干涉测量技术以及单程Doppler测速技术承担。     

深空条件下航天器内的辐射环境研究

深空存在具有各种能量分布的粒子,这些能量分布范围很宽的粒子构成了深空环境下航天器外部的空间辐射环境。深空条件下的高能粒子会穿透航天器舱壁材料,通过射线与物质材料的相互作用,在航天器内产生二次粒子,形成由初级粒子、次级粒子叠加的混合辐射场的辐射环境。文章分析研究了高能α粒子及Fe离子在屏蔽材料中的输运过程,得到了在这些介质中的射程与能量关系及产生的二次粒子产额,为控制航天器内的辐射环境提供支撑。     

Using cross correlation to estimate Doppler frequency

Doppler frequency estimation with high accuracy is very important for precise orbit determination and scientific studies in deep space exploration. In this paper, we propose a new method which implements cross correlation of only received signals from one single station to estimate Doppler frequency. The algorithm is relatively simple and it can achieve high accuracy even when signal to noise ratio (SNR) is very low. Moreover, the accuracy can be further improved by implementing frequency compensation, especially when the frequency dynamic range is high. Simulations were performed and results proved the validity of this method. X-band observations on MEX (Mars Express) and Juno were performed by a 13 m telescope of Wuhan University, which was equipped by two back ends, i.e. CDAS (Chinese Data Acquisition System) and RSR (Radio Science Receiver). Raw data recorded by the CDAS were processed by using the proposed method, and the estimated frequencies were in good agreement with the real time frequency estimation values by the RSR. What’s more, the accuracy by using cross correlation was higher than the one of RSR.     

Space exploration and human survival

I am sympathetic to the view that, given the likelihood of massive natural disasters, such as collisions between the Earth and large asteroids, we should engage in large-scale space exploration and colonization so as to hedge our bets against extinction. I will consider several criticisms of this view. For example, some philosophers may raise objections against the notion of long-term human survival as a value. How can we have obligations towards beings who have not even been conceived yet and thus cannot be properly said to have rights? On a different note, Wendell Berry argues that the abundance of resources in space will produce bad character, for good character requires the discipline of finitude. Others challenge the connection between space exploration and survival, for they fear that by entertaining the promise of new Earths in the heavens we are more likely to neglect our planet, thus leading to our downfall. Presumably, we should instead increase our efforts to restore and preserve the balance of nature. I will advance a variety of replies. For example, we do decide for posterity to a great extent. We may plant the trees from which “our” descendants will receive nourishment and shade, or we may destroy what could have given them a fighting chance against drought and famine. We have an obligation not to plant a bomb that will go off two years from now in a hospital nursery, and another to ensure that the buildup of chemicals in the hospital water tank will not reach critical mass and kill most of the newborns in ten years. The “balance of nature” involved in another objection is a myth that cannot be justified by natural history, whether astronomical or biological. Moreover, the inevitable changes in the environment, independent of asteroid impacts, will make the Earth uninhabitable in a few hundreds of millions and years. In addition, in order to act wisely we need an understanding of the Earth as a planet, and this requires the exploration of space.     

Overview of current capabilities and research and technology developments for planetary protection

The pace of scientific exploration of our solar system provides ever-increasing insights into potentially habitable environments, and associated concerns for their contamination by Earth organisms. Biological and organic-chemical contamination has been extensively considered by the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection (PPP) and has resulted in the internationally recognized regulations to which spacefaring nations adhere, and which have been in place for 40 years. The only successful Mars lander missions with system-level “sterilization” were the Viking landers in the 1970s. Since then different cleanliness requirements have been applied to spacecraft based on their destination, mission type, and scientific objectives. The Planetary Protection Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council has noted that a strategic Research & Technology Development (R&TD) roadmap would be very beneficial to encourage the timely availability of effective tools and methodologies to implement planetary protection requirements. New research avenues in planetary protection for ambitious future exploration missions can best be served by developing an over-arching program that integrates capability-driven developments with mission-driven implementation efforts. This paper analyzes the current status concerning microbial reduction and cleaning methods, recontamination control and bio-barriers, operational analysis methods, and addresses concepts for human exploration. Crosscutting research and support activities are discussed and a rationale for a Strategic Planetary Protection R&TD Roadmap is outlined. Such a roadmap for planetary protection provides a forum for strategic planning and will help to enable the next phases of solar system exploration.     

基于THz大气窗口的金星地表遥感研究

文章以金星快车VIRTIS载荷相关数据为出发点,验证金星大气模型相适应参数及其窗口。并通过模型参数中的THz频谱分布,阐述实现金星地表遥感探测科学目标的THz相适应理论基础,并提出多功能金星遥感构想。     

European space research in support of international partnership

The envisaged future space research programmes, whether in the field of space exploration or Earth observation are becoming more and more technically complicated and so costly that a single nation can hardly afford to realize them. Major non-European space-faring nations, China and India will progressively play an important role besides US, Russia and Japan. The Space Advisory Group of the European Commission recommended that the European Commission supports within Horizon 2020 a comprehensive Robotic Mars-Exploration Programme under European leadership that should become an essential element of a coordinated international space research programme. The International Space Station (ISS) experience shows that cooperative space programmes build links between industries and laboratories from around the world, which then further develop in non-space related activities, with positive impact on the economy and scientific research. Strategies need to be developed to mitigate the gradual increasing risks incurred by climate change. In order to lower their entry barrier to engage in space emerging and developing space nations need to be included in cooperative space programmes. We present the recommendations of the Space Advisory Group of the European Commission concerning Europe's participation to global space endeavours.