Advanced Technologies Demonstrated by the Miniature Integrated Camera and Spectrometer (MICAS) Aboard Deep Space 1

MICAS is an integrated multi-channel instrument that includes an ultraviolet imaging spectrometer (80–185 nm), two high-resolution visible imagers (10–20 μrad/pixel, 400–900 nm), and a short-wavelength infrared imaging spectrometer (1250–2600 nm). The wavelength ranges were chosen to maximize the science data that could be collected using existing semiconductor technologies and avoiding the need for multi-octave spectrometers. It was flown on DS1 to validate technologies derived from the development of PICS (Planetary Imaging Camera Spectrometer). These technologies provided a novel systems approach enabling the miniaturization and integration of four instruments into one entity, spanning a wavelength range from the UV to IR, and from ambient to cryogenic temperatures with optical performance at a fraction of a wavelength. The specific technologies incorporated were: a built-in fly-by sequence; lightweight and ultra-stable, monolithic silicon-carbide construction, which enabled room-temperature alignment for cryogenic (85–140 K) performance, and provided superb optical performance and immunity to thermal distortion; diffraction-limited, shared optics operating from 80 to 2600 nm; advanced detector technologies for the UV, visible and short-wavelength IR; high-performance thermal radiators coupled directly to the short-wave infrared (SWIR) detector optical bench, providing an instrument with a mass less than 10 kg, instrument power less than 10 W, and total instrument cost of less than ten million dollars. The design allows the wavelength range to be extended by at least an octave at the short wavelength end and to ∼50 microns at the long wavelength end. Testing of the completed instrument demonstrated excellent optical performance down to 77 K, which would enable a greatly reduced background for longer wavelength detectors. During the Deep Space 1 Mission, MICAS successfully collected images and spectra for asteroid 9969 Braille, Mars, and comet 19/P Borrelly. The Borrelly encounter was a scientific hallmark providing the first clear, high resolution images and excellent, short-wavelength infrared spectra of the surface of an active comet’s nucleus.     

Humans to Mars: a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis

Mars is a compelling astrobiological target, and a human mission would provide an opportunity to collect immense amounts of scientific data. Exploration alone, however, cannot justify the increased risk. Instead, three factors drive a human mission: economics, education, and exploration. A human mission has a unique potential to inspire the next generation of young people to enter critically needed science and engineering disciplines. A mission is economically feasible, and the research and development program put in place for a human mission would propel growth in related high-technology industries. The main hurdles are human physiological responses to 1–2 years of radiation and microgravity exposure. However, enabling technologies are sufficiently mature in these areas that they can be developed within a few decade timescale. Hence, the decision of whether or not to undertake a human mission to Mars is a political decision, and thus, educational and economic benefits are the crucial factors.     

In situ dating on Mars: A new approach to the K–Ar method utilizing cosmogenic argon

Cosmogenic argon isotopes are produced in feldspars via nuclear reactions between cosmic rays and Ca and K atoms within the lattice. These cosmogenic isotopes can be used as proxies for K and Ca, much like nuclear reactor-derived ³⁹Ar and ³⁷Ar are used as proxies for K and Ca, respectively, in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology. If Ca and K are uniformly distributed, then the ratio of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar (⁴⁰Ar^?) to cosmogenic ³⁸Ar or ³⁶Ar (³⁸Ar_cos or ³⁶Ar_cos) is proportional to the difference between the radioisotopic and exposure ages, as well as the K/Ca ratio of the degassing phase. Thus cosmogenic, radiogenic, and trapped Ar isotopes, all of which can be measured remotely and are stable over geologic time, are sufficient to generate an isochron-like diagram from which the isotopic composition of the trapped component may be inferred. Such data also provide a means to assess the extent to which the system has remained closed with respect to ⁴⁰Ar^?, thereby mitigating otherwise unquantifiable uncertainties that complicate the conventional K–Ar dating method.     

再入飞行器的鲁棒设计技术研究

本文将鲁棒最优设计技术应用于再入飞行器被动式滚转控制问题，分别建立了二次滚转共振和滚转过零问题的鲁棒设计定义和数学模型，通过对关键小不对称量（如ｒｃｇ，Ｃ１０，Ｃｍ０）的容许偏差的限制，确保二次滚转共振和滚转过零概率在设计者期望的范围之内。本文给出了一个实际的设计例子，并用Ｍｏｎｔｅ Ｃａｒｌｏ随机抽样方法进行验证。结果表明，本文的思路是正确的，方法是可靠的。     

Thin film surface treatments for lowering dust adhesion on Mars Rover calibration targets

The current generation of calibration targets on Mars Rover serve as a color and radiometric reference for the panoramic camera. They consist of a transparent silicon-based polymer tinted with either color or grey-scale pigments and cast with a microscopically rough Lambertian surface for a diffuse reflectance pattern. This material has successfully withstood the harsh conditions existent on Mars. However, the inherent roughness of the Lambertian surface (relative to the particle size of the Martian airborne dust) and the tackiness of the polymer in the calibration targets has led to a serious dust accumulation problem. In this work, non-invasive thin film technology was successfully implemented in the design of future generation calibration targets leading to significant reduction of dust adhesion and capture. The new design consists of a μm-thick interfacial layer capped with a nm-thick optically transparent layer of pure metal. The combination of these two additional layers is effective in burying the relatively rough Lambertian surface while maintaining diffuse properties of the samples which is central to the correct operation as calibration targets. A set of these targets are scheduled for flight on the Mars Phoenix mission.     

火星动力下降自主导航与制导技术研究进展

基于火星定点软着陆探测任务的需求，阐述了火星着陆动力下降导航与制导技术的必要性。首先分析了火星着陆动力下降段导航与制导问题，并总结了动力下降段导航与制导面临的挑战与难点，然后综述了动力下降段导航与制导技术的研究现状。最后针对未来复杂地形区精确着陆，提出了实现火星动力下降段高精度自主导航与制导需要解决的关键问题。     

升力式火星探测器进入轨迹优化设计仿真

针对升力式火星探测器在其完成星际转移轨道之后,由预定进入点开始反冲制动改变运行轨道进入火星大气,设计并仿真了进入段的轨迹优化。根据火星的大气密度及引力场参数,建立相应的火星大气模型及引力场模型,确定了升力式火星探测器的运动方程。在满足进入过程的约束条件下,采用遗传算法对进入轨道进行优化设计,提出不同的推力发动机制动方案并进行分析比较。结果表明,采用推力方案二能够实现性能指标最优,并求得着陆速度为136m/s,最终实现了探测器在火星表面的软着陆。     

扰动环境下火星精确着陆自主轨迹规划方法

针对扰动环境下火星精确着陆动力下降段自主轨迹规划问题,在终端时间自由条件下,研究了基于序列凸优化方法的自主轨迹规划方法。首先,在终端自由情况下,建立初始状态无扰动轨迹预规划问题。其次,结合鲁棒Tube-MPC思想,针对线性反馈控制律,建立扰动环境下着陆轨迹重规划问题,分析重规划问题的可行性,给出了预规划问题可行的必要性条件,为控制参数的选取提供参考,提出扰动环境下火星精确着陆自主轨迹规划框架。然后,针对终端自由问题,将飞行时域映射到单位时间,建立序列凸优化子问题,对子问题进行线性近似,使用序列凸优化方法进行求解并分析了收敛解的最优性。最后,进行数值仿真,验证扰动环境下火星精确着陆自主轨迹规划方法的有效性。     

一种燃料最省的火星精确着陆动力下降段快速轨迹优化方法

针对火星精确着陆问题,给出一种燃料最省的火星着陆动力下降段快速轨迹优化方法。首先以燃料最省为指标建立了着陆器动力下降段轨迹优化问题模型,然后利用极大值原理对该模型的推力大小、推力方向与协状态变量之间的关系进行分析,得出着陆器推力只能以最大或最小推力工作、推力方向和与速度对应的协状态矢量方向相同的结论。并以此为基础,将原问题的状态微分方程和协状态微分方程转换为有限个推力为常值的分段函数,推导每段内微分方程的解析表达式,给出了动力下降段轨迹优化方法的算法流程;最后通过数学仿真将所提出的方法与凸规划、多项式制导方法进行比较。结果表明该方法不仅避免了多项式方法没有考虑推力约束及燃料消耗的缺陷,而且在计算效率方面较凸规划方法有大幅度提高。     

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.