Autonomous navigation of Mars probe using X-ray pulsars: Modeling and results

Autonomous navigation of Mars probe is a main challenge due to the lack of dense ground tracking network measurements. In this paper, autonomous navigation of the Mars probe Orbits is investigated using the X-ray pulsars. A group of X-ray pulsars with high ranging accuracy are selected based on their properties and an adaptive extended Kalman filter is developed to incorporate the Mars probe dynamics and pulsar-based ranging measurements. Results of numerical experiment show that the three-dimensional positioning accuracy can achieve 750m in X-axis, 220m in Y-axis and 230m in Z-axis, which is much better than the positioning results by current Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) or Doppler observations with the accuracy of 150 km or several kilometers, respectively.     

New results and questions of lunar exploration from SELENE,Chang’E-1, Chandrayaan-1 and LRO/LCROSS

The moon has longstanding questions such as lunar environments, origin, formation and evolution, magnetization of crustal rocks, internal structure and possible life. The recent lunar missions, e.g., SELenological and ENgineering Explorer “KAGUYA” (SELENE), Chang’E-1, Chandrayaan-1, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LRO/LCROSS), have provided new opportunities to explore and understand these issues. In this paper, we reviewed and presented the results and findings in the fields of lunar gravity, magnetic field, atmosphere, surface geomorphology and compositional variations, volcano, craters, internal structure, water and life science from new lunar exploration missions. In addition, the new objectives and scientific questions on lunar explorations in near future are presented and discussed.     

Powered-descent trajectory optimization scheme for Mars landing

This paper presents a trajectory optimization scheme for powered-descent phase of Mars landing with considerations of disturbance. Firstly, θ–D$\theta ''–''D$ method is applied to design a suboptimal control law with descent model in the absence of disturbance. Secondly, disturbance is estimated by disturbance observer, and the disturbance estimation is as feedforward compensation. Then, semi-global stability analysis of the composite controller consisting of the nonlinear suboptimal controller and the disturbance feedforward compensation is proposed. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of proposed control scheme, an application including relevant simulations on a Mars landing mission is demonstrated.     

月球精确软着陆最优标称轨迹在轨制导方法

为实现在月球表面期望的着陆点进行精确软着陆（PPL）,且满足燃耗最优性要求,基于提出的LIDAR目标点在轨自主选定的月球精确软着陆方案,对月球PPL最优标称轨迹在轨快速规划制导方法进行研究。首先针对月球PPL三维球体非线性轨道动力学模型,采用Legendre Gauss Lobatto伪光谱方法将轨迹优化的最优控制问题转化为非线性规划问题（NLP）,再利用SQP优化算法求解月球PPL最优标称轨迹,最后通过遗传算法对优化结果进行验证,并提出应用遗传算法提供SQP在轨规划初值数据库的方案。仿真结果表明了最优标称轨迹在轨规划方法的快速性和有效性。     

萤火一号火星探测器轨道设计与科学探测事件分析

针对萤火一号火星探测器在2011年发射窗口的轨道进行初步设计.在此基础上,分析了萤火一号火星探测器绕火星飞行的轨道特性,预报其穿越火星弓激波和磁堆积区域、CCD相机拍照时刻,其与深空站进行星-地掩星试验和与俄罗斯Phobos-Grunt火星探测器进行星-星掩星试验的时刻.结果表明,萤火一号火星探测器在与俄罗斯Phobos-Grunt分离后一年的环火飞行时间里,存在大量的科学探测机会.     

中俄联合火星电离层星-星掩星探测

中俄联合火星星-星掩星探测是人类首次在火星空间环境进行此类的联合试验。用于探测火星电离层的星-星掩星技术较以前星地间的探测技术相比,有可接收高信噪比信号,反演精度高,可探测火星上太阳天顶角大于43°,或者小于138°的区域电离层等优点。本文介绍了中俄联合火星星-星掩星探测方案、基本原理,给出了主要技术指标、地面模拟测试结果。     

Mars Phobos and Deimos Survey (M-PADS) – A martian Moons orbiter and Phobos lander

We describe a Mars ‘Micro Mission’ for detailed study of the martian satellites Phobos and Deimos. The mission involves two ∼330 kg spacecraft equipped with solar electric propulsion to reach Mars orbit. The two spacecraft are stacked for launch: an orbiter for remote investigation of the moons and in situ studies of their environment in Mars orbit, and another carrying a lander for in situ measurements on the surface of Phobos (or alternatively Deimos). Phobos and Deimos remain only partially studied, and Deimos less well than Phobos. Mars has almost always been the primary mission objective, while the more dedicated Phobos project (1988–89) failed to realise its full potential. Many questions remain concerning the moons’ origins, evolution, physical nature and composition. Current missions, such as Mars Express, are extending our knowledge of Phobos in some areas but largely neglect Deimos. The objectives of M-PADS focus on: origins and evolution, interactions with Mars, volatiles and interiors, surface features, and differences. The consequent measurement requirements imply both landed and remote sensing payloads. M-PADS is expected to accommodate a 60 kg orbital payload and a 16 kg lander payload. M-PADS resulted from a BNSC-funded study carried out in 2003 to define candidate Mars Micro Mission concepts for ESA’s Aurora programme.     

月球轨道交会对接航天器相对状态误差分析

为分析同波束干涉测量这一高精度相对测角技术对月球交会对接两个航天器的相对位置、速度(状态)影响,文章根据协方差分析理论及各测量量的模型,推导测量量关于相对状态量的信息矩阵,建立了相对状态误差协方差模型;结合月球轨道交会对接仿真轨道,开展测量误差对两个航天器的相对状态误差影响协方差分析。结果表明,在当前测量误差条件下,相对位置、速度误差分别达到米级和厘米每秒级。在分析相对状态误差影响因子的基础上,重点对同波束干涉测量差分相时延整周模糊误差及时延率误差对相对状态影响进行了分析,结果表明整周模糊度误差对相对位置误差影响显著,时延率误差对相对速度误差影响显著。     

On the observability of Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements

A thorough observability analysis of the Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements from ground based beacons is performed. This analysis involves the evaluation of the Fisher information matrix which is derived from the maximum likelihood estimation. A series of navigation cases with multiple beacons are investigated, and both range and range-rate measurements are considered. The determinant of Fisher information matrix is used to quantify the observability of navigation system, while the trace of Fisher information matrix is used to determine the lower-bound of estimation errors. For one and two beacon cases, the navigation system is unobservable. However, the eigenvectors of Fisher information matrix give the observable and unobservable component. When three or more beacon measurements are employed, the states of entry vehicle become observable. Some valuable analytic conclusions on the relationship between the geometric configuration of beacons and observability are obtained consequently. Finally, simulation results from two navigation examples indicate that our effort is useful for understanding and assessing the observability of the Mars entry navigation using radiometric measurements.     

火星着陆自主导航方案研究进展

火星着陆导航技术是火星着陆过程的核心技术之一。围绕火星着陆环境特点与导航技术遇到的挑战,分析了目前火星着陆过程的导航能力和自主导航的发展趋势,并针对火星着陆过程的特殊性和导航需求,概述了火星着陆过程各阶段自主导航方案的研究现状与进展。进而从导航方案设计与配置、导航模型建立与仿真、导航方案性能分析等方面,对自主导航方案的最新研究进展进行了分析,并在火星着陆全过程自主导航方案综合仿真的基础上,获得了满足火星定点着陆要求的各阶段交接点应满足的导航精度。最后,基于目前技术现状和发展趋势,提出了构建"递进式三阶段"火星着陆自主导航方案的设想,可为未来火星着陆自主导航方案的设计与论证提供参考。