Dynamical evolution of high area-to-mass ratio debris released into GPS orbits

A large set of simulations, including all the relevant perturbations, was carried out to investigate the long-term dynamical evolution of fictitious high area-to-mass ratio (A/M) objects released, with a negligible velocity variation, in each of the six orbital planes used by Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. As with similar objects discovered in near synchronous trajectories, long lifetime orbits, with mean motions of about 2 revolutions per day, were found possible for debris characterized by extremely high area-to-mass ratios. Often the lifetime exceeds 100 years up to A/M ∼ 45 m²/kg, decreasing rapidly to a few months above such a threshold. However, the details of the evolution, which are conditioned by the complex interplay of solar radiation pressure and geopotential plus luni-solar resonances, depend on the initial conditions. Different behaviors are thus possible. In any case, objects like those discovered in synchronous orbits, with A/M as high as 20–40 m²/kg, could also survive in this orbital regime, with semi-major axes close to the semi-synchronous values, with maximum eccentricities between 0.3 and 0.7, and with significant orbit pole precessions (faster and wider for increasing values of A/M), leading to inclinations between 30° and more than 90°.     

高分影像辅助下的航空高光谱严密几何检校方法

 惯性测量单元(IMU)与传感器视准轴的偏心角和偏心矢量是造成航空线阵列高光谱数据几何校正误差的主要原因之一。在分析偏心角与偏心矢量误差来源之后提出该误差由IMU主轴与传感器主轴的角度偏差、测区固定偏差、GPS中心与传感器投影中心相对偏差组成,在此基础上建立了较为严密的检校模型。针对模型解算时需要大量高精度控制点的问题,提出了一种高分影像辅助下的亚像元精度控制点自动提取方法。通过多地区、多传感器高光谱航测实验表明,亚像元精度控制点能有效提高模型解算精度。新检校模型可获得亚像元校正精度,推扫式传感器——应用型机载成像光谱仪(AISA)建模中误差约为0.39个像元,摆扫式传感器——实用型模块化成像光谱仪(OMIS)建模中误差约为0.23个像元,校正后的影像可直接进行拼接。     

简单二体引力模型用于空间目标轨道面交线确定的效果分析

在空间目标碰撞预警分析中，准确地计算出空间目标的轨道面交线是进行地心距筛选、时间差筛选的前提，目前较多使用的快速确定轨道面交线的方法为简单二体引力模型。深入分析该模型，比较了其计算的空间目标轨道面交线与STK计算结果的差异，指出了简单二体引力模型在计算空间目标轨道面交线时的局限性，认为轨道摄动是影响轨道面交线计算准确性的主要原因，应该采用更能反映空间目标实际运动规律的改进的二体引力模型的方法。     

First results from the LUCID-Timepix spacecraft payload onboard the TechDemoSat-1 satellite in Low Earth Orbit

The Langton Ultimate Cosmic ray Intensity Detector (LUCID) is a payload onboard the satellite TechDemoSat-1, used to study the radiation environment in Low Earth Orbit ($～$635?km). LUCID operated from 2014 to 2017, collecting over 2.1 million frames of radiation data from its five Timepix detectors on board. LUCID is one of the first uses of the Timepix detector technology in open space, with the data providing useful insight into the performance of this technology in new environments. It provides high-sensitivity imaging measurements of the mixed radiation field, with a wide dynamic range in terms of spectral response, particle type and direction. The data has been analysed using computing resources provided by GridPP, with a new machine learning algorithm that uses the Tensorflow framework. This algorithm provides a new approach to processing Medipix data, using a training set of human labelled tracks, providing greater particle classification accuracy than other algorithms. For managing the LUCID data, we have developed an online platform called Timepix Analysis Platform at School (TAPAS). This provides a swift and simple way for users to analyse data that they collect using Timepix detectors from both LUCID and other experiments. We also present some possible future uses of the LUCID data and Medipix detectors in space.     

An empirical solar radiation pressure model for satellites moving in the orbit-normal mode

We present a family of empirical solar radiation pressure (SRP) models suited for satellites orbiting the Earth in the orbit normal (ON) mode. The proposed ECOM-TB model describes the SRP accelerations in the so-called terminator coordinate system. The choice of the coordinate system and the SRP parametrization is based on theoretical assumptions and on simulation results with a QZS-1-like box-wing model, where the SRP accelerations acting on the solar panels and on the box are assessed separately. The new SRP model takes into account that in ON-mode the incident angle of the solar radiation on the solar panels is not constant like in the yaw-steering (YS) attitude mode. It depends on the elevation angle of the Sun above the satellite’s orbital plane. The resulting SRP vector acts, therefore, not only in the Sun-satellite direction, but has also a component normal to it. Both components are changing as a function of the incident angle. ECOM-TB has been used for precise orbit determination (POD) for QZS-1 and BeiDou2 (BDS2) satellites in medium (MEO) and inclined geosynchronous Earth orbits (IGSO) based on IGS MGEX data from 2014 and 2015. The resulting orbits have been validated with SLR, long-arc orbit fits, orbit misclosures, and by the satellite clock corrections based on the orbits. The validation results confirm that—compared to ECOM2—ECOM-TB significantly (factor 3–4) improves the POD of QZS-1 in ON-mode for orbits with different arc lengths (one, three, and five days). Moderate orbit improvements are achieved for BDS2 MEO satellites—especially if ECOM-TB is supported by pseudo-stochastic pulses (the model is then called ECOM-TBP). For BDS2 IGSOs, ECOM-TB with its 9 SRP parameters appears to be over-parameterized. For use with BDS2 IGSO spacecraft we therefore developed a minimized model version called ECOM-TBMP, which is based on the same axis decomposition as ECOM-TB, but has only 2 SRP parameters and is supported by pseudo-stochastic parameters, as well. This model shows a similar performance as ECOM-TB with short arcs, but an improved performance with (3-day) long-arcs. The new SRP models have been activated in CODE’s IGS MGEX solution in Summer 2018. Like the other ECOM models the ECOM-TB derivatives might be used together with an a priori model.     

Orbit determination and prediction of GEO satellite of BeiDou during repositioning maneuver

In order to establish a continuous GEO satellite orbit during repositioning maneuvers, a suitable maneuver force model has been established associated with an optimal orbit determination method and strategy. A continuous increasing acceleration is established by constructing a constant force that is equivalent to the pulse force, with the mass of the satellite decreasing throughout maneuver. This acceleration can be added to other accelerations, such as solar radiation, to obtain the continuous acceleration of the satellite. The orbit determination method and strategy are illuminated, with subsequent assessment of the orbit being determined and predicted accordingly. The orbit of the GEO satellite during repositioning maneuver can be determined and predicted by using C-Band pseudo-range observations of the BeiDou GEO satellite with COSPAR ID 2010-001A in 2011 and 2012. The results indicate that observations before maneuver do affect orbit determination and prediction, and should therefore be selected appropriately. A more precise orbit and prediction can be obtained compared to common short arc methods when observations starting 1 day prior the maneuver and 2 h after the maneuver are adopted in POD (Precise Orbit Determination). The achieved URE (User Range Error) under non-consideration of satellite clock errors is better than 2 m within the first 2 h after maneuver, and less than 3 m for further 2 h of orbit prediction.     

用两颗GPS卫星确定低轨卫星轨道的初值方法

研究了用两颗全球定位系统（ＧＰＳ）卫星粗略确定低轨卫星轨道的问题,并着重讨论了其中的初值问题,给出了一种有效的初值方法。实验结果证明：这种方法能给出一个确定的、实用的初值,大大减少了初轨计算的计算量,并使得算法收敛更加有保障。在工程实用方面比传统的猜测方法具有较大的优势。     

GPS在卫星精密测轨中的应用

自从美国全球定位系统(GPS)试验系统建立以来,发展了各种各样的方法,利用GPS 测量来精密确定卫星轨道。在1984年,LANDSAT-5上装载一个GPSPAC 的仪器进行了飞行,以验证用GPS 定轨的精确度。1982年在美国喷气推进试验室((?)PL),为TOPEX 卫星研究了一种GPS 距离和距离变化率的双差分法,以满足其厘米级的精度要求。除GPS 对低轨地球卫星定轨应用外,有人也提出了用GPS 测量对高轨地球卫星甚至同步卫星的定轨方法及精度分析。文章对上述各种方法给以简要的介绍和评述。     

数据中继卫星的频率和轨道

描述了典型数据中继卫星系统的通信链路;给出了这些系统在用的和计划使用的无线电频谱;讨论了影响数据中继卫星频段选择的因素。为了防止其他中继卫星系统对一个中继卫星系统的有害干扰,可以使用如频率错开、极化分辨、经度分离,甚至采用伪码分辨的方法。     

目标机动条件下的定点伴飞控制方法研究

对目标机动条件下的定点伴飞控制进行了研究。根据相对运动关系,建立适于伴飞模式的相对运动方程,将目标机动大小作为未知量加入相对运动方程,构建不确定系统。用LQR和Lyapunov法结合的方式设计相应定点伴飞控制律。理论证明了在目标机动时该控制律仍能实现系统的渐近稳定。仿真结果验证了该控制律的有效性。