Downsizing an orbital space robot: A dynamic system based evaluation

Small space robots have the potential to revolutionise space exploration by facilitating the on-orbit assembly of infrastructure, in shorter time scales, at reduced costs. Their commercial appeal will be further improved if such a system is also capable of performing on-orbit servicing missions, in line with the current drive to limit space debris and prolong the lifetime of satellites already in orbit. Whilst there have been a limited number of successful demonstrations of technologies capable of these on-orbit operations, the systems remain large and bespoke. The recent surge in small satellite technologies is changing the economics of space and in the near future, downsizing a space robot might become be a viable option with a host of benefits. This industry wide shift means some of the technologies for use with a downsized space robot, such as power and communication subsystems, now exist. However, there are still dynamic and control issues that need to be overcome before a downsized space robot can be capable of undertaking useful missions. This paper first outlines these issues, before analyzing the effect of downsizing a system on its operational capability. Therefore presenting the smallest controllable system such that the benefits of a small space robot can be achieved with current technologies. The sizing of the base spacecraft and manipulator are addressed here. The design presented consists of a 3 link, 6 degrees of freedom robotic manipulator mounted on a 12U form factor satellite. The feasibility of this 12U space robot was evaluated in simulation and the in-depth results presented here support the hypothesis that a small space robot is a viable solution for in-orbit operations.     

Sodium and potassium uptake of Ulva – Application of marine macro-algae for space agriculture

The treatment of sodium, Na, and potassium, K, presents a challenge in space agriculture material recycling, as humans require Na and plants cannot grow at high Na concentrations. Hence, we are proposing the use of marine macro-algae to harvest K and other minerals from composted human waste. Ulva was selected for this feasibility study, since it tolerates a wide range of salinity levels. Growth capability of Ulva was examined under various total salinity levels and proportions of Na and K in the incubation medium. A homeostatic feature of Ulva was found in its intra-cellular concentration of Na and K, and in the intra-cellular ratio between Na and K (at 0.58 ± 0.30, lower than that of human metabolic waste). Intracellular concentration of K in Ulva is 20 times higher than seawater. Because of these characteristics, Ulva is a good candidate species for space agriculture.     

Cosmic ray studies at Moussala – Past,present and future

We review the main activities carried out at Moussala peak (2925 m above sea level, 42°11′N, 23°35′E) station in Bulgaria, connected with cosmic ray investigations during the last five decades. Several important results obtained at the station are reported. The detector design and corresponding methodological studies of the presently operational devices are shown as well, precisely the Cherenkov light telescope, lead free neutron monitor and muon telescope. The scientific potential of the existing complex is discussed.     

防静电白色热控涂层的耐空间环境及工艺性能

研究了防静电白色热控涂层（ACR-1）的耐空间环境性能及工艺性能。在模拟空间环境设施中研究了紫外辐照、电子辐照和质子辐照对涂层太阳吸收率（αs）的影响。结果表明ACR-1在地球静止轨道环境中具有较高的稳定性；经过3000当量太阳小时（ESH）的紫外光辐照后，△αs为0．02；质子辐照效应对涂层仅。的变化影响较大。另外，研究了涂层厚度对αs和其与基材结合力的影响，以及基材表面处理工艺对涂层在-196—150℃冷热交变循环试验中可靠性的影响。     

空间相机热平衡试验温度预测方法改进及应用

为实现对航天器热平衡试验平衡温度的预测,建立了热平衡温度预测的方程式,对影响预测结果的各参数进行了分析。首先,由节点网络法推导出平衡温度表达式,介绍了其基于非线性最小二乘法的求解过程,建立了平衡温度的迭代方程;其次,结合大量的试验数据,对影响迭代结果的3个因素进行了统计分析,并最终确定了各因素的合理取值范围;最后,利用温度预测程序对某空间相机热平衡试验中低温工况的平衡温度进行了预测,并与试验结束后的结果进行了对比。结果表明,预测温度与试验数据的误差为±1℃（在3%之内）,满足精度要求,对热平衡温度准确的预测有效的缩短了试验时间,节省试验费用。     

国外地球同步轨道遥感卫星发展初步研究

地球同步轨道遥感卫星因具备高时效性及持续探测能力等优势,已成为当前国际遥感卫星领域一个重要的发展方向。文章围绕地球同步轨道遥感卫星,重点针对光学、微波、电子侦察等国际地球同步轨道遥感卫星及卫星平台发展动态、发展趋势开展了调研与分析,梳理出国际发展情况对中国地球同步轨道遥感卫星领域发展的启示。文章从地球同步轨道遥感卫星领域发展战略的高度,进一步提出支撑该领域发展需重点突破的关键技术。     

环境与灾害监测光学有效载荷发展综述

环境与灾害监测目标具有多样性、定量化要求高等特点,非常适合光学载荷发挥其信息量丰富、种类多、精度高等方面的优势。在国际上,此类光学载荷发展迅速,新技术不断涌现,值得学习借鉴。文章重点阐述了应用于环境与灾害监测民用卫星的光学有效载荷的发展现状和发展趋势,为中国第二代环境与灾害监测预报小卫星星座的相关光学有效载荷发展提供参考。     

空间机器人神经网络自适应滑模目标操控轨迹跟踪控制

针对参数未知的空间目标操控问题,考虑空间机器人负载不确定性、系统动力学不确定性和环境扰动等因素,为实现操作过程的稳定控制及机器人轨迹的有效跟踪,提出一种基于径向基神经网络估计不确定项的自适应增益非奇异终端滑模变结构控制器。首先基于拉格朗日法建立空间机器人的刚体动力学模型。考虑空间机器人基座姿态主动控制模式,使用径向基神经网络对模型中的不确定项进行估计。进而提出基于神经网络估计的非奇异终端滑模控制器,并针对不确定性和扰动的估计误差设计自适应增益,以期实现空间机器人系统轨迹跟踪控制的收敛。仿真校验结果表明所设计的控制方法具有较好的误差收敛速度和控制精度。     

32颗GPS卫星星座空间覆盖特性建模与仿真

GPS卫星要准确完成定位功能可见卫星数应不少于4颗.通过建立针对低轨、中高轨和大椭圆轨道目标卫星的GPS信号空间几何覆盖模型,利用Matlab计算针对低轨、中高轨和大椭圆轨道的可见卫星数,对目前美国32颗GPS卫星星座的空间覆盖特性进行仿真.仿真结果显示,32颗GPS卫星星座不仅可以对低轨目标实现全轨道覆盖,而且对中高轨和大椭圆轨道也有所覆盖,大大扩展了24颗GPS卫星星座的空间应用.     

大气层内拦截弹脉冲发动机消耗量离线计算

采用姿控式直接侧向力/气动力复合控制方式可以显著提高大气层内拦截弹的机动能力,但由于产生侧向推力的脉冲发动机数量有限,必须考虑减少使用数量的问题.除了最优化脉冲发动机点火分配逻辑之外,充分利用气动力也是一种可能的方案.本文基于弹体运动的线性化模型,探讨了在给定攻角响应时间的情况下,最大限度地利用气动力能否节省脉冲发动机点火数目,并对攻角响应所需用的脉冲发动机数量做了离线计算,给出了计算公式.