Automated design architectures for co-orbiting spacecraft swarms for planetary moon mapping

This work describes the design and optimization of spacecraft swarm missions to meet spatial and temporal visual mapping requirements of missions to planetary moons, using resonant co-orbits. The algorithms described here are a part of Integrated Design Engineering and Automation of Swarms (IDEAS), a spacecraft swarm mission design software that automates the design trajectories, swarm, and spacecraft behaviors in the mission. In the current work, we focus on the swarm design and optimization features of IDEAS, while showing the interaction between the different design modules. In the design segment, we consider the coverage requirements of two general planetary moon mapping missions: global surface mapping and region of interest observation. The configuration of the swarm co-orbits for the two missions is described, where the participating spacecraft have resonant encounters with the moon on their orbital apoapsis. We relate the swarm design to trajectory design through the orbit insertion maneuver performed on the interplanetary trajectory using aero-braking. We then present algorithms to model visual coverage, and collision avoidance in the swarm. To demonstrate the interaction between different design modules, we relate the trajectory and swarm to spacecraft design through fuel mass, and mission cost estimations using preliminary models. In the optimization segment, we formulate the trajectory and swarm design optimizations for the two missions as Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problems. In the current work, we use Genetic Algorithm as the primary optimization solver. However, we also use the Particle Swarm Optimizer to compare the optimizer performance. Finally, the algorithms described here are demonstrated through numerical case studies, where the two visual mapping missions are designed to explore the Martian moon Deimos.     

Spacecraft formation-containment flying control with time-varying translational velocity

This paper investigates the problem of Spacecraft Formation-Containment Flying Control (SFCFC) when the desired translational velocity is time-varying. In SFCFC problem, there are multiple leader spacecraft and multiple follower spacecraft and SFCFC can be divided into leader spacecraft’s formation control and follower spacecraft’s containment control. First, under the condition that only a part of leader spacecraft can have access to the desired time-varying translational velocity, a velocity estimator is designed for each leader spacecraft. Secondly, based on the estimated translational velocity, a distributed formation control algorithm is designed for leader spacecraft to achieve the desired formation and move with the desired translational velocity simultaneously. Then, to ensure all follower spacecraft converge to the convex hull formed by the leader spacecraft, a distributed containment control algorithm is designed for follower spacecraft. Moreover, to reduce the dependence of the designed control algorithms on the graph information and increase system robustness, the control gains are changing adaptively and the parametric uncertainties are handled, respectively. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.     

Decentralized formation pose estimation for spacecraft swarms

For spacecraft swarms, the multi-agent localization algorithm must scale well with the number of spacecraft and adapt to time-varying communication and relative sensing networks. In this paper, we present a decentralized, scalable algorithm for swarm localization, called the Decentralized Pose Estimation (DPE) algorithm. The DPE considers both communication and relative sensing graphs and defines an observable local formation. Each spacecraft jointly localizes its local subset of spacecraft using direct and communicated measurements. Since the algorithm is local, the algorithm complexity does not grow with the number of spacecraft in the swarm. As part of the DPE, we present the Swarm Reference Frame Estimation (SRFE) algorithm, a distributed consensus algorithm to co-estimate a common Local-Vertical, Local-Horizontal (LVLH) frame. The DPE combined with the SRFE provides a scalable, fully-decentralized navigation solution that can be used for swarm control and motion planning. Numerical simulations and experiments using Caltech’s robotic spacecraft simulators are presented to validate the effectiveness and scalability of the DPE algorithm.     

Shape control of spacecraft formation using a virtual spring-damper mesh

This paper derives a distance-based formation control method to maintain the desired formation shape for spacecraft in a gravitational potential field. The method is an analogy of a vir-tual spring-damper mesh. Spacecraft are connected virtually by spring-damper pairs. Convergence analysis is performed using the energy method. Approximate expressions for the distance errors and control accelerations at steady state are derived by using algebraic graph representations and results of graph rigidity. Analytical results indicate that if the underlying graph of the mesh is rigid, the convergence to a static shape is assured, and higher formation control precision can be achieved by increasing the elastic coefficient without increasing the control accelerations. A numerical exam-ple of spacecraft formation in low Earth orbit confirms the theoretical analysis and shows that the desired formation shape can be well achieved using the presented method, whereas the orientation of the formation can be kept pointing to the center of the Earth by the gravity gradient. The method is decentralized, and uses only relative measurement information. Constructing a distributed virtual structure in space can be the general application area. The proposed method can serve as an active shape control law for the spacecraft formations using propellantless internal forces.     

激光脉冲圈焊工艺研究与应用

基于有限元软件MSC.MARC软件平台Hypermesh软件模块仿真模拟了激光连续圈焊和激光脉冲圈焊的温度场分布,模拟结果表明:激光脉冲圈焊可有效控制被焊工件温度场分布,焊接热影响区小,为此采用激光脉冲圈焊工艺焊接簧片式电磁阀簧片组件.研究了激光焊接频率与焊点重叠率以及激光焊接速度与焊缝强度和焊点重叠率之间的关系,从而得出了激光脉冲圈焊焊接工艺规范,即激光峰值功率Pf--300 W,激光基值功率Pj=200 W,激光焊接速度v=3.33 mm/s,激光频率f=20 Hz等,采用该焊接规范焊接完成的簧片式电磁阀已经应用于嫦娥五号探测器推进分系统、轨道器子系统以及上升器推进子系统的液体动力装置之中,并已经完成了飞行和月球探测任务.     

交会对接远距离接近段制导研究

基于飞行器相对目标空间站的线性化运动方程，研究了交会对接中远距离接近段最优冲量解的必要条件，推导了确定最优解特征矢量曲线方程中待定参数的计算公式，给出了在特定初始状态和末状态下实现远距离接近的四次、三次、二次最优冲量解的作用时刻和大小的算法。通过一个交会实例的数字仿真分析，得到了有关远距离接近段制导方法的有指导价值的结果，验证了该方法是正确的、合理的。     

旋转飞行器应答式速度测量研究

由于受单天线的方向性限制,采用传统的天线模式不能实现对旋转飞行器连续跟踪测量。通过多天线分集和合成2种模式,可以实现信号的全向接收和转发,但同时带来接收信号阶跃以及信号干涉区等新问题,这些问题会导致信号变化剧烈,能否正确描述信号动态下的特征,并分析其对设备多普勒回路的影响是实现连续高精度跟踪的关键。本文推导了多天线动态下的双程应答多普勒测速方程,详细分析了分集、合成2种天线模式下信号的特征及信号对多普勒回路的影响,并根据分析结果对多普勒回路提出改进建议。     

X射线辐照圆柱壳体产生的汽化反冲

暴露在x射线辐射场中的圆柱壳体,在吸收了大量的辐射能后其表层汽化。由于表层的汽化物质快速飞散,圆柱壳体将受到冲击载荷的作用。本文用气体动力学方法提出了计算作用在圆柱壳体上汽化反冲压力及冲量的理论模型。     

多项式拟合法在飞机试飞中的应用研究

主要研究了多项式拟合法在飞机颤振试飞数据处理中的应用技术,讨论了在数据预处理中应用指数窗对抑制噪声、提高数据处理结果精度的影响,最后提出了科学合理的数据处理方法,从而大大提高了试飞结果的准确性。