Predicting performance in manually controlled rendezvous and docking through spatial abilities

Manually controlled rendezvous and docking (manual RVD) is a challenging space task for astronauts. This study aims to identify spatial abilities that are critical for accomplishing manual RVD. Based on task analysis, spatial abilities were deduced to be critical for accomplishing manual RVD. 15 Male participants performed manual RVD task simulations and spatial ability tests (the object-manipulation spatial ability and spatial orientation ability). Participants’ performance in the test of visualization of viewpoints (which measures the spatial orientation ability) was found to be significantly correlated with their manual RVD performance, indicating that the spatial orientation ability in the sense of perspective taking is particularly important for accomplishing manual RVD.     

Stability of relative equilibria of the full spacecraft dynamics around an asteroid with orbit–attitude coupling

The full dynamics of spacecraft around an asteroid, in which the spacecraft is considered as a rigid body and the gravitational orbit–attitude coupling is taken into account, is of great value and interest in the precise theories of the motion. The spectral stability of the classical relative equilibria of the full spacecraft dynamics around an asteroid is studied with the method of geometric mechanics. The stability conditions are given explicitly based on the characteristic equation of the linear system matrix. It is found that the linearized system decouples into two entirely independent subsystems, which correspond to the motions within and outside the equatorial plane of the asteroid respectively. The system parameters are divided into three groups that describe the traditional stationary orbit stability, the significance of the orbit–attitude coupling and the mass distribution of the spacecraft respectively. The spectral stability of the relative equilibria is investigated numerically with respect to the three groups of system parameters. The relations between the full spacecraft dynamics and the traditional spacecraft dynamics, as well as the effect of the orbit–attitude coupling, are assessed. We find that when the orbit–attitude coupling is strong, the mass distribution of the spacecraft dominates the stability of the relative equilibria; whereas when the orbit–attitude coupling is weak, both the mass distribution and the traditional stationary orbit stability have significant effects on the stability. We also give a criterion to determine whether the orbit–attitude coupling needs to be considered.     

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.     

Crew autonomy for deep space exploration: Lessons from the Antarctic Search for Meteorites

Future piloted missions to explore asteroids, Mars, and other targets beyond the Moon will experience strict limitations on communication between vehicles in space and control centers on Earth. These limitations will require crews to operate with greater autonomy than any past space mission has demonstrated. The Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) project, which regularly sends small teams of researchers to remote parts of the southern continent, resembles a space mission in many ways but does not rely upon a control center. It provides a useful crew autonomy model for planners of future deep space exploration missions. In contrast to current space missions, ANSMET gives the crew the authority to adjust competing work priorities, task assignments, and daily schedules; allows the crew to be the primary monitor of mission progress; demands greater crew accountability for operational errors; requires the crew to make the most of limited communication bandwidth; adopts systems designed for simple operation and failure recovery; and grants the crew a leading role in the selection and stowage of their equipment.     

Development,integrated investigation,laboratory and in-flight testing of Chibis-M microsatellite ADCS

Design, analytical investigation, laboratory and in-flight testing of the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) of a microsatellites are considered. The system consists of three pairs of reaction wheels, three magnetorquers, a set of Sun sensors, a three-axis magnetometer and a control unit. The ADCS is designed for a small 10–50 kg LEO satellite. System development is accomplished in several steps: satellite dynamics preliminary study using asymptotical and numerical techniques, hardware and software design, laboratory testing of each actuator and sensor and the whole ADCS. Laboratory verification is carried out on the specially designed test-bench.In-flight ADCS exploitation results onboard the Russian microsatellite “Chibis-M” are presented. The satellite was developed, designed and manufactured by the Institute of Space Research of RAS. “Chibis-M” was launched by the “Progress-13M” cargo vehicle on January 25, 2012 after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS). This paper assess both the satellite and the ADCS mock-up dynamics. Analytical, numerical and laboratory study results are in good correspondence with in-flight data.     

Aerothermodynamic and stability analyses of a deployable re-entry capsule

Recent research projects, in the field of atmospheric re-entry technology, are focused on the design of deployable, umbrella-like Thermal Protection Systems (TPSs). These TPSs are made of flexible high temperature resistant fabrics, folded at launch and deployed in space for de-orbit and re-entry operations. In the present paper two possible sphere–cone configurations for the TPS have been investigated from an aerodynamic point of view. The analyzed configurations are characterized by the same reentry mass and maximum diameter, but have different half-cone angles (45° and 60°). The analyses involve both the evaluation of thermal and aerodynamic loads and the assessment of the capsule longitudinal stability. The aerothermodynamic analysis has been performed for the completely deployed heat shield in transitional and continuum regimes, while the longitudinal stability has been analyzed in free molecular, transitional and continuum regimes, also taking into consideration the heat shield deployment sequence at high altitudes.     

高温高速气流总焓接触测试法对比分析

发动机尾焰、燃烧加热、电弧加热器等高温高速气流总焓测量存在较大误差,采用结构优化的质量吸入水冷焓探针,标定后的驻点热流和驻点压力探针(Fay-Riddell公式法)对高温高速气流总焓进行了对比测试。结果表明:焓值为2.5~5 MJ/kg时,焓探针的测试误差约为3.38%,采用Fay-Riddell公式法获得焓值的误差约为3%。焓探针与Fay-Riddell公式法平均偏差约为4.65%。在地面模拟试验时采用两种测焓方法确定测试精度,对减小高温高速气流测焓误差,提高试验模拟精度具有积极的作用。     

牵制缓释放过程中火箭动力响应特性分析

为研究运载火箭在牵制缓释放过程中的结构动力响应特性,将牵制缓释放发射过程依次分为静态竖立、点火牵制和缓释放三个阶段进行计算。运用MSC.Patran有限元程序的场功能来实现上一阶段的全部计算结果场向下一阶段初始条件场的传递,运用MSC.Nastran有限元程序的非线性弹簧单元的非线性位移载荷函数功能来模拟运载火箭缓释放过程中的缓释力,实现运载火箭牵制缓释放过程结构动力响应的数值计算,并对比分析运载火箭几种常用发射释放方式的结构动力响应特性。结果表明:采用牵制缓释放系统可有效减小运载火箭释放时所受冲击载荷,减小运载火箭全箭结构动力响应。     

面内强磁场下铁磁板壳的自由振动

本文研究了面内强磁场环境下铁磁板壳的自由振动问题。基于Eringen-Maugin的关于磁弹性作用的理性力学模型,从理论上推导了一般壳体在磁场中的运动方程,进而求解了面内强磁场作用下的小磁化率悬臂铁磁薄板自由振动频率。数值计算结果表明,本文模型和已有的实验结果吻合很好。     

CubeSail: A low cost CubeSat based solar sail demonstration mission

CubeSail is a nano-solar sail mission based on the 3U CubeSat standard, which is currently being designed and built at the Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey. CubeSail will have a total mass of around 3 kg and will deploy a 5 × 5 m sail in low Earth orbit. The primary aim of the mission is to demonstrate the concept of solar sailing and end-of-life de-orbiting using the sail membrane as a drag-sail. The spacecraft will have a compact 3-axis stabilised attitude control system, which uses three magnetic torquers aligned with the spacecraft principle axis as well as a novel two-dimensional translation stage separating the spacecraft bus from the sail. CubeSail’s deployment mechanism consists of four novel booms and four-quadrant sail membranes. The proposed booms are made from tape-spring blades and will deploy the sail membrane from a 2U CubeSat standard structure. This paper presents a systems level overview of the CubeSat mission, focusing on the mission orbit and de-orbiting, in addition to the deployment, attitude control and the satellite bus.