High-fidelity trajectory optimization for aeroassisted vehicles using variable order pseudospectral method

In this study, the problem of time-optimal reconnaissance trajectory design for the aeroassisted vehicle is considered. Different from most works reported previously, we explore the feasibility of applying a high-order aeroassisted vehicle dynamic model to plan the optimal flight trajectory such that the gap between the simulated model and the real system can be narrowed. A highly-constrained optimal control model containing six-degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics is established. To solve the formulated high-order trajectory planning model, a pipelined optimization strategy is illustrated. This approach is based on the variable order Radau pseudospectral method, indicating that the mesh grid used for discretizing the continuous system experiences several adaption iterations. Utilization of such a strategy can potentially smooth the flight trajectory and improve the algorithm convergence ability. Numerical simulations are reported to demonstrate some key features of the optimized flight trajectory. A number of comparative studies are also provided to verify the effectiveness of the applied method as well as the high-order trajectory planning model.     

首颗自主地月转移微卫星“龙江二号”

本文对世界首颗独立完成地月转移、近月制动、环月飞行的微卫星“龙江二号”进行了介绍。首先阐述了龙江二号的任务目标和总体方案;然后重点分析了轨道设计与控制、复杂电磁干扰的标定与抑制、宽视场三维基线干涉测量等关键技术难点;接着回顾了任务的实施过程;最后详细介绍了低频射电探测仪、沙特光学相机和VHF/UHF通信模块与学生微型CMOS相机等有效载荷,并展示了上述载荷获取的初步成果。     

Primordial black holes and Holeums as progenitors of Galactic diffuse gamma-ray background

Diffuse Galactic gamma-ray flux resulting from the evaporation of primordial black holes has been the subject of intensive research work during the last few decades. Theoretical work addressing this issue started in the 1970s whereas data started pouring in only in the 1990s. We discuss in this paper a model of the potential contribution to the Galactic gamma-ray flux of primordial black holes in binary systems and extend the argument to include stable gravitational bound states called Holeums. The model has a predictive power and can be tested by looking for gamma-ray excess in the vicinity of violent events occurring in the Galaxy such as supernova explosions.     

某超高层建筑刚性模型测力试验研究

在4m×3m边界层风洞中对某高295m的超高层建筑分别进行了有、无周边建筑的刚性模型测力天平试验,得到建筑3个主轴方向基底力矩均值和均方根值随风向角的变化情况,通过比较表明周边超高层建筑对其具有较严重的干扰影响;分析了功率谱和相干函数所表现出的力矩频域特性,横-扭方向基底弯矩相关性明显较顺-横、顺-扭两向大;通过敲击试验得到基底弯矩的自由衰减信号,采用HHT变换方法,识别了模型-天平系统在两个主轴方向的一阶频率和阻尼比,并根据频率和阻尼比消除了基底弯矩信号中由于模型非绝对刚性引起的共振响应分量,由此修正得到较为精确的基底力谱和各角度均方根值,为计算风振响应提供了依据。     

Impact of the orbital eccentricity on the attitude performance before and after the deorbiting phase for Alsat-1

Due to the presence of periodic forcing terms in the gravity gradient torque, orbit eccentricity may produce large response for the roll, yaw and pitch angles. This paper investigates the influence of the orbit eccentricity on the performance of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) pointing of passive Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites stabilized by a gravity gradient boom or having long appendages before and after the deorbiting operation. The contribution of this work is twofold. First, the satellite attitude dynamics and kinematics are modeled by introducing the orbit eccentricity in the equations of motion of a LEO satellite in order to provide the best scenario in which satellite operators can keep the nominal functionality of LEO satellites with a gravity gradient boom after the deorbiting operation. Second, a Quaternion-based Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is analyzed when the orbit eccentricity is considered in order to determine the influence of this disturbance on the convergence and stability of the filter. The simulations in this work are based on the true parameters of Alsat-1 which is a typical LEO satellite stabilized by a gravity gradient boom. The results show that the orbit eccentricity has a big influence on the pointing system accuracy causing micro-vibrations that affect the geocentric pointing particularly after the deorbiting phase. In this case, satellites have no orbital correction option. The Quaternion-based Extended Kalman Filter analyzed in this paper, achieved satisfactory results for eccentricity values less than 0.4 with respect to pointing system accuracy. However, singularities were observed for eccentricity values greater than 0.4.     

某超高层建筑刚性模型测力试验研究

在4m×3m边界层风洞中对某高295m的超高层建筑分别进行了有、无周边建筑的刚性模型测力天平试验,得到建筑3个主轴方向基底力矩均值和均方根值随风向角的变化情况,通过比较表明周边超高层建筑对其具有较严重的干扰影响;分析了功率谱和相干函数所表现出的力矩频域特性,横-扭方向基底弯矩相关性明显较顺-横、顺-扭两向大;通过敲击试验得到基底弯矩的自由衰减信号,采用HHT变换方法,识别了模型-天平系统在两个主轴方向的一阶频率和阻尼比,并根据频率和阻尼比消除了基底弯矩信号中由于模型非绝对刚性引起的共振响应分量,由此修正得到较为精确的基底力谱和各角度均方根值,为计算风振响应提供了依据.     

A refined trigonometric shear deformation theory for thermoelastic bending of functionally graded sandwich plates

A refined trigonometric shear deformation theory (RTSDT) taking into account transverse shear deformation effects is presented for the thermoelastic bending analysis of functionally graded sandwich plates. Unlike any other theory, the number of unknown functions involved is only four, as against five in case of other shear deformation theories. The theory presented is variationally consistent, does not require shear correction factor, the displacement components are expressed by trigonometric series representation through the plate thickness to develop a two-dimensional theory and gives rise to transverse shear stress variation such that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness satisfying shear stress free surface conditions. The sandwich with homogeneous facesheet and FGM core is considered. Material properties of the present FGM core are assumed to vary according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The influences played by the transverse shear deformation, thermal load, plate aspect ratio, and volume fraction distribution are studied. Numerical results for deflections and stresses of functionally graded metal–ceramic plates are investigated. It can be concluded that the proposed theory is accurate and simple in solving the thermoelastic bending behavior of functionally graded plates.     

Comparison of Landsat OLI,ASTER, and Sentinel 2A data in lithological mapping : A Case study of Rich area (Central High Atlas,Morocco)

The eastern part of the Rich area consists of the massive Paleozoic and Meso-Cenozoic cover formations that present the geodynamic development of the study area, where is characterized by various carbonate facies of Jurassic age. The geographical characteristic of the study area leaves the zone difficult to map by conventional methods. The objective of this work focuses on the mapping of the constituent lithological units of the study area using multispectral data of Landsat OLI, ASTER, and Sentinel 2A MSI. The processing of these data is based on a precise methodology that distinguishs and highlights the limits of the different lithological units that have an approximate similarity of spectral signature. Three techniques were used to enhance the image including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Lithological mapping was performed using two types of supervised classification : Maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) and Support Vector Machine (SVM).The results of processing data show the effectiveness of Sentinel 2A data in mapping of lithological units than the ASTER and Landsat OLI data. The classification evaluation of two methods of the Sentinel 2A MSI image showed that the SVM method give a better classification with an overall accuracy of 93,93% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.93, while the MLC method present an overall accuracy of 82,86% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.80. The results of mapping obtained show a good correlation with the geological map of the study area as well as the efficiency of remote sensing in identification of different lithological units in the Central High Atlas.     

Real-time sensor fault detection and isolation for LEO satellite attitude estimation through magnetometer data

Attitude estimation is a critical component of the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) of any satellite. It is used to convert the sensor observation data to an estimated attitude using filtering algorithms. However, in the presence of sensor faults, the ADCS fails to achieve the desired attitude accuracy. In this paper, the Fault Tolerant Extended Kalman Filter (FTEKF) is proposed to handle this imperfection. In accordance, various filtering steps are included in the FTEKF design to enhance both attitude estimation and sensor fault detection. The developed algorithm can detect and isolate any unexpected sensor faults in real time, which provides a reliable attitude estimation. A comparative study with the classical and robust Kalman filters is performed through numerical simulations in order to validate the effectiveness of the adopted filter in case of magnetometer fault data.     

Time distribution of the precipitable water vapor in central Saudi Arabia and its relationship to solar activity

Water vapor is the most important greenhouse gas. It plays a major role in the dynamics of atmospheric circulation, radiation exchange within the atmosphere, and climate variability. Knowledge of the distribution of water vapor is important for understanding climate change and global warming.