Asymmetries in Mars' Exosphere

Observations and simulations show that Mars' atmosphere has large seasonal variations. Total atmospheric density can have an order of magnitude latitudinal variation at exobase heights. By numerical simulations we show that these latitude variations in exobase parameters induce asymmetries in the hydrogen exosphere that propagate to large distances from the planet. We show that these asymmetries in the exosphere produce asymmetries in the fluxes of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) and soft X-rays produced by charge exchange between the solar wind and exospheric hydrogen. This could be an explanation for asymmetries that have been observed in ENA and X-ray fluxes at Mars.     

High energy-density propulsion—reducing the risk to humans in planetary exploration

The potential benefits to humankind of space exploration are tremendous. Space is not only the final frontier but is also the next marketplace. The orbital space above Earth offers tremendous opportunities for both strategic assets and commercial development. The critical obstacle retarding the use of the space around the Earth is the lack of low cost access to orbit. Further out, the next giant leap for mankind will be the human exploration of Mars. Almost certainly within the next 30 years, a human crew will brave the isolation, the radiation, and the lack of gravity to walk on and explore the Red planet. Both of these missions will change the outlook and perspective of every human being on the planet. However, these missions are expensive and extremely difficult. Chemical propulsion has demonstrated an inability to achieve orbit cheaply and is a very high-risk option to accomplish the Mars mission. An alternative solution is to develop a high performance propulsion system. Nuclear propulsion has the potential to be such a system. The question will be whether humanity is willing to take on the challenge.     

EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR THE NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SPACE PLASMAS

The Cluster mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) will allow, for the first time three-dimensional measurements in key regions of the Earth's magnetosphere to be carried out. The European Numerical Simulation Network (ENSN) aims at providing a theoretical support to the mission. We describe the achievements of the ENSN during its first period of activity 1991–1994, during which the network was funded by the European Union. In particular, the ENSN has set up (i) thematic Working Groups on the prime scientific goals of the mission, (ii) a code development Working Group to develop numerical simulation codes specifically adapted to studying magnetospheric boundaries and the corresponding scale mixing, and (iii) software models of Cluster instruments to test in a numerical simulation what the set of four instruments will measure.     

Scientific Planning and Commanding of the Rosetta Payload

ESA’s Rosetta mission was launched in March 2004 and is on its way to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, where it is scheduled to arrive in summer 2014. It comprises a payload of 12 scientific instruments and a Lander. All instruments are provided by Principal Investigators, which are responsible for their operations. As for most ESA science missions, the ground segment of the mission consists of a Mission Operations Centre (MOC) and a Science Operations Centre (SOC). While the MOC is responsible for all spacecraft-related aspects and the final uplink of all command timelines to the spacecraft, the scientific operations of the instruments and the collection of the data and ingestion into the Planetary Science Archive are coordinated by the SOC. This paper focuses on the tasks of the SOC and in particular on the methodology and constraints to convert the scientific goals of the Rosetta mission to operational timelines.     

火星探测用降落伞研制试验简介

文章主要介绍了美国火星探测用降落伞研制过程以及在研制过程中的一些主要试验，并同时指出了试验中的一些特点。     

飞机空中加油任务剖面优化设计

介绍了某型飞机执行作战任务途中何时进行空中加油，并按照最大航程截击对飞机各个飞行任务段的飞行性能进行了计算，得出了最佳巡航速度，确定了最优的加油时机和加油量。计算过程中采用了遗传算法，考虑了爬升过程和巡航过程中飞机变质量的难点问题，提高了计算结果的可信度。     

多航天器协同探测效能影响参数不确定性分析

为解决传统基于蒙特卡洛仿真的探测效能不确定性分析评价方法中时间效率低,参数关系映射单一的问题,提出一种基于神经网络的不确定性分析方法,利用人工神经网络在拟合回归分析上的非线性特性,设计了能够替代复杂系统的神经网络结构,能够通过少量仿真计算结果作为训练样本实现模型的收敛并能有效反映被替代系统的原有特性。选择以一个多航天器的天文观测任务作为典型用例,建立了仿真分析模型,并与蒙特卡洛仿真方法结果进行了对比,验证了此方法的准确性和计算效率。     

火星大气来流模拟装置CFD仿真与试验

根据我国火星着陆巡视器工作过程,其着陆发动机需要在相对火星大气高速迎风运动中可靠点火。由于巡视器着陆时发动机喷管出口气流与火星稀薄气流方向相反,目前无法通过理论计算准确获得着陆过程的动态流场对发动机起动过程的影响量值。为验证火星着陆环境下发动机点火的适应性,需要建立发动机的火星大气来流试验环境模拟条件。为模拟发动机在火星大气条件下的相对运动,在真空舱内发动机保持固定,前端设置环形来流形成装置,该装置在发动机喷管周围形成一定速度的逆向来流包络。采用数值模拟技术结合试验验证方法,在火星着陆器巡视器主发动机性能考核试验中,针对来流的形成装置开展了设计研究工作。来流模拟试验测试数据表明:在确保贮箱供应压力稳定的条件下,来流模拟系统能够形成100~200 m/s速度的稳定来流,发动机在来流下能稳定启动工作,真空舱压力满足试验要求。     

一种主动悬架式火星车稳定裕度优化控制策略

针对火星车在非结构化环境下行驶存在的稳定性不足而导致倾覆的风险,提出针对一种六轮主动悬架式火星车的稳定裕度优化控制方法。首先,考虑了火星车悬架机构调整过程中车轮与接触地面滑移和侧倾等运动关系,建立和完善了六轮主动悬架式火星车行驶的运动学模型。然后,以火星车夹角调整机构角度为变量,推导火星车在非结构环境下的稳定裕度模型。之后,使用内点法求解火星车稳定裕度的最优解,并获得期望的夹角调整机构关节角度。在此基础上,对夹角调整机构的关节角度进行规划和控制,实现火星车悬架机构构型的调整,从而提高火星车在非结构化环境下行驶的稳定裕度。最后,对火星车稳定裕度优化控制策略的有效性进行仿真验证,结果表明,所提出的控制方法可有效提高火星车在非结构化环境下行驶的稳定裕度。     

运输机空投货物建模与任务性能影响因素研究

针对当前运输机空投货物模型可拓展性不强的问题,提出了分离体的建模方法。在无需分析货物与飞机整体质心变化的情况下,分别以货物和飞机为对象进行受力分析,推导了货物与飞机之间的相互作用力,建立了更加贴近实际的运输机单件货物空投和连续空投的动力学模型。最后,通过数值仿真,分析了飞行速度和牵引伞牵引比对空投任务性能的影响。结果表明,飞行速度和牵引比越大,飞机在货物干扰作用下的状态变化量越小。