Space Industry Research Articles

Inter-Satellite Link Prediction with Supervised Learning Based on Kepler and SGP4 Orbits

Distributed Space Systems (DSS) are gaining prominence in the space industry due to their ability to increase mission performance by allowing cooperation and resource sharing between multiple satellites. In DSS where communication between heterogeneous satellites is necessary, achieving autonomous cooperation while minimizing energy consumption is a critical requirement, particularly in sparse constellations with nano-satellites. In order to minimize the functioning time and energy consumed by the Inter-Satellite Links established for satellite-to-satellite communication, their temporal encounters must be anticipated. This work proposes an autonomous solution based on Supervised Learning that allows heterogeneous satellites in circular polar Low-Earth Orbits to predict their close-approach encounters given the Orbital Elements. The model performance is evaluated and compared in two different scenarios: (1) a simplified scenario assuming Kepler orbits and (2) a realistic scenario assuming Simplified General Perturbations 4 orbital model. The obtained results demonstrate a Balanced Accuracy exceeding 95% when compared to realistic data from an available database. This work represents a promising initial stage in developing an alternative approach within the field of DSS.

ORBIT SELECTION OF THE SPACE INDUSTRIAL PLATFORM WITH DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICAL-POWER SYSTEM MODULES

Space industrialization is one of the prospective directions in modern aerospace science and engineering for space exploration of new resources and habitats. The key issue is to provide industrial space modules with the required amount of electricity needed. One type of power supply for such modules is the use of distributed power systems, which consist of constellations of spacecraft with contactless power transmission. Given this, the problem of rational orbit selection for their dislocation arises. Considering these problems, the methodology for orbits selection of the space industrial platform with distributed electrical-power system modules is proposed in the paper. This methodology includes orbital translation, attitude, relative dynamics estimation for each power satellite, and its corresponding orbit optimization algorithm. The orbit optimization algorithm includes statistical processing and elements of gradient and coordinate descent methods, allowing us to determine the most significant parameter influencing the duration of the contactless power transmission session. Also, quaternion mathematics is used to estimate the dynamics in the program parameters for targeting the transmitter spacecraft antenna to the receiver spacecraft rectenna. With the approaches mentioned above, the methodology proposed in this paper allows us to form the requirements for the power satellites’ attitude and orbit control system to improve the process of selecting corresponding design parameters of such systems. Thus, the usage of the proposed methodology can allow the designing of the power satellites’ attitude and orbit control system in the conceptual stages of designing.

Pure 3D Conducting Polymer Network for an Ultra-Sensitive and Flexible Hydrogen Gas Sensor at Room Temperature

Hydrogen (H2) is considered a next-generation energy source with diverse applications across valuable social, economic, and industrial sectors, including transportation, biomedical, power generation, and space exploration. Due to its low ignition energy and wide flammable range, there is an urgent global demand for ultrasensitive, lightweight, portable, wearable, and flexible hydrogen sensors to identify early gas leaks and prevent environmental and economic implications.In this study, we present a flexible hydrogen gas sensor based on conducting polymers, namely polypyrrole (PPY) with graphene nanoparticles, synthesized by the bi-continuous microemulsion polymerization method. The one-step scalable synthetic procedure enables the design of 1D, 2D, and 3D conducting polymers and their nanocomposites with tunable morphological and electrical properties. The unique multilayered oil-to-water nature of the bi-continuous microemulsion allows the fabrication of pure mesoporous 3D conducting polymers and their composites without the addition of any cross-linkers with excellent electrical properties. The 3D pure porous polymer network acts as a monolithic conducting framework that facilitates electron and ion transport and promotes the diffusion of molecules and ions more efficiently than 1D or 2D structures. The soft and porous nature of the polymer improves the interaction and adsorption of the target gas molecules and sensing material by increasing the number of active sites.This 3D PPY_graphene flexible network synthesized by the bi-continuous microemulsion method is successfully utilized to fabricate an ultra-sensitive flexible gas sensor. The performance of the sensor can be modified based on the reactor design. The sensor exhibits a notable response to 1 ppm of H2 gas. At room temperature, the fabricated sensor displayed 14 and 20 seconds of response and recovery time, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, no study has explored the application of 3D pure conducting polymers and their nanocomposites for hydrogen gas sensors using the bi-continuous microemulsion polymerization method, yielding such exceptional sensing results. Figure 1

Цифровизация предприятий ракетно-космической промышленности в условиях новой промышленной революции

This article is devoted to the study of the processes of digitalization of rocket and space industry enterprises in the conditions of the new industrial revolution. The work provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of advanced digital solutions at various stages of the product life cycle, their advantages and disadvantages. The successful practices of leading enterprises in the rocket and space industry and their impact on the efficiency, quality and competitiveness of the industry are considered. The driving directions of digitalization of certain areas of activity of the enterprises under study, the degree of their viability and resistance to the challenges of new industrialization have been identified. The results of the study indicate the excessive closedness of enterprises in the rocket and space industry and the redundancy of their government regulation, which slow down the processes of diffusion of digital solutions. It has been established that strengthening Russia’s technological leadership in the space sector is possible through the sovereignty of industrial and breakthrough solutions in the digitalization of rocket and space industry enterprises.

Technological Convergence of AI Across the Industrial Sectors

The AI market has been experiencing significant growth recently and is projected to thrive. Yet, there is still a lack of comprehensive studies integrating diverse industries and technologies in AI. Furthermore, AI-related patent analysis often examines AI technologies without considering their convergence with other sectors. Therefore, to fill this gap, this study aims to explore the technological convergence of AI using a network analysis approach with patent data in finance & management, healthcare, semiconductors, games, biotechnology, and transport. This study used an IPC-based convergence network methodology to define critical industrial areas and influential technologies with the four-digit IPC codes for the AI patent group from 2000 to 2019. Moreover, this study conducted a centrality analysis using Net-Miner software to identify hubs and connected nodes and analyze the comprehensive convergence status related to AI. According to the results, we defined hub nodes based on the degree and centralities and analyzed the centrality of six sectors in the AI convergence network. In addition, the technology classification of solid ties is analyzed based on IPC network analysis. Finally, this study attempts to deliver theoretical and empirical contributions to technological convergence, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding how different technologies can converge in AI with three categories: 1) learning and reasoning, 2) natural language processing, and 3) computer vision. This study suggests that companies operating within the industrial AI space should reflect the evolution of technology as revealed in the mainstream trends of sector-specific AI integration.

A Bayesian framework for in-flight calibration and discrepancy reduction of spacecraft operational simulation models

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools have become indispensable for the comprehensive design, operations, and maintenance of products in the space industry. An example is the European Space Agency (ESA), which relies heavily on M&S throughout the entire lifecycle of a spacecraft. However, their use in operational settings poses significant challenges, mainly attributable to (i) the harsh, uncontrollable, and often unforeseen environmental conditions; (ii) the dramatic changes in operating conditions throughout a spacecraft’s lifespan, often beyond the intended designed-for lifetime; and (iii) the presence of epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty. This results in unavoidable discrepancies between the numerical simulations and real measurements, limiting their use for delicate operational tasks. To address those challenges, we present a Bayesian framework for simultaneous calibration of M&S tools, reduction of the model discrepancy, and quantification of the process and model uncertainties. The approach leverages the Kennedy and O’Hagan (KOH) calibration, tailored for a multi-objective problem. Its effectiveness is shown by its application to flying Earth observation spacecraft data and the operational simulation models.

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering degree at the University of Southern California for the space industry

The Department of Astronautical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC) focuses on space engineering education. It is a unique space-engineering program in the United States where such studies usually constitute parts of aerospace departments. In addition to full-time on-campus students, its flagship Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering degree program reaches working professionals online through distance education. The growth of this space-focused graduate degree program led to the establishment of a new independent department at USC twenty years ago in 2004. Since its founding, this Department of Astronautical Engineering awarded nearly one thousand Master's degrees to students from across the United States, Canada, and selected locations abroad. The article describes the origin, rationale, focus, structure, coursework, and reach of USC's Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering program. It concludes with the lessons learned in program development which contributed to its success.

Survey on Advances in Broadband Signal Generation and Processing of ASIC Semiconductors for Defense Satellites

To replace the field-programmable gate array semiconductors used in the defense satellite industry, we conducted a technical investigation of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) semiconductors. The analysis results show that ASIC semiconductors have the heat dissipation, reliability, and radiation resistance capabilities required in a space environment and excellent performance indicators related to the resolution of synthetic aperture radar payloads, such as operating frequency. Research and development of mission-customized ASIC semiconductors that fit the requirements for NSP(new-space paradigm) should be preceded to expanse bases of the space industry, national security capabilities for next-generation space deveolpment also to secure competitiveness of technology and domestic supply chain as space parts itselfs.

The Ecological Environmental Effects and Topographic Gradient Analysis of Transformation in the Production–Living–Ecological Spaces in the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains

Taking the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains (NSTM) in Xinjiang as the research area, this study analyzes the changes in the Production–Living–Ecological (P-L-E) Spaces and their Ecological Environmental Effects, providing a basis for optimizing the spatial pattern of the P-L-E Spaces and regional ecological environment protection in this area. Based on land use data and DEM data, various methods were used for analysis. These methods include the land use transfer matrix, ecological environment quality index, hot spot analysis, ecological contribution rate, and Terrain Position Index. The analysis focused on changes in the spatial pattern of the P-L-E Spaces from 1980 to 2020. It also examined the spatiotemporal distribution of ecological environment quality (EEQ). Furthermore, it explored the differentiation characteristics of EEQ in terrain gradients. The conclusions are as follows: (1) On the NSTM, Ecological Space decreased while Production and Living Space expanded. From 1980 to 2020, Agricultural Production Space increased rapidly. Industrial Production Space also saw rapid growth during this period. Urban Living Space expanded significantly from 1980 to 2020. Rural Living Space experienced steady growth over the same period. Forest Ecological Space initially increased but later decreased. Water Ecological Space showed an initial increase followed by a decrease from 1980 to 2020. (2) The EEQ first remained stable, declined slightly from 2000 to 2010, improved significantly, and then deteriorated from 2010 to 2020. The distribution of EEQ exhibits a “high in the northwest, low in the southeast” pattern. EEQ hot spots on the NSTM are concentrated in the Tianshan Mountains, with clustering increasing in both northern and southern areas. Cold spots are found in the southern, eastern, and northern NSTMs, with aggregation strengthening in the south and north and slightly weakening in the east. Hot spots of EEQ changes on the NSTM show stable distribution, with stronger aggregation from 2000 to 2020. However, aggregation of cold spots has gradually weakened, yet noticeable aggregation persists throughout the study period. (3) There is a significant gradient difference in EEQ distribution. Higher terrain gradients have a higher EEQ. From 1980 to 2020, lower terrain gradients saw improvement, while higher gradients experienced deterioration. The EEQ on the NSTM has declined, showing significant spatial differences, with better quality on the northern side than the southern side. Future efforts should focus on restoring the environment at lower gradients, mitigating deterioration at higher gradients, and enhancing water conservation in the Tianshan Mountains.

THE PERSISTENCE OF PEENYA: Examining Industrial Space in Global Bangalore

AbstractSince 1991, Bangalore has seen spectacular redevelopment through the political hegemony of real estate, IT and parastatals in local urban governance. The global city literature has demonstrated how gentrification and real estate redevelopment have been at the heart of such neoliberal urban transformation. Yet, the literature's roots in notions of ‘post‐industrial’ cities obscure a view of how industry remains a key part of contemporary global cities. The persistence of the Peenya Industrial Area, one of South Asia's largest industrial areas today, reflects the negotiated, partial, contested and uneven character of the neoliberal urban project. Peenya demonstrates how obdurate inherited urban industrial geographies continue to shape the dynamics of world city‐making. Established in the heyday of Bangalore's postcolonial public sector industrialization, Peenya employs over 180,000 workers in 8,236 manufacturing firms, even today. How does such vast industrial space persist within the core of a global city? I draw on interviews and qualitative field research to argue that Peenya's resilience is rooted in the complexity of private land aggregation and state‐sponsored industrial relocation within an interwoven geography of tiny, legally fluid land holdings with variegated tenure regimes as well as the challenge of re‐signifying space in a region with obdurate industrial imaginaries.

Study of the payload extraction trajectory heavy class carrier rocket

Relevance. As the weight and complexity of the payload that needs to be launched into orbit increases, the relevance of rational trajectory selection to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum costs for delivering the payload to a given orbit increases. Rational choice of the trajectory of a heavy-class launch vehicle has a number of important practical applications. Firstly, it allows you to increase the payload capacity of the launch vehicle and reduce the cost of delivering payload to the target orbit. This is especially important in the context of the development of the space industry, when more and more companies and organizations are showing interest in launching their own satellites and other spacecraft in conditions of fierce economic competition. Choosing a rational trajectory for launching a payload into orbit will significantly reduce the cost of launches and make them available to a wider range of potential customers. Secondly, the choice of launch vehicle trajectory parameters is important for ensuring safety and minimizing risks during spacecraft launches. Thanks to the rational choice of trajectory, it is possible to reduce adverse impacts on the environment and eliminate the possibility of emergency situations associated with loss of control over the flight of the launch vehicle. Rational selection of launch vehicle trajectory parameters is a complex task that requires comprehensive research and consideration of various factors, such as aerodynamic parameters of the atmosphere, mass and characteristics of the payload (spacecraft), engine operating parameters, characteristics of the target orbit, features of the launch of the launch vehicle and many other factors. A more thorough and systematic study of the influence of these parameters will significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of launching spacecraft into orbit. Thus, the choice of rational parameters for the launch vehicle trajectory is a relevant and important topic for scientific research. Increasing the rocket's payload capacity, reducing the cost of delivering a spacecraft to a given orbit, and ensuring launch safety are tasks that depend on the chosen shape and parameters of the rocket's trajectory. Such research has important practical significance and can become the basis for the development of new technologies and methods in the space industry. The purpose of the study is to study and select rational parameters for the trajectory of a heavy-class launch vehicle when launching a payload. The main task is to determine the flight path parameters that will allow achieving maximum efficiency and accuracy in delivering the payload to a given orbit. To achieve the goal of the study, an analysis of various factors influencing the launch parameters of the spacecraft is required, such as the structural and aerodynamic characteristics of the rocket, the influence of aerodynamic factors and the Earth’s gravitational field on the flight path. Taking these factors into account, numerical calculations were carried out on the basis of a system of differential equations of motion using a computer program created in the MAPLE software package. Based on calculations, modeling of the shape and parameters of the launch vehicle flight path was carried out. Research results. During the study, the rational parameters of the trajectory of a heavy-class launch vehicle were selected. Calculations were carried out using numerical modeling of the parameters of payload launch trajectories, and an analysis of the resulting trajectories was carried out. Minimizing the rocket's flight time was identified as the main criterion for the rational choice of trajectory, which allows increasing launch efficiency and saving energy resources. An increase in payload mass and minimization of fuel consumption were adopted as additional criteria. Conclusion. The procedure for choosing rational parameters for the trajectory of a heavy-class launch vehicle proposed in this work will improve the delivery accuracy and reliability of spacecraft launches at the stage of ballistic analysis when designing rockets. The results of the study have practical significance for the development of future heavy-duty launch vehicle missions and improving the efficiency of space launches.

Mathematical modeling of the flat ingot casting process or solving automation problems

Aluminum alloys are widely used in the production of aircraft due to their strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, and necessary electrical conductivity. At the same time, aluminum ingots used in further processing of the space industry must be of high quality. Technological problems and defects arise when temperature, speed, and other technological parameters of casting are not observed, or when modes change. At the same time, foundry processes are partially automated; the human factor significantly affects product quality and work safety. Therefore, automation of these complex processes using mathematical models to predict casting parameters is an urgent task. The goal of the work is to create mathematical models available for use in automated process control systems (APCS), as well as for the development of a digital twin. The work presents simplified formulas for modeling the temperature distribution of an aluminum ingot during the casting process, cooling the metal when moving along a metal path, and test calculations of the temperature distribution inside the ingot when the ingot reaches a fixed length. The results of this work can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of controlling the process of casting aluminum ingots, to eliminate emergency situations.

Planetary media: Decolonizing the space industry through Indigenous ownership

The colonial relationship between Indigenous people and people of European origin has been characterized by conflicts, economic exclusions, and epistemological discriminations as well as the mutual sharing of knowledge, practices, and technologies. In many cases, the industrial development of space technologies such as telescopes and rocket test sites has continued the exploitative nature of colonialism. This article, however, offers a different story and concept of Indigenous decolonization that is not antagonistic but complementary to the space industry and Western liberalism more generally. The case is Space Enterprises, a company and Earth station owned by the Center for Appropriate Technologies in Alice Springs, Northern Territories, Australia and conceived by its Aboriginal owners, workers, and board of directors as representing a beneficial integration of their Indigenous self-determination and the space industry. This essay offers synthetic decolonization as an example of this integration with Western liberalism. Understanding the flows between the Indigenous-owned Earth station and satellites, as well as the connections between Indigenous and Western liberal planetary imaginaries, requires a theory of mediation. Towards that goal, planetary media is offered as a way of conceptualizing the flows of information between local Indigenous and planetary spaces and imaginaries. This essay argues that another decolonization is possible, one based on mediation between Indigenous and Western liberal systems of thought.

Using the principle of gravitational stabilization and orientation in the design of small spacecraft

Currently, most small spacecraft (MCAS) are becoming increasingly relevant in the modern space industry. To successfully complete the tasks assigned to them, the ICS must be oriented in some way in space relative to the Earth. The orientation and stabilization system (SOS) is responsible for this task, which is necessary for monitoring and controlling the position of the MC in space. At the moment, the tasks for the MCA basically do not require complex turning maneuvers and high orientation accuracy, therefore passive and combined SOS have become widespread for them. Such systems have a long service life, are characterized by simplicity, high reliability and low weight. One of the typical systems used in modern space technology is gravity systems. The principle of gravitational SOS is based on the use of gravity acting on a body and moments of inertia relative to three mutually orthogonal axes. This article proposes a 3U CubeSat ICA project with a gravitational orientation system. The design of such a satellite requires a gravitational stabilization device, which is necessary to deploy the ICA after separating it from the launch vehicle, as well as to create a restoring moment. The gravitational device is supposed to be placed between the rigidly bonded 2U MC and the third U MCA. The advantage of this design is the fact that it becomes possible to place more payload on the MC without overloading it with various devices for the orientation and stabilization system.

Is the Lunar Economy Solely for the Space Industry? Opportunities for Nonspace Companies in Lunar Infrastructure Leveraging Technological Synergies

Is the Lunar Economy Solely for the Space Industry? Opportunities for Nonspace Companies in Lunar Infrastructure Leveraging Technological Synergies

From academia to a career in the space industry

From academia to a career in the space industry

Ground-Based Characterisation of a Compact Instrument for Gamma-ray Burst Detection on a CubeSat Platform

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are intense and short-lived cosmic explosions. Miniaturised CubeSat-compatible instruments for the study of GRBs are being developed to help bridge the gap in large missions and assist in achieving full sky coverage. CubeSats are small, compact satellites conforming to a design standard and have transformed the space industry. They are relatively low-cost and are developed on fast timescales, which has provided unparalleled access to space. This paper focuses on GMOD, the gamma-ray module, onboard the 2U CubeSat EIRSAT-1, launched on December 1st 2023. GMOD is a scintillation-based instrument with a cerium bromide crystal coupled to an array of sixteen silicon photomultipliers, designed for the detection of GRBs. The characterisation of GMOD in the spacecraft, along with the validation of an updated spacecraft MEGAlib model is presented and this approach can be followed by other CubeSats with similar science goals. The energy resolution of the flight model is 7.07% at 662 keV and the effective area peaks in the tens to hundreds of keV, making it a suitable instrument for the detection of GRBs. An investigation into the instrument’s angular response is also detailed. The results from this characterisation campaign are a benchmark for the instrument’s performance pre-launch and will be used to compare with the detector’s performance in orbit.

Secondary electron emission yield in thick dielectric materials: a comparison between Kelvin probe and capacitive methods

The recent high demand of secondary electron emission yield (SEY) measurements in dielectric materials from space industry has driven SEY laboratories to improve their facilities and measurement techniques. SEY determination by the common capacitive method, also known as pulsed method, is well accepted and has given satisfactory results in most cases. Nevertheless, the samples under study must be prepared according to the experimental limitations of the technique, i.e. they should be manufactured separated from the devices representing faithfully the surface state of the own device and be as thin as possible. A method based on the Kelvin probe (KP) is proposed here to obtain the SEY characteristics of electrically floating Platinum, Kapton and Teflon placed over dielectric spacers with thicknesses ranging from 1.6 to 12.1 mm. The results are compared with those of the capacitive method and indicate that KP SEY curves are less sensitive to spacer thickness. An explanation based on the literature is also given. In all, we have established that KP is better suited for the analysis of dielectric samples thicker than 3 mm.

The organizational ecology of the global space industry

The global space industry is booming. While governmental agencies used to dominate outer space activities, private space organizations (PSOs) now launch rockets, operate strategic satellites, and even take tourists on space expeditions. How can we explain this emergence of PSOs? Building on organizational ecology theory and drawing on a novel dataset of 1751 space organizations and 52 semi-structured interviews, this paper finds that mutualistic relations between governmental space agencies and PSOs have been instrumental in the rise of PSOs. This emphasis on mutualism challenges the prevailing belief that a few visionary private entrepreneurs create the space industry from the ground up. It also refutes the notion that PSOs simply out-compete a stagnant public sector. PSOs have not superseded governmental space agencies; they are nurtured by and developed with them. This paper is one of the first to explain how private actors can emerge in a field historically dominated by governmental actors. In so doing, it contributes to studies on public-private interactions by showing how mutualism can structure a nascent industry. It also opens up new avenues for research on the political economy of outer space by making available a rich dataset of space actors.

Spaceworthiness: the future of space products safety

The new space race, now played by several private companies and remarkable Asian new players, raises new considerations regarding the fair, enjoyable, sustainable, and economically feasible use of space products and their environment: the planet’s atmosphere and outer space. Inspired by the successful (but not easy nor cheap) path coursed by aviation, this article seeks to present a brief history of both industries (air and space) and the available legal framework for space matters in Brazil, Europe, the USA, and at the United Nations level. Lastly, this work discusses the necessity of creating an organization at the molds of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) in the space sector to promote standardization and harmonization among players all around the globe involved in space operations.