Spacecraft Design Parameters Research Articles

Модель керування рухом космічних розподілених енергетичних систем

The goal of this article is to develop a generalized mathematical model for controlling the motion of the spacecraft of a space industrial platform’s distributed power system. Space industrialization is one of the promising lines of industrial development in the world. The development of space industrial technologies will allow one to solve a number of problems in the production of unique products unavailable under terrestrial conditions. The main types of these products include semiconductor materials, materials made by 3D printing in microgravity, space modules of sunshade systems, space metallurgy products, space debris processing products, and high-purity space biology substances. Taking this into account, a certain amount of electricity is required for the manufacture of one or another product. Given that some space industrial processes can consume a significant amount of electricity, a space industrial platform's own power generation may not be sufficient. Because of this, it was proposed to use additional energy resources through the development of a distributed power supply system for a space industrial platform. A group of power spacecraft is envisaged to collect and accumulate electric energy and transmit it in a contactless way to the receivers of the space industrial platform. The article presents mathematical models for the analysis of the orbital, angular, and relative motion of power spacecraft and receiver spacecraft. Algorithms are proposed for calculating the parameters of the power spacecraft orientation and stabilization system. A generalized model is constructed for determining the maximum distance and time interval of power spacecraft to platform electric power transmission using microwave radiation. The model developed allows one to choose the power spacecraft design parameters at the stage of conceptual design of space industrial platform power systems.

Procedure of experimental evaluation of nanoclass spacecraft design parameters using the ground test equipment

As it is impossible to set high accuracy of the initial data for theoretical calculations of the design parameters, such as the mass-centering and inertial characteristics of nanosatellites, the problem of experimental determination of their actual values arises. For a number of reasons, the devices designed for large spacecraft are not appropriate for the small ones. This paper describes a device developed at Samara University for measuring the center of mass coordinates and moments of inertia specifically for CubeSat nanosatellites, as well as a technology for experimental evaluation of the design parameters of nanoclass spacecraft. The accuracy of determining the design parameters using the proposed device is confirmed by a series of experiments with standards.

Optimization of Design Parameters of Spacecraft Equipped with Electro Rocket Low-thrust Engine and Calculation its Applying Area at Low Earth Orbit

The problem of electro rocket engine type and its main design parameters optimization for spacecraft located at low circular Earth orbit is studied. The efficiency of chemical (impulse) and electro rocket engine of low-thrust is analyzed. Introduced criteria of efficiency – payload mass maximization, introduced assumption that engine exhaust velocity is constant. In accordance with criteria and assumption, the analytical solution for spacecraft design parameters of spacecraft is obtained. Also, analytical solution for area of efficiency of electro rocket low-thrust engine is obtained. Calculation of spacecraft design parameters equipped with electro rocket low-thrust engine and area of its efficiency applying is carried out.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Propulsion Systems Usage with Energy Accumulation at Spacecraft

The problem of cooperative optimization of trajectory and main design parameters of spacecraft, equipped with propulsion systems with energy accumulation, during low Earth orbit formation and correction in non-central gravitational field is considered. The working principle of these propulsion systems is a periodic cycle of energy accumulation from the energy source at the passive stages of orbital transfer, and its discharge to supply power to the engine during the active stages of orbital transfer. The special characteristics of propulsion systems with energy accumulation is limited operation time per one switching, which determines by the energy, stored in an accumulator. For design-ballistic analysis, the mass model of the spacecraft with an uncontrollable power-limited engine with energy accumulator is used. The general problem is separated into dynamic and parametric parts. Using averaging mathematical models of motion and Pontriagin's maximum principle, the calculation method of the ballistic characteristics of approximately-optimal orbital transfer is obtained. The method of design-ballistic optimization is obtained as an iterative procedure. It was found, that inclusion of an energy accumulator in a propulsion system provides an increasing of orbital transfer efficiency.

Special Refill Spacecraft Debris Collector, Equipped with Electro Rocket Engine of Low-thrust, Design Parameters Optimization

The problem of near Earth space debris is studied in this article. A special spacecraft debris collector, equipped with electro rocket engine of low-thrust, for large space debris disposal is introduced. The mass model of spacecraft debris collector, one-off or reusable, is obtained. Ballistic scheme, spacecraft debris collector orbital transfer from parking orbit to space debris orbit, its disposal in Earth atmosphere and reusable spacecraft return to the parking orbit are studied. For the introduced criteria of transport transfer efficiency and assumption about consistency of acceleration from thrust, analytical relations for spacecraft design parameters calculation are obtained. The design parameters calculation results are shown in a generalized form.

Efficiency of using electric propulsion engines for the task of keeping in a near-circular orbit

The paper deals with the problem of choosing the type and the main design parameters of the correcting propulsion system of spacecraft functioning in low near-circular Earth orbits. The efficiency of using chemical (impulse) and low-thrust electric propulsion engines is analyzed. Analytical relations for calculating spacecraft design parameters and specifying the areas of efficient use of electric propulsion engines are obtained for the criterion of useful load fraction and the assumption of constant power dependent acceleration. The results of calculating the areas of efficient use and design parameters of spacecraft for various operational altitudes are shown.

Choice of design characteristics of «garbage collector» spacecraft with a low-thrust electrojet engine

The paper is devoted to the problem of debris in the near-Earth space. We investigate a method of cleaning the space of large fragments of space debris using a garbage collector spacecraft with a low- thrust electrojet engine. A mass model of one-shot and shuttle spacecraft has been constructed. A mission trajectory plan is presented that includes the spacecraft flight from the parking orbit to that of debris location, its descent to the surface of the Earth and the return of reusable spacecraft to the parking orbit. Analytical relationships for the calculation of the spacecraft design parameters have been obtained for the proposed criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of the logistic space mission and the assumption about constant thrust acceleration. The results of calculation of the design parameters are summarized.

Autonomous aerobraking for low-cost interplanetary missions

Aerobraking has previously been used to reduce the propellant required to deliver an orbiter to its desired final orbit. In principle, aerobraking should be possible around any target planet or moon having sufficient atmosphere to permit atmospheric drag to provide a portion of the mission ΔV, in lieu of supplying all of the required ΔV propulsively. The spacecraft is flown through the upper atmosphere of the target using multiple passes, ensuring that the dynamic pressure and thermal loads remain within the spacecraft's design parameters. NASA has successfully conducted aerobraking operations four times, once at Venus and three times at Mars. While aerobraking reduces the fuel required, it does so at the expense of time (typically 3–6 months), continuous Deep Space Network (DSN) coverage, and a large ground staff. These factors can result in aerobraking being a very expensive operational phase of the mission. However, aerobraking has matured to the point that much of the daily operation could potentially be performed autonomously onboard the spacecraft, thereby reducing the required ground support and attendant aerobraking related costs. To facilitate a lower-risk transition from ground processing to an autonomous capability, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) has assembled a team of experts in aerobraking and interplanetary guidance and control to develop a high-fidelity, flight-like simulation. This simulation will be used to demonstrate the overall feasibility while exploring the potential for staff and DSN coverage reductions that autonomous aerobraking might provide. This paper reviews the various elements of autonomous aerobraking and presents an overview of the various models and algorithms that must be transformed from the current ground processing methodology to a flight-like environment. Additionally the high-fidelity flight software test bed, being developed from models used in a recent interplanetary mission, will be summarized.