Spacecraft motion around artificial equilibrium points

The main goal of this paper is to describe the motion of a spacecraft around an artificial equilibrium point in the circular restricted three-body problem. The spacecraft is under the gravitational influence of the Sun and the Earth, as primary and secondary bodies, subjected to the force due to the solar radiation pressure and some extra perturbations. Analytical solutions for the equations of motion of the spacecraft are found using several methods and for different extra perturbations. These solutions are strictly valid at the artificial equilibrium point, but they are used as approximations to describe the motion around this artificial equilibrium point. As an application of the method, the perturbation due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter and Venus is added to a spacecraft located at a chosen artificial equilibrium point, near the \(L_3\) Lagrangian point of the Sun–Earth system. The system is propagated starting from this point using analytical and numerical solutions. Comparisons between analytical–analytical and analytical–numerical solutions for several kinds of perturbations are made to guide the choice of the best analytical solution, with the best accuracy.     

A New Lagrangian Asymptotic Solution for Gravity–Capillary Waves in Water of Finite Depth

A third-order Lagrangian asymptotic solution is derived for gravity–capillary waves in water of finite depth. The explicit parametric solution gives the trajectory of a water particle and the wave kinematics for Lagrangian points above the mean water level, and in a water column. The water particle orbits and mass transport velocity as functions of the surface tension are obtained. Some remarkable trajectories may contain one or multiple sub-loops for steep waves and large surface tension. Overall, an increase in surface tension tends to increase the motions of surface particles including the relative horizontal distance travelled by a particle as well as the time-averaged drift velocity     

纯引力轨道检验质量的相对测量技术

纯引力轨道是物体在太空仅受引力作用的运行轨道, 通过构造纯引 力轨道, 可实现超高精度的空间引力探测, 也可为科学实验提供超稳定卫星 平台. 作为纯引力轨道构造的核心, 检验质量的相对测量不仅提供了部分任 务科学数据, 还为航天器平台的跟踪控制提供输入. 首先, 描述了纯引力轨道 的概念内涵, 总结了它在卫星重力测量、引力波探测等方面的应用情况. 其 次, 综述了不同任务对相对测量的需求, 给出了电容式测量、磁感应测量和 光学测量的原理, 总结了各自的优缺点. 根据检验质量的姿态运动, 将检验质 量质心相对状态解算问题分为3 类, 给出了基于检验质量姿态动力学与表面 建模的典型解算模型和质心速度估计方法. 最后分析了非引力干扰的理论计 算、地面实验验证和在轨实验验证问题.      

Exact solutions and adiabatic invariants for equations of satellite attitude motion under Coulomb torque

This paper focuses on the attitude dynamics of a defunct axisymmetric satellite under the action of Coulomb forces to enable active space debris removal. Touchless Coulomb interaction occurs between an active spacecraft and the passive satellite at a fixed separation distance. The recently developed multi-sphere method of Schaub and Stevenson allows providing a simplified electrostatic force and torque model between non-spherical space objects. The existence of torques between charged bodies makes it necessary to study the attitude motion of the passive satellite for ensuring the safety of the space debris removal. The goal is first to deduce the equations of motion in the canonical form which is suitable for analytical analysis and then to construct a phase portrait, and to obtain exact solutions using Jacobi elliptic functions. Finally, for the disturbed motion of the system of two bodies, when the distance between the active spacecraft and the defunct satellite (or) and charge voltage changes slowly over time, adiabatic invariants are found in terms of the complete elliptic integrals. In this case, the adiabatic invariants are approximately first integrals of the disturbed system and they remain approximately constant for long time intervals during which the parameters change considerably. For a plane motion, the adiabatic invariants used to obtain an analytical solution for envelope of a deflection angle of the defunct satellite. This work extends the theory to the three-dimensional tumbling motion of a satellite on an orbit. The obtained results can be applied to study an opportunity of the space debris removal by the Coulomb interaction with the active spacecraft as a pusher.

     

Singularly perturbed feedback linearization with linear attitude deviation dynamics realization

A new approach for feedback linearization of attitude dynamics for rigid gas jet-actuated spacecraft control is introduced. The approach is aimed at providing global feedback linearization of the spacecraft dynamics while realizing a prescribed linear attitude deviation dynamics. The methodology is based on nonuniqueness representation of underdetermined linear algebraic equations solution via nullspace parametrization using generalized inversion. The procedure is to prespecify a stable second-order linear time-invariant differential equation in a norm measure of the spacecraft attitude variables deviations from their desired values. The evaluation of this equation along the trajectories defined by the spacecraft equations of motion yields a linear relation in the control variables. These control variables can be solved by utilizing the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse of the involved controls coefficient row vector. The resulting control law consists of auxiliary and particular parts, residing in the nullspace of the controls coefficient and the range space of its generalized inverse, respectively. The free null-control vector in the auxiliary part is projected onto the controls coefficient nullspace by a nullprojection matrix, and is designed to yield exponentially stable spacecraft internal dynamics, and singularly perturbed feedback linearization of the spacecraft attitude dynamics. The feedback control design utilizes the concept of damped generalized inverse to limit the growth of the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse, in addition to the concepts of singularly perturbed controls coefficient nullprojection and damped controls coefficient nullprojection to disencumber the nullprojection matrix from its rank deficiency, and to enhance the closed loop control system performance. The methodology yields desired linear attitude deviation dynamics realization with globally uniformly ultimately bounded trajectory tracking errors, and reveals a tradeoff between trajectory tracking accuracy and damped generalized inverse stability. The paper bridges a gap between the nonlinear control problem applied to spacecraft dynamics and some of the basic generalized inversion-related analytical dynamics principles.     

Optimal low-thrust orbital transfers in a central gravity field

The results of studying some problems of optimization of low-thrust transfers between arbitrary elliptic orbits in a Newtonian gravity field are expounded. An approximate solution obtained by the averaging method is presented. Analytical solutions of the averaged equations are given for a wide class of maneuvers. The problem of constructing numerical solutions to the exact equations of motion of a spacecraft between high orbits is discussed __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 41, No. 11, pp. 3–37, November 2005.     

Spacecraft formation flying in the port-Hamiltonian framework

The problem of controlling the relative position and velocity in multi-spacecraft formation flying in the planetary orbits is an enabling technology for current and future research. This paper proposes a family of tracking controllers for different dynamics of Spacecraft Formation Flying (SFF) in the framework of port-Hamiltonian (pH) systems through application of timed Interconnection and Damping Assignment Passivity-Based Control (IDA-PBC). The leader–multi-follower architecture is used to address this problem. In this regard, first we model the spacecraft motion in the pH framework in the Earth Centered Inertial frame and then transform it to the Hill frame which is a special local coordinate system. By this technique, we may present a unified structure which encompasses linear/nonlinear dynamics, with/without perturbation. Then, using the timed IDA-PBC method and the contraction analysis, a new method for controlling a family of SFF dynamics is developed. The numerical simulations show the efficiency of the approach in two different cases of missions.

     

Dynamic instability of vibrating carbon nanotubes near small layers of graphite sheets based on nonlocal continuum elasticity

This article presents a new asymptotic method to predict dynamic pull-in instability of nonlocal clamped–clamped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) near graphite sheets. Nonlinear governing equations of carbon nanotubes actuated by an electric field are derived. With due allowance for the van der Waals effects, the pull-in instability and the natural frequency–amplitude relationship are investigated by a powerful analytical method, namely, the parameter expansion method. It is demonstrated that retaining two terms in series expansions is sufficient to produce an acceptable solution. The obtained results from numerical methods verify the strength of the analytical procedure. The qualitative analysis of system dynamics shows that the equilibrium points of the autonomous system include center points and unstable saddle points. The phase portraits of the carbon nanotube actuator exhibit periodic and homoclinic orbits.     

Trajectory optimization and applications using high performance solar sails

The high performance solar sail can enable fast missions to the outer solar system and produce exotic non-Keplerian orbits. As there is no fuel consumption, mission trajectories for solar sail spacecraft are typically optimized with respect to flight time. Several investigations focused on interstellar probe missions have been made, including optimal methods and new objective functions. Two modes of interstellar mission trajectories, namely “direct flyby” and “angular momentum reversal trajectory”, are compared and discussed. As a foundation, a 3D non-dimensional dynamic model for an ideal plane solar sail is introduced as well as an optimal control framework. A newly found periodic double angular momentum reversal trajectory is presented, and some properties and potential applications of this kind of inverse orbits are illustrated. The method how to achieve the minimum periodic inverse orbit is also briefly elucidated.     

带脉冲的三维引力辅助变轨研究

在引力辅助过程中施加脉冲可以有效地改善变轨效果.目前只能对施加小脉冲的情况进行近似计算,当脉冲大于近拱点速度的1%时无法进行分析.针对这一问题,提出了一种解析分析方法,可以计算施加任意大小和方向脉冲的三维引力辅助变轨.基于二体问题,建立了带任意脉冲的三维引力辅助模型,采用8个相互独立的参数对模型进行描述,其中5个参数表征三维引力辅助、一个参数表征脉冲的大小、两个参数表征脉冲的方向;建立了一组坐标系,可以方便地对轨道进行描述;以施加脉冲为界,将轨道划分为前后两段,分别进行公式推导;应用双曲线轨道动力学与坐标变换等技术方法,可以将飞行器的位置矢量和速度矢量表示为上述8个参数的解析公式,进而可以求出变轨导致的速度、能量和轨道倾角的变化量.通过与基于圆型限制性三体问题的数值仿真结果进行对比,验证公式的有效性.应用导出的解析公式分析了施加脉冲的大小和方向对飞行器能量和轨道倾角的影响,并给出了相应规律.结果表明:以最大能量改变为优化目标,施加脉冲的最优方向往往并不是该点速度方向;轨道倾角受到脉冲方向的影响显著.      

Forced resonance orbit analysis of binary asteroid system with consideration of solar radiation pressure

The solar radiation pressure is one of the major perturbations to orbits in the study of binary asteroid system, since asteroids have relatively weak gravity fields. In this paper, based on the idea of treating the solar radiation pressure as periodic external excitation, one novel family of orbits due to primary resonance and another novel family of orbits due to both primary resonance and internal resonance have been found by the classical perturbation method. The two types of steady-state orbits due to external resonance with different area-to-mass ratios have been determined and discussed by the frequency–response equations analytically. Four binary asteroid systems, 283 Emma-S/2003 (283) 1, 22 Kalliope-Linus, 2006 Polonskaya-S/2005 (2006) 1 and 4029 Bridges have been taken as examples to show the validity of the proposed mechanism in the explanation of orbits formation due to resonance. The multiple shooting method is applied to obtain the resonance orbits after numerical iterations.

     

相对运动中一类质点运动方程的同伦摄动解

相对运动中质点的运动方程大多数是非线性的,其精确显式求解是一个难点。本文基于同伦摄动分析方法,研究了相对运动中一类质点运动非线性微分方程的近似显式解。先构造了系统的同伦方程,再结合Lindstedt–Poincare方法和系统的初始条件,推导了系统自由振动的固有频率,求解了系统的位移近似响应,并通过数值仿真验证了理论分析解的正确性,为相对运动的质点运动方程求解提供了一种新的求解方法。

     

The control of a permanent rotational motion and equilibrium position of a spacecraft

This article has adopted an analytical method to obtain a non-linear control law to reach the exponential asymptotic stablity of the permanent rotational motion of a spacecraft. The control moments achieving this rotational motion are obtained. The control moments to establish exponential asymptotic stablity of the mentioned motion are obtained as non-linear functions of the phase coordinates of the spacecraft. The general solution of the equations of perturbed motion is derived. Furthermore, analysis and numerical simulation study of this solution are presented. For numerical examples the time needed for control is calculated. An equilibrium position of the spacecraft is proved to be exponentially asymptotically stable as a special case of the above-studied problem.     

三维引力辅助解析分析方法研究

针对星际探测中的引力辅助技术,基于二体问题,导出了三维引力辅助前后飞行器速度、能量、角动量和轨道倾角与引力辅助参数之间的解析公式. 以进行木星引力辅助为例,将解析公式计算的结果与基于圆型限制性三体问题的数值仿真结果进行了对比,各项绝对误差小于0.01,除极少数情况外,相对误差均小于0.7%. 分析结果表明导出的解析公式与实际情况对比具有较高的精度,可以满足引力辅助轨道初步设计的需要. 为了讨论和应用上的方便,对导出的公式进行了简化,据此进一步讨论了引力辅助参数对引力辅助效果的影响.     

Local contact characteristics of threaded surfaces in a planetary roller screw mechanism

Abstract

This study investigates the local contact characteristics of the threaded surface meshing of a planetary roller screw mechanism (PRSM). First, according to the threaded surface structure and threaded surface meshing characteristics, expressions for the principal curvature and principal direction of the contact ellipse at a contact point are derived based on the differential geometry theory. Next, based on a force analysis and threaded surface equations, an analytical model is established to calculate the dimensions and principal vector direction of contact ellipses on threaded surfaces. The elastic deformation and maximum contact stress are determined using Hertz elastic contact theory. Then, finite element (FE) numerical models for a single pair of threads at the screw–roller interface and the roller–nut interface are developed to calculate the contact area and maximum contact stress. The results are compared with those of the analytical model to demonstrate the validity of the analytical model. Finally, based on the analytical model proposed in this article, the local contact characteristics of threaded surfaces with various thread pitches, flank angles, and profile radii of roller threads are analyzed in detail.     

A regularised one-dimensional drop formation and coalescence model using a total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme on a single Eulerian grid

The breakup of an axisymmetric viscous jet is considered in the lubrication approximation. The discretised equations are solved on a fixed equidistant one-dimensional Eulerian grid. The governing equations are implemented in a conservative second order accurate total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme, preventing the numerical diffusivity. Singularities that occur at pinchoff and coalescence are regularised by a small modification on the surface tension. The modification is of the order of the spatial step Δx. This regularisation ensures that the solution of the presented numerical model converges to the exact solution of the breakup of a jet in the lubrication approximation. The results of the presented numerical model agree quantitatively with the analytical solution of the Rayleigh–Plateau instability, and with experimental results on the final stage of the Rayleigh–Plateau instability.     

A note on the solution of the electro-elastic boundary-value problem for rank-two laminates at finite strains

Recent research has shown that hierarchical laminated composites can be profitably employed to improve the actuation performance of electrically-activated soft dielectric transducers. This note focuses on two types of rank-two layouts composed of ideal dielectric phases which follow nonlinear hyper-elastic mechanical behaviour and aims at providing a simplified set of solving equations for voltage-controlled actuation. We obtain such equations by analytical manipulations allowing to partly uncouple the set of equations usually employed within this theoretical framework. By focusing on neo-Hookean hyper-elasticity, we validate the proposed methodology with the results available in literature for one layout. For the other layout, we obtain new configurations by maximising the axial stretch. In both cases, we study the sensitivity of the optimal actuation stretch to changes of the parameters characterising the rank-two meso- and micro-structures. In average, the computational time required to reach a convergent solution with the new methodology is one order of magnitude lower than that necessary to solve the whole set of nonlinear coupled equations.

     

A σ‐coordinate three‐dimensional numerical model for surface wave propagation

A three‐dimensional numerical model based on the full Navier–Stokes equations (NSE) in σ‐coordinate is developed in this study. The σ‐coordinate transformation is first introduced to map the irregular physical domain with the wavy free surface and uneven bottom to the regular computational domain with the shape of a rectangular prism. Using the chain rule of partial differentiation, a new set of governing equations is derived in the σ‐coordinate from the original NSE defined in the Cartesian coordinate. The operator splitting method (Li and Yu, Int. J. Num. Meth. Fluids 1996; 23 : 485–501), which splits the solution procedure into the advection, diffusion, and propagation steps, is used to solve the modified NSE. The model is first tested for mass and energy conservation as well as mesh convergence by using an example of water sloshing in a confined tank. Excellent agreements between numerical results and analytical solutions are obtained. The model is then used to simulate two‐ and three‐dimensional solitary waves propagating in constant depth. Very good agreements between numerical results and analytical solutions are obtained for both free surface displacements and velocities. Finally, a more realistic case of periodic wave train passing through a submerged breakwater is simulated. Comparisons between numerical results and experimental data are promising. The model is proven to be an accurate tool for consequent studies of wave‐structure interaction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On optimization of many-revolution low-thrust orbit transfers: Part 1

The paper proposes a numerical approach to the problem of optimal control of low-thrust spacecraft in a strong central gravity field. The approach employs the solution of the averaged equations of optimal motion. For an optimal variable-thrust maneuver, it is shown that quasioptimal trajectories are close to the averaged ones. It is established that in the case of constant thrust, the averaged solutions can be used as a satisfactory first approximation for finding a quasioptimal solution by minimizing the discrepancy at the right end of the trajectory __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 44, No. 7, pp. 110–119, July 2008.     

Near-Earth asteroid flyby trajectories from the Sun-Earth L2 for Chang’e-2’s extended flight

Driven by curiosity about possible flight options for the Chang'e-2 spacecraft after it remains at the Sun-Earth L2 point, effective approaches were developed for designing preliminary fuel-optimal near-Earth asteroid flyby trajectories. The approaches include the use of modified unstable manifolds, grid search of the manifolds' parameters, and a two-impulse maneuver for orbital phase matching and z-axis bias change, and are demonstrated to be effective in asteroid target screening and trajectory optimization. Asteroid flybys are expected to be within a distance of 2×107 km from the Earth owing to the constrained Earth-spacecraft communication range. In this case, the spacecraft's orbital motion is significantly affected by the gravities of both the Sun and the Earth, and therefore, the concept of the "heliocentric oscillating-Kepler orbit" is proposed, because the classical orbital elements of the flyby trajectories referenced in the heliocentric inertial frame oscillate significantly with respect to time. The analysis and results presented in this study show that, among the asteroids whose orbits are the most accurately predicted, "Toutatis", "2005 NZ6", or "2010 CL19" might be encountered by Chang'e-2 in late 2012 or 2013 with total impulses less than 100m/s.