Optimal design of near-Earth asteroid sample-return trajectories in the Sun–Earth–Moon system

In the 6th edition of the Chinese Space Trajectory Design Competition held in 2014, a near-Earth asteroid sample-return trajectory design problem was released, in which the motion of the spacecraft is modeled in multi-body dynamics, considering the gravitational forces of the Sun,Earth, and Moon. It is proposed that an electric-propulsion spacecraft initially parking in a circular 200-km-altitude low Earth orbit is expected to rendezvous with an asteroid and carry as much sample as possible back to the Earth in a10-year time frame. The team from the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences has reported a solution with an asteroid sample mass of 328 tons, which is ranked first in the competition.In this article, we will present our design and optimization methods, primarily including overall analysis, target selection, escape from and capture by the Earth–Moon system,and optimization of impulsive and low-thrust trajectories that are modeled in multi-body dynamics. The orbital resonance concept and lunar gravity assists are considered key techniques employed for trajectory design. The reported solution, preliminarily revealing the feasibility of returning a hundreds-of-tons asteroid or asteroid sample, envisions future space missions relating to near-Earth asteroid exploration.     

Lunar landing trajectory design based on invariant manifold

The low-energy lunar landing trajectory design using the invariant manifolds of restricted three-body problem is studied.Considering angle between the ecliptic plane and lunar orbit plate the four-body problem of sun-earth-moon-spacecraft is divided into two three-body problems,the sun-earth-spacecraft in the ecliptic plane and the earth- moon-spacecraft in the lunar orbit plane.Using the orbit maneuver at the place where the two planes and the invariant manifolds intersect,a general method to design low energy lunar landing trajectory is given.It is found that this method can save the energy about 20% compared to the traditional Hohmann transfer trajectory,The mechanism that the method can save energy is investigated in the point of view of energy and the expression of the amount of energy saved is given.In addition,some rules of selecting parameters with respect to orbit design are provided.The method of energy analysis in the paper can be extended to energy analysis in deep space orbit design.     

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.     

First-round design of the flight scenario for Chang’e-2’s extended mission:take off from lunar orbit

Chang'e-2, Chinese second lunar probe, was inserted into a 100 km altitude low lunar orbit on October 9th, 2010, its purpose is to continuously photograph the lunar surface and possibly chosen landing sites for future lunar missions. The probe will still carry considerable amount of propellant after completing all prescribed tasks in about six months. After the successful launch of Chang'e-2, we began designing the probe's subsequent flight scenario, considering a total impulse of 1 100 m/s for takeoff from low lunar orbit and a maximum 3×10 6 km distance for Earth-probe telecommunication. Our first-round effort proposed a preliminary flight scenario that involves consecutive arrivals at the halo orbits around the Earth-Moon L1/L2 and Sun-Earth L1/L2 points, near-Earth asteroid flyby, Earth return, and lunar im- pact. The designed solution of Chang'e-2's subsequent flight scenario is a multi-segment flight trajectory that serves as a reference for making the final decision on Chang'e-2's extended mission, which is a flight to the Sun-Earth L2 point, and a possible scheme of lunar impact via Earth flyby after remaining at the Sun-Earth L2 point was also presented. The proposed flight trajectory, which possesses acceptable solution accuracy for mission analysis, is a novel design that effectively exploits the invariant manifolds in the circular restricted three-body problem and the patched-manifold-conic method.     

Multi-objective transfer to libration-point orbits via the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach

The multi-objective optimization of transfer trajectories from an orbit near Earth to a periodic libration-point orbit in the Sun–Earth system using the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach is investigated in this paper. A two-objective optimization model is proposed based on the mixed low-thrust and invariant-manifold approach. The circular restricted three-body model (CRTBP) is utilized to represent the motion of a spacecraft in the gravitational field of the Sun and Earth. The transfer trajectory is broken down into several segments; both low-thrust propulsion and stable manifolds are utilized based on the CRTBP in different segments. The fuel cost, which is generated only by the low-thrust trajectory for transferring the spacecraft from an orbit near Earth to a stable manifold, is minimized. The total flight time, which includes the time during which the spacecraft is controlled by the low-thrust trajectory and the time during which the spacecraft is moving on the stable manifold, is also minimized. Using the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm for the resulting multi-objective optimization problem, highly promising Pareto-optimal solutions for the transfer of the spacecraft are found. Via numerical simulations, it is shown that tradeoffs between time of flight and fuel cost can be quickly evaluated using this approach. Furthermore, for the same time of flight, transfer trajectories based on the mixed-transfer method can save a larger amount of fuel than the low-thrust method alone.     

木卫停泊轨道间低耗能小推力转移轨道设计方法研究

对木卫停泊轨道间的低耗能小推力转移轨道设计方法进行了研究,提出基于"类halo轨道截面"法的低耗能转移轨道参数化方法和基于配点法的多体Lambert问题求解算法,并利用全局优化算法得出了燃耗最少的初步优化结果;利用多体同伦法和固定近心点高度的多圈转移控制律得到了各段小推力转移轨道的有效设计结果.所提方法同样适用于其他天体间的转移轨道设计,为多体环境下低耗能小推力转移轨道提出了新的设计思路和方法.     

基于偏转距离近似模型的动能撞击小行星防御任务脉冲轨道优化研究

小行星撞击对地球上的生命存在重大潜在威胁,动能撞击是目前最易实现且成熟度最高的防御方案.动能撞击任务的一种轨道优化指标为最大化偏转距离(即小行星被偏转前后近地距的改变量),若用数值积分的方法精确计算偏转距离, 会导致优化效率较低.在动能撞击任务的设计初期, 可以对动力学模型及偏转距离的计算方法进行简化,以提升优化效率. 本文首先将高精度模型简化为二体模型,分析了两种经典偏转距离解析模型的适用条件,同时提出一种基于近地点时刻预估的偏转距离近似模型; 考虑运载约束,将化学推进变轨简化为脉冲推力变轨,建立了直接转移(两脉冲及三脉冲)和行星借力飞行转移(单次及两次借力)的动能撞击轨道优化模型,利用遗传算法求解了优化问题. 以偏转小行星Apophis为例, 相比于解析模型,验证了本文提出的近似模型可以同时提升最优性、降低求解复杂性. 优化结果表明,三脉冲直接转移方案与两脉冲直接转移方案的最优偏转效果基本一致,借力飞行转移方案相比于直接转移方案对偏转距离的提升效果并不明显.在动能撞击任务的前期设计中, 可以基于二体模型进行防御效果的快速评估,虽然对计算偏转距离存在一定误差, 但对防御窗口的优化结果影响不大. 进一步,数值求解偏转距离时, 可通过引入主要引力摄动项(金星、地球、木星)修正二体模型,使其与高精度模型之间的求解误差在1%以下.      

地月低能转移的发生条件及轨迹构造

应用平动点理论研究了地月低能转移的发生条件和轨迹构造. 由于空间双圆模型存在周期性扰动,传统的平动点概念不再适用;根据Hill瞬时边界的连接情况定义了等效平动点LL_{1}和LL_{2}. 通过构造合适的Poincaré截面以获得所有可能的月球捕获轨道的近月距和偏心率分布,从而获得了完全不同于Hill和圆型限制性三体问题的月面捕获能量. 在空间双圆模型下,平动点和Halo轨道不变流形的渐近结构遭到破坏:到达或离开平动点的时间,由无穷转变为有限值;运动方向由双向变为单向. 经由LL_{1}点穿越获得了最小能量的低能转移,借助LL_{1}-Halo轨道穿越得到了(M,N)-圈穿越轨道,经由LL_{2}点穿越获得了最小能量的弱稳定边界转移,借助LL_{2}-Halo轨道穿越得到了弱稳定边界逃逸和捕获窗口. 最后,以地月转移和大幅值逆行轨道的切入为例,给出低能转移的小推力、脉冲和弱稳定边界等转移的实现方式.      

小行星撞击地球的超高速问题

小行星撞击地球是人类生存面临的潜在威胁之一.在小行星进入地球大气与撞击地球表面过程中,存在烧蚀、解体、空中爆炸、火球、撞击成坑、反溅碎片云、地震以及海啸等一系列复杂的物理化学和力学现象.本文梳理和归纳了与这些现象相关的超高速空气动力学问题和超高速碰撞动力学问题.小行星进入地球大气的超高速空气动力学问题有:极高速($V = 12 ~ 20$km/s)进入条件下的气动力与轨迹,极高速进入条件下的小行星气动加热与烧蚀机理,极高速气动加热条件下的小行星结构传热与热响应,极高速进入条件下的高温气体效应,小行星进入过程的物理特征.小行星撞击地球的超高速碰撞动力学问题有:陆地撞击成坑与反溅碎片云,海洋撞击与海啸,撞击过程的地震效应.由于小行星撞击地球与超高速飞行器的再入过程在速度、材料和结构上存在较大差异,针对这些超高速问题,现有的研究手段在地面试验和数值计算两方面都存在不足.最后,从小行星进入地球大气的弹道方程、质量损失方程、解体判据和解体模型等出发,初步建立了小行星进入与撞击效应分析评估模型,并对Chelyabinsk和Tunguska两次流星事件进行了分析,重构了进入与爆炸解体过程,评估了空爆火球在地面所导致的超压和热辐射损伤.      

A survey on orbital dynamics and navigation of asteroid missions

Asteroid exploration is currently one of the most concerned topics among international space agencies. Or- bital dynamics and navigation are obviously crucial for asteroid exploration. This paper aims to give a brief review on the dynamics, control and navigation of asteroid reconnaissance orbits, including the heliocentric transfer orbit and near as- teroid orbit. The developments in optimization techniques of the transfer segment are discussed in detail. We surveyed global researches in this field and made comments on several important progresses. The final section proposed a prospec- tive of future studies with emphasis on the key techniques of these issues in the asteroid exploration missions.     

REVIEW ON OPTIMIZATION OF ASTEROID CAPTURE ORBITS

小行星捕获对研究行星起源、地球生命来源、防御小行星撞击地球和开采行星矿产资源具有重要的意义。由于现有的推进器能力不足,小行星捕获任务中优化小行星捕获所需要的速度增量是任务成败的关键。本文分别从利用引力辅助轨道优化、连续小推力轨迹优化、小行星捕获任务轨道优化设计及小行星临时捕获等4 个方向介绍小行星捕获轨道优化方面国内外研究进展及现状。基于对上述研究现状的分析,尝试展望小行星捕获轨道优化研究的未来发展趋势。     

双月旁转向轨道的修正方法研究

双月旁转向轨道是深空探测中有应用潜力的一类非线性轨道. 在CR3BP模型下得到了双月旁转向轨道, 通过分析轨道的误差传播特性, 制定了双月旁转向轨道的修正原则, 提出了``关键节点'加``显式制导'的修正思路; 给出了考虑太阳引力作用的R4BP模型, 针对初始误差、导航误差、修正执行误差和太阳引力摄动偏差进行了轨道修正仿真, 得到了基于Monte-Carlo方法的轨道修正统计结果. 在此基础上, 采用了``初值速度补偿'与``显式制导'相结合的思路修正初始误差、导航误差、修正执行误差和太阳引力作用, 仿真表明: 这一方法能够较大程度地降低轨道修正所需的冲量. 结果和结论能够为双月旁转向轨道的工程应用提供参考.      

基于虚拟中心引力场方法的航天器转移轨道设计

空间机动技术是实现空间操作任务的基础,具有重要的研究价值. 研究了连续推力作用下航天器转移轨道设计问题,提出了一种基于虚拟中心引力场的轨道设计方法. 该方法有两大特点:(1) 能够将机动轨道设计问题转化为虚拟中心引力场参数的优化问题,简化了设计过程;(2) 对轨道形状或推力方向、大小不做任何假定,能够应用于一般情况下的机动轨道设计. 将该方法应用于航天器二维和三维的转移轨道设计,并和形状方法进行了对比分析. 仿真结果分析表明,采用该方法简化了轨道设计过程,为航天器快速轨道设计提供了新思路.      

HOVERING ORBITS DESIGN FOR PERTURBED ASTEROIDS WITH PARAMETRIC EXCITATION RESONANCE 1)

本文将太阳引力摄动视为受摄不规则小行星系统的组成部分,借鉴非线性振动理论中参数激励共振的概念,创新性地设计了不规则小行星平衡点附近稳定的悬停观测轨道.为了同时考虑不规则小行星引力和太阳引力, 本文采用受摄粒杆模型描述系统.通过对未扰系统平衡点以及固有频率的分析, 给出系统存在参激共振轨道的条件.再以第二类参激主共振和1:3内共振为例,采用多尺度方法求得参数激励共振轨道的稳态解, 并对稳态解的稳定性进行判断.通过受摄小行星系统的幅频响应曲线以及力频响应曲线分析了系统的非线性特性以及参数激励效应.此外, 对内共振引起的长短周期能量转移现象进行了分析.本文的研究成果可以拓展现有小行星系统周期轨道族设计方法.     

三体轨道动力学研究进展

三体系统轨道动力学问题是航天动力学领域中的经典问题, 具有丰富的理论与工程意义, 并将在人类由近地延伸到深空的航天活动过程中起到至关重要的作用. 本文回顾并总结了三体系统轨道动力学相关研究进展, 并结合未来的深空探测的发展趋势, 展望了三体系统轨道动力学研究中的热点与挑战. 首先阐述了三体问题的研究背景及意义, 简要回顾了三体系统动力学模型的发展历程. 其次, 系统概述了三体系统平衡点附近的局部运动特性, 介绍了平衡点附近周期轨道解析与数值求解方法, 给出了拟周期运动的最新进展. 同时总结了共振轨道、循环轨道、自由返回轨道等三类三体系统全局周期运动的动力学特性与研究进展. 再次, 从不变流形理论和弱稳定边界理论两个方面综述了三体系统中低能量转移与捕获轨道设计的研究进展. 最后, 综述了三体系统轨道动力学在编队飞行、导航星座设计两方面的应用, 并展望了全月面覆盖轨道设计、三体系统下的小推力轨道优化和三体系统的三角平衡点开发利用中值得关注的轨道动力学与控制问题.      

基于参激共振的受摄小行星悬停轨道设计方法

本文将太阳引力摄动视为受摄不规则小行星系统的组成部分,借鉴非线性振动理论中参数激励共振的概念,创新性地设计了不规则小行星平衡点附近稳定的悬停观测轨道.为了同时考虑不规则小行星引力和太阳引力, 本文采用受摄粒杆模型描述系统.通过对未扰系统平衡点以及固有频率的分析, 给出系统存在参激共振轨道的条件.再以第二类参激主共振和1:3内共振为例,采用多尺度方法求得参数激励共振轨道的稳态解, 并对稳态解的稳定性进行判断.通过受摄小行星系统的幅频响应曲线以及力频响应曲线分析了系统的非线性特性以及参数激励效应.此外, 对内共振引起的长短周期能量转移现象进行了分析.本文的研究成果可以拓展现有小行星系统周期轨道族设计方法.      

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.     

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROPELLENT CROSS-FEED TECHNOLOGY FOR LAUNCH VEHICLE

本文结合弹道优化,提出了估算和优化二级半构型运载火箭在不同发射模式和发射弹道下的近地轨道(low Earth orbit, LEO)最大运载能力的简单方法,并以长征七号为例进行了数值计算, 分析了使用推进剂交叉输送技术发射时的具体收效和最优弹道特点。数值计算表明：长征七号使用交叉输送技术发射时LEO最大运载能力能够比传统发射模式提高3 t(约20%), 同时降低发射过程中的最大轴向加速度近50%。该类型运载火箭采用推进剂交叉输送技术可以大幅提高运载能力。     

载人登月转移轨道偏差传播分析与中途修正方法概述

载人登月转移轨道是指地月转移轨道和月地返回轨道,其上飞行器飞行时间长、动力学模型复杂、非线性强且变系数.因此,工程任务中偏差不可避免,对偏差的控制直接影响任务执行的效果甚至成败.在概述载人登月转移轨道研究基础上,总结了偏差传播分析方法、最优中途修正策略及中途修正瞄准算法.最后,对我国未来载人登月转移轨道中途修正提出一些建议.     

Pendulum motions of extended lunar space elevator

In the usual everyday life, it is well known that the inverted pendulum is unstable and is ready to fall to “all four sides,” to the left and to the right, forward and backward. The theoretical studies and the lunar experience of moon robots and astronauts also confirms this property. The question arises: Is this property preserved if the pendulum is “very, very long”? It turns out that the answer is negative; namely, if the pendulum length significantly exceeds the Moon radius, then the radial equilibria at which the pendulum is located along the straight line connecting the Earth and Moon centers are Lyapunov stable and the pendulum does not fall in any direction at all. Moreover, if the pendulum goes beyond the collinear libration points, then it can be extended and manufactured from cables. This property was noted by F. A. Tsander and underlies the so-called lunar space elevator (e.g., see [1]). In the plane of the Earth and Moon orbits, there are some other equilibria which turn out to be unstable. The question is, Are there equilibria at which the pendulum is located outside the orbital plane? In this paper, we show that the answer is positive, but such equilibria are unstable in the secular sense. We also study necessary conditions for the stability of lunar pendulum oscillations in the plane of the lunar orbit. It was numerically discovered that stable and unstable equilibria alternate depending on the oscillation amplitude and the angular velocity of rotation. The study of the lunar elevator dynamics originates in [2]. The concept of lunar elevator was developed in detail in [3, 4]. Several classes of equilibria with the finiteness of the Moon size taken into account were studied in [5]. The possibility of location of an orbital station fixed to the Moon surface by a pair of tethers was investigated in [6]. The problem of orientation of the terminal station of the lunar space elevator was studied in [7]. The influence of the tether length variations on the motion of the lunar tether system was considered in [8]. The alternation of stable and unstable flat oscillations is well known in the problem of satellite oscillations in a circular orbit [9, 10].