Relative position determination of a lunar rover using high-accuracy multi-frequency same-beam VLBI

Multi-frequency same-beam VLBI means that two explorers with a small separation angle are simultaneously observed with the main beam of receiving antennas. In the same-beam VLBI, the differential phase delay between two explorers and two receiving telescopes can be obtained with a small error of several picoseconds. The differential phase delay, as the observable of the same-beam VLBI, gives the separation angular information of the two explorers in the celestial sphere. The two-dimensional relative position on the plane-of-sky can thus be precisely determined with an error of less than 1 m for a distance of 3.8×105 km far away from the earth, by using the differential phase delay obtained with the four Chinese VLBI stations. The relative position of a lunar rover on the lunar surface can be determined with an error of 10 m by using the differential phase delay data and the range data for the lander when the lunar topography near the rover and the lander can be determined with an error of 10 m.     

Apollonius coordinates,theN-body problem,and continuation of periodic solutions

This paper treats theN-body problem and its relation to various restricted problems. For each solution of the Kepler problem a generalization of the pulsating coordinates used to express the Hamiltonian of the elliptic restricted three-body problem is given. These coordinates are called Apollonius coordinates. The method of symplectic scaling is used to give a precise derivation of the elliptic restricted problem showing the precise asymptotic relationship between the restricted problem and the full three-body problem. This derivation obviates the proof of the fact that a nondegenerate periodic solution of the elliptic restricted three-body problem can be continued into the full three-body problem under mild nonresonance assumptions. Also, the method of symplectic scaling is used to give a precise derivation of the elliptic Hill lunar equation showing the precise relationship between the elliptic Hill lunar equation and the full three-body problem. A similar continuation theorem is established.     

基于Matlab/Simulink的嫦娥二号探月轨道运动的动态仿真

建立了嫦娥二号卫星在有心力场中做轨道运动的动力学模型,使用MATLAB中的SIMU-LINK仿真工具实现了卫星在不同轨道的运动,并得到了卫星轨道运动的实时高度曲线。     

基于模糊因素的载人航天器乘员舱内人-机界面工效学评价研究

载人航天器乘员舱内人－机界面的工效学评价是决定能否进行载人空间飞行的重要依据之一，由于人－机界面本身的复杂性，使得对其评价有一定的难度。本文在模糊理论的基础上，首先对舱内人－机界面工效学评价各参数进行随机模糊分析，据此建立工效学模糊综合评价模型，最后进行了实例研究。结果表明，对于同一个评价对象，应用该方法更能接近实际。     

基于摇臂——转向架结构月球车的越障能力判断准则

对轮式移动系统进行越障分析时,常以垂直越障作为评价标准.但是,月球车在凹凸不平的月面上行驶时,垂直越障模型不具有一般性.为此,本文对基于摇臂-转向架结构月球车在任意路面的越障进行了研究.一般情况下,由于任意路面越障模型相对复杂,可以建立的独立平衡方程数目少于未知变量数,因此无法得到越障能力与路面参数的函数关系式.针对上述问题,文中将最大有效牵引力假设引入越障模型中,得到了一种任意路面越障能力的判断准则.通过算例分析,表明了所提方法的有效性.     

A systematic approach to reliably characterize soils based on Bevameter testing

Although a lot of information about soil parameter identification exists in literature, there is currently no algorithm who makes use both of state of the art identification methodologies and incorporating statistical analysis. In this paper a state of the art soil parameter identification method is presented including the calculation of its standard deviations and a proper weighting of the objective function. With this algorithm and a Bevameter with advanced sensor and actuator technology a test campaign is started to find a reliable soil preparation, which is applicable to a large planetary rover performance testbed. Furthermore, the preparation method has to be valid and stable for various types of dry, granular and frictional soils, typically used for planetary rover testing in space robotics, since the result of pre-tests show that the soil parameters are highly depending on the preparation. Besides preparation, the soil parameters are also influenced by different Bevameter test setup variables. Thus, the effect of the penetration velocity as well as the penetration tool geometry for pressure–sinkage tests on soil parameters is investigated. For shear tests the influence of the dimension of the shear ring is analysed as well as the variation of the grouser height, the number of the grousers and the increase of the rotational shear velocity. The results of the extensive test campaign are evaluated by the proposed identification algorithms.     

A novel torque analysis method for drilling deep lunar soil by DEM

In order to solve the torque design problem of deep lunar soil sampling using drilling, a novel torque analysis method was presented based on discrete element model (DEM). This method includes three stages: drilling simulation of the bit and stem segment, resultant torque calculation, and predicted curve fitting. First, special drilling models were designed for a bit and stem separately. A high-density equivalent particle group, boundary vibration control, pre-drilling simulation and constant pressure surface control were designed for the bit and stem drilling modelling at different depths to ensure the rationality of the model. An example of the torque synthesis process was given, and the simulation time was analyzed. Finally, the simulation predicted torque curve was plotted and compared with the experimental curve. The experimental and simulation curves show that as the drilling depth increases, the torque increases approximately linearly first and then flattens out gradually after a depth of 1 m. The consistency between the two results indicated that the proposed method was validated. Using this method, engineers can take short time to analyze the torque and design basic parameters of the drill mechanism. The problem of high experimental cost and long simulation time in torque design is solved.     

基于月球探测数据的月面地形重构方法研究

在比较不同探月任务取得的月表三维影像数据的基础上,选择中国嫦娥一号全月分幅数字高程模型（DEM）数据作为构建月表地形模型的数据源,并利用ArcGIS、Cass和AutoCAD等软件的功能及其之间的连接关系,研究了基于月球探测数据构建月表三维模型的技术和方法。以月表撞击坑Lichtenberg为例,建立了撞击坑的三维地形模型,并对其精度和影响精度的因素进行了分析。分析结果表明,对于500m分辨率的原始数据,模型误差较小,产生误差的原因主要包括生成等高线的密度、采点间距等因素。     

Unsupervised classification of slip events for planetary exploration rovers

This paper introduces an unsupervised method for the classification of discrete rovers’ slip events based on proprioceptive signals. In particular, the method is able to automatically discover and track various degrees of slip (i.e. low slip, moderate slip, high slip). The proposed method is based on aggregating the data over time, since high level concepts, such as high and low slip, are concepts that are dependent on longer time perspectives. Different features and subsets of the data have been identified leading to a proper clustering, interpreting those clusters as initial models of the prospective concepts. Bayesian tracking has been used in order to continuously improve the parameters of these models, based on the new data. Two real datasets are used to validate the proposed approach in comparison to other known unsupervised and supervised machine learning methods. The first dataset is collected by a single-wheel testbed available at MIT. The second dataset was collected by means of a planetary exploration rover in real off-road conditions. Experiments prove that the proposed method is more accurate (up to 86% of accuracy vs. 80% for K-means) in discovering various levels of slip while being fully unsupervised (no need for hand-labeled data for training).     

Relating geologic units and mobility system kinematics contributing to Curiosity wheel damage at Gale Crater,Mars

Curiosity landed on plains to the north of Mount Sharp in August 2012. By June 2016 the rover had traversed 12.9 km to the southwest, encountering extensive strata that were deposited in a fluvial-deltaic-lacustrine system. Initial drives across sharp sandstone outcrops initiated an unacceptably high rate of punctures and cracks in the thin aluminum wheel skin structures. Initial damage was found to be related to the drive control mode of the six wheel drive actuators and the kinematics of the rocker-bogie suspension. Wheels leading a suspension pivot were forced onto sharp, immobile surfaces by the other wheels as they maintained their commanded angular velocities. Wheel damage mechanisms such as geometry-induced stress concentration cracking and low-cycle fatigue were then exacerbated. A geomorphic map was generated to assist in planning traverses that would minimize further wheel damage. A steady increase in punctures and cracks between landing and June 2016 was due in part because of drives across the sharp sandstone outcrops that could not be avoided. Wheel lifetime estimates show that with careful path planning the wheels will be operational for an additional ten kilometers or more, allowing the rover to reach key strata exposed on the slopes of Mount Sharp.