月球小重力及真空环境地面模拟试验系统研制

Development of terrestrial modelling system for lunar low gravity and vacuum environments

系统研究月球极端环境下月壤热、力学特性及工程响应已成为当前月球原位资源利用(ISRU)和国际科研站(ILRS)建设的亟需任务.针对现阶段缺乏月球极端环境模拟设备的现状,本文研发了月球小重力及真空环境地面模拟试验系统.基于磁力场模拟重力场原理,推导了磁拟小重力场基本要求,在此基础上设计了磁体结构及附属模块,实现了持续时间大于20 min的(1/6)g重力场模拟.同时,通过耦合设计叠加了真空模块,实现了∅85 mm×160 mm试验空间中1×10^(-3)Pa空载真空环境的模拟.最后,开展了CUMT-1模拟月壤在不同重力环境下的静力触探试验和不同真空环境下的导热系数测试,验证了系统的可靠性.

Systematically studying the thermal-mechanical properties and engineering responses of lunar regolith in extreme lunar environments has become urgent for lunar in-situ resources utilization(ISRU)and international lunar research station(ILRS)construction.However,at the current stage,there is no testing equipment to simulate the long-duration and high-precision low gravity and vacuum environments for lunar regolith on the earth.To solve this problem,a terrestrial modelling system for lunar low gravity and vacuum environments was developed.The basic requirements for lunar magnetic-similitude-gravity were derived according to the similarity between the gravitational field and magnetic field.On this basis,the magnet structure and accessory modules were designed,which achieved the simulation of the(1/6)g lunar gravitational field with a duration of more than 20 minutes.At the same time,a vacuum module was superimposed by the coupling design with the magnet,which is capable of generating an idling vacuum environment lower than 1×10^(-3)Pa in the experimental space of∅85 mm×160 mm.Finally,the cone penetration resistance of CUMT-1 lunar regolith simulant at various gravities,as well as the thermal conductivity at different vacuum degrees,were tested,through which the reliability of the system was well verified.