Conceptual Design Process for LEO Satellite Constellations Based on System Engineering Disciplines

Satellite design process is an interdisciplinary subject in which the need for collaboration among various science and engineering disciplines is evident.Meanwhile,finding an optimal process for conceptual design of a satellite,which can optimize time and cost,is still an important issue.In this paper,based on system engineering approach,an optimal design process is proposed for LEO satellite constellations.In the proposed method,design process,design sequences,and data flow are established.In this regard,the conceptual design process is divided into two levels of mission(or constellation)and system(or satellite)as well as 15 main activities based on the mission profile,previous experiences of the authors,and existing literature.Then,the relationships between these activities have been determined by considering the importance of relationships according to their priority.Finally,these relations are optimized based on design structure matrix(DSM).By utilizing this approach,system design process of a telecommunication satellite constellation in LEO is formulated in conceptual design phase.Performance and capability of the proposed approach in optimal design process of the satellite constellation are investigated by comparing the outcome with existing results in the literature.

Natural coupled orbit-attitude periodic motions in the perturbed-CRTBP including radiated primary and oblate secondary

This study investigated periodic coupled orbit-attitude motions within the perturbed circular restricted three-body problem(P-CRTBP)concerning the perturbations of a radiated massive primary and an oblate secondary.The radiated massive primary was the Sun,and each planet in the solar system could be considered an oblate secondary.Because the problem has no closed-form solution,numerical methods were employed.Nevertheless,the general response of the problem could be non-periodic or periodic,which is significantly depended on the initial conditions of the orbit-attitude states.Therefore,the simultaneous orbit and attitude initial states correction(SOAISC)algorithm was introduced to achieve precise initial conditions.On the other side,the conventional initial guess vector was essential as the input of the correction algorithm and increased the probability of reaching more precise initial conditions.Thus,a new practical approach was developed in the form of an orbital correction algorithm to obtain the initial conditions for the periodic orbit of the P-CRTBP.This new proposed algorithm may be distinguished from previously presented orbital correction algorithms by its ability to propagate the P-CRTBP family orbits around the Lagrangian points using only one of the periodic orbits of the unperturbed CRTBP(U-CRTBP).In addition,the Poincarémap and Floquet theory search methods were used to recognize the various initial guesses for attitude parameters.Each of these search methods was able to identify different initial guesses for attitude states.Moreover,as a new innovation,these search methods were applied as a powerful tool to select the appropriate inertia ratio for a satellite to deliver periodic responses from the coupled model.Adding the mentioned perturbations to the U-CRTBP could lead to the more accurate modeling of the examination environment and a better understanding of a spacecraft's natural motion.A comparison between the orbit-attitude natural motions in the unperturbed and perturbed models was also conducted to show this claim.

A model of flow separation controlled by dielectric barrier discharge

Flow separation, as an aerodynamic phenomenon, occurs in specific conditions. The conditions are studied in a wind tunnel on different airfoils. The phenomenon can be delayed or suppressed by exerting an external momentum to the flow. Dielectric barrier discharge actuators arranged in a row of 8 and perpendicular to the flow direction can delay flow separation by exerting the momentum. In this study, a mathematical model is developed to predict a parameter, which is utilized to represent flow separation on an NACA0012 airfoil. The model is based on the neurofuzzy method applied to experimental datasets. The neuro model is trained in different flow conditions and the parameter is measured by pressure sensors.