Adaptive Optimal Control of Space Tether System for Payload Capture via Policy Iteration

The libration control problem of space tether system(STS)for post-capture of payload is studied.The process of payload capture will cause tether swing and deviation from the nominal position,resulting in the failure of capture mission.Due to unknown inertial parameters after capturing the payload,an adaptive optimal control based on policy iteration is developed to stabilize the uncertain dynamic system in the post-capture phase.By introducing integral reinforcement learning(IRL)scheme,the algebraic Riccati equation(ARE)can be online solved without known dynamics.To avoid computational burden from iteration equations,the online implementation of policy iteration algorithm is provided by the least-squares solution method.Finally,the effectiveness of the algorithm is validated by numerical simulations.

Wave control of a flexible space tether based on elastic metamaterials

This study proposes a spider‐web elastic metamaterial to suppress vibrations in space slender structures,such as flexible space tethers.The metamaterial consists of unit cells that are periodically distributed on the space tether to obtain band gaps.The finite element model of the unit cell is established by employing the absolute nodal coordinate formulation(ANCF)due to the large deformation of the structure.The eigenfrequencies and corresponding vibration modes of the unit cell are obtained by ANCF.Moreover,the band gap of the unit cell is calculated based on the phonon crystal theory.The relationship between the vibration modes and the band gaps is analyzed.Finally,an experiment is conducted to verify the vibration transmission characteristics of finite period cells.The results show the effectiveness of the spider‐web elastic metamaterial for vibration suppression of a flexible tether.This study provides insights into the use of elastic metamaterials for vibration isolation in space tether systems.

Nonlinear dynamics of flexible tethered satellite system subject to space environment

The paper studies the nonlinear dynamics of a flexible tethered satellite system subject to space environments, such as the J2 perturbation, the air drag force, the solar pressure, the heating effect, and the orbital eccentricity. The flexible tether is modeled as a series of lumped masses and viscoelastic dampers so that a finite multi- degree-of-freedom nonlinear system is obtained. The stability of equilibrium positions of the nonlinear system is then analyzed via a simplified two-degree-freedom model in an orbital reference frame. In-plane motions of the tethered satellite system are studied numerically, taking the space environments into account. A large number of numerical simulations show that the flexible tethered satellite system displays nonlinear dynamic characteristics, such as bifurcations, quasi-periodic oscillations, and chaotic motions.

Dynamic analysis of tethered space system deployment process

Discusses in detail the deploying strategies and feature of the motion of the Tethered Space System and the effects of some parameters, such as the property and initial length of the tether, the perturbation of the atmosphere, the ellipse of the orbit and the mass distribution of the system and points out the deploying strategy is based on the controlling of tension and the length of tether. And concludes from the computer simulation results of a tethered atmosphere probing satellite deployment that the deploying strategy presented does work well.

Nonlinear dynamics and coupling effect of libration and vibration of tethered space robot in deorbiting process

In order to control the growth of space debris,a novel tethered space robot(TSR) was put forward.After capture,the platform,tether,and target constituted a tethered combination system.General nonlinear dynamics of the tethered combination system in the post-capture phase was established with the consideration of the attitudes of two spacecrafts and the quadratic nonlinear elasticity of the tether.The motion law of the tethered combination in the deorbiting process with different disturbances was simulated and discussed on the premise that the platform was only controlled by a constant thrust force.It is known that the four motion freedoms of the tethered combination are coupled with each other in the deorbiting process from the simulation results.A noticeable phenomenon is that the tether longitudinal vibration does not decay to vanish even under the large tether damping with initial attitude disturbances due to the coupling effect.The approximate analytical solutions of the dynamics for a simplified model are obtained through the perturbation method.The condition of the inter resonance phenomenon is the frequency ratio λ_1=2.The case study shows good accordance between the analytical solutions and numerical results,indicating the effectiveness and correctness of approximate analytical solutions.

Advances in dynamics and control of tethered satellite systems

The concept of tethered satellite system （TSS） promises to revolutionize many aspects of space exploration and exploitation. It provides not only numerous possible and valuable applications, but also challenging and interesting problems related to their dynamics, control, and physical implementation. Over the past decades, this exciting topic has attracted significant attention from many researchers and gained a vast number of analytical, numerical and experimental achievements with a focus on the two essential aspects of both dynamics and control. This review article presents the historic background and recent hot topics for the space tethers, and introduces the dynamics and control of TSSs in a progressive manner, from basic operating principles to the state-of-the-art achievements.

Retrieval strategy for failed satellite on tether’s optimal balance swing angle

A retrieval control strategy for failed satellite,which is connected to a servicing spacecraft by a tether,is studied.The Lagrange analytical mechanics based dynamics modeling for the system composed of a servicing spacecraft,a tether and a failed satellite,is presented under the earth center inertia coordinate system,then model simplification is conducted under the assumption that the failed satellite’s mass is far smaller than the servicing spacecraft’s,meanwhile the tether’s length is far smaller than the size of the servicing spacecraft’s orbit.Analysis shows that the retrieval process is intrinsically unstable as the Coriolis force functions is a negative damping.A retrieval strategy based on only the tether’s tension is designed,resulting in the fastest retrieval speed.In the proposed strategy,firstly,the tether’s swing angle amplitude is adjusted to 45?by deploying/retrieving the tether;then the tether swings freely with fixed length until it reaches negative maximum angle–45?;finally,the tether is retrieved by the pre-assigned exponential law.For simplicity,only the coplanar situation,that the tether swings in the plane of the servicing spacecraft’s orbit,is studied.Numerical simulation verifies the effectiveness of the strategy proposed.

摩擦力对空间非导电绳系释放动力学的影响

当前空间非导电绳系释放过程因摩擦力数据缺乏,导致释放动力学仿真结果不能有效反映真实情况。为此,基于绳系地面释放平台,开展非导电绳系释放摩擦力测量实验,研究了系绳材料、直径、缠绕方向和释放速度对系绳释放所受摩擦力的影响,阐明非导电绳系释放过程影响球形效应不稳定现象的主要因素,确定非导电绳系释放摩擦力与释放条件之间的定量关系。进一步建立考虑摩擦力的绳系释放动力学模型。仿真结果表明,非导电绳系释放摩擦力对释放过程影响较大,对于500 m长的系绳,初始释放速度为2 m/s,在未考虑释放摩擦力时,绳系释放完成时间与考虑摩擦力的实际情况相差约20%。

空间绳网捕获碰撞动力学分析与优化

逐年增加的太空碎片以及失效卫星对空间轨道资源的可使用性和可持续性构成了极大威胁。空间绳网捕获作为一种新型高效的太空碎片清除方式,其核心部件——绳网系统的设计与优化是在轨捕获任务圆满完成的重要前提。本文重点关注空间绳网系统与目标物的碰撞过程,基于有限元法和赫兹理论建立空间绳网系统动力学和绳网-目标碰撞动力学模型,利用Abaqus对空间绳网不同构型及参数的捕获碰撞过程进行了仿真分析,借助Design-Expert在网目形状确定的基础上设计了三因素的响应曲面实验,经过多组实验数据的交互响应分析与优化,得到了最优的绳网构型以及参数。经过仿真验证,该绳网系统的最大接触法向力为83.9 N,最大滑移量为14.379 mm,最大弹性应变能为836.4 J,与优化目标量之间的差值均在7%以内。该优化策略减小了绳网捕获碰撞过程的接触法向力与滑移量,能够降低捕获过程中绳网缠绕、撕裂等意外发生的概率,同时保障了足够的弹性应变能以满足能量缓冲的要求,对空间绳网构型及参数设计具有一定的参考价值,可为空间在轨捕获任务提供安全可靠的保障。

空间长方形绳网展开动力学及多参数特性分析

空间绳网系统是一种针对空间碎片的柔性捕获系统,针对带有太阳翼的空间目标,提出一种用于捕获目标主体的长方形绳网。为分析其展开效果,建立有限元模型,通过对比地面试验结果来验证有限元模型的可靠性。建立长方形绳网的评价指标,并通过各项评价指标对比不同牵拉模式、牵引绳分布圆直径及牵引体发射角度下的绳网展开特性。结果表明:仿真结果与试验结果吻合,有限元模型可靠;在八点牵拉、十点牵拉和十二点牵拉3种模式下,十点牵拉所能达到的展开效果最好;牵引绳分布圆直径增大,所能达到的最大展开面积和保形距离减小,展开距离增大;牵引体的发射角度增大,长方形绳网的最大展开面积和保形距离增大,展开距离减小。

Game theory based finite-time formation control using artificial potentials for tethered space net robot

The Tethered Space Net Robot(TSNR)is an innovative solution for active space debris capture and removal.Its large envelope and simple capture method make it an attractive option for this task.However,capturing maneuverable debris with the flexible and elastic underactuated net poses significant challenges.To address this,a novel formation control method for the TSNR is proposed through the integration of differential game theory and robust adaptive control in this paper.Specifically,the trajectory of the TSNR is obtained through the solution of a real-time feedback pursuit-evasion game with a dynamic target,where the primary condition is to ensure the stability of the TSNR.Furthermore,to minimize tracking errors and maintain a specific configuration,a robust adaptive formation control scheme with Artificial Potential Field(APF)based on a Finite-Time Convergent Extended State Observer(FTCESO)is investigated.The proposed control method has a key advantage in suppressing complex oscillations by a new adaptive law,thus precisely maintaining the configuration.Finally,numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

空间绳网收口特性及影响因素分析

空间绳网捕获是一种针对空间碎片的有效清理方法。针对绳网接触目标后的收口阶段,提出一种分离式收口方法以实现绳网的快速、有效收口。为了分析目标偏差对于绳网收口特性的影响,利用桁架单元和绳环滑移模型,建立绳网捕获典型太阳翼目标的收口动力学模型,并通过地面收口试验来验证仿真模型的可靠性;建立不同的目标偏差工况进行动力学仿真,重点分析了目标位置偏差以及角速度偏差对绳网收口性能的影响。结果表明:仿真与试验中分离体和绳网节点坐标的误差均小于5%,绳网位形图基本一致,仿真模型准确;目标在目标平面内产生偏差时,收口性能随偏差增大逐渐减弱,且目标沿长边偏差时的减弱程度大于沿短边偏差时的减弱程度;绳网发射距离使绳网可达到最大展开面积时收口性能最好,产生正负偏差时收口性能均下降;目标相对绳网有旋转角速度时,角速度越大,收口性能越差。

超低轨摆渡飞船辅助的资源舱绳系返回技术初步分析

安全、可靠、快速、低成本进出空间是大规模开发利用太空资源的前提。未来太空资源开发将获取地球可持续发展急需的大量战略性矿产资源,需要发展低成本的进入地球的能力。本文提出了一种超低轨摆渡飞船辅助的资源舱绳系返回技术,应用仿真建模对该技术进行初步分析,结果表明资源舱绳系返回技术有效降低了轨道速度和轨道高度,可减小再入地球的难度并节省进出地球的费用,有望为绿色、低成本、规模化进入地球空间提供一种新技术手段。

空间飞网系统动力学建模与仿真

空间飞网系统捕获带有自旋的空间碎片后,碎片会对捕获网与卫星间的连接绳施加扭矩,而目前绳索相关动力学模型无法完整描述其扭转行为。基于集中质量法,对绳索进行二次离散,建立了可以描述绳索扭转行为的动力学模型。通过与传统绳索动力学模型的对比及扭转实验,验证了该模型能够描述绳索在拉伸、弯曲及扭转载荷下的行为,发现绳索的扭转会产生额外的牵引力。针对飞网展开过程进行了仿真分析与实验,验证该动力学模型适用于飞网系统,并对飞网与空间碎片的组合体进行了仿真分析,发现因为绳索扭转产生的牵引力,会对主体卫星的稳定性产生一定的影响,忽略绳索的扭转行为会降低动力学仿真模型的准确性。

空间碎片拖曳移除的系绳收放控制系统设计与实现

针对空间碎片拖曳离轨过程中需要对系绳张力和速度进行精确控制的问题,提出了一种系绳收放控制系统设计方案。在系绳张力控制中采用了抑制超调和防止系绳松弛的控制策略,在避免系绳紊乱打结方面采用了双电机协同控制方法。通过全物理试验台开展了不同系绳长度下、不同张力和速度的系绳收放试验。试验结果表明,所提控制系统控制精度高,动态响应快,运行可靠,能够实现系绳收放任务目标,是空间碎片主动移除关键技术的突破。

在轨服务中空间系绳的应用及发展

针对空间系绳在空间在轨服务中的应用与发展问题,在简述空间系绳传统应用及试验情况的基础上,综述了空间绳系机器人、空间绳网机器人两类新在轨应用方式的研究和发展,主要包括动力学建模、结构设计、相对状态测量、逼近/抓捕控制、拖曳变轨等。最后进一步讨论了空间系绳未来的研究方向。

柔性绳网动力学建模与天地差异性分析

采用有限元模型研究了柔性绳网系统的动力学特性。针对空间绳网直接弹射展开方式,首先将绳网离散为若干单元,各单元处理为非线性"半阻尼弹簧"模型,然后分别计算各单元所受气动力和重力,最终建立绳网系统多柔体动力学模型。基于所建立的动力学模型分别对柔性绳网在地面和太空展开的动力学过程进行了仿真分析,研究了绳网在展开面积、空间位形和飞行距离等方面的天地差异性及其动力学机理,为未来空间绳网系统的分析设计提供理论参考。

空间绳系机器人姿态容错控制方法研究

在精确姿态控制阶段,由于反作用轮的故障,空间绳系机器人会出现姿态控制失稳的问题,为此,提出了一种空间绳系机器人姿态容错控制的新方法。该容错控制方法利用时间延迟控制算法,将前一个周期的控制量引入到当前控制律中,估计并补偿由于反作用轮故障引起的当前控制量变化。在推导该容错控制方法的基础上证明了它的稳定性,从反作用轮无故障和有故障两个方面,对利用时间延迟控制算法与利用PD控制算法的控制律进行了仿真比较。仿真结果表明,利用时间延迟控制方法跟踪目标姿态精度高、鲁棒性强;将时间延迟控制方法用于调整反作用轮故障状态下空间绳系机器人姿态具有较强的稳定性。

空间绳系组合体拖曳动力学分析及振动控制

空间绳系捕获系统捕获目标物后的组合体在拖曳离轨过程中常产生振动,为此,建立了切向连续推力作用下的空间拖曳绳系组合体面内动力学模型,并对模型进行了横向摆动与纵向振动耦合分析。针对组合体的纵向振动问题提出了一种以张力控制为内环、速度控制为外环的双闭环振动控制策略。进行了振动控制仿真分析,并根据动力学的相似性,建立地面模拟实验系统,仿真与实验结果表明该控制策略可迅速抑制组合体纵向振动、减小系绳冲击并可避免出现系绳松弛现象。

空间绳系系统自由展开建模与仿真

运用Hamilton原理建立了空间绳系展开动力学模型,研究绳系展开过程中绕线盘出线、系绳振动以及末端质量的运动规律,并利用中心差分法、四阶Runge-Kutta和预估校正法等数值方法对绳系的自由展开过程进行仿真,仿真结果显示该模型可以较精确描述绳系系统在展开过程中的复杂非线性动力学行为,绳系自由展开不能满足稳定展开的要求,仿真数据可以为后续的绳系展开控制提供参考依据。