A guidance strategy for rendezvous and docking to the space station in the Earth-Moon NRHO orbit

With the development of space technology,it is possible to build a space station in Earth-Moon space as a transit for Earth-Moon round-trip and entering in the deep space.Rendezvous and docking is one of the key technologies for building an Earth-Moon space station.A guidance strategy for rendezvous and docking from the Earth orbit to the space station in the Earth-Moon NRHO orbit is proposed in this paper,which is suitable for engineering applications.Firstly,the rendezvous and docking process is divided into three sections,i.e.,the large-range orbit transfer section,far-range guidance section,and close-range approaching section.The suitable terminal of large-range orbit transfer is selected according to the eigenvalue of NRHO orbit state transition matrix.The two-impulse guidance method based on the relative motion equation in the three-body problem is adopted for the far-range guidance section.The impulse time and amplitude are solved with the optimization algorithm.The linear constant three-body relative motion equation is proposed for the close-range approaching section,and the rendezvous and docking is completed by a two-stage linear approximation.Finally,a simulation analysis is carried out,and the simulation results show that the adopted dynamics equations and the designed guidance law are effective,and the three flight phases are naturally connected to accomplish the rendezvous and docking mission from the Earth orbit to the space station on the Earth-Moon NRHO.

Recent Progress in Space Science and Applications on Chinese Space Station in 2022–2024

Chinese Space Station(CSS)has been fully deployed by the end of 2022,and the facility has entered into the application and development phase.It has conducted scientific research projects in various fields,such as space life science and biotechnology,space materials science,microgravity fundamental physics,fluid physics,combustion science,space new technologies,and applications.In this review,we introduce the progress of CSS development and provide an overview of the research conducted in Chinese Space Station and the recent scientific findings in several typical research fields.Such compelling findings mainly concern the rapid solidification of ultra-high temperature alloy melts,dynamics of fluid transport in space,gravity scaling law of boiling heat transfer,vibration fluidization phenomenon of particulate matter,cold atom interferometer technology under high microgravity and related equivalence principle testing,the full life cycle of rice under microgravity and so forth.Furthermore,the planned scientific research and corresponding prospects of Chinese space station in the next few years are presented.

Science Research and Utilization Planning of China’s Space Station in Operation Period 2022–2032

The core module of China’s Space Station(CSS)is scheduled to be launched around the end of 2020,and the experimental module I and II will be launched in the next two years.After on-orbit constructions,CSS will be transferred into an operation period over 10 years(2022–2032 and beyond)to continuously implement space science missions.At present,based on the project selection and research work in the ground development period of CSS,China is systematically making a utilization mission planning for the operation period,which focuses on the fields of aerospace medicine and human research,space life science and biotechnology,microgravity fluid physics,combustion science,materials science,fundamental physics,space astronomy and astrophysics,Earth science,space physics and space environment,space application technology,etc.In combination with the latest development trend of space science and technology,China will continue to update planning for science research and technology development,carry out project cultivation,payload R&D,and upgrade onboard and ground experiment supporting systems to achieve greater comprehensive benefits in science,technology,economy,and society。

Recent Progress in Space Science and Applications of China’s Space Station in 2020-2022

China scheduled to complete the assembly of the T-shaped Tiangong Space Station in 2022,and will enter a new stage of utilization.There are more than 20 experiment racks inside the modules,and more than 50 external onboard payloads mounting spaces,which will support large-scale science and technology experiments during the operation.The development of internal experiment racks and external research accommodations approved during the construction has been completed,of which 4 racks in Tianhe core module,including High Microgravity Level research Rack(HMLR)and Container-less Materials Processing Rack(CMPR),have finished on-orbit tests;while other racks in Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules are under comprehensive ground tests.The Chinese Space Survey Telescope(CSST)has advanced much in the last two years with 24 pre-launch research projects funded and 4 joint science center built in preparation for CSST’s future scientific observations and operations.The systematic research planning for China’s Space Station(CSS)during 2022-2032 is updated with the researches classified into four important areas:space life sciences and human research,microgravity physical sciences,space astronomy and Earth science,and new space technologies and applications.According to the planning,more than 1000 experiments are expected to perform in CSS during the operating period.Overall,the CSS utilization missions are proceeding as planned,which will contribute to the major scientific or application output and have a positive impact on the quality of life on Earth.

Space station short-term mission planning using ontology modelling and time iteration

This paper studies the problem of the space station short-term mission planning, which aims to allocate the executing time of missions effectively, schedule the corresponding resources reasonably and arrange the time of the astronauts properly. A domain model is developed by using the ontology theory to describe the concepts, constraints and relations of the planning domain formally, abstractly and normatively. A method based on time iteration is adopted to solve the short-term planning problem. Meanwhile, the resolving strategies are proposed to resolve different kinds of conflicts induced by the constraints of power, heat, resource, astronaut and relationship. The proposed approach is evaluated in a test case with fifteen missions, thirteen resources and three astronauts. The results show that the developed domain ontology model is reasonable, and the time iteration method using the proposed resolving strategies can successfully obtain the plan satisfying all considered constraints.

Surface Charging Controlling of the Chinese Space Station with Hollow Cathode Plasma Contactor

A highly charged manned spacecraft threatens the life of an astronaut and extravehicular activity, which can be effectively reduced by controlling the spacecraft surface charging. In this article, the controlling of surface charging on Chinese Space Station （CSS） is investigated, and a method to reduce the negative potential to the CSS is the emission electron with a hollow cathode plasma eontactor. The analysis is obtained that the high voltage （HV） solar array of the CSS collecting electron current can reach 4.5 A, which can be eliminated by emitting an adequate electron current on the CSS. The theoretical analysis and experimental results are addressed, when the minimum xenon flow rate of the hollow cathode is 4.0 sccm, the emission electron current can neutralize the collected electron current, which ensures that the potential of the CSS can be controlled in a range of less than 21 V, satisfied with safety voltage. The results can provide a significant reference value to define a flow rate to the potential controlling programme for CSS.

Computed Tidal Relativistic Red-Shifts of Frequency Standards on Earth and in Space Stations

Frequencies of frequency standards are shifted by the local static gravity red shifts and also modulated by the tidal relativistic red shifts. We compute the tidal relativistic red shifts using a time-domain method and present the numerical results for the National Institute of Metrology （NIM） in Beijing, Laboratoire National de Metrologie et Essais-Systeme de References Temps-Espaee （LNE-SYRTE） in Paris and Physikalisch-Teehnische Bundesanstalt （PTB） in Braunschweig. The differences of the tidal relativistic red shift approach as large as 1.1 × 10^-16 when frequency standards at NIM are compared with those at SYRTE and PTB. Moreover, the tidal relativistic red shifts of frequency standards in space stations are also computed.

Monte Carlo calculation of the exposure of Chinese female astronauts to earth’s trapped radiation on board the Chinese Space Station

With the development of China’s crewed space mission,the space radiation risk for astronauts is increasingly prominent.This paper describes a simulation of the radiation doses experienced by a Chinese female voxel phantom on board the Chinese Space Station(CSS)performed using the Monte Carlo N-Particle(MCNP)software.The absorbed dose,equivalent dose,and effective dose experienced by the voxel phantom and its critical organs are discussed for different levels of shielding of the Tianhe core module.The risk of space-radiation exposure is then assessed by comparing these doses with the current risk limits in China(the skin dose limit for short-term low-earth-orbit missions)and the NASA figures(National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No.98)for female astronauts.The results obtained can be used to guide and optimize the radiation protection provided for manned space missions.

Space Environment Measurements and Applications on the Tianhe Core Module of China Space Station

Tianhe Core Module of China Space Station(CSS)equips a set of instruments consisting of a Particle Fluxes and Solar Activity Detector(PFSAD)and two Atmospheric Density Multi-directional Detectors(ADMDs).The PFSAD is to measure X-rays from the Sun and energetic particles in the low-latitude and low altitude regions,including electrons,protons,and helium ions.The ADMDs are to measure thermospheric atmospheric density.The instruments provide real-time data of the orbital space environment,including solar flares,energetic particle variation and thermospheric density enhancement.All the data contribute to the CSS space weather service for mission control and astronaut’s safety.The paper gives preliminary analyses of the space environment measurements from the PFSAD and the ADMDs.By further analysis,the 1024-channel fine spectra of the solar X-ray can be used to study the mechanism of solar flares and their impacts on the Earth’s atmosphere.Data accumulation will be helpful for analyzing mid-term and long-term variations of the South Atlantic Anomaly and atmosphere density.Furthermore,the data are useful to calibrate previous empirical models and establish new models to study the space environment.

High Reliability LM-2F Launch Vehicle for Space Station Mission

As China’s only manned launch vehicle,the LM-2 F Launch vehicle successfully launched the Shenzhou 12 manned spacecraft into its predetermined orbit on June 12,2021,signifying the successful completion of the first manned launch mission in the construction and key technology test stage of China Space Station(CSS).From the launch of the Shenzhou 11 manned spacecraft on October 12,2016 to the launch of Shenzhou 12 in 2021,over the past five years,the LM-2 F launch vehicle has been continuously improved in terms of product reliability through technological innovation and design improvement,and its flight reliability index has increased from 0.97 to 0.98.Based on the new launch mission requirements for the construction stage of CSS,this paper introduces the technological innovation and reliability improvement methods of the LM-2 F from the aspects of design improvement,research methods and process optimization.The LM-2 F launch vehicle will make greater contributions in supporting the construction of CSS with higher reliability and perfect launch success rate.

Overview of Key Technologies and On-orbit Verification of China Space Station

Tiangong space station is a space station independently designed and developed by China.In order to build and operate the space station,it was necessary to make breakthroughs in many fields and master several key technologies,which were characterized over a long technological span and underwent difficult verifications.Therefore,in addition to ground verification,on-orbit flight tests of key technologies for the assembly,construction and operation of the space station were planned to be conducted used by the core module,taking into account the differences in the gravity environment between space and the Earth,in order to lay a foundation for the subsequent comprehensive assembly,construction and long-term on-orbit operation of the space station.In this paper,the mission characteristics of the space station are briefly introduced,along with the key technologies for the assembly and construction of the space station,and then the on-orbit verification tests are comprehensively introduced.

Planning for China's Manned Space Station Announced

The fourth CAST Space Technology Forum was held on November 29, 2012 with the theme of Progress of China's Manned Space Station Project. Scientists, experts and government officials gathered to discuss the scheme, technical issues of the project, which consists of thirteen systems. CASC is in charge of the construction of seven systems through its subsidiaries. CALT is assigned to the building of LM-2F, LM-5 and LM-7 launch vehicles and CAST is assigned to the R&D of a space laboratory,

Space Research Plan of China's Space Station

China's manned spaceflight missions have been introduced briefly,and the research planning of space sciences for China's Space Station(CSS) has been presented with the topics in the research areas,including:life science and biotechnology,microgravity fluid physics and combustion science,space material science,fundamental physics,space astronomy and astrophysics,earth sciences and application,space physics and space environment,experiments of new space technology.The research facilities,experiment racks,and supporting system planned in CSS have been described,including:multifunctional optical facility,research facility of quantum and optic transmission,and a dozen of research racks for space sciences in pressurized module,etc.In the next decade,significant breakthroughs in space science and utilization will hopefully be achieved,and great contributions will be made to satisfy the need of the social development and people's daily life.

Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS02) experiment on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment is realized in two phases. A precursor flight (STS-91)with a reduced experimental configuration (AMS01) has successfully flown on space shuttle Discovery in June 1998.The final version (AMS02) will be installed on the International Space Station (ISS) as an independent module inearly 2006 for an operational period of three years. The main scientific objectives of AMS02 include the searches forthe antimatter and dark matter in cosmic rays. In this work we will discuss the experimental details as well as the im-proved physics capabilities of AMS02 on ISS.

Parametric formation control of multiple nanosatellites for cooperative observation of China Space Station

This study proposes a parametric formation control method for the cooperative observation of the China Space Station(CSS)using multiple nanosatellites.First,a simplified geometrical model of the CSS is constructed using fundamental solids,such as the capsule body and cuboid.Second,the spacecraft formation configuration for the observation mission is characterized by a three-dimensional(3D)Lissajous curve using related design parameters under the full-coverage observation requirements of specific parts,such as the CSS connecting section and collision avoidance constraints.Third,a double-layer control law is designed for each nanosatellite,in which the upper layer is a distributed observer for recognizing the target formation configuration parameters,and the lower layer is a trajectory-tracking controller to make the nanosatellite converge to its temporary target position calculated from the upper layer’s outputs.The closed-loop control stability is proven under the condition that the communication network topology of the nanosatellite cluster contains a directed spanning tree.Finally,the control method is verified by numerical simulation,where the CSS connecting section is selected as the observation target,and ten small nanosatellites are assumed to perform the cooperative observation mission.The simulation results demonstrate that the double-layer control law is robust to single-point communication failures and suitable for the accompanying missions of large space objects with multiple nanosatellites.

The ＂Tiangong＂ Chinese Space Station project

1 Introduction The overall plan of the Chinese Space Station （CSS） project focuses on the grand goal of building a space station with Chinese characteristics, and adheres to the following basic principles： conforming to China＇s national conditions; building a station with modest scale and leaving room for extension; constructing a station with outstanding Chinese elements and core connotations; embodying the strategic goals of national development and driving innovation and development; pursuing technological advancement by employing modem advanced technologies to build and operate the CSS and mastering the construction and operation technology of large space facilities; focusing on the application efficiency for major innovation and technological achievements in the space application field; pursuing economical operations; and taking the road of sustainable development.

Thermodynamic analysis of a space station remote manipulator with a harmonic drive that considers an integrated thermal protection layer.

To eliminate anomalies and improve the performance of a space station remote manipulator(SSRM) used in a dynamically changeable thermal environment, we analyze the thermodynamic behavior of an SSRM that considers an integrated thermal protection system(ITPS). Solar radiative heat gain and loss become equally significant as conductive heat transfers through the interior of the SSRM on orbit. A thermodynamic model of the SSRM with a sandwich ITPS structure is established on the coupling between harmonic drive and changeable thermal environment. A motion precision is proposed to evaluate thermodynamic behavior under continuously changeable thermal circumstances. Simulation results indicate that the ITPS with a corrugated sandwich structure reduces the maximum amplitude of angular position errors to 41.6%, which helps improve the motion precision of the SSRM. The feasible regions for the SSRM in the Low Earth Orbit(LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit(GEO) are analyzed, which shows that the proportion of feasible region in LEO is significantly larger than that in GEO.

Multi-objective optimization of space station short-term mission planning

This paper studies the multi-objective optimization of space station short-term mission planning(STMP), which aims to obtain a mission-execution plan satisfying multiple planning demands. The planning needs to allocate the execution time effectively, schedule the on-board astronauts properly, and arrange the devices reasonably. The STMP concept models for problem definitions and descriptions are presented, and then an STMP multi-objective planning model is developed. To optimize the STMP problem, a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II(NSGA-II) is adopted and then improved by incorporating an iterative conflict-repair strategy based on domain knowledge. The proposed approach is demonstrated by using a test case with thirty-five missions, eighteen devices and three astronauts. The results show that the established STMP model is effective, and the improved NSGA-II can successfully obtain the multi-objective optimal plans satisfying all constraints considered. Moreover, through contrast tests on solving the STMP problem, the NSGA-II shows a very competitive performance with respect to the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm II(SPEA-II) and the Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization(MOPSO).

Planning for space station long-duration orbital mission under multi-constraints

An integrated nonlinear planning(NLP) model is built for space station long-duration orbital missions considering both the vehicle visiting schedules and the interaction effects between target phasing,vehicle return adjusting and Earth observation aiming.A two-level optimization approach is proposed to solve this complicated problem.The up-level problem employs the launch times of visiting vehicles as design variables,considers the constraints of crew rotations,resource resupplies and rendezvous launch windows,and is solved by a genetic algorithm.The low-level problems employ the maneuver impulses and burn times within each orbital mission as design variables,and a high-efficient shooting iteration method is proposed based on an analytical equation for the phase angle correction considering the J 2 perturbation.The results indicate that the integrated NLP model for space station long-duration orbital missions is effective,and the proposed optimization approach can obtain the optimal solutions that satisfy the multiple constraints and reduce the total propellant consumption.

ROBUST H_∞ DESIGN OF THE ATTITUDE CONTROL/MOMENTUM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A SPACE STATION

Through input-output decom position of structured param eter uncertainties of the con- trolled plant, the robustcontrolproblem ofspace station attitude system w ith param eteruncertainties is converted to a conventionaldisturbance rejection H∞ controller design problem , then a full-state feedback H∞ robustcontrollerisform ulated, w hich can be solved using the Glover-Doyle algorithm . The proposed m ethod w asapplied to the attitude control/m om entum m anagem ent (ACMM) system ofa space station, and tw o kinds of param eter uncertainties w hich appear m ost frequently in space- craftengineering w ere considered. Sim ulation results show ed efficiency ofthe given m ethod.