Artificial Sun synchronous frozen orbit control scheme design based on J_2 perturbation

Sun synchronous orbit and frozen orbit formed due to J 2 perturbation have very strict constraints on orbital parameters,which have restricted the application a lot.In this paper,several control strategies were illustrated to realize Sun synchronous frozen orbit with arbitrary orbital elements using continuous low-thrust.Firstly,according to mean element method,the averaged rate of change of the orbital elements,originating from disturbing constant accelerations over one orbital period,was derived from Gauss＇ variation of parameters equations.Then,we proposed that binormal acceleration could be used to realize Sun synchronous orbit,and radial or transverse acceleration could be adopted to eliminate the rotation of the argument of the perigee.Finally,amending methods on the control strategies mentioned above were presented to eliminate the residual secular growth.Simulation results showed that the control strategies illustrated in this paper could realize Sun synchronous frozen orbit with arbitrary orbital elements,and can save much more energy than the schemes presented in previous studies,and have no side effect on other orbital parameters＇ secular motion.

Optimal solar sail transfers to circular Earth-synchronous displaced orbits

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the minimum flight time of a solar sail-based spacecraft towards Earth-synchronous(heliocentric)circular displaced orbits.These are special displaced non-Keplerian orbits characterized by a period of one year,which makes them suitable for the observation of Earth’s polar regions.The solar sail is modeled as a flat and purely reflective film with medium-low performance,that is,with a characteristic acceleration less than one millimeter per second squared.Starting from a circular parking orbit of radius equal to one astronomical unit,the optimal steering law is sought by considering the characteristic acceleration that is required for the maintenance of the target Earth-synchronous displaced orbit.The indirect approach used for the calculation of the optimal transfer trajectory allows the minimum flight time to be correlated with several Earth-synchronous displaced orbits,each one being characterized by given values of Earth-spacecraft distance and displacement over the ecliptic.The proposed mathematical model is validated by comparison with results available in the literature,in which a piecewise-constant steering law is used to find the optimal flight time for a transfer towards a one-year Type I non-Keplerian orbit.

Changes in Barents Sea Ice Edge Positions in the Last 442 Years. Part 2: Sun, Moon and Planets

This is the second paper in a series of two, which analyze the position of the Barents Sea ice-edge (BIE) based on a 442-year long dataset to understand its time variations. The data have been collected from ship-logs, polar expeditions, and hunters in addition to airplanes and satellites in recent times. Our main result is that the BIE position alternates between a southern and a northern position followed by Gulf Stream Beats (GSBs) at the occurrence of deep solar minima. We decompose the low frequency BIE position variations in cycles composed of dominant periods which are related to the Jose period of 179 years, indicating planetary forcings. We propose that the mechanism transferring planetary signals into changes in BIE position is the solar wind (SW), which provides magnetic shielding of the Earth in addition to geomagnetic disturbances. Increase in the solar wind produces pressure which decelerates the Earth’s rotation. It also transfers electrical energy to the ring current in the earth’s magnetosphere. This current magnetizes the earth’s solid core and makes it rotate faster. To conserve angular momentum the earth’s outer fluid mantle rotates slower with a delay of about 100 years. In addition will geomagnetic storms, initiated by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) penetrate deep in the Earth’s atmosphere and change pressure pattern in the Arctic. This effect is larger during solar minima since the magnetic shielding then is reduced. The Arctic may then experience local warming. The transition of solar activities to a possibly deep and long minimum in the present century may indicate Arctic cooling and the BIE moving south this century. For the North Atlantic region, effects of the BIE expanding southward will have noticeable consequences for the ocean bio-production from about 2040.