Pub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.039
Rylee M. Linhardt, Lila Berger, Eduardo Salas
Autonomous agents are a critical factor for maintaining the well-being and health of astronaut teams in long duration spaceflight. As autonomous agents become more independent, and interdependent the need to understand how they can interact effectively with humans not only becomes more necessary, but will become the paradigm for future team research. In our paper, we describe a conceptual model that explains how autonomous agents and human team members can learn to implicitly coordinate through humorous social interaction and effective task interdependence. We argue that to build a shared mental model between autonomous agents and human team members, HATs need to develop trust with one another, albeit through different mechanisms, to work together effectively.
{"title":"No laughing matter: How autonomous agents can improve well-being and teamwork","authors":"Rylee M. Linhardt, Lila Berger, Eduardo Salas","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Autonomous agents are a critical factor for maintaining the well-being and health of astronaut teams in long duration spaceflight. As autonomous agents become more independent, and interdependent the need to understand how they can interact effectively with humans not only becomes more necessary, but will become the paradigm for future team research. In our paper, we describe a conceptual model that explains how autonomous agents and human team members can learn to implicitly coordinate through humorous social interaction and effective task interdependence. We argue that to build a shared mental model between autonomous agents and human team members, HATs need to develop trust with one another, albeit through different mechanisms, to work together effectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 385-397"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.032
Hang Yang , Changqing Wang , Hongshi Lu , Aijun Li
This paper presents the mission scenarios of using spinning tether system to conduct space stations fly-around mission and validates its feasibility. The main challenge of fly-around mission lies in the difficulty of balancing low fuel consumption and long-term fly-around observation. To deal with this problem, a novel spinning tether system is proposed. Firstly, the fly-around process with spinning tether system is introduced, and the tether system is modeled based on Newton-Euler method with a novel description of spinning motion. Secondly, Given the unique structural limitations of space stations, two fly-around schemes and referenced fly-around trajectories are detailed. Thirdly, a backstepping controller is proposed for tracking the reference motion of fly-around satellites, and the fuel consumption among different fly-around schemes is compared and analyzed. In the end, numerical results validate that under the proposed control strategy, the spinning tether system can maintain a stable fly-around configuration in both the planar and vertical plane, the symmetrical formation configuration prevents the central space station from being affected by the motion of fly-around satellites. Moreover, energy consumption analysis indicates that tethered system can save 62.8 % of impulse compared to traditional schemes when flying in the planar plane, making it the most energy-efficient option.
{"title":"Analysis of fly-around mission with spinning tether system for space station observation","authors":"Hang Yang , Changqing Wang , Hongshi Lu , Aijun Li","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents the mission scenarios of using spinning tether system to conduct space stations fly-around mission and validates its feasibility. The main challenge of fly-around mission lies in the difficulty of balancing low fuel consumption and long-term fly-around observation. To deal with this problem, a novel spinning tether system is proposed. Firstly, the fly-around process with spinning tether system is introduced, and the tether system is modeled based on Newton-Euler method with a novel description of spinning motion. Secondly, Given the unique structural limitations of space stations, two fly-around schemes and referenced fly-around trajectories are detailed. Thirdly, a backstepping controller is proposed for tracking the reference motion of fly-around satellites, and the fuel consumption among different fly-around schemes is compared and analyzed. In the end, numerical results validate that under the proposed control strategy, the spinning tether system can maintain a stable fly-around configuration in both the planar and vertical plane, the symmetrical formation configuration prevents the central space station from being affected by the motion of fly-around satellites. Moreover, energy consumption analysis indicates that tethered system can save 62.8 % of impulse compared to traditional schemes when flying in the planar plane, making it the most energy-efficient option.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 137-146"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.012
V.N. Kireev , B.S. Shalabayeva , K.N. Volkov
Examining the impact of electromagnetic field, which provides thrust in contemporary rocket engines, is turning into a significant issue. Its resolution is required to guarantee the safety of space flight by enhancing engine performance and lowering fuel consumption. Spacecraft propulsion is achieved by low-thrust rocket engines. The principle of operation for ion colloid engines is the electrostatic acceleration of charged droplets. A static electric field accelerates charged liquid droplets created by electrospraying them in a low-thrust colloid engine. A promising technology in many industries is the active control of droplet motion and deformation with electric field. An electromagnetic field impact on droplet deformation and destruction in a viscous liquid is examined. The effect of electromagnetic field on individual droplets and emulsions is examined in terms of their physical mechanisms. Constant and alternating electric field effects on liquid droplet are represented numerically. The effects of droplet electric capillary number and viscosity ratio on droplet unsteady deformations is explored. The parameters that correspond to the droplet destruction are found. The results obtained have potential applications in enhancing the efficiency of current industrial electric dehydrators and in advancing the development of new electromagnetic field-based demulsification technologies.
{"title":"Influence of constant and alternating electric fields on the deformation and destruction of a liquid droplet","authors":"V.N. Kireev , B.S. Shalabayeva , K.N. Volkov","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Examining the impact of electromagnetic field, which provides thrust in contemporary rocket engines, is turning into a significant issue. Its resolution is required to guarantee the safety of space flight by enhancing engine performance and lowering fuel consumption. Spacecraft propulsion is achieved by low-thrust rocket engines. The principle of operation for ion colloid engines is the electrostatic acceleration of charged droplets. A static electric field accelerates charged liquid droplets created by electrospraying them in a low-thrust colloid engine. A promising technology in many industries is the active control of droplet motion and deformation with electric field. An electromagnetic field impact on droplet deformation and destruction in a viscous liquid is examined. The effect of electromagnetic field on individual droplets and emulsions is examined in terms of their physical mechanisms. Constant and alternating electric field effects on liquid droplet are represented numerically. The effects of droplet electric capillary number and viscosity ratio on droplet unsteady deformations is explored. The parameters that correspond to the droplet destruction are found. The results obtained have potential applications in enhancing the efficiency of current industrial electric dehydrators and in advancing the development of new electromagnetic field-based demulsification technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 147-156"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.019
Christopher Teale, James Beeley, Gilles Baillet, Colin R. McInnes
Since its inception, the femtosatellite has developed into a complex and capable spacecraft. However, despite such advances the implementation of predicted applications remains elusive. In response, this paper explores three femtosatellite mission architectures, the drone, swarm, and hive, to characterize what possible femtosatellite mission could be envisioned for true space applications. Starting from a single femtosatellite, each architecture represents an increase in network complexity, so the use of graph theory is proposed as a means for characterizing, understanding, and modelling femtosatellite systems. A simple reliability model is also proposed for each of the mission architectures, and a simulation is carried out to generate a profile of the system’s lifecycle. The results are discussed for each of the architectures in relation to potential applications. Each of the architectures was shown to be feasible for short duration missions due to the inherent unreliability of femtosatellites. Additionally, mid- and long-duration missions were shown to be possible for swarms and hives with sufficiently large populations. Finally, applications are re-examined considering the lifecycle profile exhibited by each system.
{"title":"Femtosatellite mission architectures and mission assurance strategies","authors":"Christopher Teale, James Beeley, Gilles Baillet, Colin R. McInnes","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since its inception, the femtosatellite has developed into a complex and capable spacecraft. However, despite such advances the implementation of predicted applications remains elusive. In response, this paper explores three femtosatellite mission architectures, the drone, swarm, and hive, to characterize what possible femtosatellite mission could be envisioned for true space applications. Starting from a single femtosatellite, each architecture represents an increase in network complexity, so the use of graph theory is proposed as a means for characterizing, understanding, and modelling femtosatellite systems. A simple reliability model is also proposed for each of the mission architectures, and a simulation is carried out to generate a profile of the system’s lifecycle. The results are discussed for each of the architectures in relation to potential applications. Each of the architectures was shown to be feasible for short duration missions due to the inherent unreliability of femtosatellites. Additionally, mid- and long-duration missions were shown to be possible for swarms and hives with sufficiently large populations. Finally, applications are re-examined considering the lifecycle profile exhibited by each system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 398-413"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.041
Linxiao Li , Aijun Li , Hongshi Lu , Changqing Wang
Global, 24/7, and all-weather Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) are optimal platforms for Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) missions, and the tether constraint provides a stable mechanic connection for such configurations. To fulfill the requirements of such missions, the Space Tether System (STS) must be deployed to horizontal positions to form the necessary along-track interference baseline, which is unstable relative to traditional vertical positions and has not received adequate focus. To deal with this problem, this study focuses on the deployment control of the STS to the unstable horizontal positions. Firstly, the properties of the STS at the horizontal position are analyzed, and a synthetic criterion of measurement error is defined based on the observation principle of the GMTI mission. Secondly, two deployment control strategies are proposed, and corresponding desired trajectories are generated by considering two occasions respectively. In the end, considering the instability of horizontal positions, an adaptive closed-loop controller is designed utilizing the backstepping method to address gravitational moment and other disturbances. Simulations demonstrate that the system can successfully attain the desired horizontal positions under both deployment strategies, and the designed controller can quickly track trajectories under initial state errors and external disturbances.
{"title":"Along-track deployment control of space tether system for SAR-GMTI mission","authors":"Linxiao Li , Aijun Li , Hongshi Lu , Changqing Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global, 24/7, and all-weather Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) are optimal platforms for Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) missions, and the tether constraint provides a stable mechanic connection for such configurations. To fulfill the requirements of such missions, the Space Tether System (STS) must be deployed to horizontal positions to form the necessary along-track interference baseline, which is unstable relative to traditional vertical positions and has not received adequate focus. To deal with this problem, this study focuses on the deployment control of the STS to the unstable horizontal positions. Firstly, the properties of the STS at the horizontal position are analyzed, and a synthetic criterion of measurement error is defined based on the observation principle of the GMTI mission. Secondly, two deployment control strategies are proposed, and corresponding desired trajectories are generated by considering two occasions respectively. In the end, considering the instability of horizontal positions, an adaptive closed-loop controller is designed utilizing the backstepping method to address gravitational moment and other disturbances. Simulations demonstrate that the system can successfully attain the desired horizontal positions under both deployment strategies, and the designed controller can quickly track trajectories under initial state errors and external disturbances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 102-111"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.037
A.A. Shamina , A.V. Zvyagin , A.Y. Shamin
One of the important tasks of space flight safety is the ability of a wing to maintain stability in an oncoming turbulent flow. In this case, the spacecraft must move the greatest distance. The paper studies the motion of a thin plate near a boundary in an oncoming flow of rarefied gas. At low Reynolds numbers, the effect of the boundary on the plate is studied, and the possibility of self-propulsion is shown.
{"title":"Motion and self-motion of thin bodies in rarefied gas","authors":"A.A. Shamina , A.V. Zvyagin , A.Y. Shamin","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the important tasks of space flight safety is the ability of a wing to maintain stability in an oncoming turbulent flow. In this case, the spacecraft must move the greatest distance. The paper studies the motion of a thin plate near a boundary in an oncoming flow of rarefied gas. At low Reynolds numbers, the effect of the boundary on the plate is studied, and the possibility of self-propulsion is shown.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 20-24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142444906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.033
Chenyang Sun , Changqing Wang , Hongshi Lu , Aijun Li , Pavel Fadeenkov
This study explores the modeling and control of the spinning tether system (STS) for maneuvering between arbitrary spinning planes. The spinning tether system garners significant attention for good centrifugal stability and transportation ability. However, conventional STS models face challenges such as singularities and coupling when studying three-dimensional spinning motion. To tackle the aforementioned challenges, a new singularity-adjustable model and a maneuvering control strategy are proposed. Initially, a variable coordinate system is defined, which allows for relocating singularities to unattainable positions during three-dimensional motions. Based on this new coordinate system, the singularity-adjustable Lagrangian model is established. Subsequently, based on the new model, a three-dimensional maneuvering scheme for spatial spinning motions is introduced to define and describe STS maneuvering trajectories in a de-coupled way. Finally, based on the reference maneuvering scheme, a saturated radial basis function network-based controller is designed to attenuate potential disturbances and errors, as electric thrusters used in this work are limited in actuating magnitude. Numerical results demonstrate that, with the new singularity-adjustable Lagrangian model, singularity and coupling phenomena are avoided during the three-dimensional maneuver, and the proposed controller ensures a stable STS three-dimensional maneuvering motion.
{"title":"The three-dimensional maneuver control of spinning tether system under a new Lagrangian model","authors":"Chenyang Sun , Changqing Wang , Hongshi Lu , Aijun Li , Pavel Fadeenkov","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the modeling and control of the spinning tether system (STS) for maneuvering between arbitrary spinning planes. The spinning tether system garners significant attention for good centrifugal stability and transportation ability. However, conventional STS models face challenges such as singularities and coupling when studying three-dimensional spinning motion. To tackle the aforementioned challenges, a new singularity-adjustable model and a maneuvering control strategy are proposed. Initially, a variable coordinate system is defined, which allows for relocating singularities to unattainable positions during three-dimensional motions. Based on this new coordinate system, the singularity-adjustable Lagrangian model is established. Subsequently, based on the new model, a three-dimensional maneuvering scheme for spatial spinning motions is introduced to define and describe STS maneuvering trajectories in a de-coupled way. Finally, based on the reference maneuvering scheme, a saturated radial basis function network-based controller is designed to attenuate potential disturbances and errors, as electric thrusters used in this work are limited in actuating magnitude. Numerical results demonstrate that, with the new singularity-adjustable Lagrangian model, singularity and coupling phenomena are avoided during the three-dimensional maneuver, and the proposed controller ensures a stable STS three-dimensional maneuvering motion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 215-229"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.027
Vladislav Yu. Khomich , Evgeniy V. Shakhmatov , Konstantin N. Sviridov
Technologies for the removal of space debris fragments of artificial (man-made) origin from near-Earth space is being proposed in order to provide the security of space flights. The fundamental principle of the proposed method is based on the utilization of intense solar radiation to direct and concentrate at space debris fragments with the aim of creating a plasma braking and transferring the fragment from a circular to an elliptical orbit following its subsequent burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere. At the same time, the generation of substantial solar radiation is facilitated by a synthesized multi-aperture optical system situated in a heliosynchronous space orbit and permanently oriented towards the Sun.
{"title":"Laser-optical technologies for space debris removal","authors":"Vladislav Yu. Khomich , Evgeniy V. Shakhmatov , Konstantin N. Sviridov","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Technologies for the removal of space debris fragments of artificial (man-made) origin from near-Earth space is being proposed in order to provide the security of space flights. The fundamental principle of the proposed method is based on the utilization of intense solar radiation to direct and concentrate at space debris fragments with the aim of creating a plasma braking and transferring the fragment from a circular to an elliptical orbit following its subsequent burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere. At the same time, the generation of substantial solar radiation is facilitated by a synthesized multi-aperture optical system situated in a heliosynchronous space orbit and permanently oriented towards the Sun.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 78-85"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142535400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.028
A.V. Efremov, E.V. Efremov, A.I. Shcherbakov
Several novel active and passive means for the suppression of pilot-induced oscillations are considered in the paper. The potential of the proposed means in eliminating Category I, II, and III pilot-induced oscillations was studied in ground-based simulation for two controlled element dynamics corresponding to an aerospace vehicle and a second-generation supersonic transport. The experiments demonstrated that the highest effectiveness in suppressing pilot-induced oscillations and improving task performance is provided by integrating both proposed active suppressors with one of the passive prefilters.
{"title":"Development of means for suppressing the negative effects of interaction between the pilot and reentry and other high-speed vehicles","authors":"A.V. Efremov, E.V. Efremov, A.I. Shcherbakov","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several novel active and passive means for the suppression of pilot-induced oscillations are considered in the paper. The potential of the proposed means in eliminating Category I, II, and III pilot-induced oscillations was studied in ground-based simulation for two controlled element dynamics corresponding to an aerospace vehicle and a second-generation supersonic transport. The experiments demonstrated that the highest effectiveness in suppressing pilot-induced oscillations and improving task performance is provided by integrating both proposed active suppressors with one of the passive prefilters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 230-238"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Technogenic pollution of near-Earth space poses a threat to the functioning of spacecraft. Collisions between space debris (SD) and spacecraft (SC) structures can have catastrophic consequences or cause localized damage, leading to the loss of SC operability or the failure of certain functions. The SC body must effectively protect the internal equipment from various external impacts, be technologically feasible to manufacture, and have as little mass as possible. As a result, the task of designing spacecraft bodies and protective screens for low-orbit SC is particularly relevant due to the large concentration of SD in low Earth orbits.
A comparative numerical study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various thin shields in protecting against impacts from space debris particles. The study examined homogeneous shields made of A356 aluminum alloy and 316L stainless steel, as well as volumetrically reinforced composite shields produced using additive manufacturing with steel inclusions, and shields with a gradient distribution of steel throughout the thickness of an aluminum matrix, all with the same areal density. In all the heterogeneous plates considered, the volumetric concentration of steel was 36 %. The study covered an interaction velocity range of 2–9 km/s. Numerical modeling results indicated that the structure of the thin heterogeneous plate does not affect the shape of the debris cloud formed behind the protective shield. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for selecting materials for the development of more effective protection for spacecraft against high-velocity impacts.
{"title":"Shape of fragments cloud behind heterogeneous screen by a space debris particle impact","authors":"A.E. Buzyurkin, V.M. Fomin, A.E. Kraus, E.I. Kraus, I.I. Shabalin","doi":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actaastro.2024.10.036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Technogenic pollution of near-Earth space poses a threat to the functioning of spacecraft. Collisions between space debris (SD) and spacecraft (SC) structures can have catastrophic consequences or cause localized damage, leading to the loss of SC operability or the failure of certain functions. The SC body must effectively protect the internal equipment from various external impacts, be technologically feasible to manufacture, and have as little mass as possible. As a result, the task of designing spacecraft bodies and protective screens for low-orbit SC is particularly relevant due to the large concentration of SD in low Earth orbits.</div><div>A comparative numerical study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various thin shields in protecting against impacts from space debris particles. The study examined homogeneous shields made of A356 aluminum alloy and 316L stainless steel, as well as volumetrically reinforced composite shields produced using additive manufacturing with steel inclusions, and shields with a gradient distribution of steel throughout the thickness of an aluminum matrix, all with the same areal density. In all the heterogeneous plates considered, the volumetric concentration of steel was 36 %. The study covered an interaction velocity range of 2–9 km/s. Numerical modeling results indicated that the structure of the thin heterogeneous plate does not affect the shape of the debris cloud formed behind the protective shield. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for selecting materials for the development of more effective protection for spacecraft against high-velocity impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44971,"journal":{"name":"Acta Astronautica","volume":"226 ","pages":"Pages 169-177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142534896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}