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Bremsstrahlung power conversion for fusion power and propulsion in space Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-05-07 Thomas Bone, Raymond Sedwick
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Effects of UV-C exposure on composite materials made of recycled carbon fibers Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-05-04 Daniele Tortorici, Elisa Toto, Maria Gabriella Santonicola, Susanna Laurenzi
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers are widely used in space applications since they combine outstanding mechanical properties with low material density. However, the development of composite components involves raw materials that are becoming increasingly scarce and contributes significantly to carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. Indeed, the fabrication of fibers is energy-intensive and
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On the critical parameters for feasibility and advantage of air-breathing electric propulsion systems Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-05-04 Vittorio Giannetti, Eugenio Ferrato, Tommaso Andreussi
In recent years, air-breathing electric propulsion emerged as a potential enabling technology for long-duration space missions in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). In this work, we show how the complex relation between mission environment, spacecraft configuration, and propulsive performance can be associated to a single requirement for full air-breathing drag compensation, which becomes less stringent
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Effects of selected cathode materials on a magnetically enhanced vacuum arc thruster Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-30 T. Rencken, P. Ferrer
We discuss the effects of the ion distribution of a magnetically-enhanced Vacuum Arc Thruster using different cathode materials (Fe, Al, Cu) and magnetic field strengths. We develop a formalism, which is based on physical and geometric ideas, that describes the data for the inclusion of a magnetic field better than previous models (R > 0.89 for worst case). Our tests were performed on a Vacuum Arc
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Quantitative sampling and thermal extraction of the lunar regolith for lunar volatile exploration: Method and validation Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-29 Guanxin Chi, Zhiheng Zhang, Junyue Tang, Shengyuan Jiang, Zixiao Lu, Weiwei Zhang, Ye Tian, Zongquan Deng
Water and other volatiles are present in the permanently shadowed region of the moon. Quantitative analysis of the content is of great significance for lunar resource assessment and geological evolution. However, no detector has yet carried out in situ analysis on the moon, and quantitative sampling and low-power thermal extraction of lunar regolith are also difficult. Thus, a systematic method is
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Experimental investigation on detonation characteristics of boron-rich gelled propellant in static premixed combustible gases Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-27 Kun Liang, Liya Huang, Jiarui Zhang, Jianjun Wu, Mingquan Gong, He Yang
A detonation in multiphase air-kerosene-boron mixtures is studied experimentally and the initiation and propagation characteristics of multiphase pulse detonation are emphasized. The boron-rich kerosene gelled propellants are taken as the fuel to analyze its detonation characteristics in static premixed combustible gases. The factors affecting detonation initiation including component, atomization
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HERCCULES: A university balloon-borne experiment for BEXUS 32 to characterize the thermal environment in the stratosphere using COTS Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-26 David González-Bárcena, Blanca Boado-Cuartero, Ángel-Grover Pérez-Muñoz, Alejandro Fernández-Soler, Juan Manuel Redondo, Angel Porras-Hermoso, Pedro Barba-Navarrete, Carlos Arroyo-Ruiz, José Miguel Álvarez, Juan Bermejo-Ballesteros, Daniel Alfonso-Corcuera, Marina Merchán-Bravo, Carlos Gómez-Navajas, Siro Muela-Márquez, Noelia Martínez-Figueira, Alba Benito, Adrián Peña-Capalvo, Pablo Dorado-Melara
The thermal analysis of stratospheric balloon payloads is still a complex task due to the variable thermal environment during the flight phases as well as due to the convective effects during the ascent. An experiment named HERCCULES has been successfully launched from Esrange Space Centre (Kiruna, Sweden) in September 2023 as part of the REXUS/BEXUS programme. This experiment aimed of serving as a
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Study on a hybrid-produced magnetic-field Hall thruster Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-25 Daren Yu, Chao Zhong, Xingyu Liu, Hong Li
The increasing interest in all-electric, low-Earth orbit satellite constellations has stimulated the rapid development of electric propulsion technology, particularly low-power Hall thrusters. In this study, the difficulties in magnetic field design were analyzed in low-power Hall thrusters, and a new and efficient hybrid production technique is proposed. Hybrid production combines the advantages of
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Computational studies on hyper velocity impact of spherical projectiles on whipple shield with hybrid Newtonian fluid-filled core Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-24 Anand Pai, Nishant Mujumdar, Aditya Piccholiya, Marcos Rodriguez-Millan, Masahiro Nishida, Satish Shenoy B.
Satellites orbiting in low Earth orbits face potential threats from space debris. To mitigate this risk, a Whipple shield is employed to shield satellites from potential hyper-velocity impacts caused by debris of varying sizes and speeds. Typically, these protective systems use spaced aluminum plates affixed to the satellite’s exterior. Ongoing advancements in this field include exploring alternative
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Time-optimal coordinated detumbling and pose adjusting control of a non-cooperative target with model uncertainties Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-24 Yinkang Li, Bin Song, Qiufan Yuan, Shuang Li
In this paper, a novel post-capture takeover control strategy of non-cooperative target with model uncertainties by the dual-arm space manipulator is proposed. Two mission objectives of target detumbling and pose adjusting are comprehensively considered. First, the motion trajectory of the target is parameterized with normalized time by a Bezier shape-based function. On this basis, by considering the
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Multiple-arc optimization of low-thrust Earth–Moon orbit transfers leveraging implicit costate transformation Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Alessandro Beolchi, Mauro Pontani, Chiara Pozzi, Elena Fantino
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Liquid mass gauging during propellant transfer in microgravity Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-20 Kevin Crosby, Eric A. Hurlbert, Rudolph J. Werlink
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Optimal attitude planning along torque equilibrium points using aerodynamic database for deorbiting large space debris Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-20 Takahiro Sasaki, Ryo Nakamura, Hiroyuki Okamoto
Currently, considerable attention is being directed toward active debris removal (ADR) using small, cost-effective satellites. From high altitude to re-entry, ADR missions use thrusters that consume significant amounts of fuel. The volume of the propulsion system in these satellites can be quite large, and it is difficult for a small satellite to accommodate a large-scale propulsion system. Thus, active
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Historical space painting art: Its important role on the creation of space-age era in 1950s Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Yi-Wei (Eva) Chang, Tung-Yueh Pai
The major purpose of this paper is to study the important role of historical painting art on the creation of space-age era eight decades ago in 1950s. According to the , the first known use of “space age” was in 1946. In the , the space age is the present period in the history of the world when travel in space has become possible, and people use “space-age” to describe something that is very modern
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The pointing uncertainty Region's analysis of inter-satellite laser alignment systems under multiple uncertainties Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-18 Anyuan Mao, Yao Zhang, Zeyu Bao, Xingang Li, Shaozhao Lu, Quan An
Laser inter-satellite links (LISLs) are crucial for enabling rapid information exchange within low earth orbit (LEO) constellations. Previous research on laser link establishment often relied on the idealized probability density function (PDF) of the pointing uncertainty regions (PURs) when designing scan-and-capture methods, neglecting the impact of various practical uncertainties. To address the
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Modeling and analysis for volatile characteristics of lunar water ice Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-17 Fulong Zhu, Weiwei Zhang, Lingxin Wang, Shengyuan Jiang, Junyue Tang, Zhenlong Wang
Lunar water ice resources are important space assets for human survival and sustainable living on the Moon. Detection data indicates that the permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles contain water ice resources. The efficiency of in-situ extraction of lunar water ice resources depends on its volatile characteristics. In the context of extraction and utilization of water ice resources in the
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Intelligent and robust control of space manipulator for sustainable removal of space debris Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-17 Shabadini Sampath, Jinglang Feng
This study focuses on enhancing the control precision and efficiency of a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) space manipulator used for active space debris removal. The unpredictable space environment introduces large uncertainties, which introduces unique challenges beyond the capabilities of a standalone computed torque controller and degrades control performance. To address this problem, a robust controller
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Reinforcement learning-based finite time control for the asymmetric underactuated tethered spacecraft with disturbances Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Yingbo Lu, Xingyu Wang, Ya Liu, Panfeng Huang
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Test characterization of infrared phototransistors-based sensors for close-proximity operations Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Mattia Peruffo, Alex Caon, Francesco Branz, Alessandro Francesconi
On-orbit servicing and on-orbit assembly represent very appealing mission concepts that could facilitate the exploitation of the space environment. Autonomy is a critical requirement for systems aimed at the execution of these operations. The development of enabling technologies for this type of missions is a focal research topic for the global space community. The AUTOMA project (University of Padua
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Mission analysis and guidance and control for the SpEye inspection CubeSat Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Giacomo Borelli, Gabriella Gaias, Yu Nakajima, Camilla Colombo, Vincenzo Capuano, Fabio Saggiomo, Giuseppe Leccese, Silvia Natalucci
The space community is moving forward with the development of in-orbit servicing and removal technologies to enable the circular economy in space and improve future space missions’ scientific and commercial return and space environment exploitation. The application of nanosatellites to carry out proximity operations presents an additional opportunity to support various novel and cost-effective distributed
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Antarctica and beyond – unconsidered expectations of leaders in small isolated environments Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-16 Michael Stieber
The aim of this discussion is to raise awareness on the danger of leaders being overtaxed when expectations are excessive; not compatible and do not correspond to leader's nature, or even when there is an excessive expectation of performance. The laboratory situation of a overwintering in Antarctica is suitable for approaching such a topic. An extensive analysis of relevant publications of the last
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Developing algorithms to determine an Asteroid’s physical properties and the success of deflection missions Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Arushi Nath
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Architectural approach for evaluation of radiation shielding integration in space habitats Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Olga Bannova, Eszter Gulacsi
NASA HRP considers developing radiation protection for human space flight and surface habitation as one of the critical technologies for successful deep space exploration. Although the danger of radiation exposure is recognized as a potential show-stopper for deep space exploration, and radiation effects on humans are now understood better than before, shielding strategies for different stages of space
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Review of machine learning in robotic grasping control in space application Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-15 Hadi Jahanshahi, Zheng H. Zhu
This article presents a comprehensive survey of the integration of machine learning techniques into robotic grasping, with a special emphasis on the challenges and advancements for space applications. The incorporation of artificial intelligence, particularly through deep learning, reinforcement learning, transfer learning, convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks, has significantly
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Sequence planning for on-orbit robotic assembly based on symbiotic organisms search with diversification strategy Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-13 Zeyu Sheng, Weidong Chen, Zishuo Chen, Hao Wen
The demands for efficiency and stability in space missions have necessitated the development of sequence planning schemes for on-orbit robotic assembly of space structures. A sequence planning method is proposed in this work based on robotic kinematic analysis and Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) algorithm with a diversification strategy. With feasibility as the constraint and assembly cost as the
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Convolutional neural networks for image analysis of high-speed videos from two slab burners Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-13 Oliver Assenmacher, Riccardo Gelain, Alexander Rüttgers, Anna Petrarolo, Patrick Hendrick
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CerAMfacturing of a ceramic aerospike engine Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Uwe Scheithauer, Eric Schwarzer-Fischer, Jan Sieder-Katzmann, Martin Propst, Christian Bach
High-performance ceramics are recognized as key enabling materials because of their very high thermal, chemical and mechanical resistance in combination with a lower density compared to most metals. These properties apparently predestine ceramics for many different applications, e.g. propulsion engines.
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Importance and challenges of integrating BLSS into ECLSS Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-10 Megan Kane, K.C. Shasteen
Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) are a key facet of plans for long term habitats on other celestial bodies. With the Artemis program headed to the moon and SpaceX pushing towards Mars the roadmap is about 10–20 years. Therefore it is vital to consider how BLSS will work with the traditional physicochemical Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). Biological systems are complicated
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Rectangular-to-elliptical shape transition intakes with various leading-edge for performance enhancement Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-09 Daegi Yeom, Seong-kyun Im
This study explores the efficiency of streamline-tracing intake in scramjets within the hypersonic domain, where the Mach number () exceeds five. Focusing on a rectangular-to-elliptical shape transition intake following Busemann streamlines with a contraction ratio of 4.67, tailored for 7.1, this study innovates beyond traditional design method, employing numerical simulations to interpolate iso- points
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A powered descent trajectory planning method with quantitative consideration of safe distance to obstacle Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-09 Yunzhao Liu, Miao Dong, Mingming Wang, Jianjun Luo
High scientific value areas on celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars are often located in hazardous terrains. To achieve safe landing exploration, a novel planning method is proposed, which can ensure that the planned trajectory maintains a user-specified distance from obstacles, thus reducing potential collision risk induced by factors such as the body size and model uncertainties. Firstly, the
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Response characteristics and impact resistance of composite laminates with shear stiffening gel under hypervelocity impact Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-08 Zishang Liu, Quanyu Jiang, Yizhe Liu, Kun Zhang, Yanpeng Wei, Tianyu Chen, Yacong Guo, Lingling Lu, Bingchen Wei
To investigate the damage characteristics of spacecraft structures caused by external impacts and propose protective measures, this study utilizes two-stage light gas gun launcher with detonation capability. Hypervelocity impact experiments are conducted on composite laminates that incorporate varying proportions of shear stiffening gel (SSG). Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors are employed to
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Validation of SiO2 neutron cross sections for asteroid deflection purposes Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-07 Martin Schulc, Tomáš Czakoj, Evžen Novák, Jan Šimon, Alena Krechlerová, Zdeněk Matěj, Michal Košťál
The asteroid impacts can be devastating for the life on the Earth. Thus, mitigation of this unwanted event is of crucial importance, and nuclear devices are state-of-the-art choice. The presented paper focuses on nuclear data validation of silicon and oxygen. Nuclear data validation is an essential task because nuclear data are the deciding factor for energy deposition profiles, which serve as input
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Machine learning in orbit estimation: A survey Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-07 Francisco Caldas, Cláudia Soares
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AI-based monocular pose estimation for autonomous space refuelling Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-06 Duarte Rondao, Lei He, Nabil Aouf
Cameras are rapidly becoming the choice for on-board sensors towards space rendezvous due to their small form factor and inexpensive power, mass, and volume costs. When it comes to docking, however, they typically serve a secondary role, whereas the main work is done by active sensors such as lidar. This paper documents the development of a proposed AI-based (artificial intelligence) navigation algorithm
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Earth-Mars halo to halo low thrust manifold transfers using variable specific impulse engine Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-06 Satyendra Kumar Singh, Kuldeep Negi
The low-thrust fuel-optimal transfer problem between periodic orbits of two circular restricted three-body systems has been considered. The focus is on utilizing invariant manifolds of the respective systems. A power-limited, variable-specific impulse engine model has been employed. The system-to-system transfer problem is modeled within the framework of optimal control theory through the application
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Radiation heating tests to evaluate low-emissivity porous ceramics coatings for stand-off thermal protection systems Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-06 Shuko Akamine, Yasuko Sudo, Chiharu Ogawa, Takuya Aoki, Toshio Ogasawara
Diffuse reflection of thermal radiation transfer by Mie scattering can provide a thermal barrier without conversion leading to conduction heat transfer. Applying such a system to internal thermal insulating materials of a stand-off thermal protection systems (TPS) provides an efficient means of preventing thermal radiation transfer. Porous MgAlO ceramics have high thermal resistance because of their
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Density-based in-orbit collision risk model valid for any impact geometry Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-06 Lorenzo Giudici, Juan Luis Gonzalo, Camilla Colombo
Neglecting small fragments in space debris evolutionary models can lead to a significant underestimation of the collision risk for operational satellites. However, when scaling down to the millimetre range, the debris population grows to over a hundred million objects, making deterministic approaches too computationally expensive. On the contrary, probabilistic models provide a more efficient alternative
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A mission planning approach for crosslink-enabled earth sensing satellite constellations Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-05 Skylar A. Cox, John H. Humble, Greg N. Droge
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Design of a satellite constellation for monitoring inland water quality Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-05 Ben Gorr, Daniel Selva, Huilin Gao, Emily Ellis, John Morgan, Molly Stroud, George Allen, Yao Li
Current monitoring strategies for inland water quality are valuable but lack the spatiotemporal resolution to conduct detailed scientific investigations of inland water dynamics. This work examines the design of a satellite constellation that offers spatiotemporal resolution exceeding current capabilities, while maintaining sufficient spectral and radiometric resolution to provide useful scientific
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DART: Latest results from the Dimorphos impact and a look forward to future planetary defense initiatives Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 Nancy Chabot, Elena Adams, Andy Rivkin, Jason Kalirai
DART, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, successfully impacted asteroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, becoming the first mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection. Shared live via a NASA broadcast, over a million concurrent viewers around the world watched as the DART spacecraft streamed images to Earth up to the final second before its impact with Dimorphos. In this paper, we share the final
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Fundamental problems of safety in space flights Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 N.N. Smirnov
The tenth Space Flights Safety Symposium discussed the problems of Space flight safety, protective measures for space structures and the future strategies aimed at conducting safe and peaceful Space missions. The following topics were under discussion: protection of Space structures from space debris collisions and micrometeoroids; fire safety of Space vehicles; propulsion systems modeling and simulations;
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Direct optimization of low-thrust orbit-raising maneuvers using adjoint sensitivities Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 Adrian Arustei, Atri Dutta
This paper considers the problem of optimizing minimum-time and minimum-propellant many-revolution low-thrust geocentric orbit-raising maneuvers to an arbitrary target. The proposed direct single-shooting technique utilizes the regularized element set as well as analytical models for ephemeris, shadow geometry, and thrust magnitude for ease of the optimization procedure. Third body and effects are
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Synchronous planning of initial and target positions of redundant space manipulator based on deterministic configuration tree Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 Zhenyong Zhou, Jing Zhao, Ziqiang Zhang
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Applications of satellite technologies within China's legal system – A review Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 Max Zhang, Xingguo Cao, Aidi Sun
In contrast to the rising technological applications of China's satellite systems, their applications and impacts in modern Chinese Society, particularly in the legal and administrative forums, have largely escaped under the radar. Specifically, the use of satellite outputs can now be found within a number of administrative and legal activities within China - including policy and rule-making, administrative
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Geometrical design method of Walker constellation in non-terrestrial network Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-03 Yupeng Gong, Anshou Li, Xuan Peng
To meet the requirement of mega low earth orbit (LEO) constellation design in non-terrestrial network (NTN), a geometric configuration design method of Walker constellation applicable to arbitrary latitude range coverage multiple and satellite quantity scale is proposed. First, a Walker configuration representation based on the streets of coverage (SoC) characteristic parameters is proposed. Then,
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Is artificial intelligence the great filter that makes advanced technical civilisations rare in the universe? Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-03 Michael A. Garrett
This study examines the hypothesis that the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), culminating in the emergence of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), could act as a "Great Filter" that is responsible for the scarcity of advanced technological civilisations in the universe. It is proposed that such a filter emerges before these civilisations can develop a stable, multiplanetary existence
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Mission operations management of a regional coverage highly agile SAR satellite: Few key aspects Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-03 Nandini Harinath, Radhika Kandepi, Subbarao Konduri, Naresh Kumar, Robert P
The regional coverage satellite constellations are in demand for fulfilling earth observation needs of specific user regions of interest as opposed to global coverage thus enhancing the revisit period for the area. In this paper, we present a few key mission aspects of the regional coverage constellation designed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in low earth orbit. ISRO
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Endurance testing and characterization of a novel candidate for CubeSat propulsion: The Advanced Cusp Field Thruster (ACFT) Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-02 Hans Blättermann, Nils Gerrit Kottke, Max Vaupel, Martin Tajmar, Franz Georg Hey
In recent years, there has been a notable push for cost reduction in space applications, aligning with the growing interest in CubeSats. To unlock their full capabilities, propulsion is essential for executing complex missions. However, many propulsion technologies struggle to combine a low power-to-thrust ratio (PTTR), delivering sufficient total impulse, and providing high thrust, all within the
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GRACE-FO attitude determination: Star camera installation matrix calibration and incremental quaternion integrator Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-02 Aoming Wang, Defeng Gu, Zhiyong Huang, Chaoqun Liu, Kai Shao, Lisheng Tong
The satellite attitude error is transmitted to the gravity field through KBR antenna phase center correction and non-conservative force conversion, which affects the accuracy of gravity field inversion. Therefore, obtaining high-precision satellite attitude is one of the important research contents of gravity field inversion. Each satellite of GRACE-FO is equipped with three SCs and an IMU for satellite
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Efficient and accurate flexible multibody dynamics modeling for complex spacecraft with integrated control applications Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-02 Feng Gao, Jiayang Li, Guanghui Sun
This study presents a novel flexible multibody dynamics modeling method tailored to spacecraft with intricate motion features such as multi-axis antenna actuation, robotic manipulations, and space station module rotation. Using a floating base and a tree-topology structure, the model effectively simulates the kinematics and dynamics of large-angle joint rotations and elastic deformations, leveraging
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Transcriptome sequencing reveals the promotion of apoptosis and M1 polarization of microglia under simulated microgravity Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-02 Hui Yu, Xu-Yi Jia, Li-Na Gao, Ting Huyan, Jian-Jun Gou, Chun-Lin Gong, Liang-Xian Gu
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Generation of initial debris cloud distributions for breakup events based on CARDC-SBM Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-02 Tianzi Yao, Zhen Yang, Yazhong Luo, Shengwei Lan, Leisheng Ren
With the dramatic increase in the number of resident space objects, the risk of collision between space objects and debris is growing. To protect spacecraft from such collisions, it is crucial to determine the generation patterns of space debris and analyze the evolution of debris clouds. In this paper, a continuous distribution formula is derived for each parameter of the breakup debris based on the
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Bounded impulse-control hovering formation in elliptical orbits Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-01 Huan Chen, Huiya Zhao, Chao Han, Yanqin Ma, Shengzhou Bai
Satellite formation plays an important role in space missions such as on-orbit services and distributed space facilities. In these missions, hovering in a bounded range is one of the core tasks, but hovering technologies for the chief satellite in an elliptical orbit have been rarely investigated. Given the boundary constraints of relative motion between the chief and deputy satellites, this paper
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The eccentricity growth phenomenon for MEO navigation satellites Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-01 Edoardo Legnaro
Lunisolar resonances shape the dynamics in the MEO region and have the effect of increasing an object’s eccentricity possibly up to a value so high that the orbit’s perigee reaches the atmosphere and friction determines the re-entry. The focus of this paper is the eccentricity growth phenomenon observed for navigation satellites. In particular, starting from a secular Hamiltonian model, analytical
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Space taxonomy: Need for a progressive tax regime Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-01 Kajori Bhatnagar, Anish Dey
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky famously stated that while the Earth serves as the birthplace of humanity, it is not a place where mankind can indefinitely remain. Perhaps during that period, the prospect of exploring the mysteries of outer space appeared to be an unattainable aspiration. However, in the present day, there are no longer any limitations, not even the sky, since human ingenuity has facilitated
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Challenges and progress in applying space technology in support of the sustainable development goals Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-01 Danielle Wood, Minoo Rathnasabapathy, Keith Javier Stober, Pranav Menon
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Control system of the radio-reflective surface shape of a large-size space reflector using its current-conducting structural parts Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-04-01 F.V. Mitin, A.D. Shirshov, Y.V. Konoplev, A.A. Yuev, A.I. Krivushov
A comprehensive approach to creating a control system for the shape of the radio-reflecting surface of a large-size space reflector is considered. Large-aperture space antennas are used for satellite communications and space exploration. The design of these structures is one of the most promising areas. Ensuring the specified characteristics of the reflector is directly related to maintaining the specified
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Simultaneous orbit and attitude optimization of planar arrays for space-based solar power beaming Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-30 Basel A.M. Omran, Michael C.F. Bazzocchi
The recent emergence of modular space-based solar power concepts has brought the topic to the forefront of alternatives for power generation. Additionally, advancements in wireless power transmission, space robotics, and reusable launch vehicles have improved the viability of space-based solar power concepts. Modular concepts have led to several benefits compared to classical space-based solar power
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State space modeling and estimation of flexible structure using the theory of functional connections Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-30 Carlo Lombardi, Riccardo Bevilacqua
In this work, we present a novel method to model the attitude dynamics of a flexible spacecraft consisting of a rigid central body and a deformable appendage attached to it. The method is conceived to provide new instruments to address the problem of flexible dynamics modeling in a spacecraft, where an effective mathematical representation of the non-rigid behavior of the vehicle is of critical importance
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Can humanity survive to a giant comet impact? Acta Astronaut. (IF 3.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-30 Jean-Marc Salotti
It is well known that giant long period comets originating from the Oort's cloud could be the most threatening celestial bodies. The warning time could indeed be very short, five years, and the kinetic energy could be sufficient for global and durable effects on Earth, killing all life forms on the surface. Humans might nevertheless be able to survive decades in underground shelters. Based on a model