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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
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NASA NTRS1993

Precision attitude control for tethered satellites

Tethered spacecraft are particularly well suited to serve as isolation platforms for space-borne observatories. It has previously been shown that, due to the relatively large tether force, conventional means of performing attitude control for tethered satellites are inefficient for any mission with pointing requirements more stringent than about 1 deg. A particularly effective method of implementing attitude control for tethered satellites is to use the tether tension force to generate control moments by moving the tether attach point relative to the subsatellite center of mass. This paper presents the development of a precision pointing control algorithm for tethered satellites and the simulation of the control system with laboratory hardware. The control algorithm consists of a linear quadratic regulator feedback law and a Kalman filter. The control algorithm has been shown to regulate the vehicle orientation to within 0.60 arcsec rms. This level of precision was achieved only after including a mass center estimator and accurately modeling the effects of the nonlinear attach point motion actuator.

Kline-Schoder, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

MERCATOR: Methods and Realization for Control of the Attitude and the Orbit of spacecraft

Since 1974, CNES has been involved in geostationary positioning. Among different entities participating in operations and their preparation, the Flight Dynamics Center (FDC) is in charge of performing the following tasks: orbit determination; attitude determination; computation, monitoring, and calibration of orbit maneuvers; computation, monitoring, and calibration of attitude maneuvers; and operational predictions. In order to fulfill this mission, the FDC receives telemetry from the satellite and localization measurements from ground stations (e.g., CNES, NASA, INTELSAT). These data are processed by space dynamics programs integrated in the MERCATOR system which is run on SUN workstations (UNIX O.S.). The main features of MERCATOR are redundancy, modularity, and flexibility: efficient, flexible, and user friendly man-machine interface; and four identical SUN stations redundantly linked in an Ethernet network. Each workstation can perform all the tasks from data acquisition to computation results dissemination through a video network. A team of four engineers can handle the space mechanics aspects of a complete geostationary positioning from the injection into a transfer orbit to the final maneuvers in the station-keeping window. MERCATOR has been or is to be used for operations related to more than ten geostationary positionings. Initially developed for geostationary satellites, MERCATOR's methodology was also used for satellite control centers and can be applied to a wide range of satellites and to future manned missions.

Tavernier, Gilles↗
NASA NTRS1984

Do the Satellites of Uranus Control Its Magnetosphere?

The importance of the satellites of Uranus as sources of magnetospheric plasma were investigated. It is found that neither an Io like plasma source nor a Titan like source is likely at Uranus. The likely presence of a heavy ion plasma torus maintained by charged particle sputtering of the icy satellites is examined. Sputtering of Saturn's icy satellites is considered an important source of heavy ion (oxygen) plasma in Saturn's inner magnetosphere. A major unresolved question is whether this sputtering process does depend on the preexistence of magnetospheric heavy ions derived from another source, Titian.

Cheng, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On the dynamics and control of tethered satellite systems

The rigid body dynamics and control of the tether, subsatellite and space platform are analyzed, during deployment, stationkeeping and retrieval phases using the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) approach, accounting for the mass of the tether as well as a three dimensional offset of its point of attachment. The strategies employ tension in the tether line, thrusters, motion of the offset of the tether attachment point or their hybrid combinations. An assessment of the relative merit suggests the thruster-offset hybrid controller to be the most effective in damping given disturbances.

Modi, Vinod J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Automating satellite operations at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

A second generation of graphical expert systems are under development at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to support real-time operations in the satellite control centers. Built with a new domain-specific expert system development tool named the Generic Spacecraft Analyst Assistant (GenSAA), these systems have been deployed to assist with a variety of satellite operations functions.

Hughes, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A practical system for regional mobile satellite services

The Regional Mobile Satellite (MSAT) concept proposes a worldwide, interconnected mobile satellite service (MSS) network in which MSAT-type satellites provide the space segment services to separate regions (i.e., one or a few countries). Using this concept, mobile communications users across entire continents can now be served by a handful of regionally controlled satellites in geostationary earth orbit (GEO). All requirements, including hand-held telephone capabilities, can be cost-effectively provided using proven technologies. While other concepts of regional or global mobile communications continue to be explored, the Hughes Regional MSAT system demonstrates the near-term viability of the GEO approach.

Glein, Randall↗
NASA NTRS1980

On-orbit control of the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS)/HERMES

A variety of control functions for the CIS HERMES satellite are reviewed. Its mission, to demonstrate high power SHF (12 GHz) transmission is discussed. The satellite was controlled in geostationary orbit for nearly four years from the satellite control center in Ottawa, Canada. Highlights of these operations are outlined. The interactions between many of the automatic onboard control functions and control from the ground are described. Special emphasis is placed on the characteristics and performance of the three axis attitude control system.

Raine, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Kalman filtering applied to real-time monitoring of apogee maneuvers

Part of the Space Mathematics Division in CNES, the Flight Dynamics Center provides attitude and orbit determinations and maneuvers during the Launch and Early Operation Phase (LEOP) of geostationary satellites. Orbit determination is based on a Kalman filter method; when the 2 GHz CNES/NASA network is used, Doppler measurements are available and allow orbit determination during the apogee maneuvers. This method was used for TELE-X and TDF 2 LEOP (3-axis controlled satellites) and also for TELECOM 2 and HISPASAT (spun satellites): it enables us to follow the evolution of the maneuver and gives out a quite accurate estimation of the reached orbit. In this paper, we briefly describe the dynamic models of the orbit evolution in both cases, '3-axis' and 'inertial' thrust. Then, we present the results obtained for each case. Afterwards, we present some cases to show the robustness of the filter.

Deboer, Frederic↗
NASA NTRS1992

Verifying command sequences for satellite systems

We present a formal basis for the design of a Checker used in validating safe schedules and in selecting error recovery schedules for satellite control systems. This design includes a high-level specification of Checker behavior and properties (called flight rules) of safe schedules. Specifications are written in Timed Linear Logic (TLL). Validation of schedules is performed in terms of real-time telemetry and deduction system proof rules. Telemetry (state information for satellite subsystems) serves as input to the Checker. Detection of violation of a flight rule by the Checker results in the selection of a contingency plan (error recovery schedule). The Checker is illustrated in terms of the TOPEX/Poseidon Oceanographic Satellite System.

Peters, James F., III↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced satellite workstation: An integrated workstation environment for operational support of satellite system planning and analysis

A prototype integrated environment, the Advanced Satellite Workstation (ASW), is described that has been developed and delivered for evaluation and operator feedback in an operational satellite control center. The current ASW hardware consists of a Sun Workstation and Macintosh II Workstation connected via an ethernet Network Hardware and Software, Laser Disk System, Optical Storage System, and Telemetry Data File Interface. The central mission of ASW is to provide an intelligent decision support and training environment for operator/analysts of complex systems such as satellites. There have been many workstation implementations recently which incorporate graphical telemetry displays and expert systems. ASW is a considerably broader look at intelligent, integrated environments for decision support, based upon the premise that the central features of such an environment are intelligent data access and integrated toolsets. A variety of tools have been constructed in support of this prototype environment including: an automated pass planner for scheduling vehicle support activities, architectural modeler for hierarchical simulation and analysis of satellite vehicle subsystems, multimedia-based information systems that provide an intuitive and easily accessible interface to Orbit Operations Handbook and other relevant support documentation, and a data analysis architecture that integrates user modifiable telemetry display systems, expert systems for background data analysis, and interfaces to the multimedia system via inter-process communication.

Sutton, Stewart A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Nimbus D RMP program

The development of an advanced long life rate measuring package, designed for a five year useful life as a meteorological satellite control sensor is discussed. The primary function of the rate mesuring package is to provide rate information for the reaction wheel and gas jet torquing devices that are used to damp spacecraft oscillations and to constrain the spacecraft to the required attitude with respect to the orbital plane. The specifications for the rate measuring package sensor are described. Application of the rate measuring package to the Nimbus D satellite is proposed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1995

GPS as an orbit determination subsystems

This paper evaluates the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers as a primary source of tracking data for low-Earth orbit satellites. GPS data is an alternative to using range, azimuth, elevation, and range-rate (RAER) data from the Air Force Satellite Control Network antennas, the Space Ground Link System (SGLS). This evaluation is applicable to missions such as Skipper, a joint U.S. and Russian atmosphere research mission, that will rely on a GPS receiver as a primary tracking data source. The Detachment 2, Space and Missile Systems Center's Test Support Complex (TSC) conducted the evaluation based on receiver data from the Space Test Experiment Platform Mission O (STEP-O) and Advanced Photovoltaic and Electronics Experiments (APEX) satellites. The TSC performed orbit reconstruction and prediction on the STEP-0 and APEX vehicles using GPS receiver navigation solution data, SGLS RAER data, and SGLS anglesonly (azimuth and elevation) data. For the STEP-O case, the navigation solution based orbits proved to be more accurate than SGLS RAER based orbits. For the APEX case, navigation solution based orbits proved to be less accurate than SGLS RAER based orbits for orbit prediction, and results for orbit reconstruction were inconclusive due to the lack of a precise truth orbit. After evaluating several different GPS data processing methods, the TSC concluded that using GPS navigation solution data is a viable alternative to using SGLS RAER data.

Fennessey, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1994

Using graphics and expert system technologies to support satellite monitoring at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, fault-isolation expert systems have been developed to support data monitoring and fault detection tasks in satellite control centers. Based on the lessons learned during these efforts in expert system automation, a new domain-specific expert system development tool named the Generic Spacecraft Analysts Assistant (GenSAA), was developed to facilitate the rapid development and reuse of real-time expert systems to serve as fault-isolation assistants for spacecraft analysts. This paper describes GenSAA's capabilities and how it is supporting monitoring functions of current and future NASA missions for a variety of satellite monitoring applications ranging from subsystem health and safety to spacecraft attitude. Finally, this paper addresses efforts to generalize GenSAA's data interface for more widespread usage throughout the space and commercial industry.

Hughes, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Using the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System as a global timing system

The application of NAVSTAR GPS to the problems of PTTI dissemination is discussed. A short review of the GPS concept lead to a detailed description of the implementation of time transfer through NAVSTAR GPS. Time was followed from the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) through the ground control, satellite, and receiving segments of GPS to the user's clock system. The three options by which a user's system can receive from the GPS receivers, currently under development by the DOD, are defined in detail. The electrical/digital/mechanical interface parameters along with suggested methods for their use are outlined for each option. A detailed error model is also presented for the traceability of UTC (GPS) to UTC (USNO). Real time synchronization between stationary users on the time continent can be controlled to within a few nanoseconds, and absolute post processed time offset with UTC (USNO) measured within 25 nanoseconds or better. A discussion of some of the potential work around techniques and their applications are included.

Kovach, K. L.↗