Space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection and its optimized control method

Abstract

This invention provides a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection and its optimized control method, comprising: employing a sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform, configuring optical detection sensors on the satellite platform, and integrating the satellite platform and optical sensors into a unified design. The satellite platform uses a geocentric-sunset plane reference coordinate system for closed-loop attitude control, ensuring that the satellite platform's body coordinate system O is stable during flight. b X b Y b Z b Down, +Z b While pointing towards the Earth's center, ±X b The orientation is always perpendicular to sunlight, ensuring that the optical detection sensor is in a forward-facing position for target observation, enabling natural rendezvous and observation with space debris during operation. This proposed method is reasonable and simple to implement. Compared to traditional three-axis stabilized Earth-oriented attitude control methods, it can set and fix the optimal lighting conditions for space debris detection, resulting in high mission efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space debris monitoring and astronomical observation, specifically to a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection and its optimized control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of aerospace technology, the number of spacecraft has increased dramatically, leading to a significant increase in space debris. The requirements for collecting information on the activity patterns of space targets, including space debris and satellites, are becoming increasingly stringent and urgent. Wide-area space target detection technology is primarily used for large-scale, continuous detection and surveillance of specific airspace, supporting batch target cataloging and orbit determination, and maintaining the stability of cataloging data. Currently, space target detection technology relies on ground-based and space-based surveillance methods. Ground-based systems, however, are limited by geographical deployment and meteorological conditions, resulting in insufficient airspace coverage and timeliness for target detection. Space-based surveillance systems, through networking, can effectively improve the timeliness of target cataloging. The target detection capability of space-based optical detection satellite sensors mainly depends on the target's illumination and detection range. The observation illumination phase angle (the angle between the observation position, space debris, and the sun) of a target varies from 0 to 180° within a day, with better observation conditions occurring when the observation illumination phase angle is between 0 and 90°. Therefore, this invention proposes a space-based monitoring platform and an optimized control method for space debris detection. Through the design of a reasonable space-based monitoring platform and optimized control method, the ability to observe targets under space-based observation conditions is greatly improved.

[0003] Patent document CN103675938B (application number: 201310632202.3) discloses a dual-mode integrated space-based space debris detection system with full airspace coverage, comprising an optical system, a beam splitter, a detector array, and a cooling system. The detector array includes a visible light detector array and an infrared detector array, with cooling systems configured for both the optical system and the infrared detector array. The visible light reflected from the space debris target and the infrared light emitted by the target itself are collected by the optical system. The beam splitter separates the visible light and infrared light into two independent paths, which then reach the visible light detector array and the infrared detector array, respectively. The cooling system cools both the optical system and the infrared detector array. When the detection system detects a space debris layer outside the Earth's shadow region, the visible light detector array performs imaging; when the detection system detects a space debris layer within the Earth's shadow region, the infrared detector array performs imaging. The visible light detector array and the infrared detector array operate in a time-sharing manner, achieving full airspace coverage for space debris detection. This patent mainly relates to a dual-mode integrated space-based space debris detection system with full airspace coverage, which is a payload mounted on a space-based platform.

[0004] Patent document CN102042820A (application number: 201010522728.2) discloses a method for detecting small space debris, belonging to the field of space environment detection technology. The detection film comprises, from top to bottom, a debris-capturing layer, a transition layer, and a substrate material; the debris-capturing layer is made of Au with a thickness of 1–4 μm; the substrate material is made of quartz glass with a thickness of 1–3 mm; and the transition layer is made of Ir with a thickness of 50–100 nm. The detection film is mounted on the windward and leeward sides of a spacecraft, exposed in space, and then carried back to Earth. Ground analysis employs secondary ion mass spectrometry or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under ion gun profiling to obtain the correspondence between the data from the detected film analysis and the relevant data of the space debris, thereby obtaining the chemical composition of the captured debris. This patent mainly relates to a payload that uses a detection film exposed in space to capture and measure small debris. Unlike the space-based platform control method for space debris detection proposed in this invention, this invention mainly relates to the design of a monitoring platform and its on-orbit operation control method.

[0005] "Long-Distance Wide-Area Detection, Identification, and Tracking Technology for Space-Based Debris," *Space Debris Research*, December 2019; This paper mainly designs a scheme for long-distance wide-area detection, identification, and tracking of space-based debris, and proposes a method for long-term synchronous acquisition and tracking of dense background stars and space targets, focusing on image impact processing and application procedures for image target detection. "Design of a Simulation System for Space-Based Debris Detection and Information Processing," *Space Debris Research*, March 2018; This paper introduces the main functions and overall architecture of a simulation system for space-based debris detection and information processing, the system hardware / software design, and uses debris identification and trajectory tracking algorithms to simulate the obtained data, presenting a design scheme. "Optical System Design for Space-Based Debris Detection Camera," *Infrared and Laser Engineering*, December 2016; This paper involves optical system design. "Constellation Design and Detection Performance Analysis of High-Orbit Target Monitoring System," from *Journal of Astronautics*, December 2018; This paper mainly focuses on the high-orbit debris monitoring constellation and performance analysis. Related research content differs from the design of the monitoring platform and the on-orbit operation control methods presented in this paper.

[0006] This invention, through the rational design of a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform and optimized control methods, enables fixed illumination angle observation of space debris from a space-based platform, effectively improving the target detection efficiency and the stability of debris monitoring. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection and its optimized control method.

[0008] According to the present invention, a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection includes: a sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform with a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform, and an optical detection sensor configured on the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform, wherein the optical detection sensor performs natural rendezvous observations with space debris during operation.

[0009] Preferably, the optical detection sensor is configured to run along the track and / or in the direction of direct sunlight, depending on the mission requirements.

[0010] Preferably, the optical detection sensor is fixedly connected to the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform and does not perform independent pointing maneuvers.

[0011] Preferably, it further includes: a satellite platform solar panel, which is mounted on the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform.

[0012] Preferably, the satellite platform solar panels are mounted on the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform along the orbital direction and perpendicular to the illuminated surface.

[0013] According to the optimization control method for a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection provided by the present invention, the following steps are performed using the aforementioned space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection:

[0014] Step S1: Establish the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r And based on the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system, the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system is obtained;

[0015] Step S2: Based on the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r To carry out satellite attitude control and achieve lighting conditions that meet preset requirements.

[0016] Preferably, step S1 involves: establishing a geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system O. r X r Y r Z r The Earth's terminator is the coordinate plane, +Z r The axis lies in this plane and points towards the Earth's center, +X r The axis lies in this plane and intersects with +Z r Vertical and along the direction of satellite flight, +Y r Axis and +Z r axis, +X r The axis is right-handed orthogonal; let the direction of the sun be... Earth's center direction is The unit vector of the coordinate axes is defined as:

[0017]

[0018] Preferably, the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system adopts:

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023] Among them, O o X o Y o Z o For satellite orbital coordinate system; A ro This is the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system.

[0024] Preferably, step S2 adopts the following approach: using the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system as the satellite attitude closed-loop control, the actual attitude of the satellite platform is given in real time by a high-precision determination algorithm of star sensor + gyroscope, and the flywheel is used as the actuator to achieve stable tracking of the guidance angle.

[0025] Preferably, the X-axis of the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system is always perpendicular to the sun, ensuring that the optical detection sensor is in a position with the sun in the direction of the target observation clock, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The satellite adopts a sunrise-dusk sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform. By installing telescopes along the orbit or in the direction of sunlight, it can achieve rapid coverage of space debris during operation by observing the natural intersection of space debris.

[0028] 2. The attitude control of the space-based satellite surveillance platform is designed with a geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system. The satellite's Z-axis always points to the Earth's center, which can ensure the normal operation of the satellite communication antenna. The satellite's X-axis is always perpendicular to the sun. The traditional observation angle of the target, which varies from 60 to 120°, is fixed at 90°, which can ensure that the optical sensor is always in the same position as the sun when observing the target, greatly optimizing the target detection efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This is the reference coordinate system (geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system) for the optimized control of the satellite platform in this invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is the reference coordinate system (satellite orbit coordinate system) for traditional Earth-oriented and directional control.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a satellite model.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of target brightness under different lighting conditions. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several changes and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0035] This invention provides a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection and its optimized control method, which can set and fix the optimal lighting conditions for space debris detection, thereby improving the effectiveness of space-based space debris detection.

[0036] This invention employs a sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform equipped with optical sensors to conduct natural rendezvous observations with space debris during operation. The satellite's attitude control utilizes a geocentric-sunset plane reference coordinate system, with the +Z axis stably aligned with the Earth, the +X axis perpendicular to the solar vector, and the Y axis derived from the right-hand rule of the Z and X axes. This design ensures that the telescope on the space-based surveillance platform maintains a fixed angle of illumination on the target. This invention is reasonable, simple to implement, and superior to traditional space-based surveillance satellite platforms and attitude control methods.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] According to the present invention, a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection includes: a sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform with a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform, and an optical detection sensor configured on the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform, wherein the optical detection sensor performs natural rendezvous observations with space debris during operation.

[0039] Specifically, the optical detection sensor is set to the satellite body coordinate system O according to mission requirements. b X b Y b Z b ±X b and / or +Yb The direction can be adjusted, either by setting the line of sight offset as needed or by configuring it according to actual requirements.

[0040] Specifically, the optical detection sensor is fixedly connected to the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform and does not perform independent pointing maneuvers.

[0041] More specifically, the satellite platform solar panels are mounted on the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform along the orbital direction and perpendicular to the illuminated surface. The mounting surface of the satellite platform solar panels is defined in the body coordinate system O. b X b Y b Z b O b X b Z b The satellite platform is flat and mounted on the sun-facing side of the optical sensor, for a fixed installation. The satellite platform and optical sensor are integrated into a co-designed system; the platform (including the solar panel) serves as part of the optical sensor's sun-shielding design, protecting the optical sensor from direct sunlight. The satellite solar panel surface (O...) b X b Z b A plane-shaped illumination angle provides better energy efficiency.

[0042] When multiple satellites are used for simultaneous observation, the number of satellites in the same orbital plane can be configured based on factors such as the capabilities of optical detection sensors.

[0043] According to the optimization control method for a space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection provided by the present invention, the following steps are performed using the aforementioned space-based monitoring platform for space debris detection:

[0044] Step S1: Establish the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r And based on the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system, the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system is obtained;

[0045] Step S2: Based on the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r To carry out satellite attitude control and achieve lighting conditions that meet preset requirements.

[0046] like Figure 3As shown, the smaller the angle between the "Sun-Space-Based Surveillance Platform-Space Debris," the brighter the target, which is beneficial for optical detection sensors. Therefore, the satellite attitude control uses the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system as the attitude control reference coordinate system to optimize the observation angle of the target by the space-based surveillance platform.

[0047] Specifically, step S1 adopts the following approach: Figure 1 As shown, establish the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O. r X r Y r Z r The Earth's terminator is the coordinate plane, +Z r The axis lies in this plane and points towards the Earth's center, ensuring the normal operation of the satellite communication antenna. +X r The axis lies in this plane and intersects with +Z r Vertical and along the direction of satellite flight, +Y r Axis and +Z r axis, +X r The axis is right-handed orthogonal; let the direction of the sun be... Earth's center direction is The unit vector of the coordinate axes is defined as:

[0048]

[0049] Under this geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system, it can be ensured that the optical detection sensors of the space-based surveillance platform are at a fixed angle to the target's illumination conditions.

[0050] Specifically, the position of the solar vector in the inertial coordinate system can be calculated in real time, and the satellite's orbital parameters are obtained recursively from GNSS data or the onboard system. Therefore, the components of the solar vector in the satellite's orbital coordinate system are considered known, denoted by S. o Indicates, such as Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r , with orbital coordinate system O o X o Y o Z o The calculation method is as follows:

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055] A ro This is the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system.

[0056] Specifically, step S2 adopts the following approach: using the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system as the satellite attitude closed-loop control, the actual attitude of the satellite platform is given in real time by a high-precision determination algorithm of star sensor + gyroscope, and stable control is achieved by using a flywheel as the actuator.

[0057] Specifically, the X-axis of the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system is always perpendicular to the sun, ensuring that the optical detection sensor is in a position with the sun in the direction of the target observation clock, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0058] like Figure 4 The figure shows the target brightness (apparent magnitude) of a 0.5m diameter target at a distance of 1000km under different lighting conditions.

[0059] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in addition to implementing the system, apparatus, and their modules provided by this invention in purely computer-readable program code, the same program can be implemented in the form of logic gates, switches, application-specific integrated circuits, programmable logic controllers, and embedded microcontrollers by logically programming the method steps. Therefore, the system, apparatus, and their modules provided by this invention can be considered a hardware component, and the modules included therein for implementing various programs can also be considered structures within the hardware component; alternatively, modules for implementing various functions can be considered both software programs implementing the method and structures within the hardware component.

[0061] Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which do not affect the essence of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

Claims

1. A space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection, characterized in that, include: The system employs a sunrise-dusk sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform and is equipped with optical detection sensors. The satellite platform and optical sensors are designed as an integrated whole. The optimized control method employed by the space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection includes: Step S1: Establish the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r And based on the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system, the geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system is obtained; Step S2: Based on the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system O r X r Y r Z r To conduct satellite attitude control, achieve lighting conditions that meet preset requirements, and ensure the satellite platform's coordinate system O during flight. b X b Y b Z b Down, +Z b While pointing towards the Earth's center, ±X b The orientation is always perpendicular to the sunlight to ensure that the optical detection sensor is in a position with the light source when observing the target. Step S1 involves: establishing a geocentric-twilight plane reference coordinate system O. r X r Y r Z r The Earth's terminator is the coordinate plane, +Z r The axis lies in this plane and points towards the Earth's center, +X r The axis lies in this plane and intersects with +Z r Vertical and along the direction of satellite flight, +Y r Axis and +Z r axis, +X r The axis is right-handed orthogonal; let the direction of the sun be... The direction of the Earth's center is The unit vector of the coordinate axes is defined as: ， ， ； The transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system is adopted as follows: Among them, O o X o Y o Z o For satellite orbit coordinate system; This is the transformation matrix from the satellite orbit coordinate system to the geocentric-terminal plane reference coordinate system; This represents the component of the solar vector in the satellite orbital coordinate system.

2. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical detection sensor is configured in the satellite body coordinate system O according to mission requirements. b X b Y b Z b ±X b and / or +Y b Direction, or adjust the line-of-sight offset setting as needed.

3. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical detection sensor is fixedly connected to the sun-synchronous orbit satellite platform and does not perform independent pointing maneuvers.

4. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite's solar panels are parallel to the satellite's coordinate system O. b X b Y b Z b O below b X b Z b It is flat and mounted on the sun-facing side of the optical sensor.

5. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite platform and optical sensor are designed as an integrated whole, with the satellite platform serving as part of the optical sensor's light-shielding design to prevent sunlight from entering the optical sensor body or field of view.

6. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step S2 adopts the following approach: using the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system as the satellite attitude closed-loop control, the actual attitude of the satellite platform is given in real time by a high-precision determination algorithm of star sensor + gyroscope, and the flywheel is used as the actuator to achieve stable tracking of the guidance angle.

7. The space-based surveillance platform for space debris detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The X-axis of the geocentric-dusk plane reference coordinate system is always perpendicular to the sun, ensuring that the optical detection sensor is always in a position with the sun in front of the target, thus improving detection efficiency.

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