Satellite enclosure component with low radar return scattering

Abstract

The application discloses a satellite shell part with low radar echo scattering, and belongs to the technical field of on-orbit stealth of aerospace vehicles, which comprises a shell framework and a skin arranged outside the shell framework, the skin is made of composite radar stealth material, the shell framework is made of resin material, the composite radar stealth material comprises two photonic crystal thin films and a nano zinc oxide material coating, and the satellite shell part has a goose egg-shaped appearance. The satellite shell part with low radar echo scattering adopts the above structure, the goose egg-shaped appearance design can make the radar echo reflection angle larger, so that the radar echo detection is less, and the stealth effect is remarkable; through the combination of the composite radar stealth material coating and the goose egg-shaped shell, excellent radar echo weakening effect under the comprehensive action can be realized, and the radar stealth effect covering X wave band and below can be further realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of on-orbit stealth technology for spacecraft, and in particular to a satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering. Background Technology

[0002] The satellite's outer shell is a particularly crucial component of such spacecraft. Conventional on-orbit satellites typically use skin or metal casings, and their shapes are usually standard cubes with sharp edges. This results in a large radar cross-section and significant radar echoes, making their every move easily detectable by radar during certain missions, hindering on-orbit offensive and defensive operations. Reducing a satellite's radar cross-section (RCS) and electromagnetic reflectivity shortens radar detection range, minimizing the probability of detection by radar systems and allowing satellite systems to function more effectively, thereby enhancing the satellite's space military offensive and defensive capabilities. For satellites, detection and tracking primarily rely on radar and optical methods, with radar being the most common. Therefore, current research on stealth satellites focuses on radar stealth. The development of radar stealth satellites will significantly enhance military space dominance and improve space offensive and defensive capabilities, holding significant military strategic importance.

[0003] Current research on radar stealth design for aircraft mainly focuses on reducing the radar cross section, primarily in two aspects: first, avoiding sharp edges in the shape design to reduce radar echo; and second, applying stealth materials to the radar-illuminated surface to absorb electromagnetic waves in certain bands, further reducing radar echo. Traditional satellite shapes are mainly cubic or patch-like polyhedral spherical shapes. The edges and gaps of these shapes directly lead to high-intensity radar echoes, thus directly exposing the satellite to radar surveillance. Furthermore, traditional stealth coatings are mainly added for specific situations, such as radar-absorbing coatings for infrared radiation monitoring and stealth coatings for radar illumination. Due to the complexity of the space-orbit environment and the relatively mature infrared, radar, and optical detection technologies, the implementation of satellite on-orbit offensive and defensive missions is greatly threatened. The satellite outer shell component proposed in this invention not only achieves countermeasures against current mainstream reconnaissance methods through the stealth properties of various multi-functional materials, ensuring stealth effectiveness under certain detection conditions, but also meets the main requirements for radar stealth in terms of shape design. The small size and lightweight design of the overall shell effectively reduce the overall load on the satellite while still meeting certain on-orbit radar detection stealth requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering, so as to solve the problems of satellite in-orbit anti-radar detection stealth, anti-infrared detection stealth, and anti-hyperspectral detection stealth in the above-mentioned background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides a satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering, comprising an outer shell frame and a skin disposed outside the outer shell frame. The skin is made of a composite radar stealth material, and the outer shell frame is made of a resin material. The composite radar stealth material includes two photonic crystal thin films and a nano-zinc oxide material coating. While maintaining radar stealth performance, it also possesses certain infrared stealth and hyperspectral stealth performance, resulting in a significant overall stealth effect. It also reduces the detection capability of other space monitoring equipment. Furthermore, the satellite outer shell component has an oval shape, which causes the overall radar waves to be reflected at a large angle, thereby reducing radar echo and further ensuring the overall radar stealth performance, thus meeting the mission requirements of evading high-performance, high-band radar detection in space.

[0006] Preferably, the two types of photonic crystal thin films include a photonic crystal I thin film layer and a photonic crystal II thin film layer. The photonic crystal I thin film layer, the photonic crystal II thin film layer, and the nano zinc oxide material coating are arranged in the following order from the inside to the outside: nano zinc oxide material coating, photonic crystal II thin film layer, and photonic crystal I thin film layer. The thicknesses of the three are 0.10-0.17 mm, 1.05-1.12 mm, and 1.68-1.80 mm, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, the spectral characteristic parameters of the photonic crystal I thin film layer and the photonic crystal II thin film layer are as follows: the reflectance of the photonic crystal I thin film layer is 2.54% in 0.4-0.8 μm, the emissivity is 0.074 in 3-5 μm, and the emissivity is 0.069 in 8-14 μm; the reflectance of the photonic crystal II thin film layer is 46.35% in 0.4-0.8 μm, the emissivity is 0.072 in 3-5 μm, and the emissivity is 0.075 in 8-14 μm.

[0008] Preferably, the nano zinc oxide material coating is in the form of a sheet, and is one or more of ZnO-Co materials doped with 0.01%-0.1% Co element.

[0009] Preferably, the maximum axial and radial dimensions of the satellite outer shell component are 720 mm and 260 mm, respectively. The satellite outer shell component consists of three sections: a head, a middle section, and a tail. Both the head and tail sections are provided with a through-hole located on the axis of the satellite outer shell component. The head section is also provided with six openings evenly distributed. The directions of the six openings and the through-hole are all parallel to the axial direction of the satellite outer shell component. The diameters of the through-holes in the head and tail sections are equal and larger than the diameter of the openings.

[0010] Preferably, the satellite outer shell component is manufactured by 3D modeling and 3D printing or by integrated molding, and its surface is polished smooth to facilitate uniform coating.

[0011] Preferably, the resin material is polytetrafluoroethylene, and the outer shell frame is an integrated structure with a smooth surface and no sharp protrusions.

[0012] Preferably, the outer shell frame is bonded to the nano zinc oxide material coating, the nano zinc oxide material coating to the photonic crystal II thin film layer, and the photonic crystal II thin film layer to the photonic crystal I thin film layer, with no gaps or air bubbles in between, so as to ensure that each material coating is uniformly attached to the surface of the outer shell frame and to ensure the stable stealth effect.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention employs a satellite shell component with low radar echo scattering using the aforementioned structure. The composite radar stealth material not only maintains radar stealth performance but also possesses certain infrared and hyperspectral stealth capabilities, resulting in a significant overall stealth effect. It also reduces the detection capability of other space monitoring equipment. The unique oval shell design causes the overall radar waves to be reflected at a large angle, reducing radar echo and further ensuring the overall radar stealth performance, thus meeting the mission requirements of evading high-performance, high-band radar detection in space.

[0014] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tail section of the satellite outer shell component in this invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the coating distribution of the composite radar stealth material in this invention;

[0018] Figure Labels

[0019] 1. Head; 2. Tail; 3. Nano zinc oxide material coating; 4. Photonic crystal II thin film layer; 5. Photonic crystal I thin film layer. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Example

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0022] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering is manufactured through 3D modeling and 3D printing or integrated molding, and its surface is polished smooth to facilitate uniform coating. It includes an outer shell skeleton and a skin disposed on the outside of the skeleton. The skin is made of a composite radar stealth material, while the outer shell skeleton is made of a resin material, specifically polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The skeleton is an integrated structure with a smooth surface and no sharp protrusions, reducing burrs and sharp edges, further lowering the risk of radar detection. The composite radar stealth material includes two photonic crystal films and a nano-zinc oxide coating. In addition to radar stealth performance, it also possesses certain infrared and hyperspectral stealth capabilities, resulting in a significant overall stealth effect. It also reduces detection by other space monitoring equipment. Furthermore, the satellite outer shell component has an oval shape, avoiding sharp edges and increasing the reflection angle of radar waves, thus reducing radar echoes in the detection direction.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, the two photonic crystal thin films include a photonic crystal I thin film layer 5 and a photonic crystal II thin film layer 4. The arrangement order of the photonic crystal I thin film layer 5, the photonic crystal II thin film layer 4, and the nano-zinc oxide material coating 3 from the inside out is nano-zinc oxide material coating 3, photonic crystal II thin film layer 4, and photonic crystal I thin film layer 5, respectively. The thicknesses of the three are 0.10-0.17 mm, 1.05-1.12 mm, and 1.68-1.80 mm, respectively. Some electromagnetic characteristic parameters of the three are shown in Table 1.

[0024] Table 1 Electromagnetic property parameters of the three coating sections

[0025] First layer 2.41 0.101 0.94mm Second floor 50.78 4.918 0.97mm Third layer 37.95 4.300 1.00mm

[0026] The spectral characteristics of photonic crystal I thin film layer 5 and photonic crystal II thin film layer 4 are shown in Table 2:

[0027] Table 2 Infrared radiation characteristics of two types of photonic crystal thin films

[0028] Photonic Crystal I Thin Film Layer 2.54％ 0.074 0.069 Photonic Crystal II Thin Film Layer 46.35％ 0.072 0.075

[0029] The nano-zinc oxide material coating 3 is in sheet form and contains one or more ZnO-Co materials doped with 0.01%-0.1% Co. In the composite radar stealth material coating formulated by calculation and experiment, both the photonic crystal I thin film layer 5 and the photonic crystal II thin film layer 4 have a certain attenuation effect on radar incoming waves. The photonic crystal I thin film layer 5 is mainly responsible for reducing the risk of hyperspectral detection and absorbing some space radiation. The photonic crystal II thin film layer 4 is mainly responsible for reducing the infrared radiation generated inside the satellite. The innermost nano-ZnO-Co coating is mainly responsible for reducing radar incoming wave detection and absorbing electromagnetic waves into internal energy. Relying on its special sheet-like morphology and doped transition metal ions, it can further absorb some infrared radiation.

[0030] The satellite outer shell component has a maximum axial dimension of 720mm and a maximum radial dimension of 260mm. The satellite outer shell component consists of three sections: head 1, middle section and tail 2. The connection is smoothly transitioned. Both head 1 and tail 2 sections have a through hole located on the axis of the satellite outer shell component. Head 1 section also has six holes evenly distributed. The direction of the six holes and the through hole is parallel to the axial direction of the satellite outer shell component. The diameter of the through hole in head 1 section and tail 2 section is equal and larger than the diameter of the hole.

[0031] The outer shell skeleton and the nano zinc oxide material coating 3, the nano zinc oxide material coating 3 and the photonic crystal II thin film layer 4, and the photonic crystal II thin film layer 4 and the photonic crystal I thin film layer 5 are all connected by adhesive, with no gaps or air bubbles in between, to ensure that each material coating is uniformly attached to the surface of the outer shell skeleton and to ensure the stable stealth effect.

[0032] Therefore, the present invention adopts a satellite shell component with low radar echo scattering with the above-mentioned structure. The overall layers have their own stealth characteristics, as well as two other stealth features. Furthermore, in terms of radar stealth, the thickness ratio of each layer is calculated based on the electromagnetic properties of the materials of each layer, which further enhances the absorption capacity of materials for electromagnetic waves in the X-band and below, and reduces radar echo.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering, characterized in that: The satellite includes an outer shell frame and a skin disposed on the outside of the outer shell frame. The skin is made of a composite radar stealth material, and the outer shell frame is made of a resin material. The composite radar stealth material includes two photonic crystal thin films and a nano zinc oxide material coating. The satellite outer shell component is oval in shape to increase the reflection angle of radar reflected waves. The two types of photonic crystal thin films include a photonic crystal I thin film layer and a photonic crystal II thin film layer. The photonic crystal I thin film layer, the photonic crystal II thin film layer, and the nano-zinc oxide material coating are arranged in the following order from the inside to the outside: nano-zinc oxide material coating, photonic crystal II thin film layer, and photonic crystal I thin film layer. The thicknesses of the three are 0.10-0.17 mm, 1.05-1.12 mm, and 1.68-1.80 mm, respectively. The spectral characteristic parameters of the photonic crystal I thin film layer and the photonic crystal II thin film layer are as follows: the photonic crystal I thin film layer is in the range of 0.4-0.

8. The reflectance is 2.54%, in the range of 3-5. The emissivity is 0.074, in the range of 8-14. The emissivity is 0.069; Photonic Crystal II thin film layer in the range of 0.4-0.8 The reflectance is 46.35%, in the range of 3-5. The emissivity is 0.072, in the range of 8-14. The emission rate is 0.

075.

2. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nano zinc oxide material coating is in sheet form, and is one or more of ZnO-Co materials doped with 0.01%-0.1% Co element.

3. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The satellite outer shell component has a maximum axial dimension of 720mm and a maximum radial dimension of 260mm. The satellite outer shell component consists of three sections: head, middle and tail. The head and tail sections are each provided with a through opening located on the axis of the satellite outer shell component. The head section is also provided with six openings evenly distributed. The directions of the six openings and the through opening are all parallel to the axial direction of the satellite outer shell component. The diameter of the through openings in the head and tail sections is equal and larger than the diameter of the other openings.

4. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The satellite outer shell components are manufactured through 3D modeling and 3D printing or through integrated molding, and their surfaces are polished smooth.

5. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The resin material is specifically polytetrafluoroethylene, and the outer shell frame is an integrated structure.

6. A satellite outer shell component with low radar echo scattering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell frame is bonded to the nano zinc oxide material coating, the nano zinc oxide material coating is bonded to the photonic crystal II thin film layer, and the photonic crystal II thin film layer is bonded to the photonic crystal I thin film layer by adhesive.

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