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ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE SYSTEMS
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Systems analysis of space industry and motion control Ïf complex mechanical systems

A.P.Alpatov, P.P.Byelonozko

Institute of Technical Mechanics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine and National Space Agency of Ukraine

The establishment of the Institute of Technical Mechanics (ITM) of National Academy of Science of Ukraine (NASU) and National Space Agency of Ukraine (NSA) is related to Academician M.K.Yangel. In April 1966, on Academician M.K.Yangel's initiative a new academic research unit was created - the Sector of Engineering Mechanics Problems within the Dnipropetrovsk Branch of the Institute of Mechanics of the Academy of Science of the Ukrainian S.S.R. The Sector of Engineering Mechanics Problems was reorganized into the Dnipropetrovsk Division of the Institute of Mechanics of Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 1968. The remarkable contribution to the work of a new Sector was made by N.F.Gerasyuta, V.M.Kovtunenko, I.I.Ivanov and V.A.Lazaryan. In 1973, the Sector of Rocket and Space Engineering Problems was organized to unite a group of scientific departments which worked in the rocket and space field. The Sector was headed by NASU Academician V.S.Budnik.

In 1980, on the basis of the Dnipropetrovsk Division was created the Institute of Technical Mechanics of NASU, headed by NASU academician Victor V.Pilipenko.

In 1980, the Institute of Technical Mechanics of NASU, headed by NASU academician Victor V.Pilipenko, was created on the basis of the Dnipropetrovsk Division.

Scientific directions of the Sector's activities were inherited respectively by the Dnipropetrovsk Division of the Institute of Mechanics and orientated to develop the basic and applied research which were able to form the basis for constructions and technologies in the sphere of rocket and space technology (RST).

Nowadays, there are 14 scientific departments in the Institute of Technical Mechanics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine and National Space Agency of Ukraine (ITM NASU NSAU). The specialists of the Institute are working with the wide range of scientific problems connected with the development of space launchers and spacecrafts. Oleg V.Pilipenko, a corresponding member of NASU, is now a head of ITM NASU NSAU.

In 2000, on the basis of Control Mechanical Systems Department through uniting with Systems Analysis Department, the Department of Systems Analysis and Control Problems of ITM NASU NSAU (hereinafter referred as the Department) was established.

The basis of systems analysis of space industry problems has become one of the scientific activity fields of ITM NASU NSAU. This was initiated by V.S.Budnik who contributed his rich industrial experience and knowledge to the development and improvement of scientific basis for rocket and space systems optimal design.

During the past years, the main customers to enjoy the Department's research and scientific developments were National Academy of Science of Ukraine, National Space Agency, Yuzhnoye State Design Bureau, and Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant.

The basic developments of the Department are directed to solve the problems in the Ukrainian rocket and space industry. They have the background of the fundamental investigations that are carried out in accordance with the research plan of NASU. The results of the fundamental investigations are used as scientific and methodological support for the rocket and space engineering. The methodological developments are also employed to assess the efficiency of the national space program projects and to produce a wide range of analytical materials for the state authorities.

The topical analysis of the Department's investigations and developments are given in. One can find a carefully prepared list of the monographs and scientific articles there and the main research results are shown. Now we pass over to the brief review of the main scientific results during the last years and more detailed description of some researches in the sphere of dynamics and motion control of the complex mechanical systems.

Systems analysis of Space industry problems

The past years are remarkable for the Department due to its investigations of the space systems. On the basis of the systems approach, the general methodology, mathematical models and assessment methodologies of competitive space transportation systems are developed. Hierarchical multicriterion approach to analyze the efficiency of space systems projects for various purposes is elaborated. The analytic and information support of the investigations is invented. The Department has carried out the systems analysis of space systems development - satellite systems and transportation systems. The main world tendencies are determined. The proposals on the promising branches of development for Ukrainian space transportation systems are formulated. The method of regressive systems analysis to carry out the regressive modeling of non-structural objects of various natures with regard to their operation data is developed and investigated.

On the basis of systems investigations, ITM NASU NSAU has performed the development of and carried out scientific and technical support of 2002- 2007 Ukrainian State (National) Space Program and developed the 4th Scientific and Technical Ukrainian State Special Space Program for the period of 2008- 2012.

While performing the systems analysis of the 4th Ukrainian State Space Program, the following priorities were taken into account:

-        development of a Ukrainian spacecraft group to work on the regular basis for performing the Earth observations and geophysical monitoring "Sich"; provide its operation and exploitation;

-        development of National System of Geoinformational support as a part of European system "GMES" and universal system "GEOSS";

-        improvements of the system of space-time and navigation support for Ukraine with the participation of the Russian Federation and European Community;

-        creation of the conditions for the commercial use of the Ukrainian space launchers within the projects of "Cyclone-4", "Land Launch", "Dnepr-M";

-        creation of the satellite telecommunications net of general use and special telecommunications networks applying the National satellite connection;

-        manufacture of space launchers "Zenit", "Cyclone" and "Dnepr"; development of promising rocket-space complexes and spacecrafts of a new generation;

-        space investigations in the spheres of solar-geo connections, astrophysics, cosmic biology and material science particularly in the framework of the international projects "Spectr-P", "International Space Station", "EXPLORATION" and "AURORA".

The Department also carried out the investigations related to the problem of the space debris. Nowadays, the problems of prevention of near-Earth space environment from pollution and flight safety problems are becoming more and more acute. The two aspects of protection -safety of space flight operation for space technology objects against the meeting with the space debris fragments and protection of these objects to sustain their working conditions after meeting with the space debris fragments - are considered. Apart from the above mentioned issues, the development of methods and measures to prevent the pollution of near-Earth space environment during the service life period of space launchers and spacecrafts as well as during their out-of-service period is also very important now.

The complex of problems related to the necessity to de-orbit the rocket and space technology objects from their operational orbits when they ceased to function is investigated. The main issues of specifications to prevent the pollution of near-Earth space and enhance the safety of space flights are developed. These issues are harmonized with the corresponding international documents.

Research of free and controlled regimes of large transformable mechanical space- and ground-based systems operation under a wide range of effects

The dynamics of spatially developed mechanical systems is to be singled out as a separate branch of dynamics of rigid bodies and deformable bodies. It is natural and obvious that 0spatially developed transformable mechanical systems are large space structures.

The name of "large space structures" is widely used to describe the space systems possessing the following properties:

-        large geometry (in comparison with the conventional spacecrafts);

-        necessity of on-position deployment after placing into the orbit (due to the transport limits on payload dimensions);

-        low rigidity (due to the transport limits on payload weight);

-        low frequency of natural oscillations (commensurable with controlled motion spacecraft frequencies); low values of interval damping factor.

Design, development and operation of large space constructions are compounded with a number of difficulties:

-        necessity to develop transformable constructions, which are in fact self-reacting devices in case of automatic deployment in space;

-        difficulties with the imitation of orbital conditions including zero-gravity conditions and thermal conditions at ground-based experimental work;

-        control problems with orientation and configuration especially with damping of elastic vibrations and shaping of the reflecting surfaces;

-        specific character of mathematical simulation of dynamics especially for large objects and necessity to identify the parameters.

Many scientific works published as long as in 80-s ‑ 90-s are devoted to theoretical and experimental investigations of large space structures. But the above-mentioned problems connected with dynamics modeling conducting of ground- and space-based experiments and the further development of control systems are still urgent problems.

In spite of the complicated technical side and high costs of large space structures, it may be cited a sequence of current evidences of reliable and economically efficient systems which have been performed practically. That is the important step forward for rocket and space engineering.

The following classification is not complete but singles out the most wide-spread types of large space structures:

-        large reflecting surfaces (satellite-communication antenna, space radio telescope, solar concentrators, plane reflectors);

-        framework constructions for various applications;

-        space manipulators (multiple-link mechanisms);

-        tethered space systems.

From the standpoint of dynamics modeling, geometry does not have any special bearings on the existing formalities, but it greatly influences the complex character of an object design, opportunities to simplify a complex object, and the number of necessary computation operations. Therefore, modeling of large mechanical systems is not mathematically quite different from those of small geometry. However, the problems to choose the method for equation development and rational choice for simplifying assumptions are still urgent, despite the rapid development of the computer tools.

The commonest simplifying assumptions applied to choose the mechanical design models for a large mechanical system may be singled out as follows:

-        the body may be substituted with the particle;

-        the body mass is not considered but those geometric parameters and mechanical properties which are important for system's proper work are taken into account. In this case the body is substituted with the constraint;

-        the relativity of the bodies' travel is disregarded; that allows us to consider several bodies as one;

-        the relativity of the travel of the body's particles is not taken into account; due to this a deformable body is substituted as non-deformable.

The dynamics study of complex mechanical systems to solve the technical problems on the base of mathematical model collections of various detail levels has proved to be an efficient method. The results of the Department's investigation of space manipulator controlled motion evidence this fact. The investigations were initiated in the 80-s as planned scientific and research investigations and this activity has been further developed to conclude the contract with Central Research and Development Institute for Robotics and Technical Cybernetics for designing a manipulator for "Buran" transport spacecraft, ordered by Rocket and Space Complex "Energy".

Hierarchical collection of dynamic models developed to be applied for 6-link hand-like mechanism of manipulator under research may be generalized as follows:

-        model of system of two bodies connected with each other by joint bearing, made up by rigid mass-free rods and joints; this model is intended for dynamics interaction investigation of the carried by manipulator payloads and the spacecraft, determination of controlled torques for the desired trajectories of payload manipulations, synthesis of control algorithms and designed trajectories;

-        the dynamics model of manipulator with rigid mass links working on the movable base; the model is to investigate the dynamics of unloaded manipulator or low loaded manipulator;

-        the above-mentioned models with consideration of the rigidity of rods, connecting flanges, and gearings in joints; they are to assess the accurateness of manipulating at typical manipulation regimes of loads placing into, or removal of transport section;

-        the above-mentioned models with consideration of rigid rods mass; they are intended to determine the system natural frequency, to study the motion stability of both the loaded manipulator and the unloaded one, to carry out the testing analysis;

The developed models have been applied for manipulator control algorithms synthesis as well as for selection of desired trajectories for payloads motion. The recommendations due to the results of construction units elasticity analysis have become the base for the further elaboration of the manipulator of the mechanism under construction.

In order to develop the control systems over the spatial position and configuration of large mechanical systems, there appears the necessity to employ a great number of drive devices, range-finding and orientation sensors which are included in the control of the each body. At conventional control system, each control channel possesses its own transducer and all the channels have to work simultaneously while at large mechanical systems operation this solution is not reasonable because this measuring system turns to be too complex and possesses a big total mass. The fact that the energy source should be of great power to ensure the simultaneous work of many drives adds to this problem.

Movable control is to be regarded as one of the solution opportunities of the above-mentioned conventional approach problems. One or several channels are under simultaneous control at the movable control regime. This allows the mass reduction of the measuring system, to make its construction less complex as well as decrease the total power of the feeding system. The results of original investigation on the development of movable control systems over various mechanical systems including large mechanical ones are generalized in the monograph.

Large space transformable reflectors are a promising branch of the space complex mechanical systems which refer to the large space structures.

Within the framework with the Institute of Space Constructions, established in Georgia in 1980-s for development of space- and ground-based deployed antennas with a large reflector diameter (up to 30 meters), the Department carried out the investigations of the main construction of the ring leafed design for the space transformable radio telescope (similar to "Reflector" experiment of "Mir" station in 1999). The calculations of the density of heat flows acting on the construction units, of temperature pattern of the antenna in various orbital positions, of thermal strain of antenna construction units are performed. The mathematical model of antenna dynamics, which takes into account the finite rate of mechanical interaction, is developed. The highly efficient numerical-analytical method of construction displacement and strain analysis is proposed.

The complex of investigations of the shape-forming processes for the large space reflector of cable-stayed design is carried out (developed in the Institute of Space Constructions). The methods to single out the shape-forming unit, along with discrete and continual design models are proposed and the mathematical models for these are developed. The complex methodology for shape-forming processes investigation is developed. Active and passive algorithms of reflecting surface shape control, which consider the technical opportunities to be realized, are designed. The dynamics problems of cable-stayed reflectors are studied.

The Department has also performed a large number of investigations on dynamics of tethered space systems, a promising branch of large transformable systems. The optimization of space launcher controlled motion is studied. Much attention is given to the identification problems of the systems beyond the structure classification.

The Department's experience gained in the rocket and space engineering field is also utilized in interdisciplinary spheres.

Studies of medical informational systems, intelligent modules and hardware for biomechanical human monitoring

Biomechanical studies are directed to create hardware and intelligent module for medical diagnostics and correction of functional state of human locomotor system. It is proved that under pathology conditions the human locomotor behaves as a single system where the problems with peripheral units of locomotorium (conditionally - object of control) are insepa-rable with those of central nervous system (conditionally - system of control). The methodo-logical integrity of pathology research of locomotorium and central nervous system by means of informational-analytical support allowed deeper understanding of mechanisms of locomotorium adaptive self-reacting under pathology conditions and conditions of rehabilitation after trauma and diseases. It is evidenced that biomechanical analysis of human macro motions is adequate and effective control technology over rehabilitation of both patients and disadvantaged people suffering from locomotorium pathology. Micro motion analysis has proved to be the most accurate and effective technology to control rehabilitation of neurotic patients.

Based on biomechanical models methodical principles for program and technical complexes design are developed. They are applied for diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of human locomotorium. The conception of multipurpose bank of knowledge for scientific research support, education and practice in the medical sphere is proposed.

The developed program and technical complexes have undergone the many-year approbation in the leading health care institutions of Dnipropetrovsk region and have been approved for their efficiency. The research results are being implemented into the experimental and practical medicine.

All the scientific branches of the Department are developing intensively, paying attention to the promising tendencies and modern requirements of science and technology. For example, the researches on method development for equivalent finite-dimensional representations of extended spring units design models are currently carried out. These units belong to the mechanical systems with the enhanced requirements to the equivalency, considering the dynamics interaction of the unit with the jointed bodies.

The Department possesses the remarkable scientific staff. The number of scientific workers, engineers, and technicians who participate in the scientific investigations totals 40. There are 3 Doctors of Sciences (the second academic degree) and 10 Candidates of Sciences (the first academic degree, comparable with PhD degree) among them. The research and methodological base of the Department includes the laboratory equipment for tethered space systems units investigation, biomechanical stands, measuring plants, and program complexes to assist in problem solutions in the main investigation fields. The specialists of the Department are able to solve efficiently the fundamental problems as well as applied ones to encourage the development of various branches of rocket and space engineering.



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