JPH01249600A - Gravitational environment producing device for space navigating vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention is applicable to spacecraft used to ensure a zero gravity environment for space structures mounted on spacecraft, including, for example, artificial satellites. Regarding the gravitational environment generation device.

(Prior Art) In general, a space vehicle such as an artificial satellite is exposed to a zero-gravity space environment while in orbit, and therefore is configured to be compatible with the space environment. Recently, in response to demands for space development, there has been an urgent need to develop large space vehicles such as manned space stations orbiting in orbit.

However, as the spacecraft increases in size, it is conceivable that various problems unique to the space environment may occur.

For example, as spacecraft become larger, there is a risk that space structures such as experimental modules mounted far away from the center of gravity will no longer be in a weightless environment, making it difficult to conduct experiments in weightless conditions. be. That is, the second
As shown in the figure, the spacecraft 1 orbiting on the orbit x is
The gravitational environment will be different for the space structure 1a on the orbit X, the space structure 1b arranged in the inner diameter direction of the orbit X, and the space structure 1C arranged in the outer diameter direction. This is because, as the spacecraft 1 orbits, the gravity of the space structure 1b overcomes the centrifugal force, and a force △ in the inner diameter direction is applied, and the gravity of the space structure 1C becomes smaller than the centrifugal force, and the outer diameter This is due to the fact that a force B is applied in the direction. As a result, neither of these space structures 1b and 1c is guaranteed a zero gravity environment.

Note that 2 in the figure is a main star body that includes the earth, a star, or another spacecraft around which the spacecraft 1 orbits.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional spacecraft, as the size of the spacecraft increases, there is a risk that it may not be possible to ensure the weightless state of the space structure.

This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gravity environment generation device for a spacecraft that has a simple configuration and can reliably secure a zero gravity environment for a space structure on which it is mounted. shall be.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problem) This invention provides a plurality of space structures arranged in a freely combinable manner, and a space structure selected by changing the arrangement of the plurality of space v4 structures. a moving means for moving to the center of gravity; a combination detecting means for determining the position of the center of gravity of all of the plurality of space structures and determining a combination arrangement and a combination arrangement procedure for moving the selected space structure to the center of gravity; and a combination thereof. and control means for driving and controlling the moving means in response to the detection means to move the selected space structure to the center of gravity.

(Function) According to the above configuration, by selectively placing the multiple space structures arranged in combination at the center of gravity using the moving means, it is possible to maintain each space structure in an accurate zero-gravity environment. becomes. This makes it possible to arrange a large number of space structures in combination, and to meet the demands for increasing the size of spacecraft as much as possible.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a gravitational environment generation device for a spacecraft according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a spacecraft 10 has a plurality of space structures 10a to 101 such as experiment modules combined with a support structure 11. Can be placed freely. This support structure 11 has an extending portion 11a corresponding to the direction of the center of gravity G on the orbit X.
is formed. A moving mechanism 12 such as a manipulator is disposed in the extending portion 11a. A control unit 13 for the driving side (company) is connected to this mobile device 1112, and a detection unit 14 for generating a control signal is connected to this control unit 13. This detection unit 14 determines the center of gravity G of the spacecraft 10 in response to a movement command signal from a command unit (not shown), and detects the selected space structure to be moved 10a to 10d, 10f.
A combination arrangement for moving ~10i to the center of gravity G position is determined, and space structures 10a to 10 corresponding to this combination arrangement are obtained.
The above control unit 13 determines the replacement arrangement procedure of i and sends the procedure signal to the controller 13.
Output to.

In the above configuration, when replacing the space structure 10e located at the center of gravity G position with the space structure 10i located at a non-center of gravity position, first, the detection unit 14 determines the entire center of gravity G, and then The combination arrangement and combination arrangement procedure of the other space structures 10a to 101-1 for moving the moving space structure 10i to the center of gravity are determined, and the procedure signal is sent to the control unit 1.
3 is input. Thereby, the control unit 14 drives and controls the moving mechanism 12 in response to the procedure signal to move the space structure 1o.
A to 10i are rearranged to rearrange and arrange the desired space structure 101 at the center of gravity.

In this way, the gravity environment generation device for the spacecraft is constructed such that a plurality of space structures 108 to 101 are arranged in a freely recombinable manner so that they can be selectively recombined and moved. Since the structures 108 to 10i can be selectively rearranged and arranged at the center of gravity, it is possible to ensure an accurate weightless environment for each of the space structures 10a to 101. According to this, it becomes possible to arrange a large number of space structures in combination, so that it is possible to cope with an increase in the size of a space vehicle.

In the above embodiment, the space structures 10a to 101 are arranged substantially orthogonally to the orbital direction, but it is also possible to arrange the space structures in the lA power direction. It is. In this case, if more space structures are placed on the orbit, it becomes possible to place a plurality of space structures at the center of gravity on the orbit.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments as combinations of space structures, and various arrangements are possible, and various other modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, a gravity environment generation device for a spacecraft is provided that has a simple configuration and can reliably secure a zero gravity environment for a space structure to be loaded. can do.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a gravitational environment generating device for a spacecraft according to a practical example of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram shown to explain the problems of the conventional technology. 10a-101...Space structure, 11...Support structure, 11a...Extension part, 12...Movement mechanism, 13...
- Control unit, 14... detection unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of space structures arranged in a freely combinable manner, a moving means for rearranging the arrangement of the plurality of space structures and moving the selected space structure to a center of gravity position, and a center of gravity position of the entire plurality of space structures. a combination detection means for determining a combination arrangement and a combination arrangement procedure for moving the selected space structure to the center of gravity; and a combination detection means for controlling the movement means in response to the combination detection means to move the selected space structure to the center of gravity. 1. A gravitational environment generating device for a spacecraft, comprising: control means for moving the object to a center of gravity position.