Chapter 1,711 Small satellite space on-orbit satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology
[Modified version] Modular design was proposed and implemented very early. However, this is not the case for high-end products such as satellites. The technology of spacecraft such as satellites is too complex and difficult to adopt.
This modular design.
Moreover, the original intention of modular design is to facilitate later maintenance. However, once satellites are launched into space, unless there is something like a space shuttle, it will be difficult to have the ability to perform space maintenance, let alone capture them and bring them back and repair them.
Launched again.
The modular universal satellite platform developed by Wu Hao and others is not truly modular, but uses a universal satellite platform plus modular functional components for free combination. That is, on a universal satellite platform, different satellite platforms are added.
functional equipment, such as communication, reconnaissance, navigation, and remote sensing functions.
As for the modular design used on large satellites and spacecrafts that Qin Xinghe said, this is another technical method conceived by Wu Hao and others.
That is to say, modular design is really used on large satellites and spacecrafts. Such large satellites are composed of multiple functional modules, and each functional module is composed of many small functional modules. In this way, it is not only convenient for research, production and manufacturing, but also
It will facilitate later on-orbit maintenance and replacement in space.
As for in-orbit space maintenance technology, Wu Hao and others proposed a small satellite in-orbit satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology.
The so-called small satellite space on-orbit satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology has to be specially developed for a small satellite maintenance platform. Simply put, it is to install relevant maintenance robotic arms and related parts on a small satellite.
Then launch the small satellite into the orbit of the large satellite or spacecraft that needs maintenance, and use the small satellite's own maneuverability to gradually approach the large satellite or spacecraft that needs maintenance. Then it is attached to it for connection, and the maintenance on the small satellite
The robotic arm repairs and replaces damaged parts of large satellites to repair large satellites or spacecrafts.
After completing the maintenance tasks, the small satellites actively break away from the large satellites and spacecraft, and then use the last remaining fuel to change orbits and get out of the way. As for the small satellites, they will fly into the atmosphere and burn up.
Compared with the traditional method of using space shuttles to capture and repair satellites in space, this small satellite in-orbit satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology has many advantages.
First of all, the biggest advantage is naturally the cost of maintenance. If a traditional space shuttle is used to repair such a large satellite, the cost is too high. The cost of launching a space shuttle plus flight losses adds up to hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.
, converted to several billions, this cost is really too high. If this is really the case, it is better to launch a new satellite.
More importantly, we do not have a space shuttle. The development price of a space shuttle is too expensive, and there have been accidents one after another. This has also led to countries being very cautious about developing space shuttles and not daring to try them. What is more important is the technology.
Not to mention that Lao Mi is indeed far ahead in this regard.
As for this kind of small satellite maintenance platform, the cost is very cheap. It is nothing more than a small satellite plus related maintenance robotic arm parts. The price and cost are very cheap. Plus the cost of rocket launch, especially if it uses Hao
Yutech's retractable rocket will reduce the cost a lot.
This also means that the entire maintenance cost can be controlled within a very low range, which also makes the maintenance cost of these old and faulty large satellites very beneficial.
Even, it is not only to repair and care for these damaged or old large satellites and replace them with new parts. It can even add fuel to important large satellites that are about to end their operating life, and use the propulsion system of small satellites to help
These important large satellites raise their orbits and so on.
In this way, the in-orbit operating life of these large satellites can be greatly extended, thereby saving related costs and benefiting all parties.
Secondly, the technology is mature and maneuverable. Since we can control this spacecraft to successfully dock with the space station in space, we naturally also have the ability and technology to control one satellite to approach and capture another satellite. Using real-time remote control technology,
It is possible to repair and replace satellites in orbit. This method is feasible and does not pose any technical problems.
Third, it is safe and reliable. The risk of such maintenance technology is relatively small, because there are no personnel on it, so there is no need to consider this factor, so the risk is relatively small. And even if the approach or capture fails, the worst thing is to achieve
The collision caused damage to the small satellite and the large satellite that needed to be repaired. Anyway, the large satellite was damaged or its life was almost over, so there was not much loss.
Finally, there is the military strategic value of this small satellite space in-orbit satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology. Being able to repair in-orbit satellites in space means that it can be used to repair important in-orbit satellites of other countries or hostile countries.
Satellites conduct in-orbit visits to steal and intercept important intelligence data, or directly hijack and destroy them.
You can even get close to it without anyone noticing, and then implant a Trojan virus or something into it.
If you do it right, you can capture and hijack the opponent's satellite and then transport it back directly.
It is precisely because of this that the aerospace authorities, the military and other departments are very interested in this technology and have also conducted relevant research.
However, whether this technology is feasible is not only technically a big problem, but also in terms of cost. You know, if the cost is too high, it is not cost-effective. If it is a major strategic-level task, this
Of course, there is no need to consider the cost issue.
However, there are very few such tasks, and most tasks still have to consider cost factors. If the maintenance cost is too high, it will not be worthwhile. Therefore, how to control costs is a very important factor in this technology.
In this technology, the cost mainly comes from two sources. One is the cost of a small satellite. The cost of developing such a small satellite is actually not high and is acceptable. The other cost of occupying the entire maintenance task is relatively high.
In other words, the largest proportion is naturally the launch cost.
If the traditional launch mode is used to launch such a satellite, the cost is indeed a bit high. But if Wu Hao’s retractable rocket is used for launch, the cost will be further reduced. This also means that this kind of small satellite will be used in space.
Orbital satellite (spacecraft) maintenance technology can not only repair large satellite spacecraft with relatively high value, but can also be developed to small and medium-sized satellites.