LM-8: the Pioneer of Long March Rocket Series on the Innovations of Commercialization and Intelligence

Abstract

The latest innovations of the Long March 8 (LM-8) launch vehicle is reviewed. The LM-8 launcher fully inherits the achievements of Chinese in-service rockets and the new generation rockets, and focuses on launching satellites to the sun-synchronous orbit (700-1 000 km), taking into account the launch services for LEO and GTO satellites. The LM-8 launcher is available in both combinatorial and integrative configurations for a variety of missions. In order to enhance market competitiveness, a series of innovative practices have been taken, including agile manufacturing, system integration, responsive launch, autonomous and unattended operation, and simplified launch site infrastructure. In response to the future trend of intelligent rockets, the autonomous technologies are explored for LM-8, such as onboard dynamic trajectory planning, active control of take-off drift, and automated launch window correction. It also paves the way for reusable launcher in steps, conducts the demonstration for vertical landing with side and core boosters strapped together, and makes progresses in large-scale light landing mechanism, autonomous guidance method, etc. These innovations eventually build the LM-8 into a new generation of medium rocket with high cost-effective performance, good usability, and high reliability and safety.

Keywords

agile manufacturing / autonomous operation and control / dynamic trajectory planning / vertical landing / reuse / commercial launch

References

[1] 秦旭东, 龙乐豪, 容易. 我国航天运输系统成就与展望[J]. 深空探测学报（中英文）, 2016, 3(4): 315-322.
QIN X D, LONG L H, RONG Y. The achievement and future of China space transportation system[J]. Journal of Deep Space Exploration, 2016, 3(4): 315-322.
[2] BAHU J M. Ariane：CNES view for an evolving launch system family[C]//China Space Conference. Changsha：[s. n.]，2019.
[3] FOUST J. SpaceX revamps smallest rideshare program[EB/OL].（2019-08-29）[2020-03-08].https://spacenews.com/spacex-revamps-smallsat-rideshare-program/.
[4] MIHARA Y，SATO A，KITAYAMA O，et al. The latest development status of H3[C]//69^th International Astronautical Congress. Bremen，Germany：[s. n.]，2018.
[5] UNDERHILLA K，BRETEAUB J，CARUANAC J N，et al. Preparing the future of European space transportation[C]//69^th International Astronautical Congress. Bremen，Germany：[s. n.]，2018.
[6] KUTTER B. Innovation & launch services for the next decade：advanced centaur capabilities and technologies[C]//69^th International Astronautical Congress. Bremen，Germany：[s. n.]，2018.
[7] PATZELT A，MERINO J，HEGELS J，et al. Ariane 6 —new aerostructures for the new European launcher[C]//68^th International Astronautical Congress. Adelaide，Australia：[s. n.]，2017.
[8] MERINO J，PATZELT A，STEINACHER A，et al. Ariane 6—tanks & structure for the new European launcher[C]//Deutscher Luft-und Raumfahrtkongress. München，Germany：[s. n.]，2017.
[9] PATZELT A，LUDWIG C，KAHNERT M，et al. CRONUS—sandwich common bulkhead tank demonstrator[C]//6^th European conference for aerospace sciences（EUCASS）. Krakow，Poland：[s. n.]，2015.
[10] VIETZE M，WEILAND S，MUNDT C. Quick design tool for stratification processes in cryogenic fuel tanks with focus on sandwich common bulkheads[C]//67^th International Astronautical Congress. Guadalajara，Mexico：[s. n.]，2016.
[11] PESTOTNIK S，KéBREAU S，DR?SE A，et al. ALM ISCAR-additive layer manufacturing of a redesigned ARIANE bracket—overview and status[C]//6^th European Conference for Aerospace Sciences（EUCASS）. Krakow，Poland：[s. n.]，2015.
[12] VVEDENSKY N，LIKHODED A，SIDOROV V，et al. “SOYUZ-2” LV structure optimization[C]//1^st European conference for aerospace sciences（EUCASS）. Moscow，Russia：[s. n.]，2005.
[13] GUJRAL A，EMANUELSEN W A，GOYAL V K，et al. Launch system reuse[C]//69^th International Astronautical Congress. Bremen，Germany：[s. n.]，2018.
[14] RAMUSAT G，BRETEAU J，ACKERMANN J. An overview of the FLPP technology developments in structures for the European next generation launcher[C]//1^st European Conference for Aerospace Sciences（EUCASS）. Moscow，Russia：[s. n.]，2005.
[15] SELINGER M. Air force eyes autonomous flight safety for all space launches[EB/OL].（2017）[2020-03-18]. https://www.defensedaily.com/air-force-eyes-autonomous-flight-safety-space-launches/air-force/.
[16] BRISSETT W. SpaceX launch pioneered autonomous termination system[EB/OL].（2017）[2020-03-18]. http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2017/March%202017/March%2006%202017/SpaceX-Launch-Pioneered-Autonomous-Termination-System.aspx.
[17] JEREZ L，MERKLI S，BENNANI S，et al. Forces-RTP：a tool for on-board real-time autonomous trajectory planning[C]//10^th International ESA Conference on Guidance，Navigation & Control Systems. Salzburg，Austria：[s. n.]，2017.
[18] FIDI C，DUFOUR J F. Deterministic ethernet for scalable modular launcher avionics[C]//AIAA Space. Long Beach，United States：AIAA，2016.
[19] ESA. Electronics and avionics[EB/OL].[2020-03-18].http://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/New-Technologies/Electronics_and_Avionics.
[20] ATLAS V.Launch services user’s guide[M].[S. l.]：United Launch Alliance，2010.
[21] SABLYNSKI R，PORDON R. A report on the flight of Delta Ⅱ's Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly（RIFCA）[C]//IEEE 1998 Position Location and Navigation Symposium. [S. l.]：IEEE，1998.
[22] MONCHAUX D，GAST P，SANGARE J. Avionic-X：a demonstrator for the next generation launcher avionics[C]//Embedded Real Time Software And Systems，ERTS. Toulouse，Feance：[s. n.]，2012.
[23] GEOHAGAN K W，BERNARD W P，STRICKLAND D J，et al. 6DOF testing of the SLS inertial navigation unit[C]//41^st Annual guidance and control conference. Breckenridge.United States：[s. n.]，2018.
[24] SHAUN P，KEN K. SLS flight software agile development process[C]//IEEE standard 1012 system，software and hardware verification and validation working group meeting. Huntsville，United States：IEEE，2015.
[25] SPACEX. Falcon 9 launch vehicle payload user’s guide，Rev 2[M].Hawthorne，NV：SpaceX，2015.
[26] RESTA P D，PILCHEN G，COULON D，et al. The Ariane 6 launch system development status[C]// 67^th International Astronautical Congress. Guadalajara，Mexico：[s. n.]，2016.
[27] Ariane 6 User’s Manual，Issue 1 Revision 0[M]. March，2018.
[28] WALKER M，WALKER W E，FIGUEROA F. Enabling autonomous propellant loading：providing situational awareness through model based reasoning[C]//62^nd Machinery Failure Prevention Technology（MFPT）and international instrumentation symposium. Dayton，United States：[s. n.]，2016.
[29] TORO J A，WILKINS，K N，WALKER M，et al. Autonomous operations system：development and application[C]//Annual Conference of the Prognostic and Health Management Society. Denver，Colorado，United States：[s. n.]，2016.
[30] SBIR. STTR，America’s（seed fund. Autonomous Control Technologies（ACT）for ground operations[EB/OL].[2020-03-18]. https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1547873?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0.
[31] NASA.NASA technology roadmaps TA 13：ground and launch systems[Z]. Washington，D C：NASA，2015.
[32] 张青松，刘巧珍，王晓林，等. 低温火箭自主故障诊断和发射控制[J]. 计算机测量与控制，2020，28（2）：1-9+32.
ZHANG Q S，LIU Q Z，WANG X L，et al. Autonomous fault diagnosis and pre-launch control for cryogenic rocket[J]. Computer Measurement & Control，2020，28（2）：1-9+32.
[33] SAMPSON M. The next frontier：innovative launch services[C]//68^th International Astronautical Congress. Adelaide，Australia：[s. n.]，2017.
[34] 吕新广,宋征宇. 长征运载火箭制导方法[J]. 宇航学报,2017,38(9):895-902
LV X G,SONG Z Y. Guidance methods of Long-March launch vehicles[J]. Journal of Astronautics,2017,38(9):895-902
[35] VON DER PORTEN P，AHMAD N，HAWKINS M，et al. Powered explict guidance modifications & enhancement for space launch system Block-1 and Block-1B vehicles[C]//41^st Guidance，Navigation，and Control Conference. Breckenridge：[s. n.]，2018.
[36] YANOVA O V，AKOBIAN B G. Launcher mission risk reduction due to the advanced adaptive guidance algorithms[C]//67^th International Astronautical Congress. Guadalajara，Mexico：[s. n.]，2016.
[37] SONG Z Y. Intelligent and autonomous technology for launch vehicles[J]. Aerospace China,2018,19(2):3-15
[38] MONTENBRUCK O,GILL E. Satellite orbits - models,methods and applications[J]. Applied Mechanics Reviews,2002,55:2504-2510
[39] 宋征宇,王聪,巩庆海. 运载火箭上升段推力下降故障的自主轨迹规划方法[J]. 中国科学.信息科学,2019,49(11):1472-1487
SONG Z Y,WANG C,GONG Q H. Autonomous trajectory planning for launch vehicle under thrust drop failure[J]. Sci Sin Inform,2019,49(11):1472-1487
[40] ROGERS W F. Apollo experience report：lunar module landing gear subsystem[R]. [S. l.]：NASA Johnson Space Center，1972.
[41] WANG D L，CUI Q F，LUO H J，et al. A landing buffer system for vertical takeoff and vertical landing reusable launch vehicle[C]//8^th European conference for aerospace sciences（EUCASS）. Madrid，Spain：[s. n.]，2019.
[42] FREEMAN D C,TALAY T A,AUSTIN R E. Reusable launch vehicle technology program[J]. Acta Astronautica,1997,41(11):777-790
[43] KOBAYAKAWA T,KAWATO H,MOCHIZUKI K,et al. Abort recovery strategy for future vertical landing systems[J]. Acta Astronautica,2015,116:148-153
[44] ACIKMESE B，AUNG M，CASOLIVA J，et al. Flight testing of trajectories computed by G-FOLD：fuel optimal large divert guidance algorithm for planetary landing[C]//AAS/AIAA Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting. Kauai，United States：AIAA，2013.
[45] SCHARF D P，REGEHR M W，VAUGHAN G M，et al. Adapt demonstrations of onboard large-divert guidance with a VTVL rocket[C]//IEEE Aerospace Conference.Big Sky，USA：[s. n.]，2014.
[46] SCHARF D P,ACIKMESE B,DUERI D,et al. Implementation and experimental demonstration of onboard powered-descent guidance[J]. Journal of Guidance,Control,and Dynamics,2016,40(2):213-229
[47] DUERI D,ACIKMESE B,SCHARF D P,et al. Customized real-time interior-point methods for onboard powered descent guidance[J]. Journal of Guidance,Control,and Dynamics,2016,40(2):197-212
[48] NASA. NASA technology roadmaps，TA9：entry，descent，and landing systems，TA 9.2.6 large divert guidance[Z]. Washington，D C：NASA，2015.
[49] BLACKMORE L. Autonomous precision landing of space rockets [J].The Bridge, 2016, 4 (46): 15-20.
[50] 宋征宇,王聪. 运载火箭返回着陆在线轨迹规划技术发展[J]. 宇航总体技术,2019,3(6):1-12
SONG Z Y,WANG C. Development of online trajectory planning technology for launch vehicle return and landing[J]. Astronautical Systems Engineering Technology,2019,3(6):1-12