Direction cosine matrix, Euler angles and quaternions are the common methods for translating vector equations into scalar equations. These methods used in separation simulation lack systematic discussion and comparison. This article is trying to present a proper coordinate transformation method for dynamic analysis of satellite separation. 321 and 123 rotations of Euler angles are proposed to construct the dynamic equations, which is different from simulation of missiles by the rotation of 321 and 231. Both Euler angles and quaternions are adopted to model the separation process of a small satellite that uses the helical compression springs mechanism. Feasibility and practicability of the approach are proved by comparing the simulation results, which are solved in MATLAB and ADAMS software platforms. It is concluded that the method of quaternions is more accurate and efficient in dynamic simulation of satellite separation.

The paper studied capillary flow in asymmetry interior corner in the vane-type surface tension tank, and calculated it by analytical solution. Proposed a variable of equivalent corner angle to calculate the parameters of meniscus, and then analyze the capillary flow at asymmetry interior corner. A vane-type surface tension tank model is tested at drop tower to observe the capillary flow at asymmetry interior corner in microgravity condition. The test results are compared with analytical solution results to verify the theory of interior corner flow.

— An extended predictive filter is presented for attitude determination of Micro-satellite based on the basic theory of predictive filter. This algorithm enhances the precision of kinematics equation, accurately estimates satellite attitude angle and angular velocity using measurement vectors from magnetometer and sun sensors by predicting model errors and angular velocity errors one step ahead. In addition, a new measurement model is derived about angular velocity, which improved the efficiency of the use of measurement vectors. Simulation results show both the high reliability and precision of this method.

A common need in photogrammetry, robotics and computer vision is performing camera pose estimation. A comparative analysis is presented here for three classical and representative algorithms, including direct linear transform (DLT), EPNP and Cayley method, each of which computes the translation and rotation matrix using non-iterative method with six or more point correspondences. The comparison shows qualitative and quantitative experimental results to determine (1) the accuracy and robustness under the influence of different levels of noise, (2) the accuracy, robustness and efficiency for different sizes of point correspondences.

Present paper investigates the steady criterion of the forced, isothermal, and incompressible capillary channel flow in both parallel plates and wedge-shaped channel, which has prominent application in liquid management technology in space. One-dimensional refined Bernoulli equation for parallel channel in Rosendahls work is modified mainly on geometric factors to establish algorithms for wedge-shaped channel. Liquid pressure loss theory is applied to explain the physical behavior of the flow collapse and critical volume flux is determined as a function of length of channels. Theoretical analysis of flow in both parallel and wedge-shaped channels demonstrates better liquid management performance in the wedge-shaped channel. Such results may be valuable in the capillary channel design for space liquid transport application.