Abstract:

For satisfying the requirement on all-timing launching in a mission and enhancing the adaptability of an astronautic system in a lightning environment, the development of the lightning protection technology for astronautic systems is reviewed in this paper. At first, the destructive lightning effects are introduced and some typical lightning accidents in the astronautic history are summarized. Some standards & documents on lightning protection are reviewed. Then a general review on the development of the lightning protection technology for an astronautic system is proposed, which involves the numerical simulation technology on lightning effect, some designation methods and testing methods on lightning protection for launch vehicles, the lightning weather prediction & detection technology, lightning rod systems and some artificial lightning protection methods for grounding systems. In the end, according to the lightning protection requirements of the domestic astronautic engineering, future development advices are provided, and main research ponits are emphasized.

Key words: Astronautic system, Launch vehicle, Launching auxiliary system, Lightning effect； Lightning protection