Multibody dynamic simulation of the next generation space telescope using finite elements and fuzzy sets

Multibody dynamic simulations are performed for a large deployable space st ructure using finite element models and an explicit temporal integration pr ocedure. The structure considered is NASA's light-weight, 8 m-aperture next generation space telescope (NGST). The NGST structure consists of beam com ponents (modeled using beam "super-elements", each composed of two truss el ements and a torsional spring), thin-surface shell-type components (modeled using super-elements, each composed of one brick, twelve truss elements, a nd six surface elements), revolute and prismatic joints, and reaction wheel s. Detailed numerical simulations are conducted for the vibrational respons e, attitude control, and deployment. A fuzzy-set technique is used to asses s the effect of changing the dwell time of the Various deployment actuators on the total strain energy of the structure. Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.