OPTIMAL DESIGN FOR SINGLE AXIS ROTATIONAL MANEUVERS OF A FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE

An optimization problem for rotational maneuvers of a flexible structure is considered. Both structural parameters and active control torques are to be determined so that a specific cost functional is minimized. Obtaining a numerical solution to the problem is shown to be practical if reduced-order structural models are employed. The time and frequency nature of the problem is discussed, and numerical examples are presented for a single a xis slew maneuver of a symmetric four boom structure.