Mathematical modeling of the deployment of a large transformable space structure

The prospects of the progress of radio astronomy, solar energy, as well as the exploration of the Earth surface and other planets from space are inherently linked to the possibility of deploying large structures (telescopes, antennas, energy platforms and so on) in space. These structures will be delivered to the space orbits in the densely-packed transport position. Then the process of deployment will bring them to the working position. Estimation of the orbital working capability of such transformable structures in the Earth conditions requires costly test rigs for making the structures weightless, as well as uniquely large vacuum chambers. The development of mathematical models of large transformable space structures that accurately describe their mechanical properties is especially important for designing and developing such structures. Therefore, a mathematical experiment using these models with identified parameters is very important for estimating the functional fitness of a large transformable structure being created. This paper considers a mathematical model of a multilink transformable structure that belongs to one of the simplest classes of space systems. Elements of such structures can be made of metal, as well as composite materials. The deployment of large transformable space structures can be done by force actuators: electric motors, springs, shape-memory material actuators. A mathematical model of the considered structure was built using MSC. Adams software, and numerical analysis of the deployment dynamics of a plane multilink closed foldable frame of a circular antenna with a diameter of 20 m was conducted. The results of the numerical simulation of the deployment process revealed a special feature of the deployment process: during motion, the frame elements may impact each other and the elements of the systems transporting these structures to the orbit.The prospects of the progress of radio astronomy, solar energy, as well as the exploration of the Earth surface and other planets from space are inherently linked to the possibility of deploying large structures (telescopes, antennas, energy platforms and so on) in space. These structures will be delivered to the space orbits in the densely-packed transport position. Then the process of deployment will bring them to the working position. Estimation of the orbital working capability of such transformable structures in the Earth conditions requires costly test rigs for making the structures weightless, as well as uniquely large vacuum chambers. The development of mathematical models of large transformable space structures that accurately describe their mechanical properties is especially important for designing and developing such structures. Therefore, a mathematical experiment using these models with identified parameters is very important for estimating the functional fitness of a large transformable str...