Design of the Blade-Type Optical Bench for Earth Observation Satellite

This paper is a study on the blade-type optical bench satisfying stiffness and thermal pointing error requirements for earth observation satellite. According to shape requirements, optical bench is designed. Because it does not satisfy the stiffness requirement, the stiffener is added on the outer/inner area of optical bench. But it does not meet the thermal pointing error requirement. So symmetrical structure is suggested with platform support structure attached on the upper/lower part of platform. Although it has better value than previous case, it still does not meet the thermal pointing error requirement. Based on the results of prior cases, optical bench finally designed, which satisfied both the stiffness and thermal pointing error requirements. Next conclusions follow from this design. It is efficient to increase thickness of platform facesheet, add stiffener and increase blade number to raise stiffness. It is effective to connect component consisting of same material and design optical bench having symmetrical structure to lower thermal pointing error.