Active Mechanical Components as a Step towards Adaptive Structures in Space

Space missions require higher and higher performance such as high pointing accuracy and stability, and high shape precision. As a consequence the damping of in orbit vibraxtions induced, e.g., by the spacecraft manoeuvres on satellite appendages is mandatory. Passive damping becomes insufficient. More and more active technologies have to be considered. However project responsibles somewhat distrust these active technologies because of the technological risks which are still involved. This is the purpose of this paper to address the need for developing active mechanical components as a necessary step towards adaptive structures in space. The role of active interfaces is addressed in connection with typical applications will be particularly outlined. Two examples implementing an active interface are then more detailed: • damping augmentation of solar arrays • increasing the pointing stability of an inter satellite communication terminal The improvement of the static and dynamics behaviour of large reflectors is addressed in order to show the technological risk that requires intermediate development steps.