Micromaps host Satellite Design Proposal
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- 2.2.1 Requirements
- 2.2.2 Launch vehicle selection
- 2.2.3 Bus structure
2.2 StructureThe structure of VASCAT is designed with adequate surface area for body mounted solar cells and adequate volume to house all components including the MAPS instrument. The structure of the VASCAT is 0.67 m in major diameter and 1 m high. Figure 4 is an illustration of the VASCAT. The satellite’s dimensions are small enough to allow for 0.85 m on each side in the payload fairing. 
Figure 4: VASCAT external configuration 2.2.1 RequirementsDesign and analysis of primary structural components necessitates the derivation of structural requirements. Table 4 lists all requirements relevant to this preliminary design. Mass and size of the structure are limited by the launch vehicle selected, and the size and mass of the primary payload, should this satellite be a hitchhiker. The launch vehicle selected also sets requirements on the strength of the structure. The orbit altitude desired, and therefore the launch vehicle, restricts the mass of the structure. All primary and secondary structural components should meet the pre-determined mass allocation (see Table 3).16 Table 4: Structural requirements16
2.2.2 Launch vehicle selectionSince the launch of this satellite is uncertain, no launch vehicle is desired more than another. The VASCAT can either launch on the Space Shuttle as a hitchhiker payload, or as a secondary payload on any other launch vehicle. The structure is designed based on a worst case launch environment scenario. The Athena I launch vehicle is therefore chosen for structural analysis due to its relatively high launch loads. The Athena I is produced by Lockheed Martin. It has a payload fairing diameter of 2.36 m and a height of 8.81 m, and is capable of carrying up to 794 kg to LEO.10 2.2.3 Bus structureConfiguration and component layout guides the sizing of all primary structures. However, these dimensions change with strength requirements placed on the satellite. The challenge is to design a system to house all components, survive the launch environment, and withstand cyclic on-orbit loads.15 This section describes the process used to define dimensions of the VASCAT’s primary structure. The International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems states that the Athena I environment’s limit load factors are 8.1-g’s axially and 1.8-g’s laterally. A factor of safety of 2 is used during static calculations to ensure that the structure withstands these loads during launch. 20 The fundamental frequency of the VASCAT must be above 15 Hz laterally and 30 Hz longitudinally. The type of structure is chosen during dynamic calculations to ensure that the natural frequency of the satellite meets this stiffness requirement. The mechanical interface is chosen for integration with the launch vehicle such that it meets the payload fairing’s flatness requirement and coincides with its bolt hole patterns and other attachment restrictions. 20 The VASCAT mass budget (Table 3) allows for the structure to be approximately 30% of the total mass of the satellite. 2.2.3.1 Ultimate loads An ultimate load for the bus structure is calculated for tensile strength sizing. Table 5: Limiting loads on structure during launch
The equivalent axial load, Peq, is calculated by:
In Equation 2-1 Paxial is the axial limit load taken from Table 5: Limiting loads on structure during launch, M is the bending moment limit load taken from the same table, and R is the moment arm taken as half the length of the structure. The ultimate load for the structure, Pult, is then found by multiplying Peq by the factor of safety. 20 The equivalent axial load on the structure is 4,201 N, giving an ultimate load of 8,403 N. 2.2.3.2 Tensile strength Axial stress is used to size the structures for tensile strength, and is given by:
In Equation 2-2 is the axial stress and A is the necessary cross-sectional area. By solving for A from Equation 2-2, an adequate thickness to maintain tensile strength during launch is t = 0.01 mm. 20 2.2.3.3 Buckling analysis To further define the cross-sectional thickness of the bus structure, some buckling analysis is performed. The critical load, or buckling load, Fcr, is approximated to find a thickness to withstand buckling under the axial loading of the launch environment. For this analysis, the buckling load is approximated as the ultimate load.
In Equation 2-3 t is the thickness of the plate, b is the width of the plate, and E is Young’s Modulus of the material. In Equation 2-4 k is a constant corresponding to the boundary conditions imposed on the plate and is Poisson’s ratio for the material. To model the buckling of the flat side panels that make up each structure, the fixed-fixed configuration is assumed, corresponding to a value of k’ = 6.42.15 Thickness to withstand buckling during launch is t = 0.046 mm. 2.2.3.4 Dynamic analysis In addition to static survival, the bus structure is sized to survive dynamic loading and meet the launch vehicle minimum natural frequency requirements. The following cases are considered to estimate the natural frequencies and deflections for the uniform beam in both lateral and axial dynamic loading. Case A, lateral:
Case B, axial:
In Equations 2-5 through 2-8, is beam deflection, m = 36.7 kg uniformly distributed mass, l = 1 m is the length of the beam, and fnat is the natural frequency requirement from the launch vehicle. Solving for A from Equation 2-8, a thickness of t = 0.004 mm satisfies axial natural frequency requirements and gives = 0.0026 m at the minimum frequency of 30 Hz. This thickness gives a moment of inertia, Ix, for the cross-section of 3.06 × 10-4 m4. Substituting this value into Equation 2-6 gives a lateral natural frequency of 428 Hz, which is above the minimum allowed value of 15 Hz.20 Download 1.32 Mb. Share with your friends:
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