Discussion: "The Lure of the Mean Axes" (Meirovitch, L., and Tuzcu, I., ASME J. Appl. Mech., 74(3), pp. 497-504)

Professor Emeritus from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, US, states that authors of a scientific paper have criticized the mean-axis formulation of the equations of motion of an elastically deformable atmospheric flight vehicle. The authors make several sweeping statements and state opinions throughout the article condemning the mean-axis methodology. Based on such strong comments, it is concluded that the authors are asserting that the mean-axis formulation is fundamentally incorrect. The authors defend their criticism by stating that in the use of the mean-axis formulation one must be consistent, in terms of assuring that the mean-axis conditions are satisfied, and that the mean-axes coordinate frame is used correctly, such as resolving forces and moments along these coordinates as required.