INTEGRATED CONTROLS STRUCTURES OPTIMIZATION OF A LARGE SPACE STRUCTURE

The next generation of large space structure (LSS) will undoubtedly be characterized by high flexibility and low inherent damping and will benefit from integrated controls-structures (C-S) optimization. New methods are required to optimize these LSS for low weight and low power consumption while meeting operational and safety requirements. There is great interest in C-S optimization, but most research has focused on problems with simple models and simplified constraints implemented using special purpose software. The present research is significant because it uses general purpose control and structural analysis codes, is applied to a large, detailed structural model and includes objective and constraint functions derived from actual design specifications. Structural design variables are truss member sizes, material properties and spacecraft dimensions. Control design variables are gains. The approach is to divide the problem into a structural optimization step, a controls optimization step and a system level coordination step. The objective is to minimize mass and power consumption with constraints on strength, vibration characteristics and damping. This decomposition and optimization approach significantly improves the design of a structure based on the COFS-I Mast Flight System, which is chosen as a demonstration problem.