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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Dot-Projection Photogrammetry and Videogrammetry of Gossamer Space Structures

This paper documents the technique of using hundreds or thousands of projected dots of light as targets for photogrammetry and videogrammetry of gossamer space structures. Photogrammetry calculates the three-dimensional coordinates of each target on the structure, and videogrammetry tracks the coordinates versus time. Gossamer structures characteristically contain large areas of delicate, thin-film membranes. Examples include solar sails, large antennas, inflatable solar arrays, solar power concentrators and transmitters, sun shields, and planetary balloons and habitats. Using projected-dot targets avoids the unwanted mass, stiffness, and installation costs of traditional retroreflective adhesive targets. Four laboratory applications are covered that demonstrate the practical effectiveness of white-light dot projection for both static-shape and dynamic measurement of reflective and diffuse surfaces, respectively. Comparisons are made between dot-projection videogrammetry and traditional laser vibrometry for membrane vibration measurements. The paper closes by introducing a promising extension of existing techniques using a novel laser-induced fluorescence approach.

Pappa, Richard S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Generic model of a large flexible space structure for control concept evaluation

The objective of the paper is to propose a generic model on the shape and attitude control of a representative space structure. Reduction of the finite element model is based on modal identities and modal cost analysis. The model may help to: (a) suggest improved methods for designing reduced order controllers for large elastic spacecraft, (b) enhance coherence between the frequency-response and time-response multivariable applications, (c) examine computational efficiency of the multivariable control algorithms, and (d) suggest other desirable theoretical and numerical research areas.

Hablani, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Generalized parity relations for large space structures with uncertain parameters

The generalized parity relations method is a technique that can be used to detect sensor and actuator failures on a large space structure. A model of a grid structure was used to evaluate the performance of these relations. It shows their relative sensitivity to modeling errors. A method using sensor outputs and actuator inputs is required for the design of the generalized parity relations. Three different estimators are studied. The last estimator can generate relations optimized for the detection of a particular failure which are interesting when the level of sensor noise is high.

Dutilloy, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Dynamic Deployment Simulations of Inflatable Space Structures

The feasibility of using Control Volume (CV) method and the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) method in LSDYNA to simulate the dynamic deployment of inflatable space structures is investigated. The CV and ALE methods were used to predict the inflation deployments of three folded tube configurations. The CV method was found to be a simple and computationally efficient method that may be adequate for modeling slow inflation deployment sine the inertia of the inflation gas can be neglected. The ALE method was found to be very computationally intensive since it involves the solving of three conservative equations of fluid as well as dealing with complex fluid structure interactions.

Wang, John T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Techniques for assessment of flexible space structure control performance

Several multivariable concepts are presently applied to both the open-loop and closed-loop analysis of a wrap-rib antenna space structure. After evaluating the alternative placements of sensors and actuators by means of controllability, observability, and transmission-zero concepts, the linear quadratic gaussian/loop transfer recovery method is used to synthesize a control law for suppression of the transient vibrations that are typically encountered during maneuvers. The integration of these techniques and associated computer programs into a larger spacecraft design system is also discussed.

Rowell, Lawrence F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The damper placement problem for large flexible space structures

The damper placement problem for large flexible space truss structures is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. The objective is to determine the p truss members of the structure to replace with active (or passive) dampers so that the modal damping ratio is as large as possible for all significant modes of vibration. Equivalently, given a strain energy matrix with rows indexed on the modes and the columns indexed on the truss members, we seek to find the set of p columns such that the smallest row sum, over the p columns, is maximized. We develop a tabu search heuristic for the damper placement problems on the Controls Structures Interaction (CSI) Phase 1 Evolutionary Model (10 modes and 1507 truss members). The resulting solutions are shown to be of high quality.

Kincaid, Rex K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The effect of sensor and actuator errors on static shape control for large space structures

An analytical study was performed to predict and assess the effect of actuator and sensor errors on the performance of a shape control procedure for flexible space structures using applied temperatures. Approximate formulas were derived for the expected value and variance of the rms distortion ratio (ratio of rms distortions with and without corrections) based on the assumption of zero-mean normally distributed random errors in measured distortions and actuator output temperatures. Studies were carried out for a 55-meter radiometer antenna reflector distorted from its ideal parabolic shape by nonuniform orbital heating. The first study consisted of varying the sensor and actuator errors for the case of 12 actuators and computing the distortion ratio. In the second study, sensor and actuator errors were prescribed and the effect of increasing the number of actuators was evaluated.

Haftka, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effect of sensor and actuator errors on static shape control for large space structures

An analytical study was performed to predict and assess the effect of actuator and sensor errors on the performance of a shape control procedure for flexible space structures using applied temperatures. Approximate formulas were derived for the expected value and variance of the rms distortion ratio (ratio of rms distortions with and without corrections) based on the assumption of zero-mean normally distributed random errors in measured distortions and actuator output temperatures. Studies were carried out for a 55-meter radiometer antenna reflector distorted from its ideal parabolic shape by nonuniform orbital heating. The first study consisted of varying the sensor and actuator errors for the case of 12 actuators and computing the distortion ratio. In the second study, sensor and actuator errors were prescribed and the effect of increasing the number of actuators was evaluated.

Haftka, Raphael T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Initial operational capability of the ASTREX large space structures test bed

Future DOD, NASA, and SDI space systems will be larger than any spacecraft flown before. The economics of placing these large space systems (LSS) into orbit dictates that they be as low in mass as possible. The combination of very large size and relatively low mass produces systems which possess little structural rigidity. This flexibility causes severe technical problems when combined with the precise shape and pointing requirements associated with many future LSS missions. Development of new control technologies which can solve these problems and enable future LSS missions is under way, but a test bed is needed for demonstration and evaluation of the emerging control hardware (sensors and actuators) and methodologies. In particular, the need exists for a facility which enables both large angle slewing and subsequent pointing/shape control of a variety of flexible bodies. The Air Force Astronautics Laboratory (AFAL) has conceived the Advanced Space Structures Technology Research Experiments (ASTREX) facility to fill this need. An overview of the ASTREX facility is given.

Norris, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Weight optimization of ultra large space structures

The paper describes the optimization of a solar power satellite structure for minimum mass and system cost. The solar power satellite is an ultra large low frequency and lightly damped space structure; derivation of its structural design requirements required accommodation of gravity gradient torques which impose primary loads, life up to 100 years in the rigorous geosynchronous orbit radiation environment, and prevention of continuous wave motion in a solar array blanket suspended from a huge, lightly damped structure subject to periodic excitations. The satellite structural design required a parametric study of structural configurations and consideration of the fabrication and assembly techniques, which resulted in a final structure which met all requirements at a structural mass fraction of 10%.

Reinert, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Adaptive Filtering for Large Space Structures: A Closed-Form Solution

In a previous paper Schaechter proposes using an extended Kalman filter to estimate adaptively the (slowly varying) frequencies and damping ratios of a large space structure. The time varying gains for estimating the frequencies and damping ratios can be determined in closed form so it is not necessary to integrate the matrix Riccati equations. After certain approximations, the time varying adaptive gain can be written as the product of a constant matrix times a matrix derived from the components of the estimated state vector. This is an important savings of computer resources and allows the adaptive filter to be implemented with approximately the same effort as the nonadaptive filter. The success of this new approach for adaptive filtering was demonstrated using synthetic data from a two mode system.

Rauch, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Stochastic model of the NASA/MSFC ground facility for large space structures with uncertain parameters: The maximum entropy approach, part 2

A validated technology data base is being developed in the areas of control/structures interaction, deployment dynamics, and system performance for Large Space Structures (LSS). A Ground Facility (GF), in which the dynamics and control systems being considered for LSS applications can be verified, was designed and built. One of the important aspects of the GF is to verify the analytical model for the control system design. The procedure is to describe the control system mathematically as well as possible, then to perform tests on the control system, and finally to factor those results into the mathematical model. The reduction of the order of a higher order control plant was addressed. The computer program was improved for the maximum entropy principle adopted in Hyland's MEOP method. The program was tested against the testing problem. It resulted in a very close match. Two methods of model reduction were examined: Wilson's model reduction method and Hyland's optimal projection (OP) method. Design of a computer program for Hyland's OP method was attempted. Due to the difficulty encountered at the stage where a special matrix factorization technique is needed in order to obtain the required projection matrix, the program was successful up to the finding of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian solution but not beyond. Numerical results along with computer programs which employed ORACLS are presented.

Hsia, Wei Shen↗
NASA NTRS1988

Maximum likelihood identification for large space structures

This paper examines the use of on-orbit identification based on Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) to provide these high-order, high-accuracy control design models for large space structures (LSS's). First, it outlines a general MLE identification algorithm, together with a covariance-analysis procedure to assess algorithm performance in terms of systematic and stochastic errors. Next, it examines various simplifications appropriate for the LSS identification application. Simplified analytical performance results are presented, as are numerical results to support these analyses. Finally, a graphical interpretation of these results is given.

Barrett, Michael F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Identification of large space structures: A state-of-practice report

An outline of this work is presented. It begins with a schematic flow diagram and a logical flow diagram of the identification process for large space structures (LSS). Next, the task is defined by a structure model definition. A matrix polynomial formulation with a node displacement equation and a state variable formulation with node displacement and velocities are outlined. Further outlined is the identification of LSS on orbit; modeling errors and uncertainties; verification and validation of model; and noise, computations, and data collection.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dynamic analysis of space structures including elastic, multibody, and control behavior

The problem is to develop analysis methods, modeling stategies, and simulation tools to predict with assurance the on-orbit performance and integrity of large complex space structures that cannot be verified on the ground. The problem must incorporate large reliable structural models, multi-body flexible dynamics, multi-tier controller interaction, environmental models including 1g and atmosphere, various on-board disturbances, and linkage to mission-level performance codes. All areas are in serious need of work, but the weakest link is multi-body flexible dynamics.

Pinson, Larry↗