Dynamic features of flexible spacecraft control in process of its transformation into a large space structure

Abstract

Consideration was given to dynamics of angular motion control of the flexible spacecraft reconstructed into a large space structure. In formal terms, this transformation lies in gradual reduction of the constructive rigidity to small values giving rise to low-frequency ($\tilde f$ ≤ 0.05 Hz) oscillations which represent one of the attributes of the class of large space structures. The existing quantitative definition of the large space structure was specified. It was demonstrated that as the frequencies of structure’s elastic oscillations approach those of the control of object “rigid” motion, a new kind of interrelations between the motions of both types, the so-called “capture” of the controller frequency by that of the elastic oscillations, arises which impairs control efficiency to the point of losing system stability. Analytical (for the linear control systems) and computer-aided (for the discrete systems) methods for determination of the boundaries separating the two qualitatively different forms of existence of the transformed elastic object were proposed. Some results of computer simulation of the orientation control of variable objects such as flexible spacecraft and large space structure were presented.