Thermal Effects on Large Space Structures with Fixed Attitude

by R. B. Malla, Univ of Connecticut, United States,
W. A. Nash, Univ of Connecticut, United States,
T. J. Lardner, Univ of Connecticut, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space

Abstract:

Radiation thermal effects are studied simultaneously on the orbital motion and axial deformation of a very large axially flexible space structure executing planar pitch motion around the earth, whose attitude (orientation) is fixed at a particular direction. Effects of radiation heat sources available in the space environment, namely, direct solar, earth's albedo, and direct earth are studied on the space structure in elliptical orbits. Influences of the area-to-mass ratio of the structure on the thermal effects have been also investigated for such a structure in circular orbit. Radiation thermal effects are found to be significant in causing structural deformation of the large space structure. But, they are negligible on the structure's orbit. The area-to-mass ratio of the structure is observed to have remarkable influence on the thermal effects.

Subject Headings: Space structures | Thermal effects | Solar radiation | Space exploration | Orbits | Space frames | Deformation (mechanics)

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search