Integrated Simulation of Orbital and Structural Dynamics, Formation Flying, and Attitude Control for Flexible Space Systems

This effort pursues the further development of an architecture for a single unified simulation capability that encompasses all of the effects needed to accurately predict and subsequently control the complex dynamics of future lightweight flexible space systems. The Phase I effort prototyped this architecture using the AFRL/VS PowerSail system as an example case. This proposal presents the opportunity to continue to develop these tools in the context of a real world application. The PowerSail flight demonstration will validate a structural array design concept, which allows for primary power generation arrays that exhibit greatly improved performance metrics. The program will precisely quantify the component behavior and dynamics of the system to facilitate technology transition to a flight-ready subsystem by greatly increasing confidence in and fidelity of design models. Tools developed and successfully demonstrated under Phase I will be extended and refined in support of the PowerSail flight demonstration. A family of models based on a common set of tools will support experiment design, sensor and actuator selection, control system simulation, controls structure interaction, and post experiment model validation. Orbit propagation models include full nonlinear and linearized Hills. Flexible body dynamics is modeled using a reduced Guyan model.