Design and analysis of the launch vehicle adapter fitting for the Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT)

Abstract

The Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) is a small communications satellite being developed at the Naval Postgraduate School. This thesis provides a structural design and analysis for the adapter fitting which mates PANSAT to the space shuttle Get Away Special (GAS) cannister launching system. Launch vehicle loading and interface requirements were combined with PANS AT design priorities to determine design specifications. Structural Dynamics Research Corporation's 1-DEAS Masters Series software was utilized to model two adapter designs. The finite element solver in 1-DEAS was used to analyze the two designs for strength and natural frequency. Design and analysis of fasteners, used to attach the adapter fitting to PANSAT, were also conducted. The results showed that a titanium alloy adapter, which does not shadow the solar arrays, and stainless steel fasteners exceeded all design specifications.