Dynamic analysis of the Low Power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment (LACE) spacecraft

Abstract

The Low Power Atmospheric Compensation Experiment (LACE) spacecraft was launched for NRL in February 1990. The LACE flight dynamics experiment will provide on-orbit systems identification of the LACE spacecraft. The experiment is designed to measure modal frequencies, damping ratios, and oscillation amplitudes of the LACE spacecraft. The purpose of this study is to develop a finite element model of the LACE spacecraft and conduct a dynamics analysis to determine natural frequencies and mode shapes. Four configurations of the spacecraft are analyzed. This data will be compared with actual orbital data and will provide an opportunity for improvements in the accuracy of computer simulations of flexible structures and multi-body dynamics. Thermoelastic effects due to differential heating are addressed to check the magnitude of deformations that may cause a problem for stability or on-orbit identification. The final phase of this study is to conduct a parametric analysis of the spacecraft boom to investigate the presence of chaotic vibration for combinations of excitation amplitude and frequency.