INTEGRATED DESIGN AND ANALYSIS APPROACH FOR LARGE PRECISION STRUCTURES.

This paper discusses the design, analysis and optimization approach for large precision structures such as telescopes and antennas. The task is presented as a multidisciplinary problem requiring the consideration of material, deployment mechanisms, stiffness, launch and in orbit response etc. more or less simultaneously. These problems and their interrelation are addressed with special emphasis on methods for in orbit performance optimization also including active elements. It is shown that by appropriate decomposition and interfacing of the different subtasks a reasonable approach for system analysis and optimization can be obtained.