An understanding of the problems associated with a very large light weight structure orbiting in space is of utmost importance at present. A knowledge of how the structure behaves under the influence of external disturbances in space should be available for any design and deployment of a structure in space. The life, efficiency, and function of the space structure are dependent on this knowledge.
A mathematical formulation has been developed for an axially flexible structure executing a planar motion in a general orbit in space in order to determine dynamic and thermal effects in the structure due to various disturbances in a space environment. The characteristic dimension of the structure is very large (of the order of a few kilometers). We have studied the influences of the differential gravitational forces, the radiation heating, and the radiation pressure forces. Effects of these factors have been studied on the structure's axial deformation, its attitude motion and its orbit simultaneously.
Results are obtained for various initial conditions and physical parameter values. It is observed that the differential gravitational forces do not have any appreciable effects on the structure's axial length and its attitude motion. Thermal effects are significant in producing appreciable structural deformation, and they also affect the attitude motion of the structure considerably. The radiation pressure forces are very significant in changing attitude motion of the space structure, but it causes negligible effects in producing longitudinal deformation of the structure. All of the above factors have insignificant effects on the orbit of the structure chosen in this study. Of all the three external disturbances, the radiation pressure forces are found to be strongest in affecting the orbit of the structure.
