Multibody General Applications


The Mechanisms Section performs detailed analyses involving flexible bodies with time-varying characteristics and control algorithms. The software programs used are DCAP (based on a ‘fast’, ‘effective’ and ‘symbolic’ formulation), Adams, SIMPACK and SAMCEF Mecano.
 
Several Mechanisms Dynamics Activities have been performed in support of numerous projects:
 
 
 Mechanisms:
  • design and analyse mechanisms systems
  • assess parametric design solutions and to optimise the performances of structures and mechanisms
  • predict the static, kinematics and dynamic behaviour of mechanical systems
  • animate the motion of dynamic, solid models
  • simulate control loops incorporating mechanical parts, e.g. mechanisms active structures
  • perform conceptual design studies and correlate test and analysis data
  • investigate the performance and possible malfunction of mechanical systems, including in-orbit
  • modelling complex devices and mechanisms control design
  • coupled system frequencies and time responses


 
 
 Spacecrafts:
  • modelling unconventional S/C dynamics, including orbital environment disturbances
  • control laws, including sensors and actuation dynamics
  • coupled system frequencies and time responses
  • docking phase analyses

 
 
 
 
 
 Launch Vehicles:
  • non-linear time dynamic simulations for flexible bodies with time varying characteristics
  • atmospheric environment including external disturbance
  • launch vehicle flight dynamics-control interaction (directly imported into Matlab)
  • frequency domain analysis
  • multiple nozzles dynamics capabilities
  • local analyses (gust response, lift off, multi-payload separations)
  • collision avoidance
  • data recovery procedure


 
 
  
Last update: 19 January 2011


Conference papers

 •  Variable mass and Simulink I/F (pdf) (http://naca.central.cranfield.ac.uk/dcsss/2004/B21_Sciacovelli_EDITfinal2.pdf)
 •  Data Recovery Procedure (pdf) (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/157_oliv.pdf)

Related article

 •  DCAP
Thales Alenia Space Italy (http://www.esa.int/TEC/Structures/SEMZX356JGG_0.html)

Related Links

 •  SAMCEF Mecano
Samtech (http://www.samtech.com/product/product.asp?idP=91 &pcid=25 &pid=11 &lcid=25)
 •  Adams
MSC.Software (http://www.mscsoftware.com/Products/CAE-Tools/Adams.aspx)
 •  SIMPACK
SIMPACK AG (http://www.simpack.com/websitep.html)

ESA Workshop

 •  1st ESA Workshop on Multibody Dynamics for Space Applications (http://www.congrex.nl/10m02/)

Presentation

 •  MAST overview (pdf) (http://download.esa.int/docs/Mechanisms/ESA_MAST_MBS2010.pdf)

More information

 •  Multibody & Advanced Simulation Team (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMHVA56JGG_0.html)
 •  Bearing Life Assessment (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMNCD56JGG_0.html)
 •  Electromagnetics, Electrostatics (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMNWB56JGG_0.html)
 •  Feasibilities studies (CDF) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMGSB56JGG_0.html)
 •  ISS payloads (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMVSB56JGG_0.html)
 •  Launcher Flight Dynamics Simulator (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEM5RB56JGG_0.html)
 •  Mechanism Component Analysis (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMC9D56JGG_0.html)
 •  On-Ground Test and In-Flight Telemetry Data Analysis (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMA8CGMTGG_0.html)