1672. Optimization of Mass Placement in Space Station Applications

Paper

Abstract

An important aspect of minimizing the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) Space Station controllability resources is the placement and orientation of mass in order to minimize the overall mass properties of the Station. The mass properties to be optimized are the products of inertia: Ixz, Ixy, and Iyz. By minimizing the products of inertia, the Station would induce minimal torques due to gravity gradient effects. With minimal gravity gradient effects incurred, the size of the momentum storage system and the corresponding attitude control propellant could be further minimized for some mission time interval. The elements of the Space Station eligible for relocation in this analysis are externally attached payloads and appendages.
It is hypothesized that through the use of mathematical programming techniques such as those used in operations research, an optimal arrangement of elements could be attained, minimizing the products of inertia and thus, the controllability resources.
This paper will present a methodology in which Space Station elements, primarily externally attached masses, representing payloads, can be arranged, meeting all imposed constraints and criteria placed on the design due to mission, safety, and physical requirements. The benchmark case of design will be the Space Station Reference Configuration and five payloads. Also, the methodology has been automated into a computer-aided engineering tool where a system of masses can be optimized with respect to the products of inertia.