Modelling and testing of a solar panel structure for KNATTE (Kinesthetic Node and Autonomous Table-Top Emulator)

Abstract: One of the challenges that satellites face is the interaction between control movement and vibration of flexible appendages such as solar arrays and antennas that can negatively affect the performance of the spacecraft. The aim of this thesis is to develop a numerical model of a solar panel structure for KNATTE, a frictionless platform developed by the Onboard Space Systems group at Luleå University of Technology, and develop a control law that reduces the flexible vibration of the solar arrays when attitude control manoeuvres are performed. A set of solar panel structures have been designed and tested, the mathematical model of the multibody system, which consists of KNATTE and two flexible solar panels, has been developed in MATLAB by applying the finite element method. A finite element analysis has been performed in MATLAB to extract the natural frequencies of the system. The model has been numerically verified using a commercial software, and experimentally verified by performing testing on the frictionless vehicle, KNATTE, equipped with the solar panel structures and a number of piezoelectric sensors. Once the model has been verified, a Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller has been developed using the results from the finite element model in order to reduce the amplitude of the vibrations of the flexible solar panel structure. The behaviour of the system has been simulated when the spacecraft performs an attitude manoeuvre. The finite element model provides the modal behaviour of the multibody system, obtaining its natural frequencies with low relative error. The LQG controller reduces the amplitude of the vibrations of the flexible solar panel structure.