Dynamic tailoring and tuning for space-based precision optical structures

Next-generation space telescopes in NASA's Origins missions require use of advanced imaging techniques to achieve high optical performance with limited launch mass. Structurally-connected Michelson interferometers meet these demands, but pose specific challenges in the areas of system dynamics and controls, uncertainty management and testing. The telescope optics must meet stringent positional tolerances in the presence of environmental and on-board disturbances, resulting in heavy demands on structural dynamics and control. In addition, fully integrated system tests are cost-prohibitive due to the size and flexibility of the system coupled with the severe differences between the on-orbit and ground testing environments. As a result, the success of these missions relies heavily on the accuracy of the structural and control models used to predict system performance. In this thesis, dynamic tailoring and tuning are applied to the design of precision optical space structures to meet aggressive performance requirements in the presence of parametric model uncertainty. Tailoring refers to changes made to the system during the design, and tuning refers to adjustments on the physical hardware. Design optimizations aimed at improving both performance and robustness are considered for application to this problem. It is shown that when uncertainty is high and performance requirements are aggressive, existing robust design techniques do not always guarantee mission success. Therefore, dynamic tuning is considered to take advantage of the accuracy of hardware performance data to guide system adjustments to meet requirements.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Masterson, Rebecca A. (Rebecca Ann)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Warren P. Seering and David W. Miller.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30335

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/30335