Geometry control in prestressed adaptive space trusses

Geometry control is required in space structures to satisfy the precision requirements of the measurement equipment supported by them. In adaptive space trusses global prestressing is achieved by induced element elongations. It is not possible to prestress a statically determinate truss structure by induced elongations. Therefore adaptive space trusses have to be statically indeterminate, implying that the length-adjusting actuators have to work against the existing prestressing forces, and also against the stresses caused by the actuation. The actuator-placement problem in statically indeterminate trusses is therefore governed by energy and strength requirements. The authors' work includes a discussion of the various strategies of static geometry control and provides new methodologies for the solution of the actuator-placement problem in prestressed adaptive space trusses.