Design and multibody dynamics analyses of the novel force-bearing structures for variable configuration spacecraft

Abstract Novel variable configuration spacecraft (VCS) can change its configuration by on-orbit assembly or the motion of the mechanism according to the requirements and missions, and the multibody dynamics analysis is performed to obtain the corresponding theoretical lowest values of the mechanical properties of force-bearing structures for the VCS module. In the meantime, to meet the actual use requirements for VCS, novel force-bearing structures are designed optimally and fabricated successfully. The corresponding experimental values of the mechanical properties for the force-bearing structures are also tested and investigated, which are compared to the corresponding theoretical values via multibody dynamics analysis. This paper is part of a large project on the development and preparation of the novel force-bearing structures applied in the next generation of VCS.