Abstract:

In order to reduce the mass of the satellite deployable umbrella reflector, a structure optimization model of the rib is established by analyzing the structure of the rib and forces on it. The minimum mass of the rib is calculated by optimizing its structure parameters under given rigidity and loads. Optimized structure parameters are obtained by solving the model with the Monte Carlo method and Compound Form method. Comparing the original structure, 50.4% mass is successfully reduced after optimization. It is found that increasing the height of the rib's cross section and using a variable section are two effective ways to make the rib lighter, and that the Compound Form method has a better performance than the Monte Carlo method when solving this model.

Key words: deployable umbrella reflector, structure optimization, Monte Carlo method, compound form method