Satellite dynamics toolbox for preliminary design phase

Abstract

This paper presents the latest developments of the Satellite Dynamics Toolbox dedicated to the modeling of large flexible space structures. The satellite is considered as a flexible multi-body system with open or closed loop kinematics chains of flexible bodies. Each body (platform, reaction wheels, booms, antenna, solar panels, ...) is modeled as a substructure in which each sizing parameters can be declared as a varying or uncertain parameter. The whole model is thus fully compatible with the MATLAB robust control toolbox to perform sensitivity analysis and pointing performance budget at the preliminary design phase level.