Finite element thermal-structural analyses of a cable-stiffened orbiting antenna
Finite element thermal-structural analyses of a cable-stiffened orbiting antenna are presented. The determination of prestresses in the antenna is described first. Heating and thermal analyses for orbiting space structures are then discussed briefly. Structural deformations and stresses are presented for three finite element structural analysis approaches: (1) small deflections, (2) stress-stiffening, and (3) large deflections. The accuracy of the three analysis approaches is evaluated for the orbiting antenna at different prestress levels.