Dynamic modeling and simulation for the flexible spacecraft with dynamic stiffening

A rigid flexible coupling physical model which can represent a flexible spacecraft is investigated in this paper. By applying the mechanics theory in a non-inertial coordinate system, the rigid flexible coupling dynamic model with dynamic stiffening is established via the subsystem modeling framework. It is clearly elucidated for the first time that, dynamic stiffening is produced by the coupling effect of the centrifugal inertial load distributed on the beam and the transverse vibration deformation of the beam. The modeling approach in this paper successfully avoids problems which are caused by other popular modeling methods nowadays: the derivation process is too complex by using only one dynamic principle; a clearly theoretical explanation for dynamic stiffening can't be provided. First, the continuous dynamic models of the flexible beam and the central rigid body are established via structural dynamics and angular momentum theory respectively. Then, based on the conclusions of orthogonalization about the normal constrained modes, the finite dimensional dynamic model suitable for controller design is obtained. The numerical simulation validations show that: dynamic stiffening is successfully incorporated into the dynamic characteristics of the first-order model established in this paper, which can indicate the dynamic responses of the rigid flexible coupling system with large overall motion accurately, and has a clear modeling mechanism, concise expressions and a good convergence.