Active shape control for flexible space structures using an optimal gyricity distribution

An active shape control approach for a circular flexible space structure is studied. The shape of these flexible structures may need active shape control due to some particular mission objectives. For example, antenna reflectors may have requirements for their shape accuracy to guarantee communication performance; and some solar sails may change their shape to realize different commissions during interplanetary flight. This paper investigates an active shape control process executed by the gyricity (stored angular momentum) distribution existing in the circular flexible space structure. The shape of the circular flexible space structure is expected to be reformed from a plane plate to a paraboloidal plate. An optimal gyricity distribution is derived based on the optimal control theory for systems described by partial differential equations. Distributed forces can be generated by the optimal gyricity distribution in a rotating field to implement the active shape control. The dynamic model of the circular flexible space structure is established for the active shape control through the finite element method. Numerical simulation validates the functionality of the shape control method, and illustrates the shape-adjusting process of the circular flexible space structure.