Nonlinear dynamics and control of large deployable space structures composed of trusses and meshes

The space industry in China is eager to have the advanced technology of large space structures composed of trusses cables and meshes. Such a large space structure, deployed on orbit, may serve as the large antenna for different space missions. The important scientific basis of the technology is the nonlinear dynamics modeling, analysis and control of these space structures during their deployment and service. This review article surveys the advances in relevant researches and proposes three open problems as follows. The first is the flexible multibody dynamics for the deployment of such a space structure, especially the nonlinear dynamics modeling and analysis for the contacts and wraps of mesh under microgravity, the internal impacts in clearance joints, and the coupling between structure deployment and spacecraft attitude. The second is the dynamics analysis of the space structures after deployment and during service, especially the complicated nonlinear vibrations of the flexible structure with numerous backlash joints under periodic thermal impacts. The third is the dynamic control of the space structures after deployment and during service, especially the under-actuated and lower-powered control for structure vibrations and waves.