Damping models for flexible communications satellites by substructural damping synthesis

Most modern spacecraft are structurally flexible and, moreover, these spacecraft can naturally and profitably be analyzed as a collection of attached substructures (solar array panels, antennas, thermal radiators, etc.). Various models are combined for substructural energy dissipation so that an overall damping model for the spacecraft results. (Four such substructural damping models are discussed, two of which are shown to produce the same results.) Such a synthesis procedure proves valuable when substructural damping data is known, either from ground tests or detailed analysis.