Decision support system to measure the suitability and compatibility of CubeSats components with launch vehicles frequencies (LSCDSS)

Abstract

One of the main considerations in designing and manufacturing satellites is to pass the launching stage that exposes the satellite to different types of vibrations. Therefore, this research relies mainly on helping designers of the small satellites of Cube Sat type to verify the efficiency of the satellite structure and components to pass the launching successfully. The design goes through several stages, starting from drawing the first CAD model then analyzing it using programs such as ANSYS in which the satellite object and its components will be selected. The selection of the material is carefully done to avoid their natural frequencies compatibility with the launch vehicle frequencies. The next stage is the manufacturing of engineering model and testing it to determine the natural frequencies. If the results are not satisfactory, the design has to be modified which is time consuming and expensive. For this reason, Launch Satellite Compatibility Decision Support System (LSCDSS) is created to help CubeSat designer to measure Compatibility of structure at natural frequencies and launch vehicles vibrations. Firstly, materials are selected from the system database and CAD model simulation analysis results are inserted. After passing this stage, lab test results are inserted and the system makes correlations between the results to get fast and more accurate decision. (LSCDSS) gives maximum possible flexibility in the design process, checks the structure material and gives indication if the satellite structure is safe or not to launch with selected launcher vehicle.