Development of Vibration Protection Systems of Spacecraft — State of the Art and Perspectives

Abstract

Vibration loads on the launch vehicle and spacecraft can reach a high level, leading to abnormal and emergency situations. Therefore, the spacecraft structure must not only support the payload and subsystems of the spacecraft but also have sufficient strength and rigid- ity to exclude any emergencies (damage, destruction, unwanted deformations of the structure, failure and failure of instruments and equipment) that may interfere with the success of the mission. The article aims to analyze the state of research on the design of vibration protection systems for spacecraft launched into working orbits by modern launch vehicles. The results of this analysis will contribute to the development of fundamental schemes of vibration protection systems and methods for effectively suppressing spacecraft spatial vibrations. It is shown that the development of new promising vibration protection systems will take place in the following directions: increasing the frequency range and damping parameters of the dynamic coupled system of “spacecraft and vibration isolation system”; changing approach to vibration suppression of the entire spacecraft (as a whole unit) to setting up the system for damping individual (the most re- sponsible and vibration-sensitive) spacecraft; the use the spacecraft active vibration suppression system in combination with a passive vibration protection system; use of schematic diagrams of spacecraft vibration protection systems with the introduction of hydraulic, electromagnetic and mechanical functional elements in order to increase the efficiency of vibration isolation systems; active suppres- sion of random vibrations in outer space during the operation of various spacecraft systems (due to disturbances from engines of orbit correction systems, etc.); using the adapter structure to perform the functions of a passive vibration protection system of the spacecraft.