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Historical Perspective on Fast Coupled Loads Analysis MethodsSpacecraft structural designs are typically verified through a coupled loads analysis (CLA) process, which couples the spacecraft model with the launch vehicle (LV) model to predict low-frequency quasi-static and dynamic responses. The CLA calculations are typically the responsibility of the LV organization, but the spacecraft organization has a vested interest in being able to calculate approximate CLA results during the design of the spacecraft. Because of this, there has long been interest in a method that would allow a spacecraft organization to perform a CLA without access to the full set of LV models and forcing functions. One such method is the Norton-Thevenin Receptance Coupling (NTRC) approach, which is specifically designed to accurately transform LV free accelerations (no payload) into coupled system accelerations (LV plus payload). The purpose of this report is to provide historical context for the NTRC method and compare it with methods that have been used in the past. In particular, it is compared to a frequency-domain substitution method that had been used for a long period of time at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a component-mode-based equivalent to that method.
Document ID
20180007921
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Blelloch, Paul A.
(ATA Engineering, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Allen, Matthew S.
(Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
November 29, 2018
Publication Date
October 18, 2018
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-31696
NASA/CR-2018-220101
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 869021.03.07.01.05
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNL12AA09C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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