Sizing Structures and Predicting Weight of a Spacecraft

TBMG-136

06/01/2006

Abstract
Content

EZDESIT is a computer program for choosing the sizes of structural components and predicting the weight of a spacecraft, aircraft, or other vehicle. In designing a vehicle, EZDESIT is used in conjunction with a finite-element structural- analysis program: Each structural component is sized within EZDESIT to withstand the loads expected to be encountered during operation, then the weights of all the structural finite elements are added to obtain the structural weight of the vehicle. The sizing of the structural components elements also alters the stiffness properties of the finite-element model. The finite-element analysis and structural component sizing are iterated until the weight of the vehicle converges to a prescribed iterative difference. The results of the sizing can be reviewed in two ways:

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Citation
"Sizing Structures and Predicting Weight of a Spacecraft," Mobility Engineering, June 1, 2006.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Jun 1, 2006
Product Code
TBMG-136
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English