An Assessment of Recent Advances in Modeling and Control Design of Space Structures Under Uncertainty

Uncertainty due to modeling approximations, random noise and tolerances in components, parametric and other errors in space structure modeling and control design create the need for stochastic representations. A short survey of different approaches to modeling of large flexible space structures under uncertainty is presented in the present article. Advantages and disadvantages of various modeling procedures for analysis and control design are briefly discussed and a novel approach is presented that incorporates statistical information in the best available mathematical model, and thus generates a realistic stochastic model for the structure. Moreover, difficulties relative to modeling, testing, validation, and verification in space structures are underlined and discussed.