Synthesis of Discrete Passive Vibration Dampers

The present study is a continuation of the effort in the application of viscoelastic (VE) damping to large and flexible space systems design. In particular, this work extends the analytical passive damping predictions reported previously. The analytical study completed here relates the number of discrete joint VE dampers, in typical large and flexible space optical systems, to the overall damping of the structure. This data is crucial for the optimal blending of passive damping and active control technologies in space systems design.