Local Stability Analysis in Satellite Design

A multipurpose satellite will be deployed for the purpose of observing the Earth, as well as conducting experiments in science and communication. The satellite withstands adverse space environments such as extreme dynamic impact loads, high thermal loads, microgravity, etc. The satellite structure consists of many structural components which may cause local instabilities such as wrinkling, dimpling, crimping, crushing and crippling. The multipurpose satellite structure is analyzed for the local stabilities in addition to conventional structural responses. The local stability analysis results indicate that crippling and wrinkling are important to design satellite structure. This study shows that local buckling analysis should be added to conventional structural analysis in the design of the satellite structure. [Example material: 2024].