Abstract
Engineering Test Satellite-VIII(ETS-VIII) is a geostationary satellite which is scheduled to be launched in 2004 by H-IIA launch vehicle^<[1], [2], [3], [4]>. ETS-VIII is equipped with two Large Deployable Reflectors(LDR) to develop satellite communications technology for such as mobile communication with hand-held terminals. The most distinctive feature of LDR is an adoption of the module structure. LDR is an assembly of 14 independent hexagonal modules composed of deployable back structure and reflector surface. These Modules are connected using module connecting points on back structure. The locations of module connecting points are precisely measured prior to connection. These data are applied to SPADE(Simple Partitioning Algorithm based Dynamics of finite Element) model and the surface shape of multi-connected modules in orbit is simulated. This simulation is verified by the surface accuracy of partially connected modules.
