A simplified method for launch vehicle coupled loads analysis with spacecraft by combined apparent mass matrices and inertia relief technique

Abstract

This paper presents a simplified method for launch vehicle coupled loads analysis (CLA) with spacecraft which is normally conducted in the process of the spacecraft development. The method allows spacecraft developers to calculate coupled vibration response of their own without performing transient analysis for the coupled whole system model. A new method, which allows us to obtain coupled vibration response by convolving non-loaded acceleration time history at the spacecraft boundary with corresponding impulse response of combined apparent mass matrices in frequency domain, has been proposed. The proposed method functions well in any CLA cases including lift-off forced events where loads accompany quasi-static component in nature. We propose a novel approach to escape the error caused in the process of convolution for the quasi-static event by making use of the method to convolve only dynamic acceleration response extracted from the original acceleration by inertia relief technique. Finally, we demonstrate the validity of the proposed method through the analysis using practical launch vehicle and spacecraft models.