FLIGHT CONTROL, DYNAMICS, AND STRUCTURAL INTERACTION ON THE SPACE SHUTTLE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING MISSION

摘要

During the STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission, the massive telescope was mounted on a flight support structure in the Space Shuttle payload bay. The telescope was extended upward and out of the bay for maintenance and for a reboost maneuver. Because of the limited stiffness and strength of the flight support structure, interaction between the attitude and translation control systems and the dynamics of the flexible Orbiter-payload system was analyzed with respect to flight control system stability and with respect to dynamics and structural loading on the payload caused by reaction control system firings. Control system constraints were primarily dictated by the dynamics and loads considerations. Particular constraints were applied for possible short translation firings, as were used following a jettison of a damaged solar array. A reboost maneuver was desired, if feasible. Extensive analysis was performed to determine a maneuver and control scenario that was assured not to produce excessive loads. Because of the progress with the telescope repairs during the actual flight, a reboost maneuver was accomplished. Lessons learned from the analysis and flight experience will be applied to future servicing missions and other Space Shuttle flights involving complex payloads.