Finite Element Analysis and Sizing of a 1U Deployable 100W Solar Array

Abstract

DEAR is collaborative development program of a 1U deployable 100W photovoltaic array for CubeSats between the DLR, Astronika Sp. z o.o. and AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH for the European Space Agency (ESA) under the ARTES AT 4F.141 programme. Aiming to meet the requirements that a spaceflight hardware design must meet, a FE structural analysis of the DEAR design in its stowed configuration before its CDR must be carried out by the DLR Mechanics and Thermal Systems department resulting in the development of this master thesis. This thesis presents its scope, its aim and objectives and an introduction to the DEAR project in its first chapter. Next, a state of art research is carried out focusing on the application of FE structural analysis in other CubeSat projects developed by different space agencies. In the third chapter, the theoretical foundations behind the FE structural analysis performed for the DEAR project are explained. Subsequently, the most important details of the methodology used during the development of the DEAR FE model are explained. Finally, the results obtained after carrying out the FEA of the DEAR structural design are presented and discussed. It also presents conclusions regarding the results after conducting the FEA and future guidelines for the development of the project in its next phases.