Simulation and comparison of different dynamical models of space webs
Abstract
Space webs which have great potential applications inorbit Service, recovery of spacecraft, orbit cleaning, space interceptor,woven from lightweight and pliable rope, are webs of unstable configurationformed by throwing and spreading. This paper adopts the finite elementsoftware ABAQUS in order to model the system of elastic webs and the systemof flexible webs, compares the projecting of two finite element models,proposes metrics on the deployable of webs' system and focuses on tractionmass, projectile point, projectile velocity of webs and equivalent dampingeffect of ropes on webs' deployable under a variety of different conditions.The results of simulation indicate that the unfolding effect of flexiblewebs is better than that of the elastic webs; traction mass, projectilevelocity of webs and equivalent damping effect of ropes are the key factorsin effectively webs' unfolding, and projectile point is the main factor todecide the unfolding area to the predetermined location.