TABLE OF CONTENTS Structure is the stuff that holds things together. It provides support for all load environments from prelaunch through launch and includes on-orbit loads. In this chapter we include mechanisms with structure to encompass all spacecraft mechanical support systems.
Structure is often what you see when you look at a spacecraft, but a spacecraft designer's goal is to minimize structure as much as possible. Just think, if you could save structural mass you could add more fuel to extend life, or more transponders to generate income on a communication satellite, or more instruments on a scientific investigation. As long as it meets the functional requirements of the rest of the mission system, structure is best when minimized. Section 10.2 will show how this is done.
To be successful, the structure must survive all environments without detrimental deformation. Environments are loads on the structure. Loads are converted to stresses, then stresses are converted to strains, and then strains are converted to deformation. In this way environments cause deformation and potentially failure; the job of the structures designer is to prevent this failure, as described in Section 10.3.
Section 10.2 explains why mechanisms are required to stow structures in pay-load fairings and to operate equipment in flight. Section 10.4 describes some of the key rules in designing and analyzing mechanisms.
Sections 10.5 and 10.6 detail some of the analyses and tests required to verify the functionality and performance of mechanical equipment. Because there are an infinite number of options for
