Finite element modelling for static and dynamic analyses of a low-cost microsatellite platform

In the Second Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bologna, the Aerospace group in Forli has started a new microsatellite research program, called Alma Mater Satellite (ALMASat) [1]. The satellite consists of a structure made of six shop-machined Aluminium trays, kept together by eight stainless steel bars. The power will be supplied by Silicon solar panels glued to four AI/AI honeycomb lateral panels. This modular architecture has been selected in order to have a multi-purpose bus, which can be used, with minor changes, for several different kinds of missions. This paper reports on the microsatellite structure design and manufacturing, and on the finite element modelling of this small platform, aiming to static, dynamic and thermal verifications. The first platform will be launched by a DNEPR missile; therefore the whole analysis has been carried out according to the Ukrainian-Russian requirements. Following a first set of analyses of a preliminary configuration of the platform structure, an optimisation of the layout has been carried out: a parametric model of the satellite has been created by means of three-dimensional CAD software. The parameters used in the optimisation procedure are: the tray thickness, the layout of lightening and their dimension, bringing to the final layout of the structure.