Explicit modeling and concurrent processing in the simulation of multibody dynamic systems

The objective is to present the activities at TRW in developing the capability to simulate the behavior of large flexible multibody space structures. The features of the simulation tools are: (1) to accommodate all rigid/flexible body degrees-of-freedom which incorporate the control system models and external forces, (2) to provide the flexibility to incorporate engineering-defined models and to retain parameters of significance to the engineer, (3) to reduce the computation cost by one order of magnitude (two orders of magnitude compared to a CRAY 1S), and (4) to keep it versatile so that radical variations in anticipated space structures can be accommodated. The current computer tools to simulate multibody systems appear not only to be very costly and time consuming, but also do not produce the desired fidelity of the mathematical models. In summary, a multibody simulation tool will be developed in the near future which will allow solution of the dynamics and controls of the deployment of the LDR backup structure, or the problem associated with the robotic assembly of the structure. The tools will allow the engineer to define the modeling technique and solve problems in less time and at reduced cost.