Abstract: Floating design method (FDM) with high damping flexible connectors (HDFCs) aims at both releasing thermal deformation and attenuating vibration of the sensitive payloads during satellite in orbit phase, meanwhile, it can also prevent the reduction of structure strength. The effect on thermal deformation release of FDM was discussed. Based on the release theory of thermal stress by using FDM, the function of the flexible connections on structure′s thermal deformation was studied. And the thermal deformation of satellite structure, mainly the sensitive part, was analyzed and some design criteria was listed. Results show that FDM is quite effective on reducing payload′s thermal deformation, and its effect is greatly dependent on HDFC′s stiffness. Finally, the validity of the proposed analysis method was proved by numerical examples.

Key words: Flexible Connection, Floating design, Thermal deformation release, Vibration suppression, Satellite structure