Modular design and structural analysis of lifting device and trolley as part of a mechanical ground support equipment for versatile satellite platforms[BR]- Integration internship

Abstract

Aerospacelab, a Belgian company that wants to make its mark on the "new space" industry, wishes to grow around the development of a versatile satellite platform able to accommodate various payload types. Compared to maniaturized satellites (such as CubeSats), this 150 kg satellite platform requires advanced tooling for its manufacturing. As a matter of fact, the Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) stages linked to this latter kind of satellite are performed by dedicated ground support equipment.

This present work aims to study the Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) related to the development of versatile satellite platforms. The first topic treated is therefore the general manufacturing considerations. More specifically, the objective of Chapter 1 is to define exhaustive constraints from an AIT context. Chapter 2 deals with lifting devices, a MGSE interfacing an overhead crane and a spacecraft under assembly, integration, or test. Lifting a satellite enables it to be moved from one workplace to another, and thus to perform AIT steps. The functional requirements presented in this work allow to identify a suitable device, based on a review of existing systems. Sizing considerations are then provided to enable the structure to withstand the loads incurred by the lifting of a spacecraft. With the goal of addressing the MGSE study in depth, Chapter 3 focuses on a multi-purpose trolley, capable of tilting a spacecraft around a rotation axis. Once the design specifications have been outlined, the design of the trolley aiming at being modular, is tackled. The choice towards modularity is justified by the ongoing development of the satellite platform developed by Aerospacelab. A modular device could accommodate possible design changes. The work is then concluded by considering the further developments needed for the implementation of the devices conceived.