Design modification and structural behavior study of a CFRP star sensor baffle

Star sensors are the attitude estimation sensors of the satellite orbiting in its path. It gives information to the control station on the earth about where the satellite is heading towards. It captures the images of a predetermined reference star. By comparing this image with that of the one captured from the earth, exact position of the satellite is determined. In the process of imaging, stray lights are eliminated from reaching the optic lens by the mechanical enclosures of the star sensors called Baffles. Research in space domain in the last few years is mainly focused on increased payload capacity and reduction in launch cost. In this paper, a star sensor baffle made of Aluminium is considered for the study. In order to minimize the component weight, material wastage and to improve the structural performance, an alternate material to Aluminium is investigated. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer is found to be a better substitute in this regard. Design optimisation studies are carried out by adopting suitable design modifications like implementing an additional L-shaped flange, Upward flange projections, downward flange projections etc. A better configuration of the baffle, satisfying the design requirements and achieving manufacturing feasibility is attained. Geometrical modeling of the baffle is done by using UNIGRAPHICS-Nx7.5(R). Structural behavior of the baffle is analysed by FE analysis such as normal mode analysis, linear static analysis, and linear buckling analysis using MSC/PATRAN(R), MSC-NASTRAN(R) as the solver to validate the stiffness, strength and stability requirements respectively. Effect of the layup sequence and the fiber orientation angle of the composite layup on the stiffness are also studied.