ON THE NUMERICAL STRUCTURAL CALCULATION METHODS OF THE SPACE STRUCTURES AS A RELIABLE REPLACEMENT FOR EXPENSIVE TESTING, STILL A COMMODITY AND WHY

From the perspective of specific techniques and procedures for design, manufacturing, deployment, installation, service, and maintenance, there are three different types of space structures: satellites (structures that orbit the earth), habitats (the buildings erected on other planets or moons or geostationary orbits), and vehicles (structure made for transport of goods, equipment, and passengers). All these space structures are exposed to different sets of loadings, like extremely high temperatures range, high acceleration, space radiation, and others. Ultimately, as on Earth, we must take care that their structural integrity is maintained, while additionally, in habitats (space stations, Moon-habitats, geostationary space hotels, etc.) we must also provide the comfort for humans, plants or animals. To decrease the design and maintenance costs, and provide service away from Earth resources, the goal is the use of virtual reality in their life cycle management. Such a virtual reality should be based on 1) reliable numerical simulation tools for calculating the structural response under loadings, and 2) artificial intelligence decision making. So, it is a future! But what about the present status of numerical methods in space engineering, as the Finite element method? Why FE software is still seen as a commodity, instead of a reliable tool for testing? How the energy needs to attain comfort is simulated. And finally, why the development of numerical simulation tools for calculation of the thermo-mechanical response of the space structures, are not favored and heavily supported by the space sector, as many other innovations? The present paper will try to answer some of these questions.