National Security Geostationary Assets are at Risk
(Launchspace Staff Writers)
Bethesda, MD - Most people do not realize that the current US national security space (NSS) infrastructure is designed to support defensive and offensive operations. If war should break out among major spacefaring nations NSS assets will be attacked. If an attack is successful, offensive capabilities would be greatly decreased because the current set of geostationary (GEO) NSS assets are extremely vulnerable to jamming and direct attack. We must assume that the three major spacefaring nations have spy satellites watching other spy satellites, while several-billion-dollar "eyes in the sky" watch the Earth while collecting intelligence and communicating with warfighters. The present set of assets are fine for conducting a "cold war" scenario in which they operate in a non-fighting environment. The current organization and management of the NSS community has evolved from the old cold war with the Soviet Union. However, the new cold war is one in which China, Russia and the US are involved.
Given the present state of highly vulnerable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) space assets and their importance for national defense, the last thing anyone would want is a shooting war between two major spacefaring nations. The opening volley would include the elimination of space-based ISR assets. Military communications links that are based on GEO birds would be jammed. In fact, most GEO-based security assets could be attacked over a period of a few hours. One can also assume the disabling of orbiting navigation systems such as GPS, which uses medium altitude orbits.
Yes, the US and its adversaries are aware of this situation. There are spy satellites designed to snoop on other satellites at GEO altitudes. In fact, the US Air Force Space Command operates the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) that uses special satellites operating in the near-GEO region to conduct surveillance operations such as collecting SSA data on man-made objects. The advantage of using these satellites is that they have a clear, unobstructed viewing position for observing objects of interest. These birds can also perform rendezvous maneuvers for close-up looks at other satellites. The bad news is that potentially threatening objects are very difficult to disable in a timely manner.
Unfortunately, we must be prepared for war in space. At this point the US is not ready for an in-space conflict involving attacks on NSS assets in GEO. Vulnerability is a major problem and protection presents a major challenge. Ultimately, the solution may require a complete paradigm shift in how space is used for national security.
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Compliant Mechanism Design
DURATION: TWO DAYS
LOCATION: AT YOUR FACILITY
COURSE NO.: 1140
COURSE SUMMARY
Compliant mechanisms are mechanisms that derive at least some or all their motion from flexing of material. They can provide powerful solutions to tasks requiring high precision, compact footprints, reduced weight, performance in harsh environments including where lubrication is restricted, specific force-deflection properties, energy-storage capabilities and ease of manufacturability. Compliant mechanisms have been used from macroscale pointing mechanisms to microelectromechanical (MEMS) instruments and devices. While their potential is powerful, compliant mechanisms can be challenging to analyze and design as large deflections cause commonly-used linear equations to fail. This course addresses design methods for compliant mechanisms. It highlights where compliant mechanisms can be advantageous, particularly in deployable and space-related mechanisms. The course addresses fabrication and testing of compliant mechanisms, including guidelines for additive manufacturing compliant mechanisms.
COURSE MATERIALS:
A complete set of the course materials is provided to each attendee.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Anyone involved in the design, selection, or evaluation of systems which transfer motion, force, or energy. This can include:
- Engineers and personnel involved in design, testing, and manufacturing.
- Program managers, decision makers, analysts and anyone else desiring a working knowledge of the advantages and challenges of compliant mechanism design and application.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Attendees will learn:
- How to recognize when compliant mechanism designs can offer strong solutions.
- The nomenclature necessary to understand and recognize compliant mechanisms.
- Methods for designing and analyzing compliant mechanisms.
- How compliant mechanisms can be effectively fabricated and tested with an emphasis on guidelines for additive manufacturing.
COURSE OUTLINE:
1. Introduction to Compliant Mechanisms
The advantages, challenges, and terminology of compliant mechanisms.
2. Flexibility and Deflection
Changing the mindset from the traditional solution of 'increase the stiffness' to using flexibility and deflection to solve challenges. A discussion of the fundamental relationships governing large-deflection behavior.
3. Pseudo-Rigid Body Modeling
Methodology for designing compliant mechanisms including building block elements such as small-length flexural pivots, cantilevered beams, fixed-guided segments, initially curved cantilever beams, and pinned-pinned segments.
4. Finite Element Modeling
Guidelines for modeling compliant mechanisms with FE software using nonlinear analysis.
5. Force-Deflection Relationships
Introduction to using generalized coordinates with virtual work to determine force-deflection relationships.
6. Compliant Mechanism Material Selection
Desirable material property combinations for compliant mechanisms and a review of commonly used materials for compliant mechanisms.
7. Failure Modes and Failure Prevention
Common failure modes for compliant mechanisms including fatigue, stress relaxation, and creep. Methods to minimize or prevent these failure modes.
8. Fabrication and Testing
Review of effective practices used to fabricate and test compliant mechanisms and guidelines to successfully creating compliant mechanisms using additive manufacturing.
9. Rigid-Body Replacement Synthesis for Compliant Mechanisms
A compliant mechanism design approach using traditional mechanisms (rigid links and pins) and finding compliant equivalents.
10. Case Studies
Scenarios where compliant mechanisms have been used including constant force mechanisms, parallel mechanisms, pointer mechanisms, bistable (and multi-stable) mechanisms, and origami-inspired compliant mechanisms.
INSTRUCTOR: DR. TODD G NELSON
Dr. Todd G Nelson received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University (BYU) where he studied origami-inspired mechanisms and compliant mechanisms under his advisor, Dr. Larry L. Howell. Combining principles from compliant mechanisms and the ancient art of origami has led to novel mechanisms and products which can be ultra-compact, deployable, scalable and fabricated from a single sheet of material. His research has implications for varied applications including medical implants, surgical tools, aerospace applications, automotive airbags, and deployable structures. Dr. Nelson enjoys teaching mechanism and machine design courses that lead to innovations in aerospace technologies and designs.
community since 1970. Early in his career, Dr. Marshall H. Kaplan realized that space professionals had limited resources in advancing their own space-related knowledge base and on-the-job training options. Over the last few decades this company has created and delivered hundreds of focused courses to thousands of engineers, managers and support personnel in the space community. All training subject matter and supporting materials are designed to increase knowledge and improve productivity associated with space technologies, systems and operations. These topics are not offered in a university setting.
Over the past 20 years, Launchspace has been offering company-specific courses that are tailored to the requirements of any given company to train its own personnel. These courses are presented on-site by experts in the particular subject areas. Such offerings have proven to be very cost-effective and efficient. Every major space organization in North America and Europe has taken advantage of Launchspace's Training programs. This includes government agencies such as NASA, USAF and several other offices of the Department of Defense.Course topics cover almost every aspect of space flight from launch vehicle technologies to orbital mechanics to spacecraft design. Our customized courses are offered at client locations in support of mission requirements and to expand the expertise of professional staff members. In addition, a few high-demand public classes are presented for open registration at selected conference locations. Contact us to discuss a customized training program for your professionals:See our website for a partial listing of possible course offerings www.launchspace.com_______________________________________________________________________________________________LAUNCHSPACE is an educational organization dedicated to training and continuing education for space professionals and to supporting the space community.We offer the largest array of customized client-site courses to government agencies and industry, and a full spectrum of technical and management expertise in support of space programs. Click on www.Launchspace.com to see our extensive catalog of course offerings. Any of these can be customized for your needs, or we can create a new course for you.Through our training programs we have helped thousands of engineers and managers become more productive in their careers. Our courses and programs are unique and customized for our clients. We focus on critical skills in all areas of spaceflight, spacecraft and launch systems.Our instructors are all experts in their fields and present highly interactive classes in-person and at your facilities.Please contact us for more information about our services at info@launchspace.com or +1.202.258.6133._______________________________________________________________________________________________
