Finite Element Model Updating and Validation of Satellites for Coupled Load Analysis

When developing medium satellites or large satellites, coupled load analysis(CLA) is performed in order to verify satellite design as a final assessment under launch environment. Maximum acceleration, gap between adjacent parts, internal loads obtained from CLA are used to assess the safety of satellite design by comparing them with the allowable loads of every component. To achieve reliable CLA results, satellite FE model have to be properly updated to match with the sine vibration test results. In this paper, the validation procedure of satellite FE model and its results are discussed.