Mechanical Support Facility

Structural and Thermal Analysis Faciltiy

This facility is responsible for carrying out structural and thermal analysis and optimization of on-board systems for remote sensing, microwave and communication applications. It also provides analysis and optimization support for ground & space hardware systems.

Structural analysis is an indispensable part of the overall spacecraft payload design process of a satellite. A satellite has many systems and sub-systems which will deliver their best performance if they are properly structurally analyzed for launch loads. Thermal distortion analysis for on-orbit thermal loads is also carried out here. For specifically optical payloads, additional calculations w.r.t the gravity release, fabrication errors & mounting lug undulations; the BBR (Band to Band Registration) & MMR (Mirror to Mirror Registration ) are also carried out.

Thermal analysis is an indispensable part of the overall thermal control design process of a satellite. Thermal analysis predicts the on-board thermal performance and evaluates the thermal design of a payload system and sub-systems. The payloads have to be maintained within specified temperature limits. The temperature of the components inside the satellite depends on the manner of energy exchange with the surroundings. The thermal control system of a satellite ensures that the temperature of all systems and sub-systems of a satellite is maintained within specified temperature limits.