Design and optimization for main support structure of a large-area off-axis three-mirror space camera.

To ensure excellent dynamic and static performance of large-area, off-axis three-mirror anastigmat (TMA)-space cameras, and to realize a lighter weight for the entire system, a truss support structure design is applied in this study. In contrast to traditional methods, this paper adopts topology optimization based on the solid isotropic materials with penalization method on the truss structure design. Through reasonable object function and constraint choice, optimal topology results that have concerned the effect of gravity in the X, Y, and Z axis are achieved. Subsequently, the initial truss structure is designed based on the results and manufacturing technology. Moreover, to reduce the random vibration response of the secondary mirror and fold mirror without mechanical performance decline of the whole truss, a weighted optimization of truss size is proposed and the final truss structure is achieved. Finite element analysis and experiments have confirmed the reliability of the design and optimization method. The designed truss-structure camera maintains excellent static performance with the relative optical axis angle between the primary mirror and corresponding mirrors (secondary mirror and fold mirror) being less than 5.3 in. Dynamic performances, such as random and sinusoidal vibration responses, also met the requirements that the acceleration RMS value for mount points of the fold mirror should be less than 20 g and the primary frequency reached 97.2 Hz.