Abstract
Optimization of a satellite structure under severe space launching environments is performed considering various design constraints. Simulate annealing, one of combinatorial optimization techniques, is used to optimize the satellite. The optimization results by the simulated annealing are compared to those by the method of modified feasible direction and genetic algorithm. Ten bar truss structure is optimized for feasibility study of the simulated annealing. Finally, the satellite structure is optimized by the simulated annealing algorithm under space environment. Weights of the satellite upper platform and propulsion module are minimized with consideration of several static and dynamic constraints. MSC/NASTRAN is used to find the static and dynamic responses. Simulated annealing has been programmed and integrated with the finite element analysis program for optimization. It is shown that the simulated annealing algorithm can be extended to the optimization of space structures.