GENERAL VIEW OF THE SPACESYSTEM STRUCTURESEVOLUTION AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

摘要

Spacesystem Structures have very deeply evolvedduring the last 20 to 30 years. The materials havechanged from an exclusive use of lightweight alloys to apredominant use of composites. The structuralconstructions have also evolved, although the samebasic concepts (monolithic, sandwich, gridded, etc…)have been applied. But the change is probably morespectacular in the design tools: from a very limited useof computers for design and analysis, to the currentexplosion of computer tools in all the product lifecycle.The manufacturing technologies have advanced, guidedby those previous evolutions and the need of being costcompetitive: automation, lean manufacturing and othertechniques are also implemented in our prototype or lowcadence series production schemes. The mechanicaltesting as an integral part of Verification Plans, has alsohad an evolution that has been quantitative – bigger andpowerful testing facilities –, as well as qualitative – newtypes of tests –.This paper – born from a request made by the Technicaland Programme Committee – tries to do a flight over allthose evolutions from the author's personal point ofview, but trying to reflect, as much as possible, ageneral view of the changes from an Europeanperspective.But this flight will not land just today, it will try tofollow and give an overview of the challenges andpossible paths to be followed in the next future: this partwill be a much more personal view and probably limitedand partial.I apologize for the deficiencies and imprecisions thatcould arise.