Design, Development, Optimization and Standardization of Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-2) Bus-Structure Using Composites

The design, development and qualification of Indian Mini Satellite (IMS series-2) Bus of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) mark a major step forward in the development of small satellite composite structure systems. In the recent past, a number of earth observing satellites using IMS-2 bus structure were launched successfully. IMS-2 structure bus having two separate modules, the main structure platform and the payload structure platform, is designed, developed and qualified for the launch of small satellites of 400–450 kg class, under the Polar satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch environment. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the design, judicious material selection, finite element simulation and development of IMS-2 bus structure. The design is validated by various static and dynamic tests for the qualification and standardization of the IMS-2 bus structure. The key challenge is to design a modular bus without having a central cylinder that generally governs the overall spacecraft’s stiffness in traditional designs. Tentative timeline for the evolution of various satellites built around the IMS-2 bus structure is 12–14 months with all the required inputs available.