Study of Nonlinear Dynamics of Power Structures of Space Vehicles

Abstract: The nonlinear dynamics of spacecraft power structures in the form of closed cylindrical shells under the action of an external alternating load are investigated. To study the nonlinear dynamics, a mathematical model of the described structure was constructed taking into account the geometric nonlinearity according to the T. von Karman model and the Kirchhoff–Love kinematic hypothesis. The resulting system of differential equations is reduced to the Cauchy problem using the Bubnov–Galerkin method, after which it is solved using the Runge–Kutta method in time. It is shown that the transition of oscillations of a closed cylindrical shell from harmonic to chaotic occurs according to a combination of the Feigenbaum and Ruelle–Takkens–Newhouse scenarios. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. 2025.