Space telescopes, as important tools for exploring the mysteries of the universe, hold an irreplaceable position in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, and space science. The structural design and optimization of space telescopes face numerous unique challenges and opportunities. Due to the special characteristics of the space environment, such as microgravity, high vacuum, extreme temperature variations, and intense radiation, extremely high requirements are imposed on the structural performance of space telescopes. Conducting research on the structural design and optimization of space telescopes not only helps to promote the frontier exploration of space science and obtain more precious information about celestial bodies in the universe but also facilitates the innovative development of aerospace technology in aspects like structural design, material application, and engineering manufacturing, laying a solid technological foundation for humans to gain a deeper understanding of the universe and carry out deep space exploration missions in the future.

Research Directions:

1.Topology Optimization of Structures Based on Dynamics: Combining the principles of mechanical system dynamics with topology optimization techniques, and taking the overall dynamic performance of space telescopes as the optimization objective, innovative designs are carried out for their structural topology forms.

2.Lightweight and High Stiffness Design of Structures: High-performance lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber composites and titanium alloys, are selected as the main materials for the structures of space telescopes. Through the optimization of the microstructure of materials, the research on ply design and molding processes, the high-strength and low-density characteristics of these materials are fully exploited. In terms of structural design, innovative structural forms, such as honeycomb sandwich structures and space truss structures, are adopted to utilize the geometric shapes and mechanical properties of the structures to improve the overall stiffness.

3.Structural Stability Design and Optimization: Extreme temperature changes in the space environment will cause thermal expansion and contraction deformations of the structures of space telescopes, which will seriously affect the imaging accuracy of the optical systems.

4.Structural Dynamic Response and Control: The influence of various dynamic excitations that space telescopes are subjected to during orbital operation, such as disturbances during spacecraft attitude adjustments, fluctuations in solar wind pressure, and vibrations of internal moving parts, on the structural dynamic responses is studied.

5.Research on Key Technologies for the Inter-stage Transition of the Variable-diameter Internal Drive Device of the Sleeve-type Extension Arm of Space Telescopes:

（1）Design and Analysis of the Variable-diameter Mechanism: In-depth research is conducted on the variable-diameter requirements of the sleeve-type extension arm under different extension states, and an efficient and reliable variable-diameter mechanism is designed.

（2）Research on the Principle and Performance of the Internal Drive Device: The working principle of the internal drive device suitable for the sleeve-type extension arm is explored, and the power transmission characteristics, efficiency, and the cooperative working mechanism with the variable-diameter mechanism in the microgravity environment are studied.

（3）Optimization and Reliability Assessment of the Inter-stage Transition Structure: Research on the structural optimization design is carried out for the inter-stage transition area of the variable-diameter internal drive device of the sleeve-type extension arm.