Aeroelasticity and Dynamics of Deployable Space Structures

About the Project

The deployment and operation of space structures, such as solar arrays, antennas, habitats, and scientific instruments, are governed by a complex interplay between structural flexibility, inertial forces, and aerodynamic or environmental interactions. When deployed in low-gravity or planetary environments (e.g., the Moon, Mars), these structures must reliably unfold and maintain their intended shape under dynamic loads, thermal stresses, and possible interaction with tenuous atmospheres or dust particles.

Deployable structures often rely on lightweight, flexible materials to minimize mass and maximize stowage efficiency. These structures can experience significant aeroelastic and structural dynamics phenomena during deployment. Even in the near-vacuum of space or low-pressure lunar environments, inertial forces during rapid deployment or manipulations can induce vibrations, buckling, and coupled modes of deformation that influence structural stability, functionality, and longevity.

Unlike rigid spacecraft components, deployable elements are intentionally compliant to allow folding, stowing, and deployment. This flexibility introduces coupled structural–dynamic interactions that must be understood to prevent undesired oscillations, deployment failures, or resonance-induced damage. Small perturbations during deployment can lead to large-amplitude oscillations due to low damping in space environments, making aeroelastic and deployable dynamics analysis critical for mission success.

Understanding these interactions is essential not only for designing reliable deployable structures but also for:

• Optimizing material selection and structural layout for minimal mass and maximal deployment precision.
• Ensuring stability and functional performance under dynamic loads, including astronaut interactions, robotic manipulation, or planetary environmental forces (e.g., lunar dust, micrometeorite impacts).
• Developing predictive simulations for pre-mission testing and real-time operational control.

This research aims to establish a comprehensive theoretical and computational framework for analyzing the coupled dynamics of deployable space structures, providing predictive insight into deformation, oscillation modes, and deployment performance in low-gravity and extraterrestrial environments.

Objectives for this project

The main goal of this project is to characterize and model the aeroelastic and dynamic behaviour of deployable space structures. Specifically, the research aims to:

1. Develop mathematical and computational models capturing the coupled dynamics of structural deformation, inertial loads, and environmental forces during deployment and operation.
2. Quantify the influence of structural properties, including membrane stiffness, hinge flexibility, mass distribution, and damping, on deployment reliability, vibration modes, and functional stability.
3. Explore strategies for optimizing structure design for consistent deployment, long-term stability, and resistance to dynamic perturbations in lunar, Martian, or orbital conditions.
4. Simulate environmental interactions, including dust, thermal gradients, and micrometeoroid impacts, to predict operational performance and guide material and mechanism selection.
5. Provide insights for mission planning, such as optimal deployment sequences, control strategies for robotic assistance, and real-time monitoring approaches for structural health.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

Excellent candidates will be nominated for competence-based faculty funding. The funding covers tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend based on the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

For more information, and funding deadlines please visit our FSE Funding home page. The supervisor will be able to advise you on specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Self-funded students are welcome to apply.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.