Stabilization of a platform under wind loads

The Steward platform is employed in dynamic simulation of a number of controlled mechanical systems, in control of the active surface of a telescope mirror, and other constructions. Position and orientation of this platform is regulated by changing the lengths of its supporting bars, and corresponding change of their angles relative to the base. Viable motions of the platform depend on how the bars are hinged to the base and to the platform. This paper studies dynamics and stabilization of a platform leaning on three bars of controlled length under wind loads. This problem is of interest for design of active mirror surfaces of radio telescopes. __________ Translated from Fundamentalnaya i Prikladnaya Matematika, Vol. 11, No. 7, pp. 97–115, 2005.