Abstract: The dynamics of spacecraft with root damper of antenna mast is investigated. The system consists of a spacecraft mainbody, several sixfreedom rigid damper platforms and flexible appendages which are connected with the damper platforms. The damper platforms are connected with the mainbody by elasticitydamp mechanisms. Hybrid coordinates are used to describe the system motion. System dynamics which are established via using Kane’s equations have better versatility and are advantageous to controller design. Numerical simulation results show that the damper can efficiently attenuate elastic vibration of the appendages, which is beneficial for spacecraft rapid stabilization after disturbance.

Key words: flexible appendage, damper, dynamics