Exact controllability and boundary stabilization of torsional vibrations of an internally damped flexible space structure (Q1275713)

In this very important paper, the exact controllability and boundary stabilization of the torsional vibrations of a flexible space structure (such as a solar cell array) modeled by a rectangular panel, incorporating the material damping of the structure, are studied. The panel is hoisted at one end by a rigid hub and the other end is totally free. For the attachment of this hub on one side of the panel, the hub dynamics leads to a nonstandard boundary condition. To incorporate internal damping of the material, Voigt-type viscoelasticity of the structure is considered. The authors give detailed proofs for generalized theorems of existence of control functions. Exact controllability theory is established using the Hilbert uniqueness method by means of a control torque applied only on the rigid hub of the panel. At the same time, a uniform exponential energy decay rate is obtained directly for the solution to this problem.