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Solar sailing: mission applications and engineering challenges

McInnes, Colin (2003) Solar sailing: mission applications and engineering challenges. Philosophical Transactions A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 361 (1813). pp. 2989-3008. ISSN 1471-2962

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Abstract

Solar sailing is emerging as a promising form of advanced spacecraft propulsion, which can enable exciting new space-science mission concepts. By exploiting the momentum transported by solar photons, solar sails can perform high-energy orbittransfer manoeuvres without the need for reaction mass. Missions such as planetary sample return, multiple small-body rendezvous and fast missions to the outer Solar System can therefore be enabled with the use of only a modest launch vehicle. In addition, new families of highly non-Keplerian orbits have been identifed that are unique to solar sails, and can enable new ways of performing space-science missions. While the opportunities presented by solar sailing are appealing, engineering challenges are still to be solved before the technology comes to fruition.

Item type: Article
ID code: 250
Keywords: solar sailing, solar photons, spacecraft, propulsion, space, space travel, Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics, Mechanical engineering and machinery, Physics and Astronomy(all), Engineering(all), Mathematics(all)
Subjects: Technology > Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Technology > Mechanical engineering and machinery
Department: Faculty of Engineering > Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Technology and Innovation Centre > Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing
Depositing user: Professor Colin R. McInnes
Date deposited: 21 Feb 2006
Last modified: 04 Jan 2019 23:13
Related URLs:
URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/250
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