Distributed reflectivity solar sails for extended mission applications

Borggrafe, Andreas and Ceriotti, Matteo and Heiligers, Jeannette and McInnes, Colin (2014) Distributed reflectivity solar sails for extended mission applications. In: 3rd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, 2013-06-11 - 2013-06-13.

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Abstract

The dynamics of solar sails with a variable surface reflectivity distribution are investigated. When changing the reflectivity across the sail film, solar radiation pressure forces and torques can be controlled without changing the attitude of the spacecraft relative to the Sun or using attitude control actuators. The reflectivity can in principle be modified using electro-chromic coatings, which are applied here as examples to counteract gravity-gradient torques in Earth orbit and to enable specific shape profiles of a flexible sail film. This ‘optical reconfiguration’ method introduces an adaptive solar sail as a multi-functional platform for novel mission applications.

Item metadata

Item type:	Conference or Workshop Item(Paper)
ID code:	44161
Dates:	Date Event 11 September 2014 Published 4 June 2013 Accepted
Keywords:	solar sails, surface reflectivity, mission applications, Mechanical engineering and machinery, Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Control and Systems Engineering
Subjects:	Technology > Mechanical engineering and machinery Technology > Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Department:	Faculty of Engineering > Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Technology and Innovation Centre > Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing
Depositing user:	Pure Administrator
Date deposited:	20 Jun 2013 08:05
Last modified:	30 Mar 2021 00:10
Related URLs:	Journal or Publication
URI:	https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/44161

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