The optimization of a solar sail-based orbital transfer amounts to searching for the control law that minimizes the flight time. In this context, the optimal trajectory is usually determined assuming constant solar properties. However, the total solar irradiance undergoes both long-term (solar cycles) and short-term variations, and recent analyses have shown that this may have an impact on solar sailing for missions requiring an accurate thrust modulation. In this regard, the paper discusses a strategy to overcome such an issue by suitably adjusting the thrust vector in order to track a reference, optimal, transfer trajectory. In particular, the sail propulsive acceleration magnitude is modified by means of a set of electrochromic material panels, which change their optical properties on application of a suitable electric voltage. The proposed control law is validated with a set of numerical simulations that involve a classical Earth-Mars, orbit-to-orbit, heliocentric transfer.
Solar sail optimal control with solar irradiance fluctuations
Caruso A.
Primo
Conceptualization
;Mengali G.Secondo
Methodology
;Quarta A. A.Penultimo
Investigation
;Niccolai L.Ultimo
Validation
2021-01-01
Abstract
The optimization of a solar sail-based orbital transfer amounts to searching for the control law that minimizes the flight time. In this context, the optimal trajectory is usually determined assuming constant solar properties. However, the total solar irradiance undergoes both long-term (solar cycles) and short-term variations, and recent analyses have shown that this may have an impact on solar sailing for missions requiring an accurate thrust modulation. In this regard, the paper discusses a strategy to overcome such an issue by suitably adjusting the thrust vector in order to track a reference, optimal, transfer trajectory. In particular, the sail propulsive acceleration magnitude is modified by means of a set of electrochromic material panels, which change their optical properties on application of a suitable electric voltage. The proposed control law is validated with a set of numerical simulations that involve a classical Earth-Mars, orbit-to-orbit, heliocentric transfer.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
[2021] Solar sail optimal control with solar irradiance fluctuations.pdf
Open Access dal 02/05/2023
Tipologia:
Documento in Post-print
Licenza:
Creative commons
Dimensione
738.56 kB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
738.56 kB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
ASR_vol67_no9_2021_I.pdf
solo utenti autorizzati
Tipologia:
Versione finale editoriale
Licenza:
NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione
1.03 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
1.03 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri Richiedi una copia |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.