Creating and maintaining Artificial Equilibrium Points (AEPs) in the restricted threebody problem is a challenging mission scenario in which a propellantless propulsion system exploits its natural potential. Indeed, in such a problem the acceleration resulting from the sum of centrifugal and gravitational forces can be balanced, for a theoretically unlimited time period, by means of a suitable continuous propulsive thrust. A thorough analysis involving the location and stability of AEPs has been addressed in a recent paper, under the assumption that the propulsion system provides a purely radial thrust with respect to the Sun, and the thrust modulus is a function of the Sun-spacecraft distance only . In that way, with a unified mathematical model, it is possible to analyze the performance of different propulsion systems, as, for example, a photonic solar sail and an Electric Solar Wind Sail (E-Sail). In particular, an E-Sail is known to be able to provide a continuous propulsive acceleration by means of Coulomb’s interaction of a number of positively charged tethers with the solar wind plasma stream.

Artificial Equilibrium Points for Electric Sail with Constant Attitude

MENGALI, GIOVANNI
Writing – Review & Editing
;
QUARTA, ALESSANDRO ANTONIO
Methodology
2013-01-01

Abstract

Creating and maintaining Artificial Equilibrium Points (AEPs) in the restricted threebody problem is a challenging mission scenario in which a propellantless propulsion system exploits its natural potential. Indeed, in such a problem the acceleration resulting from the sum of centrifugal and gravitational forces can be balanced, for a theoretically unlimited time period, by means of a suitable continuous propulsive thrust. A thorough analysis involving the location and stability of AEPs has been addressed in a recent paper, under the assumption that the propulsion system provides a purely radial thrust with respect to the Sun, and the thrust modulus is a function of the Sun-spacecraft distance only . In that way, with a unified mathematical model, it is possible to analyze the performance of different propulsion systems, as, for example, a photonic solar sail and an Electric Solar Wind Sail (E-Sail). In particular, an E-Sail is known to be able to provide a continuous propulsive acceleration by means of Coulomb’s interaction of a number of positively charged tethers with the solar wind plasma stream.
2013
Aliasi, Generoso; Mengali, Giovanni; Quarta, ALESSANDRO ANTONIO
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/216941
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