Finite Element Analysis of Solar Sail Force Model with Mission Application

A finite element approach is used to calculate the components of forces and moments acting on a square solar sail at a sun-sail distance equal to one astronomical unit. The model takes into account the deformation effect induced by the solar radiation pressure, where the incidence of the reflected photons changes as a function of the local orientation of the sail surface. Assuming a specular reflection model, the analysis shows that the maximum value of the transversal thrust component takes place when the solar zenith angle is about 36°, which is in accordance with the result available for a classical flat solar sail. Notably, the modulus of the moment due to the solar radiation pressure takes its maximum value approximately at the same (solar zenith) angle.