Abstract
An electric sail is capable of guaranteeing the fulfilment of a class of trajectories that would be otherwise unfeasible through conventional propulsion systems. In particular, the aim of this paper is to analyze the electric sail capabilities of generating a class of displaced non-Keplerian orbits, useful for the observation of the Sun’s polar regions. These orbits are characterized through their physical parameters (orbital period and solar distance) and the spacecraft propulsion capabilities. A comparison with a solar sail is made to highlight which of the two systems is more convenient for a given mission scenario. The optimal (minimum time) transfer trajectories towards the displaced orbits are found with an indirect approach.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baoyin H., Mcinnes C.R.: Solar sail halo orbits at the Sun-Earth artificial L1 point. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 94(2), 155–171 (2006). doi:10.1007/s10569-005-4626-3
Brown, C.D.: Spacecraft mission design, pp. 71–73. AIAA Education Series (1992)
Bryson A.E., Ho Y.C.: Applied Optimal Control, Chap. 2, pp. 71–89. Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, New York, NY (1975)
Hughes G.W., McInnes C.R.: Solar sail hybrid trajectory optimization for non-Keplerian orbit transfers. J. Guid. Control Dyn. 25(3), 602–604 (2002)
Janhunen P., Sandroos A.: Simulation study of solar wind push on a charged wire: basis of solar wind electric sail propulsion. Ann. Geophys. 25(3), 755–767 (2007)
Kim M., Hall C.D.: Symmetries in the optimal control of solar sail spacecraft. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 92(4), 273–293 (2005). doi:10.1007/s10569-004-2530-x
Kirpichnikov S.N., Kirpichnikova E.S., Polyakhova E.N., Shmyrov A.S.: Planar heliocentric roto- translatory motion of a spacecraft with a solar sail of complex shape. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 63(3–4), 255–269 (2004). doi:10.1007/BF00692290
Koblik V., Polyakhova E., Sokolov L.: Controlled solar sail transfers into near-sun regions combined with planetary gravity-assist flybys. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 86(1), 59–80 (2003). doi:10.1023/A:1023626917595
McInnes C.R.: The existence and stability of families of displacement two-body orbits. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 67(2), 167–180 (1997). doi:10.1023/A:1008280609889
McInnes C.R.: Passive control of displaced solar sail orbits. J. Guid. Control Dyn. 21(6), 975–982 (1998)
McInnes C.R.: Solar sailing: technology, dynamics and mission applications. Springer-Praxis series in space science and technology, pp. 175–196. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1999)
McInnes C.R., Brown J.C.: The dynamics of solar sails with a non-point source of radiation pressure. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 49(3), 249–264 (1990). doi:10.1007/BF00049416
McInnes C.R., Simmons J.F.L.: Solar sail halo orbits. Part I—heliocentric case. J. Spacecr. Rockets 29(4), 466–471 (1992)
Mengali G., Quarta A.A.: Optimal control laws for axially symmetric solar sails. J. Spacecr. Rockets 42(6), 1130–1133 (2005a)
Mengali G., Quarta A.A.: Time-optimal three-dimensional trajectories for solar photon thruster spacecraft. J. Spacecr. Rockets 42(2), 379–381 (2005b)
Mengali G., Quarta A. A.: Compound solar sail with optical properties: models and performance. J. Spacecr. Rockets 43(1), 239–245 (2006)
Mengali G., Quarta A.A.: Optimal heliostationary missions of high-performance sailcraft. Acta Astronaut. 60(8–9), 676–683 (2007). doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2006.07.018
Mengali G., Quarta A.A., Circi C., Dachwald B.: Refined solar sail force model with mission application. J. Guid. Control Dyn. 30(2), 512–520 (2007). doi:10.2514/1.24779
Mengali G., Quarta A.A., Janhunen P.: Considerations of electric sailcraft trajectory design. J. Br. Interplanet. Soc. 61(8), 326–329 (2008a)
Mengali G., Quarta A.A., Janhunen P.: Electric sail performance analysis. J. Spacecr. Rockets 45(1), 122–129 (2008b). doi:10.2514/1.31769
Racca G.D.: New challenges to trajectory design by the use of electric propulsion and other new means of wandering in the solar system. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 85(1), 1–24 (2004). doi:10.1023/A:1021787311087
Stengel R.F.: Stochastic Optimal Control: Theory and Applications, pp. 242–243. Wiley, New York, NY (1986)
Van Der Ha J.C., Modi V.J.: Long-term evaluation of three-dimensional heliocentric solar sail trajectories with arbitrary fixed sail setting. Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. 19(2), 113–138 (1979). doi:10.1007/BF01796085
Wenzel K.-P., Marsden R.G., Page D.E., Smith E.J.: The Ulysses mission. Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 92(2), 207–219 (1992)
Wie B.: Thrust vector control analysis and design for solar-sail spacecraft. J. Spacecr. Rockets 44(3), 545–557 (2007). doi:10.2514/1.23084
Wright J.L.: Space Sailing, pp. 223–226. Gordon and Breach Science Publisher, Berlin (1992)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mengali, G., Quarta, A.A. Non-Keplerian orbits for electric sails. Celest Mech Dyn Astr 105, 179–195 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-009-9200-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-009-9200-y