Switch programming of reflectivity control devices for the coupled dynamics of a solar sail

Hu, Tianjian; Gong, Shengping; Mu, Junshan; Li, Junfeng; Qian, Wei

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2015.12.029

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…According to the optical characteristics of the RCD, Hu et al [13] proposed a simplification for the optical parameters in Equation (), as shown in Table 1.…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Rcd Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reflectivity control device (RCD) is an efficient device to generate controllable SRP torque by switching its optical features [10], which has already been verified by IKAROS [11,12]. However, the magnitude of the torque produced by the RCDs is naturally small and coupled with the attitude relative to the sunlight [4,13]. When utilized for attitude control, its weaknesses in response speed and control ability will lead to long time-consumption and low control accuracy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the magnitude of the torque produced by the RCDs is naturally small and coupled with the attitude relative to the sunlight [4,13]. When utilized for attitude control, its weaknesses in response speed and control ability will lead to long time‐consumption and low control accuracy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distributed liquid crystal reflectivity control device network for momentum wheel unloading

Huang

Yang³

et al. 2021

Asian Journal of Control

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Momentum wheels are widely used in spacecraft attitude control. However, in the space far‐away from the Earth, it is difficult for the wheels to realize unloading to maintain their control ability because of the dependance of fuel. Reflectivity control devices (RCDs) become a possible solution for fuel‐free space attitude control by generating controllable solar radiation pressure (SRP) torque. However, the control ability of RCDs is limited because the torques they produce are rather small. To combine the advantages of both the momentum wheels and the RCDs, in this paper, an attitude control scheme utilizing momentum wheels as actuators and an RCD network for unloading is proposed. Firstly, the physical composition, force model, torque model, and principles of the distributed RCD network are given. After that, a stable and reliable unloading control method based on the envelope analysis is provided. Also, a three‐axis stabilized solar sail is utilized as an example to show to control system design. Numerical simulation proved that the momentum unloading for wheels can be realized safely and efficiently.

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“…According to the optical characteristics of the RCD, Hu et al [13] proposed a simplification for the optical parameters in Equation (), as shown in Table 1.…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Rcd Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distributed liquid crystal reflectivity control device network for momentum wheel unloading

Huang

Yang³

et al. 2021

Asian Journal of Control

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“…using technologies akin to the nanocrystalin-glass approach (Llordes et al 2013;Ma et al 2016). An asymmetric reflectivity distribution would induce a torque on the sail, which would start to rotate it (Kislov 2004;Hu et al 2016).…”

Section: Numerical Integrations Of Sail Trajectoriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deceleration of High-velocity Interstellar Photon Sails into Bound Orbits at α Centauri

Heller

Hippke²

2017

ApJL

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At a distance of about 4.22 ly, it would take about 100,000 years for humans to visit our closest stellar neighbor Proxima Centauri using modern chemical thrusters. New technologies are now being developed that involve highpower lasers firing at 1 gram solar sails in near-Earth orbits, accelerating them to 20 % the speed of light (c) within minutes. Although such an interstellar probe could reach Proxima 20 years after launch, without propellant to slow it down it would traverse the system within hours. Here we demonstrate how the stellar photon pressures of the stellar triple α Cen A, B, and C (Proxima) can be used together with gravity assists to decelerate incoming solar sails from Earth. The maximum injection speed at α Cen A to park a sail with a mass-to-surface ratio (σ) similar to graphene (7.6 × 10 −4 gram m −2 ) in orbit around Proxima is about 13, 800 km s −1 (4.6 % c), implying travel times from Earth to α Cen A and B of about 95 years and another 46 years (with a residual velocity of 1280 km s −1 ) to Proxima. The size of such a low-σ sail required to carry a payload of 10 grams is about 10 5 m 2 = (316 m) 2 . Such a sail could use solar photons instead of an expensive laser system to gain interstellar velocities at departure. Photogravitational assists allow visits of three stellar systems and an Earth-sized potentially habitable planet in one shot, promising extremely high scientific yields.

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“…In our evaluations, → n is set in the direction of r s , the ratio area-to-mass is 5.562 m 2 /kg and δ = 0.0026. The parameter δ is used to represent many forms of practical applications, such as a satellite which reflexivity of its panel can be changed 16,17 , as well as a satellite which effective area is adjustable 18,19 . The source of photons (the Sun) is assumed to rotate around the Earth in a circular orbit.…”

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confidence: 99%

On the use of a continuous thrust to find bounded planar trajectories at given altitudes in Low Earth Orbits

Junior

Piñeros

Prado

2020

Sci Rep

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In this work, it is shown how a spacecraft equipped with a thrust and subjected to a drag force can be bounded at specific altitudes as function of the parameters of the thrust. It is used nonlinear dynamics tools to find attractors, which bound the motion of the spacecraft. For a specific set of parameters of the thrust, the spacecraft is bounded to a given altitude. Several forms for the thrusts are proposed in order to bound the altitude of the spacecraft. The influence of several forms of perturbations in the altitude of the spacecraft is also investigated in this work, like the solar radiation pressure, gravity of the Moon and oblateness of the Earth. Finally, nonlinear dynamics tools are also used to investigate transfers among the bounded orbits in different altitudes.

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Switch programming of reflectivity control devices for the coupled dynamics of a solar sail

Cited by 18 publications

References 20 publications

Distributed liquid crystal reflectivity control device network for momentum wheel unloading

Distributed liquid crystal reflectivity control device network for momentum wheel unloading

Deceleration of High-velocity Interstellar Photon Sails into Bound Orbits at α Centauri

On the use of a continuous thrust to find bounded planar trajectories at given altitudes in Low Earth Orbits

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