Sailing with solar and planetary radiation pressure

De Iuliis, A., Ciampa, F., Felicetti, L. and Ceriotti, M. (2021) Sailing with solar and planetary radiation pressure. Advances in Space Research, 67(9), pp. 2795-2811. (doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2019.11.036)

Abstract

Literature on solar sailing has thus far mostly considered solar radiation pressure (SRP) as the only contribution to sail force. However, considering a sail in a planetary mission scenario, a new contribution can be added. Since the planet itself emits radiation, this generates a radial planetary radiation pressure (PRP) that is also exerted on the sail. Hence, this work studies the combined effects of both SRP and PRP on a sail for two case studies, i.e. Earth and Venus. In proximity of the Earth, the effect of PRP can be significant under specific conditions. Around Venus, instead, PRP is by far the dominating contribution. These combined effects have been studied for single- and double-sided reflective coating and including eclipse. Results show potential increase in the net acceleration and a change in the optimal attitude to maximise the acceleration in a given direction. Moreover, an increasing semi-major axis manoeuvre is shown with and without PRP, to quantify the difference on a real-case scenario.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Felicetti, Dr Leonard and De Iuliis, Ms Alessia and Ceriotti, Dr Matteo
• Authors: De Iuliis, A., Ciampa, F., Felicetti, L., and Ceriotti, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Advances in Space Research
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• ISSN (Online): 1879-1948
• Published Online: 05 December 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 COSPAR
• First Published: First published in Advances in Space Research 67(9):2795-2811
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy