Solar sails for perturbation relief: application to asteroids

Moore, I. and Ceriotti, M. (2021) Solar sails for perturbation relief: application to asteroids. Advances in Space Research, 67(9), pp. 3027-3044. (doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2020.08.014)

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Abstract

A major cause of spacecraft orbital variation comes from natural perturbations, which, in close proximity of a body, are dominated by its non-spherical nature. For small bodies, such as asteroids, these effects can be considerable, given their uneven (and uncertain) mass distribution. Solar sail technology is proposed to reduce or eliminate the net secular effects of the irregular gravity field on the orbit. Initially, a sensitivity analysis will be carried out on the system which will show high sensitivity to changes in initial conditions. This presents a challenge for optimisation methods which require an initial guess of the solution. As such, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is proposed as the preferred optimisation method as this requires no initial guess from the user. A multi-objective optimisation is performed which aims to achieve a periodic orbit whilst also minimising the effort required by the sail to do so. Given the system sensitivity, the control law for one orbit is not necessarily applicable for any subsequent orbit. Therefore, a new method of updating the control law for subsequent orbits is presented, based on linearisation and use of a Control Transition Matrix (CTM). The techniques will later find application in a multiple asteroid rendezvous mission with a solar sail as the primary propulsion system.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Iain Moore would like to thank the James Watt School of Engineering (University of Glasgow) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for supporting this work. Matteo Ceriotti would like to thank the James Watt School of Engineering (University of Glasgow) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechEConference Grant EAC/KDF/OFFER/19/046) for supporting this work.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Moore, Mr Iain and Ceriotti, Dr Matteo
Authors: Moore, I., and Ceriotti, M.
College/School: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:25 August 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 COSPAR
First Published:First published in Advances in Space Research 67(9):3027-3044
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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