Systems design of a hybrid sail pole-sitter

Ceriotti, M. and McInnes, C.R. (2011) Systems design of a hybrid sail pole-sitter. Advances in Space Research, 48(11), pp. 1754-1762. (doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2011.02.010)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2011.02.010

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary systems design of a pole-sitter. This is a spacecraft that hovers over an Earth pole, creating a platform for full hemispheric observation of the polar regions, as well as direct-link telecommunications. To provide the necessary thrust, a hybrid propulsion system combines a solar sail with a more mature solar electric propulsion (SEP) thruster. Previous work by the authors showed that the combination of the two allows lower propellant mass fractions, at the cost of increased system complexity. This paper compares the pure SEP spacecraft with the hybrid spacecraft in terms of the launch mass necessary to deliver a certain payload for a given mission duration. A mass budget is proposed, and the conditions investigated under which the hybrid sail saves on the initial spacecraft initial mass. It is found that the hybrid spacecraft with near- to mid-term sail technology has a lower initial mass than the SEP case if the mission duration is 7 years or more, with greater benefits for longer duration missions. The hybrid spacecraft with far-term sail technology outperforms the pure SEP case even for short missions.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ceriotti, Dr Matteo and McInnes, Professor Colin
Authors: Ceriotti, M., and McInnes, C.R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Advances in Space Research
ISSN:0273-1177
Published Online:23 February 2011
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2011 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Advances in Space Research 48(11):1754-1762
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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