Electrochromic orbit control for smart-dust devices

Lücking, C., Colombo, C. and McInnes, C. R. (2012) Electrochromic orbit control for smart-dust devices. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 35(5), pp. 1548-1558. (doi: 10.2514/1.55488)

Abstract

Recent advances in microelectromechanical systems technology are leading to spacecraft that are the shape and size of computer chips, so-called SpaceChips or smart-dust devices. These devices can offer highly distributed sensing when used in future swarm applications. However, they currently lack a feasible strategy for active orbit control. This paper proposes an orbit-control methodology for future SpaceChip devices, which is based on exploiting the effects of solar radiation pressure using electrochromic coatings. The concept presented makes use of the high areato- mass ratio of these devices and, consequently, the large force exerted upon them by solar radiation pressure to control their orbit evolution by altering their surface optical properties. The orbital evolution of SpaceChips due to solar radiation pressure can be represented by a Hamiltonian system, allowing an analytic development of the control methodology. The motion in the orbital element phase space resembles that of a linear oscillator, which is used to formulate a switching control law. Additional perturbations and the effect of eclipses are accounted for by modifying the linearized equations of the secular change in orbital elements around an equilibrium point in the phase space of the problem. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is demonstrated in a test case scenario.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Colombo, Camilla and McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Lücking, C., Colombo, C., and McInnes, C. R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• ISSN: 0731-5090
• ISSN (Online): 1533-3884