Stabilizing Periodic Orbits above the ecliptic plane in the Solar Sail elliptic 3-Body Problem
- Paper number
IAC-08.C1.5.12
- Author
Dr. James Biggs, Advanced Space Concepts Team, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Colin R. McInnes, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Thomas Waters, Galway, Ireland
- Year
2008
- Abstract
We consider periodic orbits high above the ecliptic plane in the Elliptic Restricted Three-Body Problem where the third massless body is a solar sail. Periodic orbits above the ecliptic are of practical interest as they are ideally positioned for the year-round constant imaging of, and communication with, the poles. Initially we identify an unstable periodic orbit by using a numerical continuation from a known periodic orbit above the ecliptic in the circular case with the eccentricity as the varying parameter. This orbit is then used to construct a reference trajectory for the sail to track. In addition we illustrate an alternative method for constructing a periodic reference trajectory based on a time-delayed feedback mechanism. The reference trajectories are then tracked using a linear feedback regulator (LQR) where the control actuation is delivered by varying the solar sails orientation. Using this method it is shown that a `near term' solar sail is capable of performing stable periodic motions high above the ecliptic.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.C1.5.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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