Scalable bus-based attitude control system for solar sails
- Paper number
IAC-08.C1.8.13
- Author
Mr. S. Nasir Adeli, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Vaios J. Lappas, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Bong Wie, Iowa State University, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Recently there has been renewed interest in solar sails as an alternative means of space propulsion. Through current advancements in materials, sail films and deployment structures, solar sail propulsion now appears more feasible than ever. With this renewed interest there has been much research carried out into three axis control of solar sails using a combination of different actuation mechanisms. Most of these actuators employ the main sail booms as means for actuation. For example masses may be moved along the sail booms to change the centre of mass with respect to the centre of pressure and hence induce a torque on the sailcraft. Although this approach can result in increased torque output, it will most certainly complicate the sail deployment and increasing associated risk. The first solar sail mission ever proposed, rendezvous with the Halley’s Comet, was cancelled due to the risk involved in sail deployment. To date, no solar sail mission has been launched, mostly due to this risk. There is therefore a need to develop an attitude control system decoupled from the sail booms which would add simplicity, flexibility and scalability to the sail design and deployment mechanism. In this paper we propose a scalable bus-base attitude control system for solar sails. We employ four bus-mounted booms decoupled from the main sail mechanism. By shifting masses along these booms, the centre of mass is changed with respect to the centre of pressure allowing pitch/yaw manoeuvres. We also develop a new actuator based on highly reflective panels positioned at the tip of the bus-mounted booms. Roll control is performed by gimbaling these panels and changing their sun-angle. The proposed ACS is decoupled from the main sail booms allowing scalability. Sail deployment and construction will become less risky and less complex as this system may be employed alongside current sail deployment mechanisms. This paper presents the dynamics of the Trim control mass actuator and develops the Reflective panel actuator dynamics. The sizing of the scalable-bus based ACS is reviewed with simulations for a 5-m, 40-m and a 160-m sail, demonstrating the feasibility and scalability of this system.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.C1.8.13.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.