ISSN:
1572-9478
Keywords:
Solar sails
;
radiation pressure
;
stability
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The form of the solar radiation pressure on a heliocentric orbiting solar sail is obtained for a finite angular sized and limb darkened solar disk by the use of the radiation pressure tensor. It is found that the usual inverse square variation of the solar radiation pressure is modified by the finite angular size, and to a lesser extent by the solar limb darkening. The actual magnitude of the modification is in itself small, except at close heliocentric distances. However, its existence has implications for the dynamical stability of solar sails both in parked and circular orbital configurations and for the accuracy of trajectory calculations, particularly for sails in the inner solar system.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00049416
