Abstract

MEIRELES, L. G.; PRADO, A. F. B. A.; MELO, C. F. de  and  PEREIRA, M. C.. A Study on Different Attitude Strategies and Mission Parameters Based on Lightsail-2. Rev. mex. astron. astrofis [online]. 2022, vol.58, n.1, pp.23-35.  Epub Jan 23, 2023. ISSN 0185-1101.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ia.01851101p.2022.58.01.02.

The Planetary Society’s LightSail-2 mission successfully validated the orbital maneuvering capability of a solar radiation pressure (SRP) propelled spacecraft. This paper presents a study on two alternative attitude strategies for the orientation of a solar sail. The goal is to increase the effect of the SRP acceleration over the spacecraft’s orbital trajectory, with the intention of maintaining or even gaining altitude over time. Furthermore, one of these strategies was employed while varying a few of the mission’s parameters to determine if it would be viable to maintain the spacecraft’s average altitude. Results show that it is possible to increase the average altitude of the spacecraft over time while still reducing the number of maneuvers necessary to change the spacecraft’s attitude. With that result in hand, it is also possible to change some of the mission parameters without compromising the solar sailing performance.

Keywords : celestial mechanics; minor planets; space vehicles.

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