The subject of this paper is a new class of planar non-Keplerian orbits made possible by relatively high performance solar sails. The class of noncircular orbits is symmetric with respect to the sun–perihelion line and the orbital angular momentum reverses four times over one period. The irregular orbital shape guarantees two quasi-heliostationary conditions near the reversal points in the neighborhood of the aphelion points. The class of periodic orbits is determined by solving a time optimal control problem using an indirect method. Three typical orbits of different shapes, obtained by varying the boundary constraints, are presented along with their orbital parameters. Two of the main potential mission scenarios presented are based on the characteristics of the multireversal orbit. A brief comparison between the double angular momentum reversal orbit and the multireversal orbit is conducted to show the advantages of the multireversal orbit. Orbital period variation as a function of the sail lightness number and perihelion distance is investigated in detail to provide references for future engineering designs.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Solar Sail Planar Multireversal Periodic Orbits


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2014-03-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Solar Sail Planar Multireversal Periodic Orbits

    Zeng, X | Online Contents | 2014


    Solar-Sail Quasi-Periodic Orbits in the Sun–Earth System

    Mora, Alvaro Fernandez / Heiligers, Jeannette | AIAA | 2020


    Solar Sail Transfers from Invariant Objects to L5 Periodic Orbits

    Fernandez, Alvaro / Heiligers, Jeannette / Heaton, Andrew F. | NTRS | 2018