Abstract The method of simultaneous relative motion and attitude control by a solar radiation pressure is proposed. The control goal is to stabilize the given closed relative orbit. The principle idea is to use special materials for solar sail that able to change their optical properties. The solar sail consists of a number of rectangular cells. Each of them can change its optical properties. The necessary control force is produced by varying the average reflectivity of solar sail, and the control torque is achieved by the appropriate pattern of black and white cells.
Highlights The control of the two-satellite formation flight is considered. The cell-structured solar sail is used for the relative motion control. The angular motion control is performed by the sail optical properties variation. The control scheme is able to stabilize the required relative orbit.
Two-satellite formation flying control by cell-structured solar sail
Acta Astronautica ; 170 ; 592-600
2020-02-12
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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