Abstract This paper discusses the generation, stability, and control of artificial equilibrium points for a solar balloon spacecraft in the α Centauri A and B binary star system. The continuous propulsive acceleration provided by a solar balloon is shown to be able to modify the position of the (classical) Lagrangian equilibrium points of the three-body system on a locus whose geometrical form is known analytically. A linear stability analysis reveals that the new generated equilibrium points are usually unstable, but part of them can be stabilized with a simple feedback control logic.

    Highlights A solar balloon may displace the equilibrium points of the α Centauri system. Two families of artificial equilibrium points may be generated. Most of the L 1-type points may be stabilized with a proportional-derivative control law. The requirements of a balloon spacecraft for a mission around an equilibrium point are estimated.


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    Title :

    Artificial equilibrium points for a solar balloon in the α Centauri system


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 104 , 2 ; 464-471


    Publication date :

    2014-03-08


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






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