A spacecraft with retractable solar sails is a spacecraft that is designed as a semi-autonomous spacecraft that can maneuver and propel using radiation pressure. The spacecraft includes a spherical hull and several propulsion mechanisms. The spherical hull houses the propulsion mechanisms, the payload, and other systems that enable the semi-autonomous operation of the spacecraft. The spherical hull also enables the semi-autonomous operation of the propulsion mechanisms. The propulsion mechanisms enable the propulsion and maneuvering of the spacecraft using radiation pressure in deep space. Each of the propulsion mechanisms includes a solar sail assembly, a sail receptacle, a pneumatic actuator, and a quantity of fluid. The solar sail assembly supports several retractable solar sails. The sail receptacle allows the retraction of the solar sail assembly into the spherical hull. The pneumatic actuator allows the deployment of the solar sail assembly. The quantity of fluid enables the operation of the pneumatic actuator.
Spacecraft with retractable solar sails
2025-07-15
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS |
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