The thrust produced by a solar sail is a direct function of its attitude. Thus, solar sail thrust vector control is a key technology that must be developed for sailcraft to become a viable form of deep-space transportation. The solar sail community has been studying various sail Attitude Control System (ACS) actuator designs for near Earth orbit as well as deep space missions. These actuators include vanes, spreader bars, two-axis gimbals, floating/locking gimbals with wheels, and translating masses. This paper documents the various concepts and performs an assessment at the highest level. This paper will only compare the various ACS actuator concepts as they stand at the publication time. This is not an endorsement of any particular concept. As concepts mature, the assessments will change.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Solar Sail Control Actuator Concepts


    Contributors:
    David Mangus (author) / Andy Heaton (author)

    Conference:

    Solar Sail Technology and Applications Conference ; 2004 ; Greenbelt, MD, US


    Publication date :

    2004-09-05


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Solar sail attitude adjustment actuator, solar sail assembly and spacecraft

    ZHAO YUJIE / JIN ZILIN / LIAO ZHIFENG et al. | European Patent Office | 2023

    Free access

    Ground Demonstration of a Solar Sail Attitude Control Actuator

    Adeli, S.N. / Lappas, V. / Theodorou, T. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2010


    Ground Demonstration of a Solar Sail Attitude Control Actuator

    Adeli, Nasir / Theodorou, Theodorous / Lappas, Vaios | AIAA | 2010


    Excerpts From Solar Sail Concepts and Applications

    Jerome Wright / Carl Sauer / Chen-wan Yen | NTRS | 1986