Reflectivity control devices (RCDs) based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals were fabricated for Solar Cruiser, a SmallSat NASA Pathfinder Mission consisting of a 1653 square meter solar sail that would establish an artificial orbit sunward of the L1 Lagrange point for heliophysics observations. Here we describe the optical characterization of these birefringent electro-optic devices including thin film measurements and analysis, hyperspectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements, and radiometric analysis. These measurements demonstrate the promise of RCDs for roll control and momentum management of solar sails.


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    Title :

    Optical Performance of Reflectivity Control Devices for Solar Sail Applications


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Marshall Jamboree & Poster Expo ; 2023 ; Huntsville, AL, US


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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