A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion

M. Ceriotti, C.R. McInnes

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

Abstract

In this paper we investigate optimal pole-sitter orbits using hybrid solar sail and solar electric propulsion(SEP). A pole-sitter is a spacecraft that is constantly above one of the Earth's poles. Optimal orbits, that minimize propellant mass consumption, are designed using a shape-based first guess followed by an optimal control problem solved with a direct method. SEP and hybrid spacecraft are compared in terms of payload mass fraction and mission lifetime, investigating the conditions under which the hybrid sail allows saving on the spacecraft initial mass. It is proposed that a hybrid solar sail and SEP system may be a means of enabling challenging long-duration, high energy missions by using a modest solar sail to enhance the performance of existing SEP technology.
LanguageEnglish
Number of pages7
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jul 2010
Event2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010 - New York, USA
Duration: 20 Jul 2010 → 22 Jul 2010

Conference

Conference2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010
CityNew York, USA
Period20/07/10 → 22/07/10

Fingerprint

Electric propulsion
Propulsion
Poles
Spacecraft
Orbits
Propellants
Earth (planet)

Keywords

  • pole-sitter orbits
  • hybrid solar sail
  • solar electric propulsion

Cite this

Ceriotti, M., & McInnes, C. R. (2010). A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion. Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010, New York, USA, .
Ceriotti, M. ; McInnes, C.R. / A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion. Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010, New York, USA, .7 p.
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abstract = "In this paper we investigate optimal pole-sitter orbits using hybrid solar sail and solar electric propulsion(SEP). A pole-sitter is a spacecraft that is constantly above one of the Earth's poles. Optimal orbits, that minimize propellant mass consumption, are designed using a shape-based first guess followed by an optimal control problem solved with a direct method. SEP and hybrid spacecraft are compared in terms of payload mass fraction and mission lifetime, investigating the conditions under which the hybrid sail allows saving on the spacecraft initial mass. It is proposed that a hybrid solar sail and SEP system may be a means of enabling challenging long-duration, high energy missions by using a modest solar sail to enhance the performance of existing SEP technology.",
keywords = "pole-sitter orbits, hybrid solar sail, solar electric propulsion",
author = "M. Ceriotti and C.R. McInnes",
year = "2010",
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note = "2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010 ; Conference date: 20-07-2010 Through 22-07-2010",

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Ceriotti, M & McInnes, CR 2010, 'A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion' Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010, New York, USA, 20/07/10 - 22/07/10, .

A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion. / Ceriotti, M.; McInnes, C.R.

2010. Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010, New York, USA, .

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

TY - CONF

T1 - A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion

AU - Ceriotti, M.

AU - McInnes, C.R.

PY - 2010/7/20

Y1 - 2010/7/20

N2 - In this paper we investigate optimal pole-sitter orbits using hybrid solar sail and solar electric propulsion(SEP). A pole-sitter is a spacecraft that is constantly above one of the Earth's poles. Optimal orbits, that minimize propellant mass consumption, are designed using a shape-based first guess followed by an optimal control problem solved with a direct method. SEP and hybrid spacecraft are compared in terms of payload mass fraction and mission lifetime, investigating the conditions under which the hybrid sail allows saving on the spacecraft initial mass. It is proposed that a hybrid solar sail and SEP system may be a means of enabling challenging long-duration, high energy missions by using a modest solar sail to enhance the performance of existing SEP technology.

AB - In this paper we investigate optimal pole-sitter orbits using hybrid solar sail and solar electric propulsion(SEP). A pole-sitter is a spacecraft that is constantly above one of the Earth's poles. Optimal orbits, that minimize propellant mass consumption, are designed using a shape-based first guess followed by an optimal control problem solved with a direct method. SEP and hybrid spacecraft are compared in terms of payload mass fraction and mission lifetime, investigating the conditions under which the hybrid sail allows saving on the spacecraft initial mass. It is proposed that a hybrid solar sail and SEP system may be a means of enabling challenging long-duration, high energy missions by using a modest solar sail to enhance the performance of existing SEP technology.

KW - pole-sitter orbits

KW - hybrid solar sail

KW - solar electric propulsion

UR - http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/isss2010/

M3 - Paper

ER -

Ceriotti M, McInnes CR. A near term pole-sitter using hybrid solar sail propulsion. 2010. Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Solar Sailing, ISSS 2010, New York, USA, .

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