"Review on solar sail technology" by Shengping Gong and Malcolm Macdonald

Home > ASTRODYNAMICS > Vol. 3 (2019) > Iss. 2

Article Title

Review on solar sail technology

Authors

Shengping Gong, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Malcolm Macdonald, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

Keywords

solar sail, orbit, attitude, structure

Abstract

This paper reviews solar sail trajectory design and dynamics, attitude control, and structuraldynamics. Within the area of orbital dynamics, methods relevant to transfer trajectorydesign and non-Keplerian orbit generation are discussed. Within the area of attitude control,different control strategies, including utilisation of solar radiation pressure and conventionalactuators, are discussed. Finally, the methods of modelling structural dynamics during andafter deployment are discussed, before considering possible future trends in developing ofsolar sailing missions.