Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions

Typical square solar-sail design is characterised by a central hub with four-quadrant sails, conferring to the spacecraft the classical X-configuration. One of the critical aspects related to this architecture is due to the large deformations of both membrane and booms, which leads to a reduction of...

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Main Authors: Alessandro Peloni, Daniele Barbera, Susanna Laurenzi, Christian Circi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/714371
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author Alessandro Peloni
Daniele Barbera
Susanna Laurenzi
Christian Circi
author_facet Alessandro Peloni
Daniele Barbera
Susanna Laurenzi
Christian Circi
author_sort Alessandro Peloni
collection DOAJ
description Typical square solar-sail design is characterised by a central hub with four-quadrant sails, conferring to the spacecraft the classical X-configuration. One of the critical aspects related to this architecture is due to the large deformations of both membrane and booms, which leads to a reduction of the performance of the sailcraft in terms of thrust efficiency. As a consequence, stiffer sail architecture would be desirable, taking into account that the rigidity of the system strongly affects the orbital dynamics. In this paper, we propose a new solar-sail architecture, which is more rigid than the classical X-configuration. Among the main pros and cons that the proposed configuration presents, this paper aims to show the general concept, investigating the performances from the perspectives of both structural response and attitude control. Membrane deformations, structural offset, and sail vibration frequencies are determined through finite element method, adopting a variable pretensioning scheme. In order to evaluate the manoeuvring performances of this new solar-sail concept, a 35-degree manoeuvre is studied using a feedforward and feedback controller.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2015-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-661361f2acd8482e89ce82a1ff7af74c2025-02-03T05:43:38ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2015-01-01201510.1155/2015/714371714371Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary MissionsAlessandro Peloni0Daniele Barbera1Susanna Laurenzi2Christian Circi3School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UKFaculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XW, UKDepartment of Astronautic, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Astronautic, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138 Rome, ItalyTypical square solar-sail design is characterised by a central hub with four-quadrant sails, conferring to the spacecraft the classical X-configuration. One of the critical aspects related to this architecture is due to the large deformations of both membrane and booms, which leads to a reduction of the performance of the sailcraft in terms of thrust efficiency. As a consequence, stiffer sail architecture would be desirable, taking into account that the rigidity of the system strongly affects the orbital dynamics. In this paper, we propose a new solar-sail architecture, which is more rigid than the classical X-configuration. Among the main pros and cons that the proposed configuration presents, this paper aims to show the general concept, investigating the performances from the perspectives of both structural response and attitude control. Membrane deformations, structural offset, and sail vibration frequencies are determined through finite element method, adopting a variable pretensioning scheme. In order to evaluate the manoeuvring performances of this new solar-sail concept, a 35-degree manoeuvre is studied using a feedforward and feedback controller.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/714371
spellingShingle Alessandro Peloni
Daniele Barbera
Susanna Laurenzi
Christian Circi
Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
The Scientific World Journal
title Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
title_full Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
title_fullStr Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
title_short Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary Missions
title_sort dynamic and structural performances of a new sailcraft concept for interplanetary missions
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/714371
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