Uses of solar radiation pressure for satellite formation flight

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 163-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Williams ◽  
Zhong-Sheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Formation Flight ◽  
Satellite Formation ◽  
Satellite Formation Flight

scholarly journals Control of satellites using environmental forces : aerodynamic drag / solar radiation pressure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surjit Varma
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Formation Flying ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Adaptive Sliding Mode Control ◽  
Attitude Motion ◽  
Satellite Formation Flying ◽  
Satellite Formation

The dynamics of a satellite involves orbit and attitude motion. Both orbit and attitude motion are required to be controlled for achieving any mission objectives. This thesis examines both of these motion with a focus on formation flying and attitude stabilization using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. The concept of satellite formation flying involves the distribution of the functionality of a single satellite among several smaller, cooperative satellites. Autonomous multiple satellite formation flying space missions offer many promising possibilities for space exploration. A large quantity of fuel is typically required onboard any conventional satellite to carry out its attitude and orbital positioning, and satellite formation flying has a higher fuel requirement. As on-board fuel is a scarce commodity, it is important to have control methods requiring little or no fuel. Keeping this in mind, this thesis presents the results of using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite formation flying. This methodology has potential to have significant commercial advantage as it pertains to almost negligible fuel requirements. A leader/follower formation architecture is considered for the formation flying system. The control algorithms are derived based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. Aerodynamic drag is used to accomplish multiple satellite formation flying in low Earth orbit whereas solar radiation pressure is used in geostationary orbit. Due to the nature of the aerodynamic drag, in-plane control can only be accomplished by the suitable maneuvering of the drag plates mounted on the satellites. Solar radiation pressure is able to accomplish in-plane and out-of-plane control by maneuvering of the solar flaps. Efficacy of the control methodology in performing various scenarios of formation flying including formation reconfiguration is validated by numerical simulation in both the cases. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques for satellite formation flying using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. Formation flying accuracies of less than 5 m are achieved in both the cases. Next, this thesis investigates the use of aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite attitude control. In the case of the aerodynamic drag stabilized satellite, the drag plates are considered to be attached to the satellite while the solar flaps are fixed to the satellite in the case of the solar radiation pressure stabilized satellite. In both the cases, the control algorithm is developed based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. The effectiveness of this methodology is numerically evaluated under various scenarios including the pressure of failure/fault in the solar flaps or drag plates attached to the satellite. The satellite attitude is stabilized within reasonable limits in all the cases thereby demonstrating robust performance in the presence of external disturbances.

Use of solar radiation pressure to maintain a spatial satellite formation

2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 724-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgi V. Smirnov ◽  
Mikhail Ovchinnikov ◽  
Anna Guerman
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Satellite Formation

scholarly journals Control of satellites using environmental forces : aerodynamic drag / solar radiation pressure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surjit Varma
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Formation Flying ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Adaptive Sliding Mode Control ◽  
Attitude Motion ◽  
Satellite Formation Flying ◽  
Satellite Formation

The dynamics of a satellite involves orbit and attitude motion. Both orbit and attitude motion are required to be controlled for achieving any mission objectives. This thesis examines both of these motion with a focus on formation flying and attitude stabilization using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. The concept of satellite formation flying involves the distribution of the functionality of a single satellite among several smaller, cooperative satellites. Autonomous multiple satellite formation flying space missions offer many promising possibilities for space exploration. A large quantity of fuel is typically required onboard any conventional satellite to carry out its attitude and orbital positioning, and satellite formation flying has a higher fuel requirement. As on-board fuel is a scarce commodity, it is important to have control methods requiring little or no fuel. Keeping this in mind, this thesis presents the results of using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite formation flying. This methodology has potential to have significant commercial advantage as it pertains to almost negligible fuel requirements. A leader/follower formation architecture is considered for the formation flying system. The control algorithms are derived based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. Aerodynamic drag is used to accomplish multiple satellite formation flying in low Earth orbit whereas solar radiation pressure is used in geostationary orbit. Due to the nature of the aerodynamic drag, in-plane control can only be accomplished by the suitable maneuvering of the drag plates mounted on the satellites. Solar radiation pressure is able to accomplish in-plane and out-of-plane control by maneuvering of the solar flaps. Efficacy of the control methodology in performing various scenarios of formation flying including formation reconfiguration is validated by numerical simulation in both the cases. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control techniques for satellite formation flying using aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure. Formation flying accuracies of less than 5 m are achieved in both the cases. Next, this thesis investigates the use of aerodynamic drag or solar radiation pressure for satellite attitude control. In the case of the aerodynamic drag stabilized satellite, the drag plates are considered to be attached to the satellite while the solar flaps are fixed to the satellite in the case of the solar radiation pressure stabilized satellite. In both the cases, the control algorithm is developed based on adaptive sliding mode control technique. The effectiveness of this methodology is numerically evaluated under various scenarios including the pressure of failure/fault in the solar flaps or drag plates attached to the satellite. The satellite attitude is stabilized within reasonable limits in all the cases thereby demonstrating robust performance in the presence of external disturbances.

scholarly journals Autonomous formation flight using solar radiation pressure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Thoemel ◽  
Tonie van Dam
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Formation Flight ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Ram Pressure ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Novel Applications

AbstractAutonomous formation flight enables new satellite missions for novel applications. The cost and limits of propulsion systems can be overcome if environmental resources are being benefitted of. Currently, atmospheric drag is used in low Earth orbit to this end. Solar radiation pressure, which is of similar order of magnitude as aerodynamic ram pressure, is, however, always neglected. We introduce this force and show that it can be exploited. We demonstrate through simulations that a formation geometry is established quicker if the solar radiation pressure is modeled.

Influence of Shape Change Caused by Warp of Thin-film Device on Solar Radiation Pressure Torque in Solar Sail

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (0) ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
Rikushi KATO ◽  
Masanori MATSUSHITA ◽  
Hideyuki TAKAHASHI ◽  
Osamu MORI ◽  
Nobukatsu OKUIZUMI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Solar Radiation Pressure ◽  
Solar Sail ◽  
Thin Film Device
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document