Mathematical modeling of solar sail deployment for a space vehicle

Аuthors

Sinitsyn V. A., Churkin V. M.^*, Aleksandrov O. A.

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: churandr@mail.ru

Abstract

A mathematical model is suggested to describe deployment process for a solar sail meant for an advanced space vehicle. The sail has a new design, it is composed of reflecting surface and flywheel with rotational movement drive. The deployment process consists of four successive stages including extension of the sail and the flywheel in folded condition then deployment of the flywheel and reflecting surface expansion of the sail. The model offered allows to usea standard software to investigate separate stages of the deployment processes as well as these processes as a whole taking into consideration a body motion of the space vehicle.