Citation:
De Iuliis A, Ciampa F, Felicetti L, Ceriotti M.(2019) Sailing with solar and planetary radiation pressure. Proceedings of ISSS 2019: 5th International Symposium on Solar Sailing, 30 July-2 August, Aachen, Germany
Abstract:
Literature on solar sailing has thus far mostly considered solar radiation pressure (SRP) as the only contribution to sail
force. However, considering a planetary sail, a new contribution can be added. Since the planet itself emits radiation,
this generates a radial planetary radiation pressure (PRP) that is also exerted on the sail. Hence, this work studied the
combined e ects of both SRP and PRP on a sail for two case studies, i.e. Earth and Venus. In proximity of the Earth,
the e ect of PRP can be significant under specific conditions. Around Venus, instead, PRP is by far the dominating
contribution. These combined e ects have been studied for single- and double-side reflective coating and including
eclipse. Results show potential increase in the net acceleration and a change in the optimal attitude to maximise the
acceleration in a given direction. Moreover, an increasing semi-major axis manoeuvre is shown with and without PRP,
to quantify the di erence on a real-case scenario.