Sailing with solar and planetary radiation pressure

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.