Chapters authored
Problems of Control Motion of Solar Sail Spacecraft in the Photogravitational Fields
The problems of spacecrafts with a solar sail-controlled motion lead to the study of mathematical models for translational orbital motion and for the spaceship rotation about the mass center in photogravitational fields. There are opportunities to choose the optimal maneuvering conditions to realize orbital motion or to move to a given orbit point. The realization of the given optimal sail orientation about the sunlight flow allows to obtain motions in the vicinity of a possible relative equilibrium or stationary state. This realization also takes into account the stability change according to the process models with perturbations. For the motion control, we can change the properties, dimensions, or location of sail system elements. The spacecraft flights using light pressure are already a reality. Such space sailing ships may soon be used to fly to the big and small planets, for asteroids and comets meeting, to form special motion conditions in the vicinity of the Sun or the Earth. New technologies will bring visible benefits for solving complex problems, based on the direct use of practically unlimited source of solar energy.
Part of the book: Nonlinear Systems
Astrodynamics in Photogravitational Field of the Sun: Space Flights with a Solar Sail
Mathematical models of the controlled motion of a spacecraft with a solar sail and the possibilities are considered, taking into account the translational motion in the gravitational field, the forces of light pressure, and rotational motion relative to the center of mass. The structure of possible problems of photogravitational celestial mechanics is proposed. To control movement, it is possible to change the size, shape, surface properties, and orientation of the elements of the sail system in relation to the flow of sunlight. The equations of motion can be presented on the basis of the problem of motion in a photogravitational field, taking into account the action of other disturbing forces. When studying the orbits of motion in the vicinity of the Earth, one should use a more general model of the photogravitational field of the restricted three-body problem. In this case, the gravitational action of the Sun and the Earth is supplemented by the field of forces of light pressure, which makes it possible to simulate real problems of dynamics.
Part of the book: Gravitational Field