Journal
CELESTIAL MECHANICS & DYNAMICAL ASTRONOMY
Volume 105, Issue 1-3, Pages 179-195Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10569-009-9200-y
Keywords
Electric sail; Displaced non-Keplerian orbit; Trajectory optimization; Solar sail
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An electric sail is capable of guaranteeing the fulfilment of a class of trajectories that would be otherwise unfeasible through conventional propulsion systems. In particular, the aim of this paper is to analyze the electric sail capabilities of generating a class of displaced non-Keplerian orbits, useful for the observation of the Sun's polar regions. These orbits are characterized through their physical parameters (orbital period and solar distance) and the spacecraft propulsion capabilities. A comparison with a solar sail is made to highlight which of the two systems is more convenient for a given mission scenario. The optimal (minimum time) transfer trajectories towards the displaced orbits are found with an indirect approach.
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