Finite element analysis of solar sail force model with mission application

A finite element approach is used to calculate the components of forces and moments acting on a square solar sail at a sun-sail distance equal to one astronomical unit. The model takes into account the deformation effect induced by the solar radiation pressure, where the incidence of the reflected photons changes as a function of the local orientation of the sail surface. Assuming a specular reflection model, the analysis shows that the maximum value of the transversal thrust component takes place when the solar zenith angle is about 36 degrees, which is in accordance with the result available for a classical flat solar sail. Notably, the modulus of the moment due to the solar radiation pressure takes its maximum value approximately at the same (solar zenith) angle.