DOI

Results of numerical simulations of 'local-optimal' (or 'instantaneously optimal') trajectories of a space probe with a flat solar sail which moves from the circular Earth orbit to near-Sun regions are presented. We examine planar (ecliptic) solar sail transfer with gravity-assist flybys of Earth, Venus and Mercury. Several complex control modes of the sail tilt orientation angle for near-Sun orbits and for some 'falling onto the Sun' trajectories are investigated. The numerical simulations are used to examine the flight duration of some sail missions and to investigate the evolution of osculating elliptical orbits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-80
Number of pages22
JournalCelestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2003

    Scopus subject areas

  • Modelling and Simulation
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Computational Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics

    Research areas

  • Gravity-assist flyby, Orbital manoeuvres, Orbital transfer, Solar sail

ID: 86487600