Extraplanetary Exploration Using Electric Solar Wind Sail

This doctoral research investigates the problems in the dynamics and control of extraplanetary exploration using an electric solar wind sail (E-sail). The E-sail is a novel propellantless propulsion technology that harvests energy by repelling the charged particles in solar wind. It consists of a spinning central spacecraft connected by kilometer-long and thin positively charged tethers with remote units at their tips. Three dynamic models of E-sail are developed: the high-fidelity tether dynamic model, the generalized E-sail model, and the reduced-order analytical E-sail model. The coupling effects of orbital and self-spinning motions of the E-sail, the elastic deformation of tethers, the rigid-flexible coupling effect on the attitude dynamics and spin control of E-sail, and the stability control of the flexible E-sail are thoroughly investigated based on these models. Meanwhile, the controllability of E-sail spin rate and the attitude of the E-sail are demonstrated, and the trajectory tracking problems in extraplanetary exploration missions are studied. Finally, the main contributions of this dissertation are introduced.

Author dc:creator

• Du, Chonggang

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Zhu, George Z.H.

• Aerospace engineering

Statement dc:rights

• Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10315/40597

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:yorkspace.library.yorku.ca:10315/40597