Effect of a drag force due to absorption of solar radiation on solar sail orbital dynamics

摘要

While solar electromagnetic radiation can be used to propel a solar sail, it is shown that the Poynting-Robertson effect related to the absorbed portion of the radiation leads to a drag force in the transversal direction. The Poynting-Robertson effect is considered for escape trajectories, Heliocentric bound orbits and non-Keplerian bound orbits. For escape trajectories, this drag force diminishes the cruising velocity, which has a cumulative effect on the Heliocentric distance. For Heliocentric and non-Keplerian bound orbits, the Poynting-Robertson effect decreases its orbital speed, thereby causing it to slowly spiral towards the Sun. Since the Poynting-Robertson effect is due to the absorbed portion of the electromagnetic radiation, degradation of a solar sail implies that this effect becomes enhanced during a mission.