Two-satellite formation flying control by cell-structured solar sail

摘要

The method of simultaneous relative motion and attitude control by a solar radiation pressure is proposed. The control goal is to stabilize the given closed relative orbit. The principle idea is to use special materials for solar sail that able to change their optical properties. The solar sail consists of a number of rectangular cells. Each of them can change its optical properties. The necessary control force is produced by varying the average reflectivity of solar sail, and the control torque is achieved by the appropriate pattern of black and white cells.