Work

Optimizing Solar Sail Acceleration using Reflectivity Variations

Year: 2025

Type: dissertation

Abstract: Solar sails are a propellantless spacecraft propulsion system that utilize momentum transfer from photons emitted by the Sun. Because solar sail thrust depends strongly on material properties, optimizing sail reflectivity is critical for improving mission performance. This study investigates how varying solar sail reflectivity affects acceleration, velocity, and distance traveled over time.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18038570

Author: Muniasamy, Akhilesh

Language: English

Topic: Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7117106405

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