Ultra-low cost orbit transfer and orbit control for future libration point missions

Project Information

ULTRACONTROL

Grant agreement ID: 799873

DOI

10.3030/799873

Project closed

EC signature date 17 April 2018

Start date 1 September 2019

End date 31 August 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 195 454,80

EU contribution

€ 195 454,80

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ULTRACONTROL (Ultra-low cost orbit transfer and orbit control for future libration point missions)

Reporting period: 2019-09-01 to 2021-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The key objective of this ambitious project is to develop an entirely new method of spacecraft orbit transfer and orbit control by combining solar sails and modern dynamical system theory. The new method will enable ultra-low cost libration point missions, with numerous applications in space science, Earth observation space weather and telecommunications. To achieve this goal, orbit control for such libration point missions will be investigated using dynamical system theory with solar radiation pressure. This provides a key advantage over conventional thrusters, since a solar sail does not require propellant, thus reducing spacecraft mass and launch costs while significantly lengthening mission duration.

During the project, an approximate semi-analytical approach to compute the deviation of a solar sail spacecraft during motion along a Halo orbit was derived. Afterwards, the accuracy of the proposed approach was evaluated and quantified. The methodology developed also provides efficient tools to underpin Halo orbit control strategies using solar radiation pressure.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project was disrupted due to the COVID19 pandemic, however work progressed using on-line communication tools. Similarly, the planned secondment to Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya was curtailed due the pandemic, but was restarted once international travel became possible.

The scientific research was carried out at University of Glasgow from September 2019 to February 2020, from Japan remotely due to the COVID19 from April 2020 to May 2021, and at University of Glasgow in the UK from July 2021 to August 2021. The dataset created during the project was stored in the repository of the University of Glasgow at the end of the project.

During the project a methodology was develop to predict the orbital motion of solar sails the so-called Lagrange points. Solar sails are spacecraft equipped with a large reflective membrane which can reflect sunlight. As sunlight is reflected from the sail it exerts a small pressure which can be used to modify the solar sail orbit. The Lagrange points are important locations where a spacecraft will remain at rest relative to two primary masses. For example the Earth and the Sun. Since the Lagrange point are equilibrium, or balance points, even a small pressure due to sunlight can be used for orbit control.

This project use mathematical tools to develop a theory of the motion of a solar sail at a Lagrange point to allow a better understanding of solar sail orbits and how the pressure of sunlight can be used for orbit control

A journal paper resulting from the project was submitted and withdrawn on October 2020. The paper was revised and resubmitted on May 2021, however it is now planned to develop a fuller version of the paper.

During the stay at the University of Glasgow, training courses offered by the host university such as Information Security and Equality & Diversity essentials were taken during the project.

The research visit at JAXA/ISAS in Japan was held in February 2020 while a secondment at Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya in Spain was planned to be conducted from March 2020, but was suspended at the end of March 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic, but was restarted from May 2021 to June 2021.

A seminar on the operational experience of actual solar sail missions at JAXA was presented for the host’s research group and IEEC research group.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The methodology develop provides insights into the orbital evolution of solar sail at the Lagrange equilibrium points. The ultra-low cost orbit control method proposed during the project could therefore enable a reduction of spacecraft mass and cost while lengthening mission duration since light pressure can be used for orbit control, rather than propellant. Since solar sail libration point missions can provide advance warning of geomagnetic storms that can overload power grids, disrupt communications on Earth and present a hazard to astronauts, the project therefore has the potential for significant long-term economic and societal impact.

Solar sail spacecraft driven by light pressure (NASA)