Overview of electric solar wind sail applications

Abstract

We analyse the potential of the electric solar wind sail for solar system space missions. The applications studied include flyby missions to terrestrial planets (Venus, Mars and Phobos, Mercury) and asteroids, missions based on non-Keplerian orbits (orbits that can be maintained only by applying continuous propulsive force), one-way boosting to the outer solar system, off-Lagrange point space weather forecasting, and low-cost impactor probes for added science value to other missions. We also discuss the generic idea of data clippers (returning large volumes of high-resolution scientific data from distant targets packed in memory chips) and possible exploitation of asteroid resources. Possible orbits were estimated by orbit calculations assuming circular and coplanar orbits for planets. Some particular challenge areas requiring further research work and related to some more ambitious mission scenarios are also identified and discussed.

Electric solar wind sail optimal transit in the circular restricted three body problem

“…The results discussed in this paper are part of an European research project [3,17,18] regarding the study and development of an E-sail thruster, and are intended to contribute to the definition of the set of possible scenarios [4] within which a selection is to be made for testing the practical feasibility of the propulsion system in a real mission. For this reason no performance comparison is made here with other propellantless thrusters, such as solar sails, nor with other low-thrust propulsion systems, as, for example, electric thrusters.…”

“…Similar to other continuous thrust propulsion systems, an E-sail enables a wide range of new mission concepts [4] such as, for example, the generation of Artificial Equilibrium Points (AEPs) within an heliocentric mission scenario. An AEP may be thought of as a special case of a spacecraft motion within a Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CRTBP).…”

ESTCube-1 nanosatellite for electric solar wind sail in-orbit technology demonstration

“…Zubrin and Andrews [4] suggested creating an artificial magnetosphere around the spacecraft to extract momentum by deflecting the solar wind from it. Another way of tapping solar wind momentum by using an electric sail is the electric solar wind sail (E-sail) invented by Janhunen [5][6][7][8][9]. The E-sail consists of a number of long and thin conductive wires or tethers, which are kept at a positive potential with the help of an onboard electron gun.…”

Attitude determination and control for centrifugal tether deployment on the ESTCube-1 nanosatellite

“…The ADCS of a one-unit CubeSat ESTCube-1 is designed to perform high rate spin control for centrifugal tether deployment as part of the electric solar wind sail (E-sail) [25][26][27] experiment. Precise angular velocity and attitude measurements are needed for a successful E-sail experiment.…”