Electric solar wind sail applications overview

Pekka Janhunen, Petri Toivanen, Jouni Envall, Sini Merikallio, Giuditta Montesanti, Jose Gonzalez del Amo, Urmas Kvell, Mart Noorma, Silver Laett

(Submitted on 23 Apr 2014)

We analyse the potential of the electric solar wind sail for solar system space missions. Applications studied include fly-by 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 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.

Comments:

18 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ESTCube-1 special issue of Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences

Subjects:

Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)

Cite as:

arXiv:1404.5815 [astro-ph.IM](or arXiv:1404.5815v1 [astro-ph.IM] for this version)

Submission history

From: Pekka Janhunen 

[v1] Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:11:24 GMT (270kb,D)