Aurora spacecraft is a scientific probe propelled by a “fast” solar sail whose first goal is to perform a technology assessment mission. The main characteristic of the sail is its low mass, which implies the absence of a plastic backing of the aluminum film and the lightness of the whole structure. In previous structural studies the limiting factor has been shown to be the elastic stability of a number of structural members subject to compressive loads. An alternative structural layout is here suggested: an inflatable beam, which is kept pressurized also after the deployment, relieves all compressive stresses, allowing a very simple configuration and a straightforward deployment procedure. However, as the mission profile requires a trajectory passing close to the Sun, a configuration different from the ‘parachute’ sail proposed in another paper, must be used.
The Aurora project: a new sail layout / G.GENTA; E.BRUSA. - In: ACTA ASTRONAUTICA. - ISSN 0094-5765. - STAMPA. - 44:2-4(1999), pp. 141-146. [10.1016/S0094-5765(99)00040-5]
Titolo: | The Aurora project: a new sail layout | |
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Data di pubblicazione: | 1999 | |
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Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0094-5765(99)00040-5 | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Articolo in rivista |
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http://hdl.handle.net/11583/2518574