Performance of solar-sail materials at the photo-gravitational equilibrium point (Formula presented)

This research investigates the performance of solar-sail satellite materials, focusing on their optical and mechanical resilience under space conditions near the photo-gravitational L1 point of the Sun-Earth/Moon’s System Center of Mass, within the framework of the Photo-gravitational Circular Restricted Three Body Problem. At L1, solar-sails are exposed to continuous sunlight, intense UV and gamma radiation, and solar particles, all of which can degrade optical and mechanical properties. Results show how this degradation leads to a variation in the optical properties of solar-sail materials, resulting in a displacement from the equilibrium point. This study is motivated by the needs of the Planetary Sunshade System program, a space-based solar geoengineering concept relying on the long-term station-keeping of a swarm of solar-sail satellites.