Sub-L1 Halo Orbit Control Using Solar Sailing

Abstract

This study analyzes the orbit control performance of solar sails for Sun-Earth sub-L1 halo orbits, which are particularly interesting for solar observation missions. Heliogyros are a promising alternative to the more widely employed Fixed Polygonal Flat (FPF) sails due to their potential to enhance maneuverability. The heliogyro coupled roto-translational dynamics model is tested for the first time in the interest of orbit control, and a new method is developed to validate and verify the model. While achieving a fully functional heliogyro controller remains challenging due to slow attitude control, the developed design shows potential for future improvements. Furthermore, a new Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) that employs a hybrid error approach is designed for the FPF sail. Compared to previous research, the new LQR shows improvements in terms of allowable injection errors: the combinations of allowable initial position and velocity errors double with looser performance constraints and almost triplicate for stricter constraints.