Stability and control response of spinning solar sail-craft containing a huge membrane

Abstract

At the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science(ISAS),Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA), Spinning Solar Sail-craft is proposed and examined the possibility. In August 2006, a membrane of 20[m] in diameter was deployed statically by using a flying balloon. The size of membrane is the largest in the world, furthermore, to deploy statically is the first achievement in the world. This paper shows the experiment apparatus and the results. Additionally, numerical simulation is used to analyze the behavior of the membrane. The deployment of membrane is divided first stage and second stage. At first stage deployment, the membrane deploys dynamically because the accident occurs. However, the deployment is successful. At second stage deployment, the membrane deploys statically and finally forms square-shape. The numerical simulation accords with the behavior of membrane. The membrane has the inclination by gravity, so the experiment can examine the out-of-motion of the membrane. And the membrane is affected by air drag, the contortion of the membrane is also examined. As a conclusion, to deploy a membrane of 20[m] in diameter statically is the first achievement in the world, and to analyze the behavior of the membrane is meaningful for the realization of Solar Sail-craft.