Solar Sailing - Technology, Dynamics and Mission Applications

Solar sailing offers the possibility of low-cost long-distance missions, impossible for any other type of conventional spacecraft. The book provides a detailed account of solar sailing, at a high technical level but in a way accessible to the scientifically informed layman. Solar sail orbital dynamics and solar radiation pressure form the foundations of the book, but the engineering design of solar sails is also considered, along with potential mission applications. This book introduces the subject and at the same time provides a technical reference source.

List of contents

Introduction to Solar Sailing.- Solar Radiation Pressure.- Solar Sail Design.- Solar Sail Orbital Dynamics.- Non-Keplerian Orbits.- Mission Application Case Studies.- Laser-driven Light Sails.

Summary

Solar sailing offers the possibility of low-cost long-distance missions, impossible for any other type of conventional spacecraft. The book provides a detailed account of solar sailing, at a high technical level but in a way accessible to the scientifically informed layman. Solar sail orbital dynamics and solar radiation pressure form the foundations of the book, but the engineering design of solar sails is also considered, along with potential mission applications. This book introduces the subject and at the same time provides a technical reference source.

Product details

• Authors: Colin R McInnes, Colin R. McInnes
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 14.04.2004
• EAN: 9783540210627
• ISBN: 978-3-540-21062-7
• No. of pages: 296
• Dimensions: 179 mm x 24 mm x 260 mm
• Weight: 796 g
• Illustrations: XXIX, 296 p.
• Series: Springer Praxis Books; Springer-Praxis Series in Space Science and Technology; Astronomy and Planetary Sciences; Springer Praxis Books; Astronomy and Planetary Sciences
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Aviation and space engineering; B, Astrophysics, astronautics, engineering, Automotive Engineering, Astronomy, space & time, Astronomy, Observations and Techniques, Astronomy—Observations, Observations, Astronomical, Astrophysics and Astroparticles, Aerospace engineering, Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Automotive technology & trades, Automotive (motor mechanic) skills