Mercury Sample Return using Solar Sails

Details Mercury Sample Return using Solar Sails Mercury Sample Return using Solar Sails

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.4520y&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #45.20; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.1301

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Over the previous three years NASA’s In-Space Propulsion Technology (ISPT) Program has matured solar sail technology from laboratory components to full systems, demonstrated in as relevant a space environment as could be simulated on the ground. Solar sail propulsion uses sunlight to propel vehicles through space by reflecting solar photons from a large sails made of a lightweight, reflective material. With photonic pressure providing continuous thrust, sailcraft can conduct missions not available with conventional propulsion:
• high-inclination plane changes
• flyby or rendezvous missions to outer solar system objects
• non-Keplarian orbits (e.g. above the pole of a planet)
• hovering indefinitely near a Lagrange point in space
To illustrate the capabilities of solar sails, the results of an European Space Agency Mercury Sample Return study using solar sails is described and compared with a mission using conventional propulsion. A conventional Mercury sample return mission requires significant launch mass due to the large Δv required for the outbound and return trips, and the large mass of a planetary lander and ascent vehicle. Solar sailing can reduce mass by delivering the lander to a low, orbit close to the terminator and providing the Δv for the return flight. The mission concept calls for a 275 m sail to deliver a lander, cruise stage and science payload to a Sun-synchronous orbit at Mercury in 2.85 years. The lander acquires samples, and conducts limited surface exploration. An ascent vehicle delivers a small vehicle containing the samples for transfer to the solar sail. The solar sail then spirals back to Earth in 1 year. Solar sailing reduces launch mass by 60% and trip time by 40%, relative to conventional mission concepts.
Results of technology development activities sponsored by the ISPT Program will be provided to demonstrate the level of technology readiness for such missions.

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