Small Spacecraft Technology

Propellantless attitude control of solar sail technology utilizing reflective control devices

Completed Technology Project
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Project Description

Solar sails offer an opportunity for propellant-free space travel, enabling long-term and long-distance missions not capable with traditional methods. However, attitude control is still performed using traditional methods involving reaction wheels and propellant ejection, which severally limits mission lifetime. To solve this problem, we propose propellantless attitude control using a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film, which is electrically switchable between transparent and diffusely reflective upon application of a voltage. This technology removes the need for propellant, reducing weight and cost while improving performance and lifetime.

Anticipated Benefits

The use of propellantless attitude control using an electrically switchable optical film will negate the use of traditional methods involving reaction wheels and propellant ejection and will vastly extend mission lifetime. Removal of the need for propellant will reduce weight and cost while improving performance and lifetime.

Organizational Responsibility

Project Duration

Start: 2015-10-01
End: 2017-10-17

Partner Organizations

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Project Contacts

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Primary U.S. Work Locations

Alabama
Maryland

Technology Area

Primary Technology Area:

Propulsion Systems/

01.4 Advanced Propulsion/

01.4.1 Solar Sails

Other/Cross-Cutting Technology Area(s):

TX01
Propulsion Systems
01.1
Chemical Space Propulsion
01.1.1
Integrated Systems and Ancillary Technologies
TX17
GN&C
17.3
Control Technologies
17.3.4
Control Force and Torque Actuators

Technology Maturity

Start
3
Current
4
End
4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Applied ResearchDevelopmentDemo & Test

Technology Transitions

Advanced From
Oct 2015:
Another project within the program
Project Start
Oct 2015:
Project started
Closed Out
Oct 2017:
Project closed out

Testing completed using high energy protons, electrons and UV exposure. Performed bending tests for flexibility. Environmental tests of functional PDLC devices completed at MSFC High Intensity Solar Environment Test system. Plan to submit a follow-on STP proposal for spaceflight demonstration. 

 

Publications: 

  • “Controllable Propulsion by Light: Steering a Solar Sail via Tunable Radiation Pressure,” Dakang Ma, Joseph Murray and Jeremy N. Munday, Adv. Opt. Mat., 5, 1600668 (2017). 
  • “Reflective Control Devices Trade Study,” Koehrsen and Heaton, NASA Internal Memo, (March 2017). “Electrically Controllable Light Trapping for Self-Powered Switchable Solar Windows,” Joseph Murray, Dakang Ma, and Jeremy N. Munday, ACS Photonics, 4, 1–7, (2017)

Project Library

Title
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Target Destinations

Others Inside the Solar System
Sun
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