Design study of a square solar sail architecture

Abstract

The impact on the achievable performance and some key structural characteristics in 100 m square solar sails of design conditions and parameters is explored. Upper bound performance is addressed with an architecture of manageable mechanics and likely ultimate structural efficiency in its class due to uniaxial tensioning in each quadrant: the stripped sail. The designs are performed with a limit point-friendly approach. These innovations are justified by reviewing response fundamentals including sail billow, boom mechanics, and operational failure modes. The observations and conclusions advance the state of the art in sail design and provide guidance for future engineering. ac bj L, E F p Reu r, d t, S, s 77 p <j