A Study on Mars Aerocapture Using Spinning Solar Sail

Abstract

This research establishes a coupled analysis method of aerodynamics, structure, attitude, and trajectory aiming at a precise computation of attitude and trajectory of a space probe with membrane structures. By means of a simulator invented based on the proposed method, a feasibility study of Mars aerocapture using spinning solar sail is performed. This proposed method enables a coupled computation of attitude and trajectory taking account of membrane deformation due to aerodynamic forces, which will extend a possibility of interplanetary exploration missions around planets with atmosphere. As a practical example, a solution of Martian orbit insertion using a cubesat-class probe with a membrane is successfully found.