Electric solar wind sail applications overview

TL;DR

This paper reviews the potential applications of electric solar wind sails for various solar system missions, including planetary flybys, non-Keplerian orbits, and resource exploitation, highlighting future research challenges.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of electric solar wind sail applications for diverse space missions and discusses technical challenges and future research directions.

Findings

Potential for fly-by missions to planets and asteroids

Feasibility of non-Keplerian orbits using solar sails

Identification of key research challenges for mission development

Abstract

We analyse the potential of the electric solar wind sail for solar system space missions. Applications studied include fly-by missions to terrestrial planets (Venus, Mars and Phobos, Mercury) and asteroids, missions based on non-Keplerian orbits (orbits that can be maintained only by applying continuous propulsive force), one-way boosting to outer solar system, off-Lagrange point space weather forecasting and low-cost impactor probes for added science value to other missions. We also discuss the generic idea of data clippers (returning large volumes of high resolution scientific data from distant targets packed in memory chips) and possible exploitation of asteroid resources. Possible orbits were estimated by orbit calculations assuming circular and coplanar orbits for planets. Some particular challenge areas requiring further research work and related to some more ambitious mission scenarios are also identified and discussed.