CONFIGURATION SELECTION AND ANALYSIS OF A SUPERSTRUCTURE SOLAR SAIL

Abstract

Solar sail propulsion is one of the most innovative spaceship propulsion system which make use of the radiation pressure in space. The continuous supply of radiation pressure means the ship has infinite propellant reserve. Theoretically, the solar sail keeps accelerating to gain high velocities due to this continuous supply of radiation pressure, therefore this system is ideal for interstellar exploration. As there are numerous developments going on this field of study, it is important to have a generalized sail design that can be used for further developments. This paper gives the configuration selection of the sail along with calculations and analysis to develop a superstructure solar sail, which is theoretically ideal for interstellar exploration and for future engineering