Achieving Solar Pressure Equilibrium Attitude using Solar Array Feathering

Abstract

Many competing requirements such as communication margin, thermal mitigation, and power generation may drive a specific flight attitude. However, a solar pressure equilibrium attitude (SPEA) is typically desired for a spacecraft in heliocentric space in order to minimize attitude maintenance. In this work, the benefits of solar array feathering in order to maintain specific and precise pointing requirements are quantified. A case study in which an asymmetrical spacecraft exploits a normally unstable flight attitude in concert with solar array feathering is explored in order to optimize power utilization while still minimizing attitude maintenance.