The dynamics of spin-deployment of a subscale solar sail concept (2.5-micron thick mylar film, 80-cm diameter) is investigated herein experimentally in the laboratory environment. To gain insight into the practicality of the deployment scheme, a tether configuration emulating the sail film was first deployed successfully, using the same experiment design. With the exception of some handling issues, the ultra-thin mylar film was also successfully deployed without entanglement. Design details and observations of both experiments are discussed. Additionally, results of analytical simulations to study the dynamics of tether deployment are given.
Ground demonstration of a spinning solar sail deployment concept
2001-04-16
Preprint
No indication
English