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A Raster Based Approach To Solar Pressure ModelingThe impact of photons upon a spacecraft introduces small forces and moments. The magnitude and direction of the forces depend on the material properties of the spacecraft components being illuminated. Which components are being lit depends on the orientation of the craft with respect to the Sun as well as the gimbal angles for any significant moving external parts (solar arrays, typically). Some components may shield others from the Sun.To determine solar pressure in the presence overlapping components, a 3D model can be used to determine which components are illuminated. A view (image) of the model as seen from the Sun shows the only contributors to solar pressure. This image can be decomposed into pixels, each of which can be treated as a non-overlapping flat plate as far as solar pressure calculations are concerned. The sums of the pressures and moments on these plates approximate the solar pressure and moments on the entire vehicle.The image rasterization technique can also be used to compute other spacecraft attributes that are dependent on attitude and geometry, including solar array power generation capability and free molecular flow drag.
Document ID
20140011171
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Wright, Theodore (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
August 29, 2014
Publication Date
June 1, 2014
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
E-18917
GRC-E-DAA-TN13963
NASA/TM-2014-218318
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 747797.06.13.15.99.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
solar radiation
aerodynamic forces
image analysis

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