Solar parachutes: without a keel, you'not sailing Forum: SSI-List
Thread: Solar parachutes: without a keel, you'not sailing
# 22486 byhitssquad on Aug. 23, 2009, 10:05 a.m.
Member since 2022-08-22
> If they would design the SBPS like a solar sail spacecraft first, which has to change the pointing direction often, they could use Roller Reefing as a fuel-less way to change the pointing direction to slow the orbital speed down and gravity pulls the craft inwards while when the pointing direction is changed again to speed the orbital speed up, it heads outwards again.
The wind from the sun blows in one direction. How does a solar sailboat stay positioned in one geostationary spot? You mentioned tacking, in a previous message. Do you understand that to tack, or even to sail at all except downwind, a boat needs a keel? Have you ever sailed?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centreboard
"A centerboard is used to provide lift to counter the lateral force from the sails. This is required for sailboats to move in directions other than downwind, since the force of the sail is never closer than 45 degrees to the apparent wind."
Perhaps a better name for solar sail would be solar parachute.
> You will need a constant flight crew which is operating the collector spacecraft and the transmission sender daughter unit spacecraft by remote control, but save the replacement reaction mass.
Why wouldn't a GPS-guided computer be used to control the craft? Would the transmission antenna have to have a solar sail, too?