Applications of the Generalized Model for a Solar Sail

In a previous paper, a generalized model for representing the propulsive force and moment from a solar sail as a function of solar illumination was presented. This generalized model can be deflned with only 18 numerical coe‐cients for the force, and 36 for the moment, and can represent a sail of arbitrary geometry (under some mild restrictions). In this paper we revisit this general model and develop a number of applications for it that will showcase its generality and utility. Speciflcally, we flrst show that the number of coe‐cients needed to describe the total moment acting on the sail can be reduced to the 18 coe‐cients needed for the force description plus 9 additional constants, a signiflcant reduction from the original 36 coe‐cients. The computation of these new constants is described. Next we present the partial derivatives of this model with respect to the sail position, attitude, and the model coe‐cients. Finally, we revisit some classical results, now reformulated for our new model, such as the optimal orientation to generate maximum thrust or to generate maximum energy increase in a sail trajectory.