Wrinkling analysis for small solar-photon sails: an experimental and analytic approach for trajectory design
A good model of solar-radiation pressure induced thrust is one of the key points in sailcraft trajectory design. The sail membrane’s local topographic deformations, i.e. wrinkles and creases, are among the main aspects that such a model should include. We have analyzed the influence of wrinkles/creases, as a whole, by measuring the related deformations on small samples of sail membrane, 2.5 lm thick, consisting of CP1 and physical-vapor-deposition Aluminum.