NASA SBIR 00-1 SOLICITATION
FORM 9B - PROJECT SUMMARY
PROPOSAL NUMBER 00-1 16.05-8347 (Chron: 001654 )
PROJECT TITLE
Active Momentum Control Coatings for Solar Sails
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The development of thin-film coatings with an actively tunable solar reflectance is proposed for momentum control on solar sails. As currently conceived, maneuvering and attitude control on solar sail spacecraft is achieved by mechanically adjusting the angle of one or more solar sails or panels with respect to the solar flux to create torque. The maneuvering and propulsion force is obtained from the solar radiation pressure with the realizable force depending on the spectral reflectance and absorption of the sail and its angle with respect to the flux. The proposed coatings offer a non-mechanical, low weight alternative to currently anticipated methods of maneuvering and attitude control. The coatings are applied to a limited area of the solar sail in a location that maximizes the torque on the spacecraft. In Phase I, the materials and design for the coating will be developed with emphasis on performance and stability on thin, flexible polymer sheet suitable for solar sail construction. Functioning, small-area (25 cm2) samples will be fabricated to demonstrate performance. In Phase II, the coatings will be optimized, scaled to larger areas, and integrated into a prototype solar sail and subjected to extensive testing for space environment stability.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
In space applications, the market for variable solar reflectance coatings includes momentum control on solar sails and satellites where differential solar radiation pressure can be used to modulate reaction wheels and minimize propellant use. The variable solar absorptance (as) inherent in the coatings may also be used for thermal control on spacecraft. Variants of the coatings can be used to modulate solar transmittance and may be used as thermal or glare control coatings in spacesuit visors and transparencies in manned spacecraft. Non-government commercial applications included active glare control coatings for automobile mirrors, glare and heat load control coatings for automobile sunroofs, privacy glass, and architectural glass.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
(Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Stuart F. Cogan
EIC Laboratories, Inc.
111 Downey St.
Norwood , MA 02062 - 2612
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
(Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
EIC Laboratories, Inc.
111 Downey Street
Norwood , MA 02062 - 2612