Development of a High Fidelity Solar Sail Dynamics Model

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

The approach is to develop a upgrade the sail model and impliment into 6-DOF simulations for thrust and torque characterization.

Benefits

The goal is to develop a high fidelity flexible membrane model of a solar sail. The current models use a series of flat plates and significant performance margin to account for the unknown flight performance uncertainties.

Details

Technology area	Propulsion Systems > Advanced Propulsion > Solar Sails
Program	Center Innovation Fund: MSFC CIF (MSFC CIF)
Lead organization	Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL
Start date	2018-10-01
End date	2019-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Naeem Ahmad — naeem.ahmad@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.