Attitude control of a solar sail with variable reflective surface

<p>This paper gives an overview of the concept of spacecraft that is using a solar sail to control its attitude. Also mathematical model describing this type of spacecraft is given, and the problem of choosing attitude control of a solar sail with variable reflective surface that should ensure that capabilities of this concept of spacecraft are pushed to the edge is showed.</p><p>Also this paper gives an overview of the developed program that simulates the behavior of the spacecraft and helped to pick up the control parameters that are satisfying the defined criteria of optimality.</p><p>Purpose of this work is to demonstrate the potential of this concept of the spacecraft that is using solar sails, as well as to find the optimal control parameters for further use in various studies that will help to bring the idea of space flight on solar sails into life.</p>