Space debris impact effects on Ultrasail dynamics

The Ultrasail, a novel solar sail design development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, relies in small-tip satellites to provide tension in rectangular sails. With the present rate of growth of orbital space debris, this paper analysis the influence of the Ultrasail dynamics on space debris. The main work is given the study of the whole train of thought and the latest progress. Work was centered on deflection of the Ultrasail when the random space debris collides the thin sail. Based on the results, appropriate measures are developed to keep the Ultrasail's balance. When the film of the ultrasail is destroyed due to the collision of the space debris, the reassemble blades measures is taken to keep the Ultrasail's balance. © 2016 Beijing Institute of Technology.