A real-time simulator, written in C++ with OpenGL, that models the attitude dynamics and orbital trajectories of a solar-sail spacecraft under solar radiation pressure.

the idea

Solar sails are propelled by the momentum of photons striking a large reflective membrane. The force is tiny but continuous, which makes the long-term attitude and trajectory behaviour both fascinating and difficult to reason about by hand. I wanted a tool where I could watch the dynamics evolve in real time and experiment with control strategies.

what it does

• Models spacecraft attitude dynamics and orbital motion under solar radiation pressure.
• Renders the state in real time with OpenGL so the coupled rotational and orbital behaviour is visible as it unfolds.
• Currently being extended with an attitude control law that regulates the spacecraft’s trajectory under orbital perturbations.

status

Ongoing. The simulation core and visualisation are working; the control design is in progress.