General Question What effects has the radiation pressure option in perturbations?

[vinny5000]

Hi, guys!

I'm not 100 % sure, in the perturbations column in the parameters options of the orbiter launch pad, what is radiation pressure and does it have any effect? Thanks!

Cheers,
Vincent

 

[BruceJohnJennerLawso]

Hi, guys!

I'm not 100 % sure, in the perturbations column in the parameters options of the orbiter launch pad, what is radiation pressure and does it have any effect? Thanks!

Cheers,
Vincent

Light itself has momentum, so the photons continually streaming out from the sun exert a small, but noticeable force on your vessel. If youre flying something small like a probe or a Delta glider, the effect wont be too much, but if you turn the large side of an arrow freighter to the solar wind, it can really start to move you. Station keeping with another object can be very difficult with it turned on.

 

[orb]

You can check the "2010 Edition\Demos\Solar sail" stock scenario to feel the effect of radiation pressure easily (on your own skin ).


You can also read about [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_pressure"]Radiation pressure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] there.

 

[vinny5000]

Hi, guys!

Thanks! Very interesting stuff indeed! Again thanks!

Cheers,
Vincent