Solar Radiation Computation

For the spherical solar radiation pressure model in STK, acceleration due to solar pressure is given by:

where:

= acceleration vector in inertial coordinates

Cr = coefficient of reflectivity

A = area of spacecraft

m = mass of spacecraft

K = percentage of the sun, as seen from the spacecraft, that is not eclipsed (usually 1.0)

= solar flux at 1 AU

c = speed of light

RAU = distance from the spacecraft to the sun in AU

= the unit position vector of the sun as seen from the spacecraft. You may opt to use the true or apparent position of the sun for this parameter.