Global trajectory targeting via computer graphics

Abstract

A technique is described in which the two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP) may be solved with the aid of interactive computer graphics. The particular TPBVP considered is the optimal electric propulsion space trajectory problem. An appropriate two-dimensional projection of the TPBVP mapping, or trajectory, is displayed on the computer's television screen, and a man-in-the-loop varies selected trajectory starting conditions in the fashion of a nonlinear walk until the viewed trajectory endpoint lies near a displayed target. Once global targeting is accomplished in this manner, program internal logic can easily handle local targeting to strongly solve the TPBVP.