The Hamilton-Jacobi method applied to the low-thrust trajectory problem.
Spacecraft optimum low thrust trajectory analyzed by Hamilton-Jacobi perturbation theory, obtaining canonic constants of motion
Miner, W. E.↗
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A constrained discrete optimal guidance strategy for low-thrust space flight
A low-thrust guidance algorithm suitable for operational use is formulated. Using linear stochastic control theory, a linear feedback control law is obtained for a minimum terminal miss performance criterion. The control variables are restricted to constant values over specified time intervals and are explicitly limited. Both fixed and variable time-of-arrival guidance are considered. Guidance equations are presented in deterministic (operational) and in statistical form; and computational procedures necessary for implementation are outlined. The performance of the guidance algorithm is evaluated by applying it to the approach phase of the 1980 rendezvous mission with the comet Encke.
Jacobson, R. A.↗
Managing Momentum on the Dawn Low Thrust Mission
Dawn is low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft enroute to the asteroids Vesta and Ceres in an effort to better understand the early creation of the solar system. After launch in September 2007, the spacecraft will flyby Mars in February 2009 before arriving at Vesta in summer of 2011 and Ceres in early 2015. Three solar electric ion-propulsion engines are used to provide the primary thrust for the Dawn spacecraft. Ion engines produce a very small but very efficient force, and therefore must be thrusting almost continuously to realize the necessary change in velocity to reach Vesta and Ceres.
RWA↗
SmallSat missions enabled by paired low-thrust hybrid rocket and low-power long-life Hall thruster
The capabilities of a SmallSat-class spacecraft targeting the outer solar system and using a combined chemical and electric propulsion system are explored. The development of compact hybrid rockets has enabled high-thrust engines to be packaged tightly enough to fit on cubesat and SmallSat spacecraft. These hybrid rockets provide 10’s-100 N of thrust depending on the propellant load & >300 s of specific impulse and have been demonstrated in both ambient and vacuum environments. Advancements in low-power long-life Hall thruster technologies have provided the potential for significantly greater propellant throughputs, enabling their use as a primary propulsion element on interplanetary spacecraft. In a recent characterization test campaign, the MaSMi-DM Hall thruster demonstrated power throttling from 150 – 1000 W with >1500 s of specific impulse available at >500 W and >40% total thrust efficiency available at >300 W; peak values of 1940 s and 53% were observed. A notional low-mass spacecraft employing a combined hybrid rocket and low-power electric propulsion system was designed and used for mission concept analysis targeting the outer solar system. Using an imposed wet mass limit of 400 kg, mission trajectories to Saturn and Uranus were generated. Orbit capture with >40% of the launch mass was shown to be possible at either target, with mission transfer times of 7.5 years and 13.5 years for Saturn and Uranus, respectively. Significant follow-on mission activities near Saturn (e.g. to Titan & Enceladus) were also possible by carrying extra propellant mass while remaining under the total wet mass limit.
Karp, Ashley C.↗
Basic parameters for low thrust mission and system analysis.
Development of a basic set of normalized parameters to represent low-thrust system characteristics. The conditions which must be met to obtain trajectory and performance data which are invariant with the launch vehicle characteristics, the selected power, the specific mass of the low-thrust vehicle, and the efficiency of the ion propulsion system are derived. This normalized representation of mission characteristics frees the analyst from having to rerun the trajectories if any of the aforementioned parameters are varied. Examples pertaining to a low-thrust Jupiter flyby and comet Encke rendezvous are given to demonstrate the utility of the method of presentation.
Barber, T. A.↗
First order control for low-thrust interplanetary vehicles
First order control for low thrust interplanetary vehicles based on calculus of variations and Weierstrass E-function
FIRST ORDER EQUATION↗
The In-Space Propulsion Technology Project Low-Thrust Trajectory Tool Suite
The ISPT project released its low-thrust trajectory tool suite in March of 2006. The LTTT suite tools range in capabilities, but represent the state-of-the art in NASA low-thrust trajectory optimization tools. The tools have all received considerable updates following the initial release, and they are available through their respective development centers or the ISPT project website.
Dankanich, John W.↗
Multi-Objective Hybrid Optimal Control for Multiple-Flyby Low-Thrust Mission Design
Preliminary design of low-thrust interplanetary missions is a highly complex process. The mission designer must choose discrete parameters such as the number of flybys, the bodies at which those flybys are performed, and in some cases the final destination. In addition, a time-history of control variables must be chosen that defines the trajectory. There are often many thousands, if not millions, of possible trajectories to be evaluated. The customer who commissions a trajectory design is not usually interested in a point solution, but rather the exploration of the trade space of trajectories between several different objective functions. This can be a very expensive process in terms of the number of human analyst hours required. An automated approach is therefore very desirable. This work presents such an approach by posing the mission design problem as a multi-objective hybrid optimal control problem. The method is demonstrated on a hypothetical mission to the main asteroid belt.
Optimization↗
Low thrust chemical orbit to orbit propulsion system propellant management study
Low thrust chemical propulsion systems were sized for transfer of large space systems from LEO to GEO. The influence of propellant combination, tankage and insulation requirements, and propellant management techniques on the LTPS mass and volume were studied. Liquid oxygen combined with hydrogen, methane or kerosene were the propellant combinations. Thrust levels of 445, 2230, and 4450 N were combined with 1, 4 and 8 perigee burn strategies. This matrix of systems was evaluated using multilayer insulation and spray-on-foam insulation systems. Various combinations of toroidal, cylindrical with ellipsoidal domes, and ellipsoidal tank shapes were investigated. Results indicate that low thrust (445 N) and single perigee burn approaches are considerably less efficient than the higher thrust level and multiple burn strategies. A modified propellant settling approach minimized propellant residuals and decreased system complexity, in addition, the toroid/ellipsoidal tank combination was predicted to be shortest.
Dergance, R. H.↗
A study of low-thrust guidance
Mathematical statement and computer simulation of low thrust guidance problem - minimum time solutions
LOW THRUST PROPULSION↗
A Method of Efficient Inclination Changes for Low-thrust Spacecraft
The evolution of low-thrust propulsion technologies has reached a point where such systems have become an economical option for many space missions. The development of efficient, low trip time control laws has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years, though few studies have examined the subject of inclination changing maneuvers in detail. A method for performing economical inclination changes through the use of an efficiency factor is derived front Lagrange's planetary equations. The efficiency factor can be used to regulate propellant expenditure at the expense of trip time. Such a method can be used for discontinuous-thrust transfers that offer reduced propellant masses and trip-times in comparison to continuous thrust transfers, while utilizing thrusters that operate at a lower specific impulse. Performance comparisons of transfers utilizing this approach with continuous-thrust transfers are generated through trajectory simulation and are presented in this paper.
Falck, Robert↗
Implementation of a Low-Thrust Trajectory Optimization Algorithm for Preliminary Design
A tool developed for the preliminary design of low-thrust trajectories is described. The trajectory is discretized into segments and a nonlinear programming method is used for optimization. The tool is easy to use, has robust convergence, and can handle many intermediate encounters. In addition, the tool has a wide variety of features, including several options for objective function and different low-thrust propulsion models (e.g., solar electric propulsion, nuclear electric propulsion, and solar sail). High-thrust, impulsive trajectories can also be optimized.
optimization↗
Low-thrust propulsion for the MORL.
Advanced low thrust propulsion systems and propellants evaluation for stationkeeping and stability control of NASA Manned Orbital Research Laboratory
STABILITY AND CONTROL↗
Analysis of future missions which require low thrust solid and hybrid propulsion systems.
Low thrust solid and hybrid propulsion systems requirements for future missions including ATS-4, Voyager, Apollo Telescope Mount and manned interplanetary vehicle
Hahn, H. T.↗
Low-thrust solid and hybrid system analyses.
Low thrust reaction control for space missions, summarizing range and specific impulse characteristics for solid and hybrid systems
Hahn, H. T.↗
Toward a unified set of low-thrust mission analysis techniques Interim report
Low thrust mission analysis and computer programs
Horsewood, J. L.↗
Low-thrust, minimum-fuel, orbital transfers
Low thrust minimum fuel space vehicle transfer from initial circular orbit to coplanar elliptic orbit of given energy and angular momentum
Brusch, R. G.↗
Refinements to the Q-law for the low-thrust orbit transfers
We consider low-thrust orbit transfers around a central body, where specified changes are sought in the orbit elements except true anomaly.
Petropoulos, Anastassios E.↗