Design of Low-Thrust Multi-Gravity Assist Trajectories to Europa
From The Space Library
Author - M. Vasile et al
Co-Author(s) - M. Vasile; S. Campagnola
JBIS Volume # - 62
Page # - 15-31
Year - 2009
Keywords - Finite elements in time, trajectory optimisation, low-thrust multigravity assist trajectories, direct transcription methods, global optimisation methods
JBIS Reference Code # - 2009.62.15
Number of Pages - 17
[edit] Abstract
This paper presents the design of a mission to Europa using solar electric propulsion as main source of thrust. A direct transcription method based on Finite Elements in Time was used for the design and optimisation of the entire low-thrust gravity assist transfer from the Earth to Europa. Prior to that, a global search algorithm was used to generate a set of suitable first guess solutions for the transfer to Jupiter, and for the capture in the Jovian system. In particular, a fast deterministic search algorithm was developed to find the most promising set of swing-bys to reach Jupiter. A second fast search algorithm was developed to find the best sequence of swing-bys of the Jovian moons. After introducing the global search algorithms and the direct transcription through Finite Elements in Time, the paper presents a number of first guess solutions and a fully optimised transfer from the Earth to Europa.
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