EQUATIONS FOR THRUST PROGRAMS,
Abstract
A new analytical technique is presented which considers guidance and the determination of thrust programs as inverse trajectory problems. The trajectory of a body is uniquely determined-excepting trivial special cases-if the force field and the initial conditions are given. The inverse problem, i.e. determine the force acting on a vehicle which, with given initial conditions will describe a given oribt or trajectory, does not possess unique solution. The force acting on the vehicle is separated into two parts, one representing the given gravitational field, the otherto be determined-is associated with the vehicle produced propulsion, orbit correction or guidance force. It is shown that for a predetermined orbit the determination of this second force requires the solution of differential equations. Several sets of functions are obtained satisfying the problem and several special examples, related to lunar and interplanetary missions, are mentioned. Optimization techniques emerging naturally are discussed. The technique is applied to the problem of solar sails with variable sail angle and to the restricted three body problem. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1959
- Accession Number
- AD0611465
Entities
People
- V. G. Szebehely
Organizations
- General Electric