Optimal Interstellar Trajectories with Drag for Thrust-Limited Rockets.
Abstract
Investigates interstellar drag effects on minimum time and minimum fuel trajectories of relativistic ideal photon rocket. Assumes negligible gravitational effects, upper flight time limit of 40 years, and initial to final mass ratio limit of 10,000. Two-point boundary value problem obtained form optimal control theory is formulated in physical variables, normalized, and solved with computer program. Singular arcs are possible on each type trajectory but do not occur within flight time limit on minimum time trajectories. Drag effects are negligible on most trajectories and no-drag equations may be used. Trajectories are limited by flight time assumption, not mass ratio. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0868274
Entities
People
- Francis J. Dunn
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology