Minimum Fuel Continuous Low Thrust Orbital Transfer
Abstract
Minimum fuel continuous low thrust orbit transfer is an optimal control problem which requires the application of iterative numerical methods to solve the resulting two point boundary value problem. A combination gradient- neighboring extremal algorithm gives accurate results when both the initial and terminal orbits are coplanar. These results are then used to extend the problem to include out-of-plane transfers between orbits of widely varying inclination. Control histories, in terms of thrust direction, are plotted as a function of time for both coplanar and non-coplanar transfers. Steering programs for coplanar transfers are characterized by a rapid thrust reversal which is dependent on eccentricity for the time of its occurrence. In the latter case, out-of-plane thrusting is primarily a function of the inclination change between orbits. On the basis of these results, the particular numerical approach used provides an effective method for generating optimal low thrust orbital transfer guidance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA005280
Entities
People
- Eugene A. Smith
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology