High order optimal feedback control of space trajectories with bounded control

Optimal feedback control is classically based on linear approximations, whose accuracy drops off rapidly in highly nonlinear dynamics. Several nonlinear optimal feedback control strategies have appeared in recent years. Among them, differential algebraic techniques have been used to tackle nonlinearities by expanding the solution of the optimal control problem about a reference trajectory and reducing the computation of optimal feedback control laws to the evaluation of high order polynomials. However, the resulting high order method could not handle control saturation constraints, which remain a critical facet of nonlinear optimal feedback control. This work introduces the management of saturating actuators in the differential algebraic method. More specifically, the constraints are included in the optimal control problem formulation and differential algebra is used to expand the associated optimal bang–bang solution with respect to the initial and terminal conditions. Optimal feedback control laws for thrust direction and switching times are again computed by evaluating the resulting polynomials. Illustrative applications are presented in the frame of the optimal low-thrust transfer to asteroid 1996 FG₃.     

Optimization of Multi-Orbit Transfers between Noncoplanar Elliptic Orbits

Using the maximum principle formalism, the problem of optimizing interorbital transfer between two noncoplanar elliptic orbits is reduced to solution of a boundary value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations. In order to solve the resulting boundary value problem numerically, the numerical homotopic method or modified Newton's method is used. When solving the boundary value problem, the right-hand sides of differential equations of motion are averaged numerically. Efficient software is developed, and a large number of optimal trajectories are calculated using it. As a result of analysis of these numerical data, new high-quality results are obtained. Specifically, a bifurcation of optimal solutions is found, the existence of critical inclination is demonstrated, and a partial classification of the structure of optimal control is performed.     

Conditions of the Maximum Principle in the Problem of Optimal Control over an Aggregate of Dynamic Systems and Their Application to Solution of the Problems of Optimal Control of Spacecraft Motion

The necessary first-order conditions of strong local optimality (conditions of maximum principle) are considered for the problems of optimal control over a set of dynamic systems. To derive them a method is suggested based on the Lagrange principle of removing constraints in the problems on a conditional extremum in a functional space. An algorithm of conversion from the problem of optimal control of an aggregate of dynamic systems to a multipoint boundary value problem is suggested for a set of systems of ordinary differential equations with the complete set of conditions necessary for its solution. An example of application of the methods and algorithm proposed is considered: the solution of the problem of constructing the trajectories of a spacecraft flight at a constant altitude above a preset area (or above a preset point) of a planet's surface in a vacuum (for a planet with atmosphere beyond the atmosphere). The spacecraft is launched from a certain circular orbit of a planet's satellite. This orbit is to be determined (optimized). Then the satellite is injected to the desired trajectory segment (or desired point) of a flyby above the planet's surface at a specified altitude. After the flyby the satellite is returned to the initial circular orbit. A method is proposed of correct accounting for constraints imposed on overload (mixed restrictions of inequality type) and on the distance from the planet center: extended (nonpointlike) intermediate (phase) restrictions of the equality type.     

轨道机动的时间-能量综合最优控制

围绕航天器快速精确轨道机动问题,探讨在持续小推力作用下,航天器轨道机动中时 间和能量综合最优控制的技术和方法。基于Pontryagin最小(大)值原理,针对目标轨道为平 面和空间椭圆的情况,推导了时间-能量综合最优控制的Hamilton正则方程组、终端条件 、横截条件和最优控制的表达式,应用数值方法求解正则微分方程组的两点边值问题,得到 了最优控制的数值解,包括最小时间、最小能量、最优轨道、最优控制时变曲线和最优反馈 控制曲线等,实现轨道机动最优控制的精确数值模拟。从数值结果的对比分析中得出了一些 有意义的结论,可供工程实际参考。
     

基于节点改善策略的伪谱轨迹优化

基于Legendre Gauss Lobatto（LGL）伪谱法(PSM)求解最优控制问题的原理,研究了有限推力轨迹快速优化设计以及计算节点和效率改善策略。对远程变轨动力学模型进行了无量纲化处理,并设计了初值生成和串行优化求解策略,用来提高多变量多约束大规模稀疏非线性规划问题的收敛性。结合极小值原理推导了问题的最优性必要条件,基于协态映射原理设计了数值解的最优性验证方法。利用二阶微分方程技术消去部分状态量,建立了节点和计算效率改进模型,并讨论了该策略的相关数值处理技术。仿真结果表明,本文的算法可以快速地提供应用于实际飞行任务的最优解,节点改善策略在保证计算精度的同时,有效降低了计算收敛时间。     

Optimization of interplanetary trajectories for spacecraft with ideally regulated engines using the continuation method

The problem of optimization of interplanetary trajectories is considered for spacecraft with a small-thrust ideally regulated engine. When the maximum principle is used, determination of the optimal trajectory is reduced to solution of a two-point boundary value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations. In order to solve this boundary value problem, the method of continuation in parameter is used, and with the help of it the formal reduction of the boundary value problem to a Cauchy problem is performed. Different variants of the continuation method are considered, including the method of continuation in the gravitational parameter which allows one to find extreme trajectories with a preset angular distance. The issues of numerical realization of the continuation method are discussed, and numerical examples of its use for solving the problems of optimization of interplanetary trajectories are presented.     

Optimal ballistically captured Earth–Moon transfers

The optimality of a low-energy Earth–Moon transfer terminating in ballistic capture is examined for the first time using primer vector theory. An optimal control problem is formed with the following free variables: the location, time, and magnitude of the transfer insertion burn, and the transfer time. A constraint is placed on the initial state of the spacecraft to bind it to a given initial orbit around a first body, and on the final state of the spacecraft to limit its Keplerian energy with respect to a second body. Optimal transfers in the system are shown to meet certain conditions placed on the primer vector and its time derivative. A two point boundary value problem containing these necessary conditions is created for use in targeting optimal transfers. The two point boundary value problem is then applied to the ballistic lunar capture problem, and an optimal trajectory is shown. Additionally, the problem is then modified to fix the time of transfer, allowing for optimal multi-impulse transfers. The tradeoff between transfer time and fuel cost is shown for Earth–Moon ballistic lunar capture transfers.     

月球精确定点软着陆轨道设计及初始点选取

研究了一种应用参数化控制求解月球探测器精确定点软着陆最优控制问题的方法。 首 先用约束变换技术将不等式约束进行了近似处理,而后利用若干个分段的常数去逼近最优解 ,再根据强化技术通过时间轴上的变换,将每一段参数的持续时间转变为一组新的参数,于 是最优控制问题被转化为一系列参数优化问题。最后应用经典的参数优化方法即可求得最优 控制函数的一个近似解,通过增加参数个数,重复优化得到逼近连续最优解的参数化解。同 时在优化过程中考虑了制动初始点的选取对结果的影响。仿真结果表明了所提设计方法是简 单、有效的。〖JP〗     

基于Reddy简化高阶剪切理论的复合材料对称角铺设矩形板横向弯曲一般解析解

采用复数级数法求解基于Reddy简化高阶剪切理论的复合材料对称角铺设矩形板横向弯曲问题。将待定位移函数展开为复数级数,代入该弯曲问题控制偏微分方程组,确定特征根和挠度待定常数与其他位移函数待定常数之间关系式。首次给出了该弯曲问题实数形式的一般解析解。将该一般解析解代入矩形板弯曲边界条件和角点条件,根据正弦级数的正交性建立关于挠度函数待定常数的线性代数方程组,求解此线性代数方程组可确定挠度函数待定常数。建立了该问题解析求解模式。将Reddy高阶剪切理论解析解与经典理论、一阶剪切理论解析解进行对比计算,验证了一般解析解,并给出数值算例。     

Method of continuation for optimization of interplanetary low-thrust trajectories

The problem of local optimization of interplanetary low-thrust trajectories is considered with the use of the maximum principle and continuation numerical methods. Two types of problems are analyzed: problems with limited power and problems with limited thrust. The latter problem is generalized by introducing the dependence of thrust and specific impulse on available electric power. In order to reduce the problem of optimal control to a boundary value problem, the Pontryagin maximum principle is used, and then, using the continuation method, this boundary value problem is reduced to the Cauchy problem. Variants of the continuation method for optimizing low-thrust trajectories are presented in the paper, including a new method of continuation for the limited thrust problem, which does not require any choice of the initial approximation for boundary values of conjugate variables.     

Adams--Cowel方法的扩充及其在人卫中的应用

本文将现有的Ａｄａｍｓ－Ｃｏｗｅｌ方法由求初值问题扩展到求一类边值问题，并将之应用于对同步卫星的轨道测定和预报，仿真与实算结果表明：方法具有独特的使用价值     

三维弹道有理Bezier曲线造型与优化方法

为有效克服传统弹道优化方法解的收敛性和最优性受搜索算法、初始猜测等影响大的问题,提出了基于有理Bezier曲线的三维弹道造型与优化计算方法。根据边界条件用光滑且只含少量造型变量的有理Bezier曲线形成待优化三维造型弹道,采用逆动力学方法计算造型弹道倾角、弹道角速度和法向加速度等,结合弹道其它动力学方程和约束计算造型弹道性能指标,通过对弹道造型变量寻优得到最优弹道。这种方法将无限维弹道优化问题转换为对很少造型变量的参数优化问题, 而且得到的最优弹道完全光滑可飞。与间接法相比,无需求解两点边值问题使用方便、鲁棒性强;与直接法相比,不需要对动力学方程离散化、寻优变量少、求解收敛性好,而且解的全局最优性和光滑性更高。仿真结果及与自适应伪谱法的比较校验了方法的实用性和有效性。     

半直接配点法在航天器追逃问题求解中的应用

采用半直接配点法求解时间固定两航天器追逃问题，提出一种新的数值求解追逃双方最优控制策略的方式，避免了求解非线性两点边值问题。在两航天器均为连续小推力假设条件下，以终端距离为支付函数，给出了半直接配点法求解此追逃问题的过程。在此数值方法中，根据半直接转换将微分对策问题转化为一个最优控制问题，由Gauss-Lobbato配点法最终将此最优问题转化为非线性规划问题，继而通过序列二次规划方法求解。这种半直接配点法避免微分对策问题最优策略的必要条件(两点边值问题)求解，并且数值稳定性好。数值仿真给出了追逃双发的最优控制策略和相应的追逃轨迹。     

The use of solutions to problems of spacecraft trajectory optimization in impulse formulation when solving the problems of optimal control of trajectories of a spacecraft with limited thrust engine: I

In this first part of our paper, it is suggested to use solutions to boundary value problems in the optimization problems (in impulse formulation) for spacecraft trajectories in order to obtain the initial approximation, when boundary value problems of the maximum principle are solved numerically by the shooting method. The technique suggested is applied to the problems of optimal control over motion of the center of mass of a spacecraft controlled by the thrust vector of jet engine with limited thrust in an arbitrary gravitational field in a vacuum. The method is based on a modified (in comparison to the classic scheme) shooting method computation together with the method of continuation along a parameter (maximum reactive acceleration, initial thrust-to-weight ratio, or any other parameter equivalent to them). This technique allows one to obtain the initial approximation with a high precision, and it is applicable to a wide range of optimal control problems solved using the maximum principle, if the impulse formulation makes sense for these problems.     

Planar Problem of an Optimal Transfer of a Low-Thrust Spacecraft from High-Elliptic to Geosynchronous Orbit

Low-thrust flights from high-elliptic orbits are of considerable interest, since they allow one to decrease (compared to high-thrust flights) the propulsion consumption and to reduce the flight duration. At the same time, in comparison with the spiral unwinding flights from low near-circular orbits, this scheme minimizes the harmful effect of the radiation belts. Based on the maximum principle, the problem of optimization is reduced to a two-point boundary value problem, which is solved numerically using the modified Newton method. A method is suggested to obtain the initial approximation for solving the boundary value problem. The method takes advantage of the idea of transition from an approximately optimal trajectory to the optimal one. Two problems, which have different low-thrust models, are considered: one with permanently acting low thrust and the other with the possibility of turning it on/off. In both cases no restrictions are imposed on the thrust direction. A comparison of these problems is made. We investigated (i) what gain in the final mass can be attained when passing from the first to the second problem, (ii) at the cost of what loss in flight duration this can be achieved, and (iii) what changes in the optimal program of control must be done in this case.     

非凸二次约束下航天器姿态机动路径迭代规划方法

针对复杂约束下航天器姿态机动路径规划问题,首先描述和分析了航天器姿态机动过程中面临的动力学和运动学约束、有界约束、姿态指向约束,把姿态指向约束利用非凸二次型进行表述;其次从能量最优角度出发,将该约束机动问题归纳为非凸二次约束二次规划问题;然后引入线性松弛技术,将该问题转化成双线性规划问题,求出其中一个变量的凸包络和凹包络,降低求解复杂度,从而求出原问题的一个线性松弛。同时为了提高求解精度,提出一种基于评价函数的迭代规划算法,利用线性松弛求出的解作为初值,通过评价函数进行迭代规划,最终求出原问题的最优解。仿真结果表明该方法不仅可以满足复杂的姿态约束,得到全局姿态优化路径,而且能够降低能量消耗。     

On solving the problems of optimization of trajectories of many-revolution orbit transfers of spacecraft

The problem of optimal control over many-revolution spacecraft orbit transfers between circular coplanar orbits of satellites is considered. The spacecraft flight is controlled by a thrust vector of a jet engine with restricted thrust (JERT). The mass expenditure is minimized at a limited time of flight. The optimal control problem is solved based on the maximum principle. The boundary value problem of the maximum principle is solved numerically using the shooting method. A modified computation scheme of the shooting method is suggested (multi-point shooting), as well as a method (correlated with the scheme) of choosing the initial approximation with the use of a solution to the optimization problem in the impulse formulation. The scheme and method allow one to construct many-revolution spacecraft orbit transfers.     

The Use of Quaternions in the Optimal Control Problems of Motion of the Center of Mass of a Spacecraft in a Newtonian Gravitational Field: I

The problem of optimal control is considered for the motion of the center of mass of a spacecraft in a central Newtonian gravitational field. For solving the problem, two variants of the equations of motion for the spacecraft center of mass are used, written in rotating coordinate systems. Both the variants have a quaternion variable among the phase variables. In the first variant this variable characterizes the orientation of an instantaneous orbit of the spacecraft and (simultaneously) the spacecraft location in this orbit, while in the second variant only the instantaneous orbit orientation is specified by it. The suggested equations are convenient in the respect that they allow the general three-dimensional problem of optimal control by the motion of the spacecraft center of mass to be considered as a composition of two interrelated problems. In the first variant these problems are (1) the problem of control of the shape and size of the spacecraft orbit and (2) the problem of control of the orientation of a spacecraft orbit and the spacecraft location in this orbit. The second variant treats (1) the problem of control of the shape and size of the spacecraft orbit and the orbit location of the spacecraft and (2) the problem of control of the orientation of the spacecraft orbit. The use of quaternion variables makes this consideration most efficient. The problem of optimal control is solved on the basis of the maximum principle. Several first integrals of the systems of equations of the boundary value problems of the maximum principle are found. Transformations are suggested that reduce the dimensions of the systems of differential equations of boundary value problems (without complicating them). Geometrical interpretations are given to the transformations and first integrals. The relation of the vectorial first integral of one of the derived systems of equations (which is an analog of the well-known vectorial first integral of the studied problem of optimal control) with the found quaternion first integral is considered. In this paper, which is the first part of the work, we consider the models of motion of the spacecraft center of mass that employ quaternion variables. The problem of optimal control by the motion of the spacecraft center of mass is investigated on the basis of the first variant of equations of motion. An example of a numerical solution of the problem is given.     

基于Gauss伪谱法的固体运载火箭上升段轨迹快速优化研究

研究Gauss伪谱法在多级固体运载火箭上升段轨迹快速优化设计中的应用。针对多
级固体运载火箭上升段轨迹优化的特点,研究了求解多阶段最优控制问题的Gauss伪谱法,
引入连接点概念处理间断点,设计了边界控制变量计算方法。为进一步提高轨迹优化速度,
设计了含初值生成器的Gauss伪谱法串行轨迹优化策略,实现了固体运载火箭上升段轨迹快
速优化。仿真结果表明,采用提出的优化方法优化一条上升段轨迹所用时间为2~3分钟,终
端约束和路径约束均得到很好满足,算法求解精度高,对初值依赖性小,设计的边界控制变
量计算方法可行。