Inter-orbital low-thrust transfers in an arbitrary field of forces

Low-thrust transfers between preset orbits are considered in the presence of perturbations of different origin. A simple method of finding the transfer trajectory is suggested, based on linearization of motion near reference orbits. The required accuracy of calculations is achieved by way of increasing the number of reference orbits. The method can also be used in the case of a large number of revolutions around the attracting center: no averaging of motion is required in this case. The suggested method is applicable as well, when the final orbit is specified partially and when there are constraints on the thrust direction. The optimal solution to the linearized problem is not optimal for the original problem; closeness of solutions to these two problems is estimated using a numerical example. Capabilities of the method are also illustrated by examples.     

Optimization of low-thrust orbit transfers with constraints

Approximate numerical methods of optimization are presented for multi-orbit noncoplanar orbit transfers of low-thrust spacecraft. The linear representation of derivatives of boundary parameters is used in the vicinity of a reference trajectory with its discretization into small segments. For each segment a set of pseudo-impulses is introduced, representing possible directions of the thrust vector. In order to solve essentially nonlinear problems, the iterative process of upgrading the reference trajectory is used. At each iteration the linear programming problem of high dimensionality is solved, its boundary conditions being represented in the form of a linear matrix equation. Interval constraints are considered in the form of blocking the propulsion system operation on shadow segments of the orbit, as well as cycling constraints, and constraints on total duration of maneuvers at certain trajectory segments. The results of comparison with solutions obtained by other methods are presented together with examples illustrating the convergence of iterative processes. Optimizations of the trajectories for launching geosynchronous satellites to their orbits and of the trajectories of a noncoplanar transfer from low to high-elliptic Molniya orbit are considered under these constraints.     

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 transfers under constraints on the thrust direction: I

Transfers with a low thrust are considered under constraints imposed on the thrust vector direction. These constraints can be caused by peculiarities of the attitude control system and the mode of stabilization of a spacecraft, and, in the general case, they are functions of the time and state vector. The constraints specified by equalities and inequalities are investigated. It is shown that the optimal thrust is directed along the projection of the Lawden’s primer vector onto the restricting set.     

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.     

A nonvariational approach to multiple finite-burn propellant optimization

In this paper a nonvariational approach to the finite-burn minimum fuel problem is presented. In particular, attention is focused on one of the computer codes of a sophisticated software package at Telespazio for dealing with a fuel minimization under nonlinear equality and inequality constraints. In this program thrust in an inverse-square gravitational field is considered. A short thrusting arc is dealt with by a transition matrix. A long burning arc is segmented in a suitable number of subarcs where the transition matrix formulation holds. Use of appropriate penalty functions allows the mission analyst to consider several equality and inequality constraints. The minimum search algorithm consists of a modified version of the Levenberg-Marquardt method. The overall computer code is able to accept even some rough estimate of the optimal profile. A wide spectrum of transfer flights is presented.     

Optimum low-thrust limited power transfers between neighbouring elliptic non-equatorial orbits in a non-central gravity field

A complete first-order analytical solution is developed for the problem of optimum low-thrust limited power transfers between neighbouring elliptic non-equatorial orbits in a non-central gravity field. The optimization problem is formulated as a Mayer problem of optimal control with Cartesian elements as state variables. After applying the Pontryagin maximum principle and determining the optimal thrust acceleration, an intrinsic canonical transformation is performed: the Cartesian elements are changed by suitable orbital elements. Hori's method is applied in determining a first-order analytical solution. Simple analytical solutions are obtained explicitly for long-time transfers.     

形成三星星座的小推力变轨的时间最短控制

在研究和发展星座技术中，星座的发射是一项关键技术。本文针对形成三星星座，利用最优控制中的极小值原理，解算了用恒值、连接工作、牛顿级小推力变轨的时间最短控制问题。文中建立了最优小推力变轨的数学模型，求得了最优变轨的解析解，并通过牛顿下山法求解了三星星座变轨的小推力工作最优时间、最优方向和最优变轨轨迹。最后对星座变轨小推力最优控制工程实现的途径进行了探讨。为工程应用和研究提供参考。     

About one problem of trajectory optimization

The optimization problem for trajectories of spacecraft flight from the Earth to an asteroid is considered in this paper. The flight is realized in the central Newtonian gravitational field of the Sun with a possibility of gravitational maneuvers near planets. Perturbation maneuvers are taken into account using the method of point area of action with a limitation on the flyby altitude. The spacecraft is controlled by changing the value and direction of the engine thrust. The problem is solved taking into account constraints on the launch time, flight duration, and minimum distance to the Sun.     

Optimization of transfer trajectories to the Apophis asteroid for spacecraft with high and low thrust

The problem of optimization of a spacecraft transfer to the Apophis asteroid is investigated. The scheme of transfer under analysis includes a geocentric stage of boosting the spacecraft with high thrust, a heliocentric stage of control by a low thrust engine, and a stage of deceleration with injection to an orbit of the asteroid’s satellite. In doing this, the problem of optimal control is solved for cases of ideal and piecewise-constant low thrust, and the optimal magnitude and direction of spacecraft’s hyperbolic velocity “at infinity” during departure from the Earth are determined. The spacecraft trajectories are found based on a specially developed comprehensive method of optimization. This method combines the method of dynamic programming at the first stage of analysis and the Pontryagin maximum principle at the concluding stage, together with the parameter continuation method. The estimates are obtained for the spacecraft’s final mass and for the payload mass that can be delivered to the asteroid using the Soyuz-Fregat carrier launcher.     

Fuel optimum low-thrust elliptic transfer using numerical averaging

Low-thrust electric propulsion is increasingly being used for spacecraft missions primarily due to its high propellant efficiency. As a result, a simple and fast method for low-thrust trajectory optimization is of great value for preliminary mission planning. However, few low-thrust trajectory tools are appropriate for preliminary mission design studies. The method presented in this paper provides quick and accurate solutions for a wide range of transfers by using numerical orbital averaging to improve solution convergence and include orbital perturbations. Thus, preliminary trajectories can be obtained for transfers which involve many revolutions about the primary body. This method considers minimum fuel transfers using first-order averaging to obtain the fuel optimum rates of change of the equinoctial orbital elements in terms of each other and the Lagrange multipliers. Constraints on thrust and power, as well as minimum periapsis, are implemented and the equations are averaged numerically using a Gausian quadrature. The use of numerical averaging allows for more complex orbital perturbations to be added in the future without great difficulty. The effects of zonal gravity harmonics, solar radiation pressure, and thrust limitations due to shadowing are included in this study. The solution to a transfer which minimizes the square of the thrust magnitude is used as a preliminary guess for the minimum fuel problem, thus allowing for faster convergence to a wider range of problems. Results from this model are shown to provide a reduction in propellant mass required over previous minimum fuel solutions.     

月球探测器直接软着陆最优轨道设计

研究月球探测器直接软着陆最优轨道的设计问题。首先根据探测器直接软着陆的特点，提出了有限推力最省燃料的最优轨道设计问题；然后利用有限推力月面软着陆的最优推力控制方向的计算公式，研究了边值条件和计算方法；最后通过直接软着陆最优轨道的算例及结果分析，发现开始制动高度越低越省能量；推力方向可变时比不可变时节省能量；推力大小可变相当于采用了多级制动，对安全定点着陆非常有利。     

月球软着陆的二次型最优制导方法

为实现在月球表面指定区域的精确软着陆,研究了月球软着陆的线性二次型最优制导方法。利用简化的轨道动力学模型,给出了一种基于状态和能耗最优的软着陆二次型制导方法。由于制导律要求同时提供3个方向的时变推力,所以需要通过变推力发动机和姿态机动来实现。该制导方法虽能满足精确软着陆的需要,但对姿态变化的要求超出了着陆器姿态机动能力。因此,本文修正了二次型最优制导方法,取消了对轨道参数的过程约束,仅对其终端进行约束,通过求解着陆指定目标点的能耗最优两点边值问题,得到了发动机推力大小和方向的显式表达式。研究结果表明,利用一定的姿态机动能力,修正的制导方法能够满足精确软着陆的需要。     

Constant-thrust glideslope guidance algorithm for time-fixed rendezvous in real halo orbit

This paper presents a fixed-time glideslope guidance algorithm that is capable of guiding the spacecraft approaching a target vehicle on a quasi-periodic halo orbit in real Earth–Moon system. To guarantee the flight time is fixed, a novel strategy for designing the parameters of the algorithm is given. Based on the numerical solution of the linearized relative dynamics of the Restricted Three-Body Problem (expressed in inertial coordinates with a time-variant nature), the proposed algorithm breaks down the whole rendezvous trajectory into several arcs. For each arc, a two-impulse transfer is employed to obtain the velocity increment (delta-v) at the joint between arcs. Here we respect the fact that instantaneous delta-v cannot be implemented by any real engine, since the thrust magnitude is always finite. To diminish its effect on the control, a thrust duration as well as a thrust direction are translated from the delta-v in the context of a constant thrust engine (the most robust type in real applications). Furthermore, the ignition and cutoff delays of the thruster are considered as well. With this high-fidelity thrust model, the relative state is then propagated to the next arc by numerical integration using a complete Solar System model. In the end, final corrective control is applied to insure the rendezvous velocity accuracy. To fully validate the proposed guidance algorithm, Monte Carlo simulation is done by incorporating the navigational error and the thrust direction error. Results show that our algorithm can effectively maintain control over the time-fixed rendezvous transfer, with satisfactory final position and velocity accuracies for the near-range guided phase.     

变质量飞行器变轨中摇摆发动机指向跟踪问题研究

针对携带大推力摇摆式轨控发动机的变质量飞行器,研究了其推力方向跟踪质心位置变化同时指向惯性空间推进方向的问题。研究中将飞行器分为可摇摆的发动机和变质量的平台两部分,利用雷诺迁移定理和变质量力学原理建立了整个变质量系统的数学模型;在控制系统设计中,通过一组线性转换,将系统转换为摄动双积分系统,以时间最优为性能指标,利用相平面法构造开关控制律。仿真结果表明,变质量飞行器利用该控制律能够实现摇摆发动机在惯性空间中跟踪质心位置变化的同时与推进方向保持一致。     

远程导引变轨方案修正算法

为在实际摄动条件下由远程导引变轨方案初始设计结果实现追踪航天器与目标航天器的交会,提出了一种修正变轨方案。将初始多脉冲式变轨方案转换为有限推力式并作修正,取远程导引结束时刻追踪与目标航天器间的相对轨道要素为目标函数,采用J2,J3,J4解析轨道预报器对目标函数计算需要的轨道进行预报,以历次变轨开始时刻、结束时刻和推力方向为优化变量,用边界约束有限存储BFGS(L-BFGS-B)优化算法获得的最优解为修正后的变轨方案,可消除摄动模型误差。算例结果表明,经转换和修正所得有限推力式变轨方案能在实际摄动条件下实现追踪航天器与目标航天器的交会。     

三维极小脱靶量与极小能量综合最优控制律研究与仿真

根据空间平台拦截器与目标的相对运动方程,基于线性系统最优控制理论提出了一种综合三维极小脱靶量与极小能量的最优控制律。给出了最优推力大小与方向控制,以及最优过渡时间和关机时刻确定的模型。仿真结果表明:该最优控制律控制精度高,易于工程实现。     

有限推力交会的最省燃料轨迹

给出了航天器有限推力交会的最省燃料轨迹。首先应用三角变换技术将推力约束 转化为没有任何约束的虚拟控制,进而利用直接优化方法,应用参数化控制方法以及强化技 术将控制向量表示为分段常值函数,将上述最优控制问题转化为非线性规划问题。应用经典 的参数优化方法即可求得最优控制律的一个近似解,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。仿真结果表明提出的控制方案是行之有效的。
     

基于脉冲初值的小推力转移轨道优化研究

针对小推力转移轨道优化过程往往忽略初值多样性的现状,研究了基于不同脉冲初值的小推力转移轨道优化问题。基于直接法的离散思想建立了小推力转移轨道优化模型,提出了基于粒子群和序列二次规划的组合优化算法,以地球1∶1共振近地小行星2016HO3交会任务为例,将3种典型的脉冲轨道作为初值设计了燃料最优小推力转移轨道。仿真结果表明:3种初值轨道优化得到了2个小推力转移发射窗口,两者燃料消耗差距不超过6%。不同的初值对小推力轨道的整体性能指标影响较小,但开关机时刻和推力方向的变化会产生较大差异,从而得到不同的最优控制曲线。     

Optimum design of power-limited propulsion systems with application to fast Earth-to-Mars transfer

Power-limited systems with variable Isp, which have been studied theoretically since the beginning of astronautics, are getting closer to practical applications thanks to recent technological advances in the field of magnetosplasma rockets, such as Ad-Astra’s VASIMR concept. This type of propulsion system is considered for high-speed interplanetary transfers, such as Mars missions, with demanding payload fractions that would be compatible with manned missions. This paper explores the problem of the optimization of a power-limited propulsion system through simple performance models, and investigates the trade-off between the technological requirements, the transfer time and the payload fraction¹. Following previous works existing in literature, we model the technological characteristics of the vehicle through a small number of parameters, the most important of which being the specific weight (or mass-to-power ratio) of the power generation system. Also, we use in our models the classical “trajectory characteristic” parameter (defined as the integral over time of the squared thrust acceleration) which represents – under certain hypotheses – the propulsion requirements for an orbital or interplanetary transfer with a given time and a given thrust strategy. In this paper, we first give a review of existing methods in literature, then we present the equations of a new class of optimal design which maximizes the payload fraction, for a given transfer time and given technological characteristics. This class of optimal design is described through very simple equations that make possible to study more straightforwardly than existing calculations the links between the main mission requirements (transfer time and payload fraction) and the main technological requirements (specific weight of the power generation and structure mass ratio of the whole vehicle, excluding the power generation system). One important result obtained from these equations is a simple expression which estimates the theoretical upper limit of the power source’s specific weight as a function of transfer time and the payload mass ratio. In the last part of this paper, we apply this simple performance model to discuss the feasibility of a fast Earth-to-Mars transfer using a power-limited system.