Optimization of Flight Trajectories of a Spacecraft with Electric Propulsion Using the Gravitational Maneuver

Necessary conditions of optimality of the use of a gravitational maneuver during a flight are obtained, and a mathematical model for its study is proposed. With the help of the developed method of optimization of a trajectory of an interplanetary flight using a favorable gravitational maneuver, estimations of a spacecraft's transport capabilities are made for flights to Mercury and for the delivery of a solar probe into the near vicinity of the Sun.