Optimal capture trajectories using multiple gravity assists

Optimal capture trajectories using multiple gravity assists

2nd Conference on Nonlinear Science and Complexity, July 28-31, 2008, Porto, Portugal.

Shane D. Ross, Stefan Jerg, and Oliver Junge
Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
and
Technische Universiat Muenchen, Zentrum Mathematik

ABSTRACT

Graph theoretic methods of optimal control in the presence of uncertainty are applied to a celestial mechanics problem. We find a fuel-efficientcient spacecraft trajectory which starts at innity and is captured by the smaller member of a binary system, e.g., a moon of Jupiter, using multiple gravity assists.

Keywords: optimal control; three-body problem; celestial mechanics

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