Optimal two-impulse rendezvous using constrained multiple-revolution Lambert solutions

A solution to the fixed-time minimum-fuel two-impulse rendezvous problem for the general non-coplanar elliptical orbits is provided. The optimal transfer orbit is obtained using the constrained multiple-revolution Lambert solution. Constraints consist of lower bound for perigee altitude and upper bound for apogee altitude. The optimal time-free two-impulse transfer problem between two fixed endpoints implies finding the roots of an eighth order polynomial, which is done using a numerical iterative technique. The set of feasible solutions is determined by using the constraints conditions to solve for the short-path and long-path orbits semimajor axis ranges. Then, by comparing the optimal time-free solution with the feasible solutions, the optimal semimajor axis for the two fixed-endpoints transfer is identified. Based on the proposed solution procedure for the optimal two fixed-endpoints transfer, a contour of the minimum cost for different initial and final coasting parameters is obtained. Finally, a numerical optimization algorithm (e.g., evolutionary algorithm) can be used to solve this global minimization problem. A numerical example is provided to show how to apply the proposed technique.     

Lambert problem solution in the hill model of motion

The goal of this paper is obtaining a solution of the Lambert problem in the restricted three-body problem described by the Hill equations. This solution is based on the use of pre determinate reference orbits of different types giving the first guess and defining the sought-for transfer type. A mathematical procedure giving the Lambert problem solution is described. This procedure provides step-by-step transformation of the reference orbit to the sought-for transfer orbit. Numerical examples of the procedure application to the transfers in the Sun–Earth system are considered. These examples include transfer between two specified positions in a given time, a periodic orbit design, a halo orbit design, halo-to-halo transfers, LEO-to-halo transfer, analysis of a family of the halo-to-halo transfer orbits. The proposed method of the Lambert problem solution can be used for the two-point boundary value problem solution in any model of motion if a set of typical reference orbits can be found.     

Zonal harmonics of azimuthally averaged potential of rotating inhomogeneous ellipsoids

The distant retrograde orbits (DROs) can serve as the parking orbits for a long-term cis-lunar space station. This paper gives a comprehensive study on the transfer problem from DROs to Earth orbits, including low Earth orbits (LEOs), medium Earth orbits (MEOs), and geosynchronous orbits (GSOs), in the bicircular restricted four-body problem (BR4BP) via optimizations within a large solution space. The planar transfer problem is firstly solved by grid search and optimization techniques, and two types of transfer orbits, direct ones and low-energy ones, are both constructed. Then, the nonplanar transfer problem to Earth orbits with inclinations between 0 and 90 degrees are solved via sequential optimizations based on the planar transfers. The transfer characteristics in the cases of different destination orbit inclinations are discussed for both the direct and the low-energy transfer orbits. The important role of the lunar gravity in the low-energy transfers is also discussed, which can overcome the increase of transfer cost caused by the high inclination of Earth orbits. The distinct features of different transfer scenarios, including multiple revolutions around the Earth and Moon, the exterior phase, and the lunar flyby, are discovered. The energy of transfer orbits is exploited to discuss the effects of close lunar flybys. The results will be helpful for the transfer design in future manned or unmanned return missions, and can also provide valuable information for selecting proper parking DROs for cis-lunar space stations.

     

Orbit Propagation with Lie Transfer Maps in the Perturbed Kepler Problem

The Lie transfer map method may be applied to orbit propagation problems in celestial mechanics. This method, described in another paper, is a perturbation method applicable to Hamiltonian systems. In this paper, it is used to calculate orbits for zonal perturbations to the Kepler (two-body) problem, in both expansion in the eccentricity and closed form. In contrast with a normal form method like that of Deprit, the Lie transformations here are used to effect a propagation of phase space in time, and not to transform one Hamiltonian into another.     

An exact solution to determination of an open orbit

We present an exact solution of the equations for orbit determination of a two body system in a hyperbolic or parabolic motion. In solving this problem, we extend the method employed by Asada, Akasaka and Kasai (AAK) for a binary system in an elliptic orbit. The solutions applicable to each of elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic orbits are obtained by the new approach, and they are all expressed in an explicit form, remarkably, only in terms of elementary functions. We show also that the solutions for an open orbit are recovered by making a suitable transformation of the AAK solution for an elliptic case.     

定点在日-地(月)系L1点附近的探测器的发射及维持

在限制性三体问题中共线平动点附近的运动虽然是不稳定的,但可以是有条件稳定的,该动力学特征使得一些有特殊目的的探测器只需消耗较少的能量即可定点在这些点附近(如ISEE-3、SOHO).以日-地(月)系的L1点为例,根据其附近的运动特征,探讨定点探测器的发射与轨道控制问题,给出了相应的数值模拟结果,为工程上的实现提供理论依据.     

The optimization of satellite orbit for Space-VLBI observation

By sending one or more telescopes into space,Space-VLBI(SVLBI)is able to achieve even higher angular resolution and is therefore the trend of the VLBI technique.For the SVLBI program,the design of satellite orbits plays an important role for the success of planned observation.In this paper,we present our orbit optimization scheme,so as to facilitate the design of satellite orbits for SVLBI observation.To achieve that,we characterize the uv coverage with a measure index and minimize it by finding out the corresponding orbit configuration.In this way,the design of satellite orbit is converted to an optimization problem.We can prove that,with an appropriate global minimization method,the best orbit configuration can be found within the reasonable time.Besides that,we demonstrate that this scheme can be used for the scheduling of SVLBI observations.     

A closed-form solution to the minimum $${\Delta V_{\rm tot}^2}$$ Lambert’s problem

A closed form solution to the minimum DV_tot²{\Delta V_{\rm tot}^2} Lambert problem between two assigned positions in two distinct orbits is presented. Motivation comes from the need of computing optimal orbit transfer matrices to solve re-configuration problems of satellite constellations and the complexity associated in facing these problems with the minimization of DV_tot{\Delta V_{\rm tot}}. Extensive numerical tests show that the difference in fuel consumption between the solutions obtained by minimizing DV_tot²{\Delta V_{\rm tot}^2} and DV_tot{\Delta V_{\rm tot}} does not exceed 17%. The DV_tot²{\Delta V_{\rm tot}^2} solution can be adopted as starting point to find the minimum DV_tot{\Delta V_{\rm tot}}. The solving equation for minimum DV_tot²{\Delta V_{\rm tot}^2} Lambert problem is a quartic polynomial in term of the angular momentum modulus of the optimal transfer orbit. The root selection is discussed and the singular case, occurring when the initial and final radii are parallel, is analytically solved. A numerical example for the general case (orbit transfer “pork-chop” between two non-coplanar elliptical orbits) and two examples for the singular case (Hohmann and GTO transfers) are provided.     

Spacecraft Orbit Determination with The B-spline Approximation Method

It is known that the dynamical orbit determination is the most common way to get the precise orbits of spacecraft. However, it is hard to build up the precise dynamical model of spacecraft sometimes. In order to solve this problem, the technique of the orbit determination with the B-spline approximation method based on the theory of function approximation is presented in this article. In order to verify the effectiveness of this method, simulative orbit determinations in the cases of LEO (Low Earth Orbit), MEO (Medium Earth Orbit), and HEO (Highly Eccentric Orbit) satellites are performed, and it is shown that this method has a reliable accuracy and stable solution. The approach can be performed in both the conventional celestial coordinate system and the conventional terrestrial coordinate system. The spacecraft's position and velocity can be calculated directly with the B-spline approximation method, it needs not to integrate the dynamical equations, nor to calculate the state transfer matrix, thus the burden of calculations in the orbit determination is reduced substantially relative to the dynamical orbit determination method. The technique not only has a certain theoretical significance, but also can serve as a conventional algorithm in the spacecraft orbit determination.     

Asymptotic solution for the two-body problem with constant tangential thrust acceleration

An analytical solution of the two body problem perturbed by a constant tangential acceleration is derived with the aid of perturbation theory. The solution, which is valid for circular and elliptic orbits with generic eccentricity, describes the instantaneous time variation of all orbital elements. A comparison with high-accuracy numerical results shows that the analytical method can be effectively applied to multiple-revolution low-thrust orbit transfer around planets and in interplanetary space with negligible error.     

Properties of linearized mappings associated with periodic orbits in the three-body problem

In this paper three results on the linearized mapping associated with the plane three body problem near a periodic orbit are established. It is first shown that linear stability of such an orbit is independent of initial position on the orbit and of coordinate system. Second, the relation of Hénon connecting the rates of change of rotation angle and period on an isoenergetic family of periodic orbits is proved, together with a similar relation for families of orbits closing exactly in a rotating coordinate system. Finally, a condition for a critical orbit is given which is applicable to any family of periodic orbits.     

A Hamiltonian approach to the planar optimization of mid-course corrections

Lawden’s primer vector theory gives a set of necessary conditions that characterize the optimality of a transfer orbit, defined accordingly to the possibility of adding mid-course corrections. In this paper a novel approach is proposed where, through a polar coordinates transformation, the primer vector components decouple. Furthermore, the case when transfer, departure and arrival orbits are coplanar is analyzed using a Hamiltonian approach. This procedure leads to approximate analytic solutions for the in-plane components of the primer vector. Moreover, the solution for the circular transfer case is proven to be the Hill’s solution. The novel procedure reduces the mathematical and computational complexity of the original case study. It is shown that the primer vector is independent of the semi-major axis of the transfer orbit. The case with a fixed transfer trajectory and variable initial and final thrust impulses is studied. The acquired related optimality maps are presented and analyzed and they express the likelihood of a set of trajectories to be optimal. Furthermore, it is presented which kind of requirements have to be fulfilled by a set of departure and arrival orbits to have the same profile of primer vector.     

Optimal periodic relative orbit and rectilinear relative orbits with eccentric reference orbits

The problem of two-body linearized periodic relative orbits with eccentric reference orbits is studied in this paper. The periodic relative orbit in the target-orbital coordinate system can be used in fly-around and formation-flying orbit design. Based on the closed-form solutions to the Tschauner–Hempel equations, the initial condition for periodic relative orbits is obtained. Then the minimum-fuel periodic-orbit condition with a single impulse is analytically derived for given initial position and velocity vectors. When considering the initial coasting time, the impulse position of the global minimum-fuel periodic orbit is proved to be near to the perigee of the target and can be obtained by numerical optimization algorithms. Moreover, the condition for a special periodic orbit, i.e., the rectilinear relative orbit in the target-orbital frame, is obtained. Numerical simulations are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the method, and show the geometry of the periodic relative orbit and the rectilinear relative orbit.     

The Determination of an Intermediate Perturbed Orbit from Two Position Vectors

Based on the theory of intermediate orbits developed earlier by the author of this paper, a new approach is proposed to the solution of the problem of finding the orbit of a celestial body with the use of two position vectors of this body and the corresponding time interval. This approach makes it possible to take into account the main part of perturbations. The orbit is constructed, the motion along which is a combination of two motions: the uniform motion along a straight line of a fictitious attracting center, whose mass varies according to the first Meshchersky law, and the motion around this center. The latter is described by the equations of the Gylden–Meshchersky problem. The parameters of the constructed orbit are chosen so that their limiting values at any reference epoch determine a superosculating intermediate orbit with third-order tangency. The accuracy of approximation of the perturbed motion by the orbits calculated by the classical Gauss method and the new method is illustrated by an example of the motion of the unusual minor planet 1566 Icarus. Comparison of the results obtained shows that the new method has obvious advantages over the Gauss method. These advantages are especially prominent in cases where the angular distances between the reference positions are small.     

任务轨道设计

本文首先说明太空任务与轨道设计的关系 ,接着介绍轨道的基本性质。从地球重力势的观点看各种常用的绕地轨道 ,包括地球和太阳同步轨道及Molniya轨道。从扰动的观点看常用的星际轨道 ,包括LISA、ASTROD、SOHO轨道。最后对星际轨道设计 ,说明二点边界值问题的数值解法、飞掠星体的应用、最佳化的考虑 ,并用以设计 2 0 1 5年发射的ASTROD初步任务轨道。     

A numerical investigation of the one-dimensional newtonian three-body problem

Numerical orbit integrations have been conducted to characterize the types of trajectories in the one-dimensional Newtonian three-body problem with equal masses and negative energy. Essentially three different types of motions were found to exist. They may be classified according to the duration of the bound three-body state. There are zero-lifetime predictable trajectories, finite lifetime apparently chaotic orbits, and infinite lifetime quasi-periodic motions. The quasi-periodic orbits are confined to the neighbourhood of Schubart's stable periodic orbit. For all other trajectories the final state is of the type binary + single particle in both directions of time. The boundaries of the different orbit-type regions seem to be sharp. We present statistical results for the binding energies and for the duration of the bound three-body state. Properties of individual orbits are also summarized in the form of various graphical maps in a two-dimensional grid of parameters defining the orbit. Supported by the Academy of Finland.     

Impulsive time-free transfers between halo orbits

A methodology is developed to design optimal time-free impulsive transfers between three-dimensional halo orbits in the vicinity of the interior L ₁ libration point of the Sun-Earth/Moon barycenter system. The transfer trajectories are optimal in the sense that the total characteristic velocity required to implement the transfer exhibits a local minimum. Criteria are established whereby the implementation of a coast in the initial orbit, a coast in the final orbit, or dual coasts accomplishes a reduction in fuel expenditure. The optimality of a reference two-impulse transfer can be determined by examining the slope at the endpoints of a plot of the magnitude of the primer vector on the reference trajectory. If the initial and final slopes of the primer magnitude are zero, the transfer trajectory is optimal; otherwise, the execution of coasts is warranted. The optimal time of flight on the time-free transfer, and consequently, the departure and arrival locations on the halo orbits are determined by the unconstrained minimization of a function of two variables using a multivariable search technique. Results indicate that the cost can be substantially diminished by the allowance for coasts in the initial and final libration-point orbits.An earlier version was presented as Paper AIAA 92-4580 at the AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Conference, Hilton Head Island, SC, U.S.A., August 10–12, 1992.     

月球卫星轨道力学综述

月球探测器的运动通常可分为3个阶段，这3个阶段分别对应3种不同类型的轨道：近地停泊轨道、向月飞行的过渡轨道与环月飞行的月球卫星轨道。近地停泊轨道实为一种地球卫星轨道；过渡轨道则涉及不同的过渡方式(大推力或小推力等)；环月飞行的月球卫星轨道则与地球卫星轨道有很多不同之处，它决不是地球卫星轨道的简单克隆。针对这一点，全面阐述月球卫星的轨道力学问题，特别是环月飞行中的一些热点问题，如轨道摄动解的构造、近月点高度的下降及其涉及的卫星轨道寿命、各种特殊卫星(如太阳同步卫星和冻结轨道卫星等)的轨道特征、月球卫星定轨等。     

A two-level perturbation method for connecting unstable periodic orbits with low fuel cost and short time of flight: application to a lunar observation mission

The proposed method connects two unstable periodic orbits by employing trajectories of their associated invariant manifolds that are perturbed in two levels. A first level of velocity perturbations is applied on the trajectories of the discretized manifolds at the points where they approach the nominal unstable periodic orbit in order to accelerate them. A second level of structured velocity perturbations is applied to trajectories that have already been subjected to first level perturbations in order to approximately meet the necessary conditions for a low \(\varDelta \text {V}\) transfer. Due to this two-level perturbation approach, the number of the trajectories obtained is significantly larger compared with approaches that employ traditional invariant manifolds. For this reason, the problem of connecting two unstable periodic orbits through perturbed trajectories of their manifolds is transformed into an equivalent discrete optimization problem that is solved with a very low computational complexity algorithm that is proposed in this paper. Finally, the method is applied to a lunar observation mission of practical interest and is found to perform considerably better in terms of \(\varDelta \text {V}\) cost and time of flight when compared with previous techniques applied to the same project.