Generation of optimal trajectories for Earth hybrid pole sitters

Ceriotti, M. and McInnes, C.R. (2011) Generation of optimal trajectories for Earth hybrid pole sitters. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 34(3), pp. 847-859. (doi: 10.2514/1.50935)

Abstract

A pole-sitter orbit is a closed path that is constantly above one of the Earth’s poles by means of continuous low thrust. This work proposes to hybridize solar sail propulsion and solar electric propulsion on the same spacecraft to enable such a pole-sitter orbit. Locally optimal control laws are found with a semianalytical inverse method, starting from a trajectory that satisfies the pole-sitter condition in the sun–Earth circular restricted three-body problem. These solutions are subsequently used as a first guess to find optimal orbits, using a direct method based on pseudospectral transcription. The orbital dynamics of both the pure solar electric propulsion case and the hybrid case are investigated and compared. It is found that the hybrid spacecraft allows savings on propellant mass fraction. Finally, is it shown that for sufficiently long missions, a hybrid pole sitter, based on midterm technology, enables a consistent reduction in the launch mass for a given payload, with respect to a pure solar electric propulsion spacecraft.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ceriotti, Dr Matteo and McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Ceriotti, M., and McInnes, C.R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• ISSN: 0731-5090
• ISSN (Online): 1533-3884
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2011 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• First Published: First published in Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics 34(3):847-859
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher