Stochastic optimization of asteroid three-dimensional trajectory transfer

• In this work, an approach to designing near-optimal nonplanar transfer trajectories for asteroids is introduced, taking into account the uncertainty in asteroid parameters. The approach is demonstrated using a specific known Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) as a model for the transfer scenario. The designed trajectory redirects the NEA from its current orbit about the Sun to a new orbit in the Earth-Moon system. The approach utilizes a low-thrust redirection method, namely the ion beam method, to execute the transfer; however, the work can be extrapolated to most low-thrust redirection methods. Asteroid parameters, such as absolute magnitude, albedo and density, are modelled, and a Monte Carlo analysis is employed to investigate the redirection maneuver in light of the expected variation in parameters. The trajectory transfer is modelled in three dimensions through the use of pseudo-equinoctial shaping, and is subsequently optimized. Due to the large design space created by the 21 decision variables, the optimization is parsed into two main steps; first, a global optimization that employs a genetic algorithm, followed by a local optimization that utilizes sequential quadratic programming to refine the result from the global optimization. Lastly, the results of the Monte Carlo analysis for the near-optimal trajectory transfer of the NEA are discussed.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik -- Annan elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering -- Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Low-thrust trajectory design

Asteroid redirection

Uncertainty quantification

Onboard space systems

Rymdtekniska system

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)