Optimised GTO-GEO transfer using low-thrust propulsion

Di Carlo, Marilena and Vasile, Massimiliano and Kemble, Stephen (2017) Optimised GTO-GEO transfer using low-thrust propulsion. In: 31st International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS), 2017-06-03 - 2017-06-09.

[thumbnail of Di-Carlo-etal-ISTS-2017-Optimised-GTO-GEO-transfer-using-low-thrust-propulsion]
Preview
Text. Filename: Di_Carlo_etal_ISTS_2017_Optimised_GTO_GEO_transfer_using_low_thrust_propulsion.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript

Download (865kB)| Preview

Abstract

This paper proposes a global optimisation of the low-thrust transfers from GTO to GEO incorporating different types of perturbation. The trajectory transcription method makes use of an analytical solution of the perturbed Keplerian motion together with a simple direct collocation of the thrust arcs. The paper will show that low-thrust GTO to GEO transfers exhibit a number of local minima with a small but not negligible difference. The paper presents different strategies to explore the set of local minima and shows a number of locally optimal solutions.

ORCID iDs

Di Carlo, Marilena ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5046-3028, Vasile, Massimiliano ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8302-6465 and Kemble, Stephen;