Low-Thrust, High-Accuracy Trajectory Optimization
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Authors
Ross, I. Michael
Gong, Qi
Sekhavat, Pooya
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2007
Date
July-August 2007
Publisher
Language
Abstract
Multirevolution, very low-thrust trajectory optimization problems have long been considered difficult problems
due to their large time scales and high-frequency responses. By relating this difficulty to the well-known problem of
aliasing in information theory, an antialiasing trajectory optimization method is developed. The method is based on
Bellman’s principle of optimality and is extremely simple to implement. Appropriate technical conditions are derived
for generating candidate optimal solutions to a high accuracy. The proposed method is capable of detecting
suboptimality by way of three simple tests. These tests are used for verifying the optimality of a candidate solution
without the need for computing costates or other covectors that are necessary in the Pontryagin framework. The tests
are universal in the sense that they can be used in conjunction with any numerical method whether or not antialiasing
is sought. Several low-thrust example problems are solved to illustrate the proposed ideas. It is shown that the
antialiased solutions are, in fact, closed-loop solutions; hence, optimal feedback controls are obtained without
recourse to the complexities of the Hamilton–Jacobi theory. Because the proposed method is easy to implement, it can
be coded on an onboard computer for practical space guidance.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/1.23181
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Secretary of the Air Force
NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Format
13 p.
Citation
Ross, I. Michael, Qi Gong, and Pooya Sekhavat. "Low-thrust, high-accuracy trajectory optimization." Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics 30.4 (2007): 921-933.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.