Interplanetary Low-thrust Trajectory Using Earth Gravity Assist and Invariant Manifold Technique

摘要

This paper presents a new easy-to-use and fuel-saving method to design the Earth-Mars transfer trajectory for a spacecraft equipped with electric propulsion. Invariant manifolds associated with a halo orbit are one of the best potential candidates for low-energy transfers. Utilization of attainable sets, which are collections of trajectories propagated from admissible initial conditions with admissible control laws, reduces the dimension of the problem that connects trajectories with invariant manifolds. The Electric Delta-V Earth Gravity Assist (EDVEGA) scheme is a promising technique to reduce fuel consumption using Earth gravity assist and electric propulsion. In this paper, therefore, we propose a design method for an Earth-Mars transfer trajectory that combines the invariant manifold technique with the EDVEGA scheme. The EDVEGA trajectory and low-thrust Mars capture trajectory are connected to invariant manifolds using attainable sets. Through comparison with conventional invariant manifold techniques, we show that the fuel consumption is reduced.