Constant-Thrust Orbit-Raising Transfer Charts.

摘要

This report outlines a method to generate minimum-fuel trajectories between coplanar circular orbits for a vehicle with constant thrust. The rocket equation models the effects of continuous fuel expenditure while also serving to recast the solution in terms of accumulated velocity change. These orbit-raising solutions are globally mapped with no restrictions on initial thrust magnitude, intermediate eccentricity, or number of revolutions of the central body. Several examples are presented to verify the transfer charts and familiarize the reader with their use. These charts are useful tools for mission planners and satellite designers to assess preliminary fuel requirements for constant-thrust systems or to compare different propulsion technologies.... Electric Propulsion, Thrust, Thruster, Efficiency, Orbits, Flight Maneuvers, Trajectories, Satellites (Artificial).