An iterative analytical technique for the design of interplanetary direct transfer trajectories including perturbations. Issue 12 (15th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parvathi, S.P.; Ramanan, R.V.
• Is Part Of: Advances in space research. Volume 61:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 3002
• Page End: 3019
• Publication Date: 2018-06-15
• Subjects: Interplanetary -- Trajectory design -- Analytical technique -- Patched conic -- Perturbations; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2018.03.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0273-1177

Abstract

Abstract: An iterative analytical trajectory design technique that includes perturbations in the departure phase of the interplanetary orbiter missions is proposed. The perturbations such as non-spherical gravity of Earth and the third body perturbations due to Sun and Moon are included in the analytical design process. In the design process, first the design is obtained using the iterative patched conic technique without including the perturbations and then modified to include the perturbations. The modification is based on, (i) backward analytical propagation of the state vector obtained from the iterative patched conic technique at the sphere of influence by including the perturbations, and (ii) quantification of deviations in the orbital elements at periapsis of the departure hyperbolic orbit. The orbital elements at the sphere of influence are changed to nullify the deviations at the periapsis. The analytical backward propagation is carried out using the linear approximation technique. The new analytical design technique, named as biased iterative patched conic technique, does not depend upon numerical integration and all computations are carried out using closed form expressions. The improved design is very close to the numerical design. The design analysis using the proposed technique provides a realistic insight into the mission aspects. Also, the proposed design is an excellent initial guess for numerical refinement and helps arrive at the four distinct design options for a given opportunity.