Optimal trajectories for the aeroassisted flight experimentThe optimal trajectories of the aeroassisted flight experiment (AFE) spacecraft are analyzed in a three-dimensional space using the full system of six ODEs describing the atmospheric pass. The optimal trajectories are computed for two possible transfers: indirect ascent to a 178 NM perigee via a 197 NM apogee and direct ascent to a 178 NM apogee. For each transfer, two cases are investigated: (1) the bank angle is continuously variable, and (2) the trajectory is divided into segments along which the bank angle is constant. It is shown that the optimal trajectories for both cases coalesce into a two subarc trajectory, with the bank angle constant in each subarc. It is also shown that, during the atmospheric pass, the peak values of the changes of the orbital inclination and the longitude of the ascending node are nearly zero.
Document ID
19900026429
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Miele, A. (Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Wang, T. (Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Lee, W. Y. (Rice Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Zhao, Z. G. (Rice University Houston, TX, United States)